View source for Rick Wakeman

{{Short description|English keyboardist (born 1949)}}
{{Distinguish|Ric Wake}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Rick Wakeman
| honorific_suffix   = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100|CBE}}
| image              = Rick Wakeman - July 2017 (cropped).jpg
| alt                = Wakeman playing two keyboards
| caption            = Wakeman performing in 2017
| birth_name         = Richard Christopher Wakeman
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1949|5|18|df=yes}}
| birth_place        = [[Perivale]], [[Middlesex]]<!--Middlesex pre-1965-->, England
| occupation         = {{Flatlist|
* Keyboardist
* songwriter
* producer
* television and radio presenter
* author
}}
| years_active       = 1969–present
| spouse             = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Rosaline Woolford|1970|1977|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Danielle Corminboeuf|1980|1980|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|[[Nina Carter]]|1984|2004|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Rachel Kaufman|2011}}
}}
| children           = 6, including [[Oliver Wakeman|Oliver]] and [[Adam Wakeman|Adam]]
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist
   | embed          = yes
   | background     = solo_singer
   | instrument     = {{Flatlist|
* Keyboards 
}}
| genre          = {{Flatlist|
* [[Progressive rock]]
* [[classical music|classical]]
* [[Ambient music|ambient]]
* [[New-age music|new-age]]
* [[Christian music|Christian]]
* [[instrumental rock]]
}}
| past_member_of = {{Flatlist|
* [[Strawbs|The Strawbs]]
* [[Yes (band)|Yes]]
* [[Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe]]
* [[Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman]]
}}
| label = {{Flatlist|
* [[A&M Records|A&M]]
* [[Charisma Records|Charisma]]
* Moon
* [[Griffin Music|Griffin]]
* [[President Records|President]]
* Coda
* Stylus
* Ambient
* Asaph
* Hope
* Music Fusion
* [[Castle Communications]]
* Pinnacle
* RPM
* [[EMI Classics|EMI]]
* [[Voiceprint Records|Voiceprint]]
* Legends
* Classic Pictures
* [[Eagle Records|Eagle]]
* Gonzo
* [[Universal Music Group]]
* [[Sony Classical]]
* R&D
* Madfish
}}
| website = {{URL|rwcc.com}}
}}
}}
'''Richard Christopher Wakeman''' (born 18 May 1949) is an English keyboardist and composer best known as a member of the [[progressive rock]] band [[Yes (band)|Yes]] across five tenures between 1971 and 2004, and for his prolific solo career. [[AllMusic]] describes Wakeman as a "classically trained keyboardist extraordinaire who plied his trade with Yes and developed his own brand of live spectacular in a solo act."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rick-wakeman-mn0000300245/biography|title=Rick Wakeman: Biography|first=Bruce|last=Eder|website=AllMusic|access-date=11 January 2023}}</ref>

Born and raised in [[West London (sub region)|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 [[Strawbs|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 two 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 (album)|The Six Wives of Henry VIII]]'' (1973), the UK number-one ''[[Journey to the Centre of the Earth (album)|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 (film)|Lisztomania]]'' (1975).

Wakeman had uneven success in the next two decades following a change in musical fashion and financial issues from two divorces. His most popular album was the conceptual rocker [[1984 (Rick Wakeman album)|''1984'']] (1981), which was followed by the minor pop hit single "Glory Boys" from ''[[Silent Nights]]'' (1985). He expanded into other areas such as hosting the television show ''[[GasTank]]'', composing for television and film, forming record labels, and producing his first [[New-age music|new-age]], [[ambient music|ambient]], and [[Christian music]] with ''[[Country Airs]]'' (1986) and ''The Gospels'' (1987), respectively. In 1988, he reunited with former Yes bandmates for [[Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe]], which led to his third period in the group until 1992. Wakeman's most significant album of the 1990s was ''[[Return to the Centre of the Earth]]'' (1999), his first UK top 40 album in 18 years, and his piano album ''[[Piano Portraits]]'' (2017) produced his first UK top 10 album since 1975. Starting in 2009, Wakeman revisited his three hit albums of the 1970s by performing them live with new and expanded arrangements. From 2016 to 2020, Wakeman was a member of [[Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman]]. He continues to record albums and perform concerts worldwide in various capacities. His most recent album was ''Yessonata'', released in October 2024.

Wakeman's [[Rick Wakeman discography|discography]] includes over 100 solo albums{{efn|Wakeman's 2017 album ''Piano Portraits'' was marketed as his 100th solo album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/album-reviews/new-releases-vienna-new-year/|title=New Releases: Vienna Philharmonic New Year's Concert 2017 and 100th solo album from Rick Wakeman|date=9 January 2017|publisher=Classic FM|access-date=5 September 2024}}</ref> The 2018 tour programme for his following album, ''Piano Odyssey'', lists 108 albums.<ref name=Odyssey2018/> }} spanning a range of musical styles. He has also gained notoriety for his appearances on the television programs ''Live at Jongleurs'', ''[[Countdown (game show)|Countdown]]'', ''[[Grumpy Old Men (TV series)|Grumpy Old Men]]'', and ''[[Watchdog (TV programme)|Watchdog]]'', and for his radio show on [[Planet Rock (radio station)|Planet Rock]] that aired from 2005 to 2010. Wakeman has written an autobiography and two memoirs. In 2017, he was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] as a member of [[Yes (band)|Yes]].<ref name="rrhofyes">{{cite web|title=Inductees: Yes|url=https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/yes|website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|access-date=20 December 2016}}</ref> He was awarded a [[CBE]] for his services to music and broadcasting in 2021.

==Early life==
Richard Christopher Wakeman was born on 18 May 1949 at Perivale Maternity Hospital in [[Perivale]], Middlesex. The only child of Mildred Helen (née Eastment) and Cyril Frank Wakeman, the family lived in Wood End Gardens in nearby [[Northolt]].{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=23}}{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=46}} Cyril worked at a [[Building material|building suppliers]], starting as an office boy at age 14 and worked up to became one of its directors, and was a pianist in [[Ted Heath (bandleader)|Ted Heath]]'s big band while he was in the [[British Army]].<ref name=telegraph2014/>{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=23}} Mildred worked at a [[Moving company|removals firm]].<ref name=telegraph2014>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/fameandfortune/10804471/Rick-Wakeman-David-Bowies-advice-made-me-millions.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504203826/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/fameandfortune/10804471/Rick-Wakeman-David-Bowies-advice-made-me-millions.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 May 2014|title=Rick Wakeman: 'David Bowie's advice made me millions'|first=Lorraine|last=McBride|date=4 May 2014|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=22 November 2016}}</ref> Wakeman attended Wood End Junior School until he was ten, followed by [[Drayton Manor High School|Drayton Manor Grammar]] in [[Hanwell]]. His summer holidays were spent with his parents in [[Exmouth]].<ref name=Louder2016/><ref name=1991tourbook>{{cite book|url=http://www.rwcc.com/programmes/1992ClassicalConnection2.pdf|title=Rick Wakeman: The Classical Connections II Tour|type=Tour programme|date=1991|publisher=Unknown|access-date=15 December 2016}}</ref> Although raised in a Christian family, Wakeman "never had anything forced on me" and attended South Harrow Baptist Church, which he enjoyed. He took up the [[church organ]] at twelve, joined the [[Boys' Brigade]], and completed a two-year course to become a [[Sunday school]] teacher. At eighteen he decided to be [[Immersion baptism|baptised by immersion]].{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=26}}<ref name=contemporarykeyboard1976>{{Cite journal|journal=Contemporary Keyboard|title=Rick Wakeman: Rock Powerhouse|date=March 1976|first=Dominic|last=Milano|url=http://zenponies.com/yitp/1976/mar/marxx_76.html}}</ref><ref name=CR1994/>

Wakeman was inspired to take up the piano at the age of five. His parents, aunts and uncle performed as a [[Concert party (entertainment)|concert party]] troupe called The Wakemans until the war caused them to disband.<ref name=Louder2016/> They occasionally revived the act in the front room on Sunday evenings, playing the piano and singing songs which he heard from his upstairs bedroom. "I used to climb out of bed and sit on the bottom of the stairs and listen."<ref name=UG2019>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/yes_rick_wakeman_nearly_half_my_dads_income_went_on_paying_for_my_piano_lessons.html|title=Yes' Rick Wakeman: Nearly Half My Dad's Income Went on Paying for My Piano Lessons|date=27 December 2019|website=Ultimate Guitar|access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref> Eventually his parents allowed him to play a piece on the piano. "Everybody clapped, and I thought, I'll have some more of that, and refused to go back to bed."<ref name=Louder2016/> [[Sergei Prokofiev]] made a strong impression on Wakeman after his father took him to a concert performance of ''[[Peter and the Wolf]]'' when he was about eight, which inspired him to tell stories with his music. He has since named the Russian composer a musical hero.<ref name=Pianist2017/> Other musical influences on Wakeman during this time were [[trad jazz]] musician [[Kenny Ball]], [[skiffle]] singer [[Lonnie Donegan]], and pianist [[Russ Conway]]; his first music purchases were records by all three.<ref name=1991tourbook/><ref name=Louder2024>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/rick-wakeman-and-the-blues|title=Rick Wakeman, and the blues records that changed his life|first=Jo|last=Kendall|date=11 April 2024|publisher=Loudersound|access-date=10 October 2025}}</ref> His first keyboard was a reed organ bought from [[Woolworths (United Kingdom)|Woolworths]].<ref name=LouderQA2014>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/q-a-rick-wakeman|title=Q&A: Rick Wakeman|date=9 May 2014|first=Jerry|last=Ewing|publisher=Loudersound|access-date=24 August 2024}}</ref> 

