Rick Wakeman Biography

Born in Perivale, Middlesex, England, Rick Wakeman's interest in music manifested itself very early, and from the age of seven on he studied classical piano. At the age of 14, he joined a local band, Atlantic Blues, the same year he left school to enroll in the Royal College of Music. He had his eye on a career as a concert pianist, but Wakeman was dismissed from the college after it became clear that he preferred playing in clubs to studying technique.

By his late teens, he was an established session man, playing on records by such diverse acts as Black Sabbath, Brotherhood of Man, and Edison Lighthouse. At the end of the '60s, his name also began appearing on the credits of albums by such artists as Al Stewart and David Bowie, and one set of sessions with a folk-rock band called the Strawbs led to his joining the group in 1970. After two albums with the Strawbs, Wakeman joined Yes, a post-psychedelic hard rock band that had attracted considerable attention with their first three albums. Wakeman played a key role in the final shape of the group's fourth record, Fragile, creating a fierce, swirling sound on an array of electric and acoustic pianos, synthesizers, and Mellotrons. Fragile was a hit, driven by the chart success of the single "Roundabout", and Wakeman was suddenly elevated to star status.

Yes' next album, Close to the Edge, expanded his audience and his appeal, for his instruments were heard almost continually on the record. During the making of Close to the Edge in 1972, Wakeman also recorded his first solo album, an instrumental work entitled The Six Wives of Henry VIII, which consisted of his musical interpretations of the lives and personalities of the said six royal spouses. Released early in 1973 on A&M Records, it performed respectably on the charts. Public reception of Yes' 1974 album, Tales From Topographic Oceans, was mixed, and the critics were merciless in their attacks upon the record. Wakeman exited the group before the album's supporting tour. His new solo album, Journey to the Center of the Earth, adapted from the writings of Jules Verne and featuring a rock band, narrator (David Hemmings), and full orchestral and choral accompaniment, was released to tremendous public response in both America and England, where it topped the charts. In 1975, his next album, The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, was given a grand-scale premiere at Wembley's Empire Pool, although it also cost Wakeman a fortune to stage the event on ice. During this same period, Wakeman began working on film scores with the music for Ken Russell's Lisztomania, which was a modest hit.

In 1977, Wakeman returned to Yes, with which he has continued recording and touring. His solo career continued on A&M into the end of the '70s, with Criminal Record and Rhapsodies, which were modestly successful. Wakeman's biggest media splash during this period, however, came through his alleged role in getting the Sex Pistols dropped by A&M Records soon after being signed. None of this bothered his fans, which rapidly expanded to encompass those he picked up through his work with lyricist Tim Rice on a musical adaptation of George Orwell's 1984, and his burgeoning film work, which included the music to movies about the 1976 Winter Olympics and the 1982 soccer World Cup competition. Additionally, he became a regular on Britain's Channel 4. Wakeman's audience and reputation survived the 1980s better than almost any progressive rock star of his era, as he continued releasing albums on his own label. He also remained associated with Yes into the '90s.

