Rick Wakeman
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Updated 15 days ago
Richard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboardist and composer best known as a member of the progressive rock band Yes across 5 tenures between 1971 and 2004, and for his prolific solo career.
Born and raised in West London, Wakeman quit his studies at the Royal College of Music in 1969 to become a full-time session musician. His early sessions included "Space Oddity", among other tracks, for David Bowie, and songs by Elton John, Marc Bolan, Cat Stevens, and Lou Reed. In 1970, Wakeman joined the folk rock group the Strawbs, during which his virtuosity gained national press coverage. He left in 1971 to join Yes, with whom he played on some of their most influential albums across 2 stints until 1980. During this time Wakeman began a solo career in 1973 and became an iconic and prominent figure in progressive rock. His highest-selling and most acclaimed albums were The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1973), the UK number-one Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1974), and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (1975), all concept albums. In 1974, he formed his band the English Rock Ensemble, with which he toured worldwide and continues to perform, and went on to score his first major film, Lisztomania (1975).
Wakeman's discography includes over 100 solo albums spanning a range of musical styles. In 2017, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Yes.
Rick Wakeman has sold over 50 million albums worldwide through his solo work and his contributions to the progressive rock band Yes.
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Rick Wakeman ) Piano Vibrations ) 1971 ( Red Vinyl Purple Pyramid Records US 2020)
THE FABULOUS VINYL LIFEYou are listening to the genuine Hi-Fi stereo sound transferred from the actual vinyl record in the best possible quality. Piano Vibrations is the debut studio album by English keyboardist Rick Wakeman, released in 1971 by Polydor Records. Piano Vibrations was recorded when Wakeman was a session musician and a member of the folk rock group The Strawbs. The album features covers of pop, jazz, and folk songs with Wakeman on piano, John Schroeder and his orchestra, and a singer called Chris. Wakeman was paid a total of £36 for the 4 sessions it took to record the album. His name, and that of the lead vocalist, was not even written on the cover. In 2020 Purple Pyramid Records, a division of Cleopatra Records, Inc., reissued the album with Rick Wakeman credited. 🔘 Side 1: Take Me To The Pilot Yellow Man Cast Your Fate To The Wind Gloria, Gloria Your Song 🔘 Side 2: Delta Lady A Picture Of You Home Sweet Oklahoma Fire And Rain Classical Gas150 views 1 comment -
Rick Wakeman ) No Earthly Connection ) 1976 (A&M Records US)
THE FABULOUS VINYL LIFEYou are listening to the genuine Hi-Fi stereo sound transferred from the actual vinyl record in the best possible quality. No Earthly Connection is a studio album by English keyboardist Rick Wakeman, released in April 1976 on A&M Records. He based its material on a part fictional and non-fictional autobiographical account of music that incorporates historical, futuristic, and science-fiction themes. No Earthly Connection peaked at number 9 on the UK Albums Chart and number 67 on the US Billboard 200. Its front cover features a distorted image of Wakeman that is corrected with a mirror sheet supplied with the album. 🔘 Side 1: Music Reincarnate Part I: The Warning Part II: The Maker Part III: The Spaceman Part IV: The Realisation 🔘 Side 2: Music Reincarnate (Continued) Part V: The Reaper The Prisoner The Lost Cycle596 views 2 comments -
Rick Wakeman ) 1984 ) 1981 (Charisma UK)
THE FABULOUS VINYL LIFEYou are listening to the genuine Hi-Fi stereo sound transferred from the actual vinyl record in the best possible quality. 1984 is a studio album by the English keyboardist Rick Wakeman, released in June 1981 on Charisma Records. After reforming his band The English Rock Ensemble in 1980 and completing a European tour, Wakeman entered a recording deal with Charisma which granted him an advance and without a deadline to complete an album and began preparing material. He decided on a concept album based on the dystopian novel 1984 by George Orwell. Wakeman estimated the album took around two-and-a-half years to produce from conception to completion. It stemmed from his longtime wish of working with other musicians, blend electronic keyboards with an orchestra and choir. The lyrics are by Tim Rice. The album was recorded between 23 February–14 April 1981 at Morgan Studios in London, with Wakeman as the sole producer. The album received a warm reception, and peaked at No. 24 on the UK Albums Chart. Wakeman promoted it further with a world tour throughout 1981. Rick Wakeman – piano, Prophet-5, Prophet 10, RMI synthesiser, Hammond organ, Oberheim OB-X 1 synthesiser, Mini-moog synthesiser, Yamaha CS80 synthesizer, string machine, Synclavier synthesiser Steve Barnacle (aka "Boghead") – Fender bass guitar Tim Stone (aka "Beaky") – guitar Tony Fernandez – drums Gary Barnacle – selmer saxophone Frank Ricotti – Ludwig drums Chaka Khan – vocals Kenny Lynch – vocals Steve Harley – vocals Tim Rice – vocals Jon Anderson – vocals 🔘 Side 1: 1984 Overture a) Part One b) Part Two c) War Games Julia Hymn The Room (Brainwash) 🔘 Side 2: Robot Man Sorry No Name Forgotten Memories Proles 1984120 views 1 comment