Between the ages of seven and eighteen, Wakeman had classically-trained piano and theory lessons with Dorothy Symes in Harrow, paid for by his father, who spent almost half of his income on tuition.<ref name=UG2019/> Wakeman passed each grade with a distinction, and Symes recalled him to be an "enjoyable pupil to teach, full of fun and with a good sense of humour", but lacked discipline to practice scales. She noted his fondness to adapt arrangements and play a piece in his own style, revealing his natural gift at composition.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=24}} His first performances to an audience were recitals that Symes put on for the parents of all her current pupils. He performed his first two recitals, "Buy a Broom" and "See a Monkey on a Stick", on stage in later life.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/leisure/reviews/11794375.rick-wakeman-lighthouse-poole/|title=Rick Wakeman - Lighthouse, Poole|first=Cliff|last=Moore|date=14 February 2015|website=Bournemouth Echo|access-date=26 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/10733922.quartz-arts-fest-review-intimate-evening-rick-wakeman/|title=Quartz Arts Fest Review: A Very Intimate Evening with Rick Wakeman|first=Daisy|last=Blacklock|date=11 October 2013|website=Somerset County Gazette|access-date=26 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/rick-wakeman-the-soundtrack-of-my-life|title=Rick Wakeman: The soundtrack of my life|first=Ian|last=Fortnam|date=26 May 2021|publisher=Loudersound|access-date=18 July 2025}}</ref> His [[Showmanship (performing)|showmanship]] also developed early, when at age ten, he played Conway's honky-tonk piano hit "[[Side Saddle]]" instead of his intended rehearsed piece, a [[Muzio Clementi|Clementi]] piano [[sonatina]], at his annual school talent show.<ref name=Louder2016/> In the same year Symes entered Wakeman in the Southall Music Festival, which he won for his category. He went on to win many others on the competition circuit in the south and west London area over the next several years; biographer Dan Wooding reported over 100 certificates and 20 medals and cups.<ref name=1991tourbook/>{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=25}}{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=28}} 

Wakeman described himself as "a horror" at Drayton Manor school, "I worked hard in the first year then eased up."{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=29}} He passed music, art, maths and English at [[GCE Ordinary Level|O Level]], and chose to study music, art, and British constitution at [[GCE Advanced Level (United Kingdom)|A-level]]. He failed the latter.<ref name=1991tourbook/> He played in the school football team.<ref name=1991tourbook/>

==Career==
===1962–1969: Early career and Royal College of Music===
[[File:London - Kensington Gore - View South on Royal College of Music.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Wakeman attended the Royal College of Music for a year before he quit to become a session musician]]
Wakeman played in his first band, the trad jazz outfit Brother Wakeman and the Clergymen, at age 12.<ref name=chorleyguardian2015>{{Cite news|url=http://www.chorley-guardian.co.uk/what-s-on/music/the-interview-rick-wakeman-1-7442858|title=The interview: Rick Wakeman|date=3 September 2015|first=Malcolm|last=Wyatt|publisher=Chorley Guardian|access-date=13 January 2016}}</ref> Their name derived from wearing the uniform of the school shirt put on the wrong way round, to which a friend said they looked like vicars.<ref name=1991tourbook/> In the same year Wakeman started playing the clarinet, and was second clarinettist in the school orchestra.<ref name=1991tourbook/>{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=31}} In 1963 he joined the Atlantic Blues, a local five-piece group that secured a year's residency at a club for the mentally disabled in [[Neasden]], which taught him the discipline of working within a band.<ref name=1991tourbook/> He formed Curdled Milk, a joke on "[[Strange Brew (song)|Strange Brew]]" by [[Cream (band)|Cream]], to perform at the annual school dance.<ref name=1991tourbook/> The band were unpaid after Wakeman lost control of his car and drove across the headmaster's rose garden at the front of the school, thereby forfeiting their performance fee to pay for the damage. Shortly after Wakeman, already a member of the Atlantic Blues, joined the Concordes (later the Concorde Quartet), playing dance and pop songs at local events with his cousin [[Alan Wakeman]] on saxophone and clarinet. Money earned from these gigs was used to buy his first electronic keyboard, a [[Hohner Pianet]].{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=28}}

In 1966 he formed his own dance band, the Green Dolphin Trio, who had a residency at the Brent council social club in [[Alperton]].<ref name=1991tourbook/> He left in the following year to join the Ronnie Smith Band at the [[Top Rank Suite|Top Rank]] ballroom in [[Watford]]. Here he met singer Ashley Holt, who appeared on many of Wakeman's future albums and tours.<ref name=1991tourbook/> Smith fired Wakeman for not taking the dance music seriously enough, but was soon reinstated at the Top Rank in [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]]. Around this time, Wakeman frequented the Red Lion pub in [[Brentford]] where he took part in jam sessions with several established musicians, including [[John Entwistle]], [[James Royal]], [[Nick Simper]], and [[Mitch Mitchell]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://geirmykl.wordpress.com/2017/11/29/article-about-rick-wakeman-from-sounds-august-28-1971/|title=Just another Yes man...|date=28 August 1971|work=Sounds|first=Penny|last=Valentine|access-date=28 August 2024}}</ref> His first radio appearance followed soon after, when Royal invited him to take part in a live BBC session with himself, Entwistle, and guitarist Mick King.<ref name=LoudersoundBB2012/>

In 1968, with support from his school, Wakeman acquired a scholarship at the [[Royal College of Music]] in London with the intention of becoming a concert pianist. He had to pass eight exam grades to earn his A-level music degree, but he eased up and had passed only six, which required him to do two years' work in ten months. With additional tuition from Symes, he put in the effort following a ten-[[shilling]] bet with his music teacher who believed he would not succeed, and refusing an offer to work with his father at the building suppliers.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=29}}{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=30}} Wakeman entered the college on a performer's course with the piano as his first study, clarinet his second, and [[orchestration]] and modern music his third, but quickly found out that "everyone else there was at least as good as me; and a lot of them much better", and switched to a teacher's course.<ref name=1976tourbook/> His orchestration professor, [[Philip Cannon (composer)|Philip Cannon]], had a long-lasting influence on his own compositions.<ref name=Odyssey2018>{{cite web|url=https://www.rwcc.com/programmes/2018PianoOdyssey.pdf|title=Rick Wakeman: Piano Odyssey Tour – 2018 Programme|website=Rick Wakeman's Communication Centre|year=2018|access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref>

Wakeman was enthusiastic to start, but this was followed with periods of disillusionment and frustration. His requests to start a rock and jazz club were denied, and one professor urged him to cut his hair short; Wakeman refused and let it grow even longer.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=31–32}} His desire to study lessened, and spent more time drinking and hanging out with the staff at the Musical Bargain Centre, a music shop in [[Ealing]].{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=61}} The owner, Dave Simms, gave Wakeman an evening job as pianist in his dance band and noticed his natural talent. One day guitarist [[Chas Cronk]] entered the shop in need of an organist and brass arranger for an upcoming recording session with [[Ike & Tina Turner|Ike & Tina Turner Revue]] vocalist [[Jimmy Thomas]].<ref name=Louder2024/>{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=33}}{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=62}} Simms suggested Wakeman, who attended the session with Cronk at [[Olympic Studios]] where he met producers [[Denny Cordell]], [[Gus Dudgeon]], and [[Tony Visconti]], and engineer [[Keith Grant]]. It was his first time in a recording studio and scoring for brass; he incorrectly copied them in [[concert pitch]], which the band corrected.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=64, 66}} Cordell was nonetheless impressed with his style of playing, and Wakeman accepted his offer to more session work for [[Regal Zonophone Records]], which he used to compensate the small grant he had received to study, which was frowned upon by the college.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=69}}<ref name=1976tourbook/><ref name=MS2019>{{cite web|url=https://blog.musoscribe.com/index.php/2019/10/09/a-session-with-the-session-man-rick-wakeman-part-two/|title=A Session with the Session Man: Rick Wakeman (Part Two)|first=Bill|last=Kopp|date=9 October 2019|publisher=MUSOscribe|access-date=28 August 2024}}</ref> Following encouragement from his clarinet professor, Basil Tschaikov, who had noted his growing preference for the more lucrative sessions and contemporary music, Wakeman dropped out from the college one year into his course.<ref name=Pianist2017>{{cite magazine|url=http://forgotten-yesterdays.com/_graphics/memorabilia/first_love_-_rick_wakeman_interview_-_erica_worth_-_piano_-_aprilmay_2017_34607.pdf|magazine=Pianist|issue=95|title=First Love|first=Erica|last=Love|date=April 2017|pages=12–14}}</ref>