Biography by allmusic.com

All abums by Rick Wakeman

Cover	Album title	Year	Tracks	User rating	Preview
	Rick Wakeman At Lincoln Cathedral Cd1	2005	6	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Rick Wakeman At Lincoln Cathedral Cd1 by Rick Wakeman
	Rick Wakeman At Lincoln Cathedral Cd2	2005	7	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Rick Wakeman At Lincoln Cathedral Cd2 by Rick Wakeman
	Heaven On Earth	2004	9	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Heaven On Earth by Rick Wakeman
	Frost In Space	2003	1	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Frost In Space by Rick Wakeman
	No Earthly Connection	2003	4	0,0 / 0 votes	View album No Earthly Connection by Rick Wakeman
	Songs Of Middle Earth	2003	10	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Songs Of Middle Earth by Rick Wakeman
	The Wizard And The Forest Of All Dreams	2003	6	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The Wizard And The Forest Of All Dreams by Rick Wakeman
	Out Of The Blue	2002	7	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Out Of The Blue by Rick Wakeman
	Rock Collection	2002	13	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Rock Collection by Rick Wakeman
	Rw In Moscow 2002 (Bootleg)	2002	10	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Rw In Moscow 2002 (Bootleg) by Rick Wakeman
	The Yes Piano Variations	2002	6	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The Yes Piano Variations by Rick Wakeman
	Treasure Box Cd4 Almost Classical	2002	8	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Treasure Box Cd4 Almost Classical by Rick Wakeman
	Treasure Box Cd6 Medium Rare	2002	16	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Treasure Box Cd6 Medium Rare by Rick Wakeman
	Treasure Box Cd7 Journey To The Centre Of The Earth Plus	2002	5	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Treasure Box Cd7 Journey To The Centre Of The Earth Plus by Rick Wakeman
	Treasure Box Cd8 Stories	2002	13	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Treasure Box Cd8 Stories by Rick Wakeman
	Tribute To The Lord Of The Rings	2002	10	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Tribute To The Lord Of The Rings by Rick Wakeman
	Two Sides Of Yes Vol. 2	2002	6	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Two Sides Of Yes Vol. 2 by Rick Wakeman
	A Unique Journey Return Live At Trois Rivieres Cd1	2001	19	0,0 / 0 votes	View album A Unique Journey Return Live At Trois Rivieres Cd1 by Rick Wakeman
	A Unique Journey Return Live At Trois Rivieres Cd2	2001	12	0,0 / 0 votes	View album A Unique Journey Return Live At Trois Rivieres Cd2 by Rick Wakeman
	Journey To The Centre Of The Earth	2001	2	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Journey To The Centre Of The Earth by Rick Wakeman
	Landscapes Of Middle Earth	2001	10	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Landscapes Of Middle Earth by Rick Wakeman
	Live In Buenos Aires	2001	6	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Live In Buenos Aires by Rick Wakeman
	Recollections Greatests Hits	2001	14	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Recollections Greatests Hits by Rick Wakeman
	Rick Wakeman Live in Concert 2000	2001	13	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Rick Wakeman Live in Concert 2000 by Rick Wakeman
	The Legend - Live In Concert	2001	13	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The Legend - Live In Concert by Rick Wakeman
	Two Sides of Yes	2001	7	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Two Sides of Yes by Rick Wakeman
	Christmas Variations	2000	10	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Christmas Variations by Rick Wakeman
	Chronicles Of Man	2000	13	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Chronicles Of Man by Rick Wakeman
	Glory Boys and Silent Nights	2000	3	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Glory Boys and Silent Nights by Rick Wakeman
	Morning Has Broken	2000	14	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Morning Has Broken by Rick Wakeman
	Orisons	2000	22	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Orisons by Rick Wakeman
	Preludes To A Century	2000	12	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Preludes To A Century by Rick Wakeman
	Tales Of Future And Past	2000	5	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Tales Of Future And Past by Rick Wakeman
	Tales Of Future And Past (1 Of 2)	2000	9	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Tales Of Future And Past (1 Of 2) by Rick Wakeman
	Tales Of Future And Past (2 Of 2)	2000	5	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Tales Of Future And Past (2 Of 2) by Rick Wakeman
	Treasure Box Cd2 The Oscar Concert	2000	12	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Treasure Box Cd2 The Oscar Concert by Rick Wakeman
	Art In Music Trilogy - Sketches	1999	16	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Art In Music Trilogy - Sketches by Rick Wakeman
	Art In Music Trilogy - The Sculptor	1999	9	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Art In Music Trilogy - The Sculptor by Rick Wakeman
	Art In Music Trilogy - The Writer	1999	10	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Art In Music Trilogy - The Writer by Rick Wakeman
	Custer's Last Stand and Ocean City Ep	1999	2	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Custer's Last Stand and Ocean City Ep by Rick Wakeman