===1969–1971: Session work and the Strawbs===
{{multiple image|total_width=380px
| image1=David-Bowie Chicago 2002-08-08 photoby Adam-Bielawski-cropped.jpg
| image2=Cat Stevens Glastonbury 2023 -2.jpg
| footer=Wakeman gained initial notoriety as a session musician and played with a variety of contemporary musicians, including hits by [[David Bowie]] (left) and [[Cat Stevens]] (right)
}}
After quitting the Royal College, Wakeman returned to the Ronnie Smith band at the Top Rank in Reading for a steady income. It was here that he met his first wife, Rosaline Woolford, and after three months, the pair became engaged. Since the Top Rank gigs were at evenings Wakeman worked sessions during the day, usually three or four, sometimes in different studios across London, starting on £9 for a full session and £6 for a half. Eventually, he earned as much as £15.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=37}} His ability to produce what was needed in a short time led to his nickname, One Take Wakeman.{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=112}} In addition to sessions for Dudgeon and Visconti, he had regular work from top session contractor David Katz, who at one point had Wakeman as his go-to piano player and had him play for the television series ''[[The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]]'' and ''[[Jason King (TV series)|Jason King]]''.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=40–41}} Wakeman is estimated to have participated in around 2,000 sessions in his career, performing and arranging music not only for other artists, but for film, television, and radio productions.<ref name=contemporarykeyboard1976/><ref name=1991tourbook/><ref name=MS2019/> Looking back on this busy period in 1976, he became increasingly disillusioned with session work because he was not involved in the songwriting, despite being paid well.<ref name=contemporarykeyboard1976/> 

One of his earliest sessions was for [[Junior's Eyes]], playing on a single and their debut album ''Battersea Power Station'', released in June 1969 with Visconti and Cordell as producers. In the same month, Dudgeon invited Wakeman into [[Trident Studios]] to play the [[Mellotron]] on "[[Space Oddity]]" by [[David Bowie]], as neither was familiar enough with the instrument. They consulted Visconti, who recommended Wakeman after using him with Junior's Eyes. He recalled: "We did a run-through and Rick came in at the right place. And what he played was exactly what I wanted ... We did one more take and it was a master. I thought, 'This is weird. This strange bloke was all covered in spots and had greasy hair, wearing the most dreadful clothes ... And off he went, just like that, back to his ballroom job."{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=34–36}} The single entered the UK top five and reached number one six years later. Wakeman received a £9 fee for his contribution and gave an interview about the recording for the ''Middlesex County Times'', his first press appearance.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=36–37, 46}} He also played on the B-side, "[[Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud]]", and another song, "[[Memory of a Free Festival]]", all three of which appeared on ''[[David Bowie (1969 album)|David Bowie]]''. In July 1970, Bowie performed an acoustic set at the White Hart pub in Acton after his weekly folk event failed to attract attendees and resulted in debt to the landlord. The gig drew around twelve people, as many thought the advertisements were a joke.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aroundealing.com/history/bowie/|title=Bowie: A Starman in Acton|publisher=Around Ealing|first=Steven|last=Mandich|date=2 January 2021|access-date=23 May 2022}}</ref>

Later in 1969, Wakeman joined the Spinning Wheel, the resident band at The Greyhound pub in [[Chadwell Heath]], East London. He was taken on by owner Bob Wheatley, who had posted an advert in ''Melody Maker'' for an organist seven nights a week, including Sunday lunchtimes. Wakeman left home in the process and moved into a basement flat with Woolford in [[Ilford]].<ref name=1991tourbook/><ref name=MM70>{{cite web|url=http://forgotten-yesterdays.com/_graphics/memorabilia/_rick_pop_find_of_1970_rick_wakeman_interview_mark_plummer_melody_maker_1970_02_25_33510.jpg|title=Rick–pop find of 1970?|first=Mark|last=Plummer|work=Melody Maker|page=29|date=25 July 1970|access-date=28 September 2022}}</ref> During this time Simper invited Wakeman to join [[Warhorse (British band)|Warhorse]], a band he was putting together after he was let go from [[Deep Purple]]. After several try-outs, Wakeman left before their first demo was recorded, showing a lack of commitment and difficulty adapting to their [[hard rock]] sound.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dmme.net/interviews/simper|title=Interview with Nick Simper|date=February 2008|publisher=Let it Rock|first=Dmitry|last=Epstein|access-date=30 December 2024}}</ref> Continuing with session work, Visconti had Wakeman play a single note on the piano at the end of [[Marsha Hunt (actress, born 1946)|Marsha Hunt]]'s version of "[[I Walk on Guilded Splinters|Walk on Guilded Splinters]]" so he could be paid the session fee.<ref name=holmes/> The pair were part of a one-off recording with [[Marc Bolan]] that was released as a single under the pseudonym Dib Cochran and the Earwigs.<ref name=LoudersoundBB2012/>

In March 1970, [[Dave Cousins]] of the folk band [[Strawbs]] offered Wakeman to join the group, who were booked for a week-long engagement at a rock circus in [[Paris]]. Visconti had Wakeman play the piano on their second album ''[[Dragonfly (Strawbs album)|Dragonfly]]'', which was the first to have his name printed on the [[liner notes]].{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=46}}{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=52}} He accepted, and the trip doubled as a honeymoon, having married Woolford just a few weeks before. During one show, unbeknownst to Wakeman, he pushed famed artist [[Salvador Dalí]] off the stage as he made a special guest appearance during his piano solo.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=54–55}}{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=94}} The Strawbs' first major headline concert, on 11 July 1970 at the [[Queen Elizabeth Hall]], was released on the live album ''[[Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios]]''. Wakeman's virtuosity on the piano and Hammond organ brought him national press attention for the first time. "Where is This Dream of Your Youth" features an extended organ solo and "Temperament of Mind", a piano piece that developed from improvisations when the band would lose power during a gig, received a standing ovation.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=56–57}} Wakeman was featured on the front page of ''Melody Maker'', calling him "tomorrow's superstar" and "pop find of 1970".{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=58}} His growing flamboyancy on stage was also reported, specifically regarding the use of a plank of wood studded with screws to hold down several keys, allowing him to play lead with both hands.<ref name=MM70/>

Wakeman continued to work sessions while he was in the Strawbs, and produced the theme tune to the television show ''[[Ask Aspel]]''.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=66}} In early 1971, he arranged and played the piano on the [[Cat Stevens]]' UK top ten hit "[[Morning Has Broken]]", but was omitted from the credits. Stevens later apologised and, in 2002, had the record company pay Wakeman for the error, which he donated to one of Stevens' schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vintagerock.com/the-rick-wakeman-interview-2020-word-for-word/|title=The Rick Wakeman Interview (2020): Word for Word|first=Shawn|last=Perry|year=2020|access-date=31 August 2024}}</ref> [[Elton John]] had Wakeman play the Hammond organ on his 1971 album ''[[Madman Across the Water]]'', and was a special guest performer at John's concert at the [[Royal Festival Hall]] in March of the same year.<ref name="John keyboard">{{cite news |last1=John |first1=Elton |author1-link=Elton John |title=Elton John on the keyboard geniuses who blew his mind: 'With Zoot, you were in for a party' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/oct/15/elton-john-zoot-keyboard-geniuses-party |access-date=18 September 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=15 October 2024}}</ref> Soon after, Wakeman found himself struggling to pay his rent for the week and desperate for work. A chance meeting with [[T. Rex (band)|T. Rex]] frontman [[Marc Bolan]] on Oxford Street led to him playing a series piano [[glissando]]s on their song "[[Get It On (T. Rex song)|Get It On]]", so he could be paid the session fee.<ref name="LoudersoundBB2012">{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/rick-wakeman-sessions-bowie-bolan-interview-2012|title="David Bowie was an absolute genius. I learned more from him than from anybody I've ever worked with." Rick Wakeman's epic tales of sessions with Bowie, Bolan, Lou Reed and more|work=Louder|first=Dom|last=Lawson|date=16 June 2024|access-date=11 October 2024}}</ref> In June 1971 Bowie invited Wakeman to his flat in [[Beckenham]] where he played early versions of some new songs on a guitar for him to learn for his next album, ''[[Hunky Dory]]''. Wakeman later called them "the finest selection of songs I have ever heard in one sitting in my entire life", and his parts on the piano and Mellotron greatly influenced the direction of the final arrangements.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=105}} ''Hunky Dory'' went to No. 3 in the UK and features the iconic songs "[[Life on Mars?]]", "[[Oh! You Pretty Things]]" and "[[Changes (David Bowie song)|Changes]]". The experience had a lasting effect on Wakeman, who later said, "I learned more about how to work in a studio from David than anybody."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/rick-wakeman-david-bowie-piano-man-yes-animal-rescue-interview-564924|title=Rick Wakeman's Piano Journey Into Yes, Bowie|website=Newsweek|first=Jeff|last=Perlah|date=8 March 2017|access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref>

Later in 1971 an album of pop, folk, and jazz covers with Wakeman on the piano, the [[John Schroeder (musician)|John Schroeder orchestra]], and an unknown female vocalist was released as ''[[Piano Vibrations]]''. His name was omitted from the cover and liner notes, and he was paid £36 for the four sessions it took to record it.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=107–108}} Money that Wakeman had earned by this time allowed him and Woolford to move into a home in [[West Harrow]].{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=103}} He also bought a [[Minimoog]] synthesiser at half price from actor [[Jack Wild]], who believed it was defective because it only played [[Monophony|one note at a time]].<ref name="interview_2009">{{cite web|last=Wright |first=Jeb |title=Henry at the Hampton: An Exclusive Interview with Rick Wakeman |publisher=Classic Rock Revisited |year=2009 |url=http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/interviewrickwakeman.htm |access-date=26 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091116190637/http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/interviewrickwakeman.htm |archive-date=16 November 2009 }}</ref>

''[[From the Witchwood]]'' was his final album with the Strawbs, released in July 1971. It marked the growing differences between Wakeman and the rest of the band as his interest in their folk-oriented direction had waned, and his own songs were disregarded by Cousins who deemed them too complex musically and his lyrics "awful".{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=65}} Wakeman prioritised session work over the group and as a result, contributed little to the new music which sparked rumours of his imminent departure.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=104}}{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=66–68}} The Strawbs promoted the album with a mimed performance of "The Hangman and the Papist" on the national television show ''[[Top of the Pops]]'', during which Wakeman played his Hammond organ with a [[paint roller]] which upset Cousins.<ref name=Cousins2002>{{cite web|url=https://archive.robertianhawdon.me.uk/sites/lindisfarne.co.uk/archives/interviews/ivdc0208.htm|title=A glimpse of heaven and hell from Dave Cousins|first=Dan|last=Wooding|date=21 August 2002|publisher=ASSIST News Service|access-date=26 October 2025}}</ref>

===1971–1974: First Yes stint, ''Six Wives'', and ''Journey to the Centre of the Earth''===
[[File:Yes 1973 press photo (cropped) - Rick Wakeman.jpg|thumb|left|Wakeman performing with Yes in 1973. By this time, he had a distinctive look of long blonde hair and wearing a cape on stage]]
In July 1971, Bowie invited Wakeman to join his new backing band, [[the Spiders from Mars]], on the same day that bassist [[Chris Squire]] of the [[progressive rock]] group [[Yes (band)|Yes]] asked him to join, as co-founder [[Tony Kaye (musician)|Tony Kaye]] was fired for his disinterest in keyboards other than the piano and organ.{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=113}}<ref name="Valentine">{{cite news |title= Just Another Yes Man... |first=Penny |last=Valentine |author-link=Penny Valentine |newspaper=[[Sounds (magazine)|Sounds]] |publisher= Spotlight Publications |date= 28 August 1971|page= 7}}</ref> Wakeman met Yes during rehearsals for ''[[Fragile (Yes album)|Fragile]]'' and helped contribute and arrange "[[Roundabout (Yes song)|Roundabout]]" and "[[Heart of the Sunrise]]", two of the band's iconic songs, during his first session.{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=27}} He decided to stay with the band as it presented more favourable opportunities, and news of his arrival in the following month made front-page news in ''Melody Maker'', his second cover feature in a year.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|pp=108–109}} His weekly earnings jumped from £18 to £50 a week.<ref name=telegraph2014/>

''Fragile'' was recorded in five weeks so the band could resume touring and help finance new equipment for Wakeman. It features a solo track by each member; Wakeman's track, "Cans and Brahms", is an adaptation of the third movement of [[Symphony No. 4 (Brahms)|Symphony No. 4]] by [[Johannes Brahms]] played on electronic keyboards.{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=115}} He later called it "dreadful" as contractual disputes between [[Atlantic Records]], who had signed Yes, and [[A&M Records]], of which he had ties as a member of Strawbs, prevented him from recording an original composition.{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=29}} Wakeman said he was never credited for his contributions on ''Fragile'', including piano sections on "Heart of the Sunrise" and "[[South Side of the Sky]]", despite being told that management would sort the issue, but he enjoyed the music too much to cause further rifts.{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=117}} ''Fragile'' was a top ten hit in the UK and the US, and the subsequent [[Fragile Tour]] marked Wakeman's first visit to North America.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=73}} While there he secured a five-album deal with A&M.<ref name=1991tourbook/><ref name=rockcellar2017>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/2017/01/12/rick-wakeman-interview-piano-portraits-yes-rock-roll-hall-of-fame-david-bowie/#sthash.sKeo1PtR.dpbs|title=Rick Wakeman: On 'Piano Portraits,' David Bowie, Yes in the Rock Hall of Fame and More (Q&A)|publisher=Rock Cellar Magazine|first=Ken|last=Sharp|access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref>

The commercial success of ''Fragile'' allowed Wakeman to move into a large home in [[Gerrards Cross]] and start a car collection which he rented out through his new business, the Fragile Carriage Company.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=117}}{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=82}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.duedil.com/company/01214548/fragile-carriage-company-limited-the |title=The Fragile Carriage Company Limited |publisher=DueDil |date=2 June 1975 |access-date=5 September 2015}}</ref> In the 1972 ''Melody Maker'' readers' poll, Wakeman ranked second in the Top Keyboardist category behind [[Keith Emerson]].{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=89–90}} Yes followed ''Fragile'' with ''[[Close to the Edge]]'', now considered a landmark progressive rock album, and features Wakeman playing a wide range of keyboards, including a church organ and harpsichord. He is credited on the final track, "[[Siberian Khatru]]". While touring the album in the US in September 1972, a concert attendee offered his own cape for one of the band members to wear. Wakeman offered money but was given it for free, and he subsequently had his own made which coupled with his long blonde hair, created a distinct look. His first cape, made entirely of sequins by Denise Gandrup, cost US$300 to make.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=85}} Wakeman is featured in the concert film ''[[Yessongs (film)|Yessongs]]'', filmed at the [[Rainbow Theatre]] in December 1972, and features his solo spot in the show. In the same month at the venue, Wakeman took part in [[the Who]]'s orchestral performances of ''[[Tommy (The Who album)|Tommy]]'' as a guest musician. He also developed music for the 1972 British drama film, ''[[Zee and Co.]]''{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=77}}

Wakeman's debut solo album, ''[[The Six Wives of Henry VIII (album)|The Six Wives of Henry VIII]]'', was released in January 1973.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=98}} It was recorded throughout 1972 during gaps in touring and recording with Yes, and features members of the band, the Strawbs, and other guest musicians. The album is instrumental with its [[concept album|concept]] based on Wakeman's musical interpretations of the characteristics of the [[wives of Henry VIII|six wives]] of [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]]. Wakeman promoted the album with a mimed performance of "Catherine Howard" on the BBC television show ''[[The Old Grey Whistle Test]]''.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=98}} Much of the television audience that night planned to watch ''[[Blue Movie]]'', an erotic film by [[Andy Warhol]], but it was temporarily banned from broadcast for its explicit scenes. Wakeman said: "It seems most of them, rather than watch repeats, switched over to ''Whistle Test'' and saw my preview of ''Henry'' ... and suddenly it seemed as if the whole country had discovered my music ... it was a tremendous break."{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=999}} The album reached No. 7 in the UK and No. 30 in the US, and was certified gold in the US and Australia. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine named the record one of the best albums of the year.<ref>{{cite news | title=Music: The Year's Best | date=31 December 1973 | work=Time Magazine | url =http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,910925,00.html | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20081214065014/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,910925,00.html | url-status =dead | archive-date =14 December 2008 | access-date =21 June 2010 }}</ref> The ''Melody Maker'' readers poll awards in 1973 saw Wakeman win the Top Keyboardist category, surpassing Emerson.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=89–90}}

[[File:Rick Wakeman - Winterland 1974 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|upright|Wakeman in March 1974, towards the end of his first stint in Yes]]
Yes's double concept album ''[[Tales from Topographic Oceans]]'' was released in 1973, containing four side-long tracks based on ideas from Hindu scriptures in ''[[Autobiography of a Yogi]]'' by [[Paramahansa Yogananda]]. Wakeman had doubts about its esoteric concept and felt a lot of its music was too experimental, requiring further rehearsal. He distanced himself from the group, and spent time in the bar at [[Morgan Studios]] and played on "Sabbra Caddabra" on ''[[Sabbath Bloody Sabbath]]'' by [[Black Sabbath]] in the adjacent studio.<ref>''I am Ozzy''. Ozzy Osbourne with Chris Ayres. Grand Central Publishing/Hatchet Book Group. 2009. Pages 160–162. {{ISBN|978-0-446-56989-7}}.</ref> Yes toured the album for six months, playing the album in its entirety, which Wakeman also disagreed with. He openly criticised the album to the press, and his growing frustrations culminated in an incident in which he ate a curry on stage during a show in [[Manchester]].{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=110}} In 2006, Wakeman clarified that his total dislike of the album is "not entirely true" and recognises some "very, very nice musical moments", but "we had too much for a single album but not enough for a double, so we padded it out and the padding is awful".<ref>{{cite video|people=Wakeman, Rick|date=2007|minutes=1:23:48–1:24:49|title=Classic Artists: Yes. Disc One.|medium=DVD|publisher=Image Entertainment}}</ref>

During a break in the ''Topographic Oceans'' tour Wakeman recorded his new 40-minute work ''[[Journey to the Centre of the Earth (album)|Journey to the Centre of the Earth]]'', a musical adaptation of [[Jules Verne]]'s [[A Journey to the Center of the Earth|science-fiction novel]]. Inspired to tell a story to music from ''Peter and the Wolf'' by Prokofiev, he came up with the idea in 1971 and worked with conductor [[David Measham]] and musical arrangers [[Wil Malone]] and Danny Beckerman on the piece, which features an orchestra, choir, rock band, and narrator.<ref name=journeyprogramme>Concert programme for ''Rick Wakeman: Journey to the Centre of the Earth''. 18 January 1974.</ref> The album was recorded live in concert because a studio was too expensive, and Wakeman had to re-mortgage his home and sell several of his cars to help contribute £40,000 to the production costs.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=11–15}} Two concerts were held at the [[Royal Festival Hall]] on 18 January 1974, with the [[London Symphony Orchestra]], the [[English Chamber Choir]], actor [[David Hemmings]] as narrator, and Wakeman's five-piece band of musicians that he had played with in a west London pub–vocalist [[Gary Pickford-Hopkins]], drummer [[Barney James]], bassist Roger Newell–with his former Top Rank bandmate Ashley Holt on second vocals, and session guitarist Mike Egan.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=13}} A&M wanted better-known musicians for added prestige, but Wakeman wanted the album to be known for its music rather than the performers.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=120}} The UK division of A&M refused to sell it, but their decision was overturned as Wakeman was under contract with its US division, and label co-founder [[Jerry Moss]] had liked it and ordered its worldwide release.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|pp=123–124}}