	Forever Gold Cd1	1999	13	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Forever Gold Cd1 by Rick Wakeman
	Forever Gold Cd2	1999	16	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Forever Gold Cd2 by Rick Wakeman
	Jabberwocky	1999	12	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Jabberwocky by Rick Wakeman
	Return To The Centre Of The Earth	1999	22	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Return To The Centre Of The Earth by Rick Wakeman
	Return To The Centre Of The Earth Cd1	1999	11	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Return To The Centre Of The Earth Cd1 by Rick Wakeman
	Return To The Centre Of The Earth Cd2	1999	11	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Return To The Centre Of The Earth Cd2 by Rick Wakeman
	Selections From Journey To The Centre Of The Earth	1999	15	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Selections From Journey To The Centre Of The Earth by Rick Wakeman
	Treasure Box Cd5 The Mixture	1999	8	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Treasure Box Cd5 The Mixture by Rick Wakeman
	Aspirant Sunrise	1998	11	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Aspirant Sunrise by Rick Wakeman
	Light Up The Sky Ep	1998	4	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Light Up The Sky Ep by Rick Wakeman
	White Rock Ii	1998	7	0,0 / 0 votes	View album White Rock Ii by Rick Wakeman
	The Natural World Trilogy - Beneath The Waves	1997	9	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The Natural World Trilogy - Beneath The Waves by Rick Wakeman
	The Natural World Trilogy - The Animal Kingdom	1997	9	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The Natural World Trilogy - The Animal Kingdom by Rick Wakeman
	Tribute To The Beatles	1997	11	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Tribute To The Beatles by Rick Wakeman
	Trubute	1997	11	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Trubute by Rick Wakeman
	Can You Hear Me?	1996	8	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Can You Hear Me? by Rick Wakeman
	Fields Of Green	1996	10	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Fields Of Green by Rick Wakeman
	King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents in Concert	1996	8	0,0 / 0 votes	View album King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents in Concert by Rick Wakeman
	Tapestries	1996	14	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Tapestries by Rick Wakeman
	The New Gospels	1996	12	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The New Gospels by Rick Wakeman
	Vignettes	1996	13	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Vignettes by Rick Wakeman
	Visions	1996	12	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Visions by Rick Wakeman
	Voyage	1996	21	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Voyage by Rick Wakeman
	Almost Live In Europe	1995	4	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Almost Live In Europe by Rick Wakeman
	Journey To The Center Of The Earth	1995	1	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Journey To The Center Of The Earth by Rick Wakeman
	Romance Of The Victorian Age	1995	13	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Romance Of The Victorian Age by Rick Wakeman
	Softsword (King John and The Magna Charter)	1995	11	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Softsword (King John and The Magna Charter) by Rick Wakeman
	Softsword- King John and The Mag	1995	11	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Softsword- King John and The Mag by Rick Wakeman
	The Seven Wonders Of The World	1995	14	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The Seven Wonders Of The World by Rick Wakeman
	Night Airs	1994	10	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Night Airs by Rick Wakeman
	Sea Airs	1994	12	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Sea Airs by Rick Wakeman
	Simply Acoustic	1994	10	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Simply Acoustic by Rick Wakeman
	The Stage Collection Cd1	1994	5	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The Stage Collection Cd1 by Rick Wakeman
	Wakeman With Wakeman - Live	1994	2	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Wakeman With Wakeman - Live by Rick Wakeman
	African Bach	1993	10	0,0 / 0 votes	View album African Bach by Rick Wakeman
	Classic Tracks	1993	3	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Classic Tracks by Rick Wakeman
	Heritage Suite	1993	12	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Heritage Suite by Rick Wakeman
	No Expense Spared	1993	12	0,0 / 0 votes	View album No Expense Spared by Rick Wakeman
	Prayers	1993	15	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Prayers by Rick Wakeman
	Soliloquy	1993	11	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Soliloquy by Rick Wakeman
	The Classical Connection 2	1993	12	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The Classical Connection 2 by Rick Wakeman
	The Heritage Suite	1993	12	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The Heritage Suite by Rick Wakeman
	Wakeman with Wakeman	1993	11	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Wakeman with Wakeman by Rick Wakeman
	Country Airs	1992	14	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Country Airs by Rick Wakeman
	2000 A.D. Into The Future	1991	9	0,0 / 0 votes	View album 2000 A.D. Into The Future by Rick Wakeman
	2000 Ad Into The Future	1991	9	0,0 / 0 votes	View album 2000 Ad Into The Future by Rick Wakeman