After touring ''Topographic Oceans'', Wakeman retreated to his Devonshire home. He heard early ideas for Yes's next album, felt he could no longer contribute to the style of music they were making, and confirmed his departure from the band on his twenty-fifth birthday. Later that day, A&M informed him that ''Journey'' had entered the UK charts at No. 1, a first for the label.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|pp=124–125}} ''Journey'' also reached No. 3 in the US, and earned Wakeman a [[Grammy Award|Grammy]] and [[Ivor Novello Awards|Ivor Novello Award]] nomination.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=22}} The album has sold an estimated 14 million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rick Wakeman, six wives and one hell of a party|date=1 May 2009|work=[[The Times]]|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6200354.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508085218/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article6200354.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 May 2009|access-date=28 October 2010}}</ref> On 27 July 1974, Wakeman headlined the [[Crystal Palace Bowl|Crystal Palace Garden Party concert]], performing selections from ''Six Wives'' and ''Journey'' in its entirety.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=120–121}} By this time, his excessive smoking and alcohol consumption, a lack of sleep five days prior to the show, and a wrist injury from a fall had taken a toll on his health, and he needed morphine injections to get through the performance. Soon after the show, he suffered a minor heart attack.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=124}}

===1974–1980: ''King Arthur'', ''No Earthly Connection'', and second Yes run===
Although Wakeman's doctors advised him to reduce his workload and temper his excessive lifestyle, he continued to smoke and drink, and started to write music for his next album while recovering in hospital.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=126}} He decided upon another concept album based on [[King Arthur]] and the [[Matter of Britain|various people and stories]] surrounding the legend named ''[[The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table]]''. Before recording the album Wakeman underwent his first tour as a solo artist that started with a 20-city trek across the US in September and October 1974, performing ''Journey to the Centre of the Earth'' plus selections from ''The Six Wives of Henry VIII'' with his band, the [[National Philharmonic Orchestra]] and Choir of America. Under doctors' orders, he was required to pass a heart monitor test before each performance.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=128}} The tour continued to Japan, Australia, and New Zealand and finished in March 1975.

[[File:Wembley_Arena_-_geograph.org.uk_-_480295.jpg|thumb|right|Wakeman supported his ''King Arthur'' album with concerts at [[Wembley Arena]] with ice skaters]]
Recording for ''King Arthur'' was finished in January 1975, and features Wakeman, his band, and Measham conducting the New World Orchestra and [[English Chamber Choir]].{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=133}} Following its release in March 1975, the album went to No. 2 in the UK and No. 21 in the US, and earned gold certifications in the UK, Brazil, Japan, and Australia.<ref>Booklet notes to Wakeman's 1994 live album, ''Live on the Test'' (1994).</ref> The album was promoted with three sold-out shows at the [[Wembley Arena|Empire Pool]] with Wakeman performing with his band, orchestra, and choir to a total of 27,000 people. As the arena floor was already set up as an ice rink for a different attraction, Wakeman chose to present the show as an ice pageant with 14 skaters in costume and the musicians' stage placed in the round and decorated as a castle. The shows, though well received and a contributory factor to the album's commercial success, were expensive to produce.<ref name="interview_2009"/><ref>{{cite web| last = Miller | first = Jonathan | title = Rick Wakeman: Cirque Surreal | publisher=Sound On Sound |date = November 1995| url = http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1995_articles/nov95/rickwakeman.html?print=yes | access-date =26 October 2009 }}</ref> In 2009, the concerts ranked 79th on VH1's ''100 Greatest Shocking Moments in Rock and Roll'' program.<ref>{{cite web|title=100 Most Shocking Moments in Rock & Roll |url=http://www.vh1.com/shows/the_greatest/episode.jhtml?episodeID=62200 |publisher=Vh1.com |access-date=17 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605050147/http://www.vh1.com/shows/the_greatest/episode.jhtml?episodeID=62200 |archive-date=5 June 2011 }}</ref> From 1979 to 2005 (excluding 2001), and from 2019 onwards, the [[BBC]] used "Arthur" as the opening theme of its electoral broadcasts in the UK.

[[File:Rick wakeman pelo 1975.jpg|thumb|left|Wakeman in 1975]]
By mid-1975, Wakeman had achieved considerable success as a musician and contemporary rock composer. He was featured on the front cover of the January 1975 edition of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine, had a farmhouse in [[Woodbury Salterton]], Devon and purchased a former nursing home in [[Burnham Beeches]], Buckinghamshire, where he housed his many cars. He ran a group companies known as Complex 7, which had a payroll of staff and a full rehearsal facility in [[High Wycombe]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/wakeman/6636|title=Rick Wakeman|journal=International Musician & Recording World|date=September 1975|issue=Sep 1975 |pages=6–9 |via=Muzines|access-date=28 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/music-news/6657|title=Music News - Birotron|journal=International Musician & Recording World|date=September 1975|issue=Sep 1975 |pages=77–82 |via=Muzines|access-date=28 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Complex Seven|magazine=Beat Instrumental Magazine|number=152|date=January 1976|pages=62–63}}</ref> His life and career was featured on an episode of the BBC television documentary series ''Success Story'', broadcast in September 1975.

Wakeman assembled a new line-up of his band, now named the English Rock Ensemble, featuring Holt, Newell, Hodgson, and newcomers John Dunsterville on guitar, Reg Brooks and Martin Shields on brass, and [[Tony Fernandez (musician)|Tony Fernandez]] on drums, who would perform on many of Wakeman's future albums and tours.<ref name=1976tourbook>{{Cite book|title=Rick Wakeman: In Concert tour programme|date=1976|url=http://www.rwcc.com/programmes/1976RWInConcert.pdf}}</ref> The group toured the US, Canada, and Brazil from October to December 1975 with the latter dates featuring an orchestra and choir.<ref name=1976tourbook/> The Brazilian leg was particularly successful, earning positive reviews and setting new audience attendance records which biographer Dan Wooding estimated to be 500,000 people in total.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=148–149}}

In mid-1975, Wakeman composed and recorded the [[Lisztomania (album)|soundtrack album]] to ''[[Lisztomania (film)|Lisztomania]]'', a surreal biographical film about composer [[Franz Liszt]] written and directed by [[Ken Russell]]. The soundtrack features vocals from [[Roger Daltrey]], who also stars in the film. Wakeman appears on-screen as [[Thor]], the god of thunder, covered in silver paint.<ref name=1991tourbook/> The soundtrack failed to chart in the UK, but went to No. 145 in the US. Wakeman looked back on the album in negative light as "there was hardly anything of mine on it", and criticised the production and final mix.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=147}} He supervised a reissue of his original score entitled ''The Real Lisztomania'', released in 2002.

''[[No Earthly Connection]]'' was recorded in France and features Wakeman and his English Rock Ensemble. Initially, it was to be about mythological gods, but its lyrical subject matter changed after he claimed to have seen a UFO one night which inspired him to read up on the origins of mysterious phenomena such as the [[Bermuda Triangle]], [[Stonehenge]], and the Egyptian pyramids.<ref name=melodymaker1976>{{Cite journal|title=Rick Wakeman: No Earthly Connection|first=Chris|last=Welch|date=3 April 1976|journal=Melody Maker|access-date=14 January 2016|url=http://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/rick-wakeman-no-earthly-connectionam-amlk-64583}}</ref>{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=156}} Wakeman wrote the album without playing any of its music beforehand, and summarised it in the liner notes: "A futuristic, autobiographical look at music, the part it plays in our pre-earth, human and after life".<ref name=earthlyconnectionsleeve>{{Cite AV media notes|title=No Earthly Connection|publisher=A&M Records|id=AMLK 64583|year=1976}}</ref>{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=162}} Upon its release in April 1976, the album went to No. 9 in the UK and No. 67 in the US. Wakeman and his group toured the album worldwide.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=172}}

After touring ended in August 1976, Wakeman fell into financial trouble and was ordered to pay £350,000 "in a matter of weeks".{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=171}} Matters were worsened as his most recent tour had met its minimal expectations and its expenses had exceeded the profits.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=172}} To help the situation he sold his Rolls-Royces, closed his car service company, and disbanded the English Rock Ensemble,{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=172–172}} and had further relief when A&M agreed to pay his album royalties in advance. At the suggestion of his manager [[Brian Lane (manager)|Brian Lane]], Wakeman rehearsed with his former Yes bandmate [[Bill Bruford]] and [[King Crimson]] bassist/vocalist [[John Wetton]] for six weeks with the plan to form a rock [[supergroup (music)|supergroup]], but disputes between the three musicians' managements coupled with the story being reported in ''Melody Maker'' caused the group to split.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=175}} Around this time Wakeman finished recording [[White Rock (album)|the soundtrack]] to ''[[White Rock (film)|White Rock]]'', a documentary film about the [[1976 Winter Olympics]] directed by [[Tony Maylam]]. The track "After the Ball" was one that Wakeman forgot to write; he proceeded to play it as a completely improvised single take, rather than confessing to the producers.

[[File:Yes concert.jpg|thumb|right|Yes performing in 1977, during Wakeman's (far right) second stint with the band]]
Wakeman's fortunes changed when he was invited to join Yes in [[Montreux]], Switzerland in November 1976, as they were working on new songs for ''[[Going for the One]]'' (1977). Keyboardist [[Patrick Moraz]] had left during the early stages in part due to the "enormous psychological pressures within the group".{{sfn|Hedges|1982|p=108}} Upon hearing the new material, which was more accessible and in a style that he could relate and contribute towards, Wakeman agreed to join the band initially as a session musician. Hours after he subsequently agreed to rejoin full-time, he found the ''Melody Maker'' had printed the headline "Wakeman rejoins Yes" as its front cover article. Lane had informed the press of his return without consulting him.<ref>''YesYears'' documentary, 1991.</ref> ''[[Tormato]]'' (1978) features Wakeman playing a [[Birotron]], a [[tape replay keyboard]] that used [[8-track tape]] cartridges and contributed funds to its development. He is reported to have given the album its name by throwing a tomato at a showing of the art used for the album's cover.<ref name="interview_2002">{{cite web| last = Wright | first = Jeb | title = Rick Wakeman of Yes | publisher=Classic Rock Revisited |date = May 2002| url = http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/interviews02/Rick+Wakeman.htm | access-date =24 October 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040106024554/http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/interviews02/Rick+Wakeman.htm |archive-date = 6 January 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| last = Tiano | first = Mike | title = Conversation with Roger Dean [nfte #308] | publisher=Notes From the Edge| date = 3 September 2008 | url = http://www.nfte.org/interviews/RD308.html| access-date =24 October 2009}}</ref>

In 1977, the press named Wakeman as one of the acts on A&M Records who threatened to leave if the label signed the controversial punk band [[the Sex Pistols]]. He denied any involvement and said it was a publicity stunt derived by A&M to drop the band. Wakeman has since dispelled rumours that he disliked punk rock, and was a key figure in getting American punk band [[The Tubes]] their first record deal, having suggested to [[George Daly (music executive)|George Daly]] that he contact A&M executive [[Kip Cohen]], who went on to sign them.<ref name=LouderQA2014/>

Wakeman's final albums for A&M were released in the late 1970s. ''[[Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record]]'' (1977) is an instrumental rock album (apart from humorous vocals from [[Bill Oddie]]) similar to ''The Six Wives of Henry VIII'' but loosely based on criminality, and features Yes bandmates [[Chris Squire]] on bass and [[Alan White (Yes drummer)|Alan White]] on drums, with [[Frank Ricotti]] on percussion. The album went to No. 25 in the UK and No. 28 in the US. The track "Birdman of Alcatraz" was used as the theme music to the BBC drama series ''[[My Son, My Son (TV series)|My Son, My Son]]'' and subsequently released as a single.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/3156265-Rick-Wakeman-Birdman-Of-Alcatraz-Theme-From-My-Son-My-Son|title=Birdman of Alcatraz (Theme from My Son, My Son)|publisher=A&M Records|id=AMS 7435|year=1979|via=Discogs|access-date=6 January 2023}}</ref> ''[[Rhapsodies (album)|Rhapsodies]]'' (1979) was recorded in Montreux and released as a [[double album]], with Wakeman playing shorter tracks of varied musical styles. It features [[Bruce Lynch]], [[Frank Gibson Jr.]], and [[Tony Visconti]] as guest musicians. It also peaked at No. 25 in the UK. After touring with Yes in 1979, and failed attempts at making a new album with the band in Paris and London, Wakeman and Anderson left the group in early 1980.

===1980–1988: Albums for Charisma and President Records and venture into New-age and Christian music===
In 1980, after a four-year hiatus, Wakeman reformed the English Rock Ensemble for a European tour.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=140}} Later that year he came close to forming a band with drummer [[Carl Palmer]], bassist [[John Wetton]], and guitarist [[Trevor Rabin]], but opted out "on a matter of principle" as the record company was prepared to sign them without hearing any of the group's music. He looked back at this moment: "I basically sealed my financial fate, and things went downhill fast."{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=140}} His father's death in November 1980 prompted him to leave Switzerland and return to the UK, which led to a record deal with [[Charisma Records]] to avoid bankruptcy.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=140}}{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=142}} For several months of 1980 Wakeman was homeless due to his financial difficulties and second divorce, and resorted to sleeping on benches in [[Kensington Gardens]] until a former roadie let him sleep at his house.<ref name="2020 Vanity Fair story">{{cite magazine|last=Kushner|first=David|title=The Stranger-Than-Fiction Secret History of Prog-Rock Icon Rick Wakeman|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/06/the-stranger-than-fiction-secret-history-of-prog-rock-icon-rick-wakeman|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=25 June 2020|access-date=24 July 2021}}</ref>

Wakeman's first album for Charisma was ''[[1984 (Rick Wakeman album)|1984]]'', a concept rock album based on [[George Orwell]]'s [[Nineteen Eighty-Four|dystopian novel]], with a band including [[Steve Barnacle]] on bass, [[Gary Barnacle]] on saxophone, and [[Frank Ricotti]] on drums. The album features tracks with [[Chaka Khan]], [[Jon Anderson]], [[Kenny Lynch]], and [[Tim Rice]] on lead vocals, who also wrote the lyrics. ''1984'' was released in June 1981 and reached No. 24 in the UK. Plans to have the album adapted into a musical were cancelled after lawyers from Orwell's estate blocked its development.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=143}} In July 1981, Wakeman performed ''Journey to the Centre of the Earth'' for two shows in [[Durban]], South Africa.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.rwcc.com/programmes/1981JourneyDurban.pdf|title=Rick Wakeman: Journey in Durban Concert Programme|date=1981|publisher=Durban Arts 81|access-date=4 September 2022}}</ref> This was followed by a world tour until the end of 1981, with a line-up of Holt, Fernandez, Tim Stone on guitar, Steve Barnacle on bass, and Cori Josiah on vocals.<ref name=1981TB>{{cite book|url=https://www.rwcc.com/programmes/1981DailyError.pdf|title=Rick Wakeman: 1981 Tour Book|date=February 1981|publisher=B&S Lithu|access-date=4 September 2022}}</ref> The tour became problematic due to growing friction within the band.<ref name=THN85/> In the same year, Wakeman recorded the soundtrack to the slasher horror film ''[[The Burning (1981 film)|The Burning]]'' in New York City.<ref name=1991tourbook/>

{{Quote box|width=30em|style=padding:10px;|align=right|quote="[I] realised that there was a lot of independent labels starting up all over the place. So I contacted different countries, different labels and said look, what sort of music can you sell ... or are you looking for ... Of a period of about four years I produced about 30-odd different CDs for different markets around the world. And all of them, very, very small budgets ... it kept me alive, and kept me hanging on."<ref name=1999Int>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetapesarchive.com/rick-wakeman/|title=Rick Wakeman (Yes) 1999|publisher=The Tapes Archive|first=Marc|last=Allan|date=1999|access-date=30 December 2024}}</ref>|source=—Rick Wakeman on the impact the 1980s and 1990s had on his career}}
Wakeman's next album was ''[[Rock 'n' Roll Prophet]]'', a humorous spoof on the pop duo [[the Buggles]] released in 1982 on his own label, Moon Records. Initially titled ''Maybe '80'', it was recorded in Switzerland in 1979 but remained unreleased until he secured the rights for it following an appearance at the [[MIDEM]] music festival.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Midem Meanderings|date=2 February 1983|journal=Variety|page=104|volume=310|issue=1|issn=0042-2738|id={{ProQuest|1438374961}}}}</ref><ref name=1991tourbook/><ref name=1985tourbook>{{cite book|url=http://www.rwcc.com/programmes/1985SilentNights.pdf|title=Rick Wakeman: Silent Nights Tour Book|date=1985|publisher=Concert Publishers|access-date=13 December 2016}}</ref> A single from the album, "I'm So Straight I'm a Weirdo", featuring Wakeman on lead vocals, was released in 1980.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="I'm So Straight I'm a Weirdo"/"Do You Believe in Fairies?"|publisher=A&M Records|id=AMS 7510|year=1971}}</ref> Wakeman hosted the [[Channel 4]] music show ''[[Gastank]]'' with [[Tony Ashton]] that aired in January and February 1983.<ref name=1985tourbook/> He then released a second album for Charisma, ''[[Cost of Living (Rick Wakeman album)|Cost of Living]]'', a mixture of instrumental and rock tracks with Rice on vocals, which failed to impact the chart and "did nothing" to improve his finances.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=148}} By this time, Wakeman was "managerless, penniless and homeless".{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=151}} In February 1983, he and Carter moved to [[Camberley]], Surrey after the birth of their daughter Jemma.<ref name=1985tourbook/> Wakeman took up work by recording the soundtrack to the official [[1982 FIFA World Cup]] documentary film ''[[G'olé!]]'', which was released around the same time as ''Cost of Living'' which hampered potential sales.<ref name=1985tourbook/> He wrote the soundtrack for the film ''[[She (1984 film)|She]]'' with assistance from [[Justin Hayward]] and [[Maggie Bell]],<ref name=1985tourbook/> and his second Russell feature, ''[[Crimes of Passion (1984 film)|Crimes of Passion]]'', with Bell on vocals, Fernandez on drums, and past Strawbs bandmate [[Chas Cronk]] on bass. Wakeman based the music around the themes of [[Symphony No. 9 (Dvořák)|Symphony No. 9]] by [[Antonín Dvořák]].<ref name=1985tourbook/> Wakeman also spent early 1983 writing the score to the ballet ''Killing Games'', but problems during its development led to the project being shelved, along with a potential double album of its music.<ref name=1985tourbook/> In early 1984, Wakeman contributed three songs to the soundtrack of ''[[B.C. Rock]]''.<ref name=1985tourbook/>