	Aspirant Shadows	1991	11	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Aspirant Shadows by Rick Wakeman
	Aspirant Sunset	1991	10	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Aspirant Sunset by Rick Wakeman
	Phantom Power	1991	14	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Phantom Power by Rick Wakeman
	Play The Yes	1991	7	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Play The Yes by Rick Wakeman
	Rock N' Roll Prophet Plus	1991	12	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Rock N' Roll Prophet Plus by Rick Wakeman
	The Classical Connection	1991	10	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The Classical Connection by Rick Wakeman
	The Classical Connection 1	1991	10	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The Classical Connection 1 by Rick Wakeman
	In The Beginning	1990	10	0,0 / 0 votes	View album In The Beginning by Rick Wakeman
	The Six Wives of Henry VIII	1990	6	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Rick Wakeman
	Black Knights At The Court Of Ferdinand Iv	1989	8	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Black Knights At The Court Of Ferdinand Iv by Rick Wakeman
	A Suite Of Gods	1988	7	0,0 / 0 votes	View album A Suite Of Gods by Rick Wakeman
	Zodiaque	1988	12	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Zodiaque by Rick Wakeman
	Creepshow 2	1987	11	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Creepshow 2 by Rick Wakeman
	Gospels	1987	15	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Gospels by Rick Wakeman
	The Family Album	1987	15	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The Family Album by Rick Wakeman
	The Word And The Gospels (Cd 1)	1987	8	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The Word And The Gospels (Cd 1) by Rick Wakeman
	The Word And The Gospels (Cd 2)	1987	8	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The Word And The Gospels (Cd 2) by Rick Wakeman
	Crimes Of Passion	1984	11	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Crimes Of Passion by Rick Wakeman
	Cost Of Living	1983	9	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Cost Of Living by Rick Wakeman
	G'ole!	1983	12	0,0 / 0 votes	View album G'ole! by Rick Wakeman
	Gole!	1983	10	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Gole! by Rick Wakeman
	The Burning	1982	8	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The Burning by Rick Wakeman
	1984	1981	10	0,0 / 0 votes	View album 1984 by Rick Wakeman
	Rhapsodies	1979	17	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Rhapsodies by Rick Wakeman
	Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record	1977	6	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record by Rick Wakeman
	White Rock	1977	8	0,0 / 0 votes	View album White Rock by Rick Wakeman
	King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Rick Wakeman In Conc	1975	8	0,0 / 0 votes	View album King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Rick Wakeman In Conc by Rick Wakeman
	Lisztomania	1975	12	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Lisztomania by Rick Wakeman
	Live At The Sydney Myer Music Bowl	1975	5	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Live At The Sydney Myer Music Bowl by Rick Wakeman
	Myths and Legends of King Artur	1975	7	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Myths and Legends of King Artur by Rick Wakeman
	The Myths and Legends Of King Arthur	1975	7	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The Myths and Legends Of King Arthur by Rick Wakeman
	Treasure Box Cd1 The Real Lisztomania	1975	21	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Treasure Box Cd1 The Real Lisztomania by Rick Wakeman
	Journey To The Centre of The E	1974	2	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Journey To The Centre of The E by Rick Wakeman
	Treasure Box Cd3 The Missing Half	1974	13	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Treasure Box Cd3 The Missing Half by Rick Wakeman
	Six Wives Of Henry VIII	1973	6	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Six Wives Of Henry VIII by Rick Wakeman
	Piano Vibrations	1971	10	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Piano Vibrations by Rick Wakeman
	Aspirant Sunshadows		11	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Aspirant Sunshadows by Rick Wakeman
	Cirque Surreal		11	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Cirque Surreal by Rick Wakeman
	Dragonmere		1	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Dragonmere by Rick Wakeman
	Lytton's Diary		2	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Lytton's Diary by Rick Wakeman
	Open Window		15	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Open Window by Rick Wakeman
	Out There		6	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Out There by Rick Wakeman
	Silent Nights		10	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Silent Nights by Rick Wakeman
	Stella Bianca		8	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Stella Bianca by Rick Wakeman
	The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table		7	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table by Rick Wakeman
	The Piano Album		13	0,0 / 0 votes	View album The Piano Album by Rick Wakeman
	Time Machine		9	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Time Machine by Rick Wakeman
	Welcome A Star		3	0,0 / 0 votes	View album Welcome A Star by Rick Wakeman