In 1984, Wakeman signed with the independent label [[President Records]] in an association that would last until 2007, for which he would produce almost 40 albums.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1763836-Rick-Wakeman-Retro-2|title=Rick Wakeman – Retro 2|publisher=President Records|id=RWCD 39|year=2007|via=Discogs|access-date=4 September 2022}}</ref> The first was ''[[Silent Nights]]'', Wakeman's first solo album in over two years, featuring Fernandez, Cronk, and [[Rick Fenn]] on guitar and released in 1985.<ref name=1985tourbook/> The single "Glory Boys" became a minor pop hit in the UK.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=158}} In March 1985, Wakeman finished work on his part of the soundtrack to the comedy film ''[[Playing for Keeps (1986 film)|Playing for Keeps]]'', which was followed by a tour of the UK, North America, and Australia to promote ''Silent Nights''.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=177}}<ref name=1985tourbook/> It was his first full-scale tour in four years, and his first shows in the US in over five.<ref name=THN85>{{cite news|url=http://forgotten-yesterdays.com/_graphics/graphic/graphic_33236.jpg|title=No, Rick Wakeman will not play any 'Yes' tunes at Modern Times|first=Andy|last=Seiler|newspaper=The Home News|page=2|date=22 August 1985|access-date=4 September 2022}}</ref> A live album from the UK leg was released as ''[[Live at Hammersmith (Rick Wakeman album)|Live at Hammersmith]]''. The tour left Wakeman "seriously in debt", and he was forced to remortgage his Camberley home.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=177}} In September 1985, during the tour's Australian leg, Wakeman fell ill from his alcoholism and has been teetotal since.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=178}} Also in 1985, a single of Wakeman's theme tunes for the television shows ''[[Lytton's Diary]]'' and ''Database'' was released.<ref name=1985tourbook/> By this time he had also composed music for the BBC show ''Paddles Up'' and the Channel 4 documentary ''Supercat''.<ref name=1989TB/> Wakeman reunited with [[David Bowie]] to play the piano on his 1986 single "[[Absolute Beginners (David Bowie song)|Absolute Beginners]]".<ref name=1987southbank/>

[[File:Rick Wakeman 1988 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Wakeman in 1988]]
The latter half of the 1980s saw Wakeman venture into new musical genres. In 1986, he released his first album of [[new age music]] titled ''[[Country Airs]]'', formed of solo piano tracks inspired by walks in the countryside. It was a record he never had wanted to make, but was in need of money and accepted a £5,000 advance from Coda Records to record it.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wakeman|first=Rick|title=Discography – Country Airs (Original) (1986)|url=https://www.rwcc.com/product.php?int_titleID=57|website=Rick Wakeman's Communication Centre|access-date=24 May 2021}}</ref> It reached number one on the UK new age chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UiQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT74|magazine=Billboard|title=Monthly British New Age Chart|page=63|date=23 August 1986|access-date=14 December 2016|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> Wakeman followed this with a tour of the Far East, and soundtrack work for ''[[Hero (1987 film)|Hero]]'', the film to the [[1986 World Cup]].<ref name=1987southbank/> In 1987, Wakeman joined the rock band [[Sky (English/Australian band)|Sky]] as a guest musician for an Australian tour.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108901019/rick-wakeman-sky-1987/|title=A new spirit in the Sky|first=Patrick|last=Hayes|date=26 May 1987|newspaper=The Age|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|page=14|access-date=4 September 2022}}</ref> His association with new age music continued as the host of a weekly new age radio show on [[Capital Radio]],<ref name=WDP87>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0004974/19870520/015/0015?browse=False|title=It's the gospels according to Rick!|first=Keith|last=Manning|date=20 May 1987|newspaper=Western Daily Press|page=15|via=British Newspaper Archive|access-date=26 August 2024}}</ref> and the release of ''[[The Family Album]]'', with a track dedicated to each of his family members and pets. The original pressing included music Wakeman had composed for the BBC television film ''The Day After the Fair'' and the feature documentary ''Mackintosh''.<ref name=1989TB>{{cite web|url=https://www.rwcc.com/programmes/198920th.pdf|title=Rick Wakeman: 20 Years Tour Book|date=1989|publisher=|access-date=11 January 2023}}</ref> Also in 1987, Wakeman put out his first [[Christian music]] album titled ''The Gospels'', a double album based on [[Canonical gospels|the four Gospels]] that features tenor vocalist Ramon Remedios, actor [[Robert Powell]] as narrator, and the [[Eton College Chapel|Eton College Chapel Choir]].<ref name=WDP87/><ref name=1987southbank>{{cite book|url=http://www.rwcc.com/programmes/1987SouthBankPops.pdf|title=South Bank Pops '87 Programme|page=6|publisher=The South Bank Centre|access-date=14 December 2016}}</ref> The music was originally written for a 1985 concert as part of a fund raising event for a church before it was expanded into a full album.<ref>Wakeman 1979, p. 179.</ref> Wakeman played the album with Remedios and his band at the [[Royal Albert Hall]] in London and in the following year, in [[Caesarea (modern town)|Caesarea]], Israel that was broadcast internationally on television.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=185}}<ref name=1987southbank/> He returned to rock with ''[[Time Machine (Rick Wakeman album)|Time Machine]]'', loosely based on the [[The Time Machine|science fiction novel]] by [[H. G. Wells]] and features [[Roy Wood]] and [[Tracy Ackerman]] as guest vocalists. Released in 1988, Wakeman intended to record it with an orchestra and choir and put on a star-studded ice show, but the idea was cancelled due to lack of funds.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=187}}

In March 1988, in a move to improve their finances, Wakeman and Carter sold their Camberley home and moved to [[Peel, Isle of Man|Peel]] on the [[Isle of Man]]. A coach house on the site of their home was converted into a recording studio that Wakeman named Bajonor Studios, named after the first letters of his family.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=188}} The 24-track studio was built as Wakeman had lost several opportunities to score films due to the high cost of renting large, professional studios, so he built his own as a compromise.<ref name=SOS95/> Wakeman recorded there from 1990 until 2001. The new age-themed ''Aspirant Sunset'', released in 1990, was the first, and marks the first album with his longtime recording engineer Stuart Sawney. Wakeman donated 50p from every sale of his ''Aspirant'' album trilogy to [[CPRE|CPRE, The Countryside Charity]].<ref name=RWCCDEC90/> Wakeman befriended fellow Isle of Man resident [[Norman Wisdom]], and the two made an album together.<ref>{{cite news
|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-metrick-wakeman-and-norman-wisdom-1364569.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-metrick-wakeman-and-norman-wisdom-1364569.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=How We Met: Rick Wakeman and Norman Wisdom|first =Elizabeth|last=Udall|work=The Independent|access-date=13 January 2023|date=22 September 1996}}</ref>

===1988–1997: ABWH, third and fourth Yes runs, ''Phantom Power'', and ''The Piano Album''===
In late 1988, Wakeman got together with former Yes bandmates [[Jon Anderson]], [[Bill Bruford]], and [[Steve Howe]] to form a new group, [[Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe]]. The band originated when Anderson had become increasingly frustrated with Yes's commercial direction, and left the band to make music that reflected the band's 1970s sound. Their [[Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (album)|self-titled album]] was released in 1989, and the tour marked Wakeman's first major US tour in ten years. Tracks originally put down for a second album were added to an in-progress Yes album and released as ''[[Union (Yes album)|Union]]'' in 1991, which transformed Yes into an eight-piece formation with Wakeman sharing keyboards with original Yes member [[Tony Kaye (musician)|Tony Kaye]]. Wakeman has openly stated his dislike for ''Union'', partly due to the fact that session musicians were brought in to re-write and perform parts that he and Howe had already put down. However, he later chose the Union Tour tour of 1991–1992 as his favourite with Yes, where he formed a strong friendship with their 1980s guitarist and singer-songwriter [[Trevor Rabin]]. Wakeman confirmed his exit from the group in 1993 following managerial disputes with the band's and his own.

[[File:Adam Wakeman 2011 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|upright|Since 1992, Wakeman has toured and recorded with his son [[Adam Wakeman]] on occasion]]
Wakeman continued with his solo career in parallel; in 1990 he revived his English Rock Ensemble with Holt, Fernandez, and Paton for a European tour and recorded a new rock score for a colourised re-release of ''[[The Phantom of the Opera (1925 film)|The Phantom of the Opera]]'', featuring [[Chrissie Hammond]] on vocals, put out as ''[[Phantom Power (Rick Wakeman album)|Phantom Power]]'' in 1991. He embarked on two UK tours supporting his two ''The Classical Connection'' albums with himself and Paton in a stripped back stage production.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rwcc.com/rwccarchive/rwcc_199105.php|title=RWCC News for May 1991|date=May 1991|publisher=Rick Wakeman's Communication Centre|access-date=13 January 2023}}</ref> In the first half of the 1990s, Wakeman performed and released music in aid of ASSIST, a California-based Christian organisation founded by journalist Dan Wooding, author of Wakeman's biography.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-08-05-ca-256-story.html|title=Wakeman Album Aids Church Group|first=Mike|last=Boehm|date=5 August 1991|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=2 January 2017}}</ref><ref name=latimes1994/> The pair reconnected in 1989, and their first venture was ''In the Beginning'', an album of atmospheric music with Biblical readings read by Wakeman's then-wife Nina. Wakeman donated the album's entire proceedings to ASSIST.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/in-the-beginning-mw0000914199|title=In the Beginning|first=Stephen|last=Raiteri|website=AllMusic|access-date=1 January 2017}}</ref> In 1994, Wakeman completed the Simply Acoustic Tour, a series of solo piano concerts in the US in aid of ASSIST.<ref name=latimes1994>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-02-18-ca-24331-story.html|title=Wakeman Plans Church Concert|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=18 February 1994|first=Mike|last=Boehm|access-date=1 January 2017}}</ref> Recordings from shows in [[Virginia]] and the Calvary Chapel in [[Costa Mesa, California]] was released on ''The Piano Album'' in 1995. The latter show was attended by 8,000 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/piano-album-mw0000379464|title=The Piano Album|first=Mike|last=DeGagne|website=AllMusic|access-date=1 January 2017}}</ref> Wakeman formed Hope Records to release this new Christian music, and decided to use the royalty payments to fund the production of more albums for the label.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rwcc.com/rwccarchive/rwcc_199109.php|title=RWCC News for September 1991|date=September 1991|publisher=Rick Wakeman's Communication Centre|access-date=13 January 2023}}</ref>

In October 1992, Wakeman embarked on a world tour with a four-piece group of Fernandez, guitarist and bassist [[Alan Thomson (musician)|Alan Thomson]], and his son [[Adam Wakeman]] on additional keyboards. The tour lasted until 1994, and was organised as Wakeman wished to tour with a second keyboardist to "free [him] up to do more things" on stage.<ref name=latimes1993>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-06-25-ca-6929-story.html|title=Just Say Yes to Progressive Rock: Keyboardist Rick Wakeman, on a career-reaffirming tour that stops at the Coach House, pines for the old days|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=25 June 1993|first=Buddy|last=Seigal|access-date=1 January 2017}}</ref> The tour marked the release of ''Wakeman with Wakeman'', an album of keyboard compositions written and performed by the pair. They released ''No Expense Spared'' in 1993, ''Romance of the Victorian Age'' in 1994, and ''Vignettes'' in 1996. In 1993, Wakeman's financial situation took an unexpected turn when he was demanded to pay almost £70,000 to the [[Inland Revenue]] for interest charges and unpaid penalties related to tax he had paid for the preceding six years. He later wrote: "With help from [[Brian Lane (manager)|Brian Lane]]'s office and Yes's accountants, in my signing away all publishing income from everything I had ever written ... Twenty-two years' work had vanished in the three seconds it had taken to sign my name."{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=194}} Wakeman credits his 1993 appearance on the evening talk show ''[[Danny Baker]] After All'' as a turning point in his television career, after he told a story about being arrested in Moscow for smuggling a [[KGB]] uniform out of the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/7667636/The-Rick-Wakeman-Interview|title=The Rick Wakeman Interview|date=13 September 2012|publisher=Stuff|access-date=13 January 2023}}</ref>

In mid-1995, Wakeman became involved with Phillip Gandey's family circus entertainment project [[Cirque Surreal]], writing and recording "timeless" pieces to enhance the show's various characters. The show was initially held at the [[Brighton Festival]], and Wakeman went out to perform it live with his band at other venues, including the [[Cheltenham Festival]].<ref name=SOS95>{{cite web|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/rick-wakeman-cirque-surreal|title=Rick Wakeman: Cirque Surreal|first=Jonathan|last=Miller|date=November 1995|publisher=Sound on Sound|access-date=4 September 2022}}</ref> Around the same time, Wakeman scored the soundtrack to ''[[Bullet to Beijing]]'', a [[made-for-television]] film starring [[Michael Caine]] and [[Jason Connery]]. He also scored its sequel, ''[[Midnight in Saint Petersburg]]''.<ref name=SOS95/> Also in 1995, Wakeman played Mellotron on two songs of [[Ozzy Osbourne]]'s album ''[[Ozzmosis]]'',  "Perry Mason" and "I Just Want You".

In the summer of 1995, Wakeman agreed to return to Yes which marked his fourth time in the group and the return of the "classic" line-up. They worked on new studio material and performed live shows in 1996 which was released on ''[[Keys to Ascension]]'' (1996) and ''[[Keys to Ascension 2]]'' (1997). In March 1997, Wakeman staged the North American premiere of ''The New Gospels'' for five dates after it was reworked and extended into a two-hour [[oratorio]] with a 30-piece choir, in 1994. The concerts were free with donations to ASSIST.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-03-28-ca-43043-story.html|title=Religious Experience|date=28 March 1997|first=Mike|last=Boehm|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=2 January 2017}}</ref> Wakeman left Yes in May 1997 before he could tour with them, due to scheduling conflicts and lack of coordination between the artists' management. In June 1997, Wakeman became the host of the stand-up comedy television show ''Live at Jongleurs''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108934268/|title=Rock star Rick to host new comedy show|date=12 June 1997|newspaper=Liverpool Echo|page=37|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=4 September 2022}}</ref> Later in 1997, his 20-minute choral piece "Noah", written for the English Chamber Choir, premiered in London. Wakeman performed the piece with the choir once more in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/wakeman-rocks-the-boat-again-with-noah-6416474.html|title=Wakeman rocks the boat again with Noah|date=29 June 2011|work=Evening Standard|access-date=9 January 2023}}</ref>

===1998–2008: ''Return to the Centre of the Earth'', English Rock Ensemble revival, and final Yes run===
In 1998, he started work on ''[[Return to the Centre of the Earth]]'', a sequel album to commemorate the 25th anniversary of ''Journey to the Centre of the Earth''. The idea first came to Wakeman in 1991 during a tour of Italy, which led to discussions about the project with [[Atlantic Records]] that year about a re-recording of the original album with new equipment and arrangements, but the idea was rejected. It was revived in 1996 when Wakeman received offers from three record companies willing to fund and release a new "epic" album.<ref name=1999interview>{{cite web|url=http://yesmuseum.org/WakeView1.html|title=Rick Wakeman – Interview – Madrid, {{sic|21th|nolink=y}} April 1999|publisher=YesMuseum.org|date=21 April 1999|access-date=14 December 2016}}</ref> After a deal with [[EMI Classics]] was made, a story based on three unnamed travellers and their attempt to follow the original route was finalised, and recording began in 1998 with a band, the [[London Symphony Orchestra]], the [[English Chamber Choir]], [[Patrick Stewart]] as the narrator, and guest performances from [[Trevor Rabin]], [[Ozzy Osbourne]], and [[Bonnie Tyler]].<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Return to the Centre of the Earth|publisher=EMI Classics|id=724355676320|year=1999}}</ref> Released in 1999, the album went to number 34 in the UK, Wakeman's first album to enter the chart in 12 years. Recording was temporarily disrupted because of Wakeman's health.<ref name=mirrorhealth/>{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=279}}{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=284}} In December 1998, Wakeman was featured on an episode of ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)|This Is Your Life]]''.{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=278}}

Wakeman accepted an invitation to revive his English Rock Ensemble for a South American tour in September 2000, following a renewed interest in [[progressive rock]] there.{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=284}} The band featured a new line-up of Fernandez, [[Damian Wilson]] on vocals, [[Adam Wakeman]] on keyboards, Ant Glynne on guitar, and Lee Pomeroy on bass. Wakeman was particularly pleased with his playing, calling it his "best in a long time."{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=285}} The group returned in April 2001, followed by several European dates. Later that year, Wakeman entered discussions with [[Keith Emerson]] regarding a potential music project, but the idea was shelved.{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=284}} In 2001, Wakeman performed in his first [[pantomime]] role as [[Abanazar (pantomime)|Abanazar]] in a production of ''[[Aladdin]]'' in [[Truro]], for the Christmas season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uktw.co.uk/archive/Truro/Hall-for-Cornwall/Panto/Aladdin/L1020075473/|title=Truro – Hall for Cornwall – Aladdin|publisher=UK Theatre Web|access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref> He made a cameo appearance in the 2002 thriller horror film ''Alone'' as a hospital patient.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/alone-v261971/review|title=Alone (2002)|publisher=AllMovie|access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref> In 2003, Wakeman starred in the BBC television show ''[[Grumpy Old Men (TV series)|Grumpy Old Men]]'', and stayed on as a regular until the show ended in 2006. The show increased his national profile and made him a regular in the after dinner speech circuit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-50911220100818|title=Interview – Grumpy Old Rocker Rick Wakeman Changes Tack|first=Jeremy|last=Gaunt|publisher=Reuters|date=18 August 2010|access-date=4 September 2022}}</ref>

[[File:RickWakeman2003.jpg|thumb|right|Wakeman at a solo piano show in 2003]]
In April 2002, Wakeman rejoined Yes for the fifth and final time, and said it took eight months to get the necessary paperwork to make it happen.{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=284}}{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=285}} The band toured worldwide with the [[List of Yes concert tours (2000s–10s)#Full Circle Tour|Full Circle Tour]] and [[List of Yes concert tours (2000s–10s)#35th Anniversary Tour|35th Anniversary Tours]], which ran from 2002 to 2004. Wakeman described the band's playing during his return: "It was far and away the best the band had ever been ... there was no staleness, there was a lot of freshness."<ref name=gloucester2015>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/marriages-rock-star-past-grumpy-old-man-Rick/story-26253354-detail/story.html|title=Four marriages, a rock star past an being a grumpy old man – Rick Wakeman opens up to Weekend|date=30 March 2015|first=Corrie|last=Bond-French|work=Gloucestershire Echo|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814024847/http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/marriages-rock-star-past-grumpy-old-man-Rick/story-26253354-detail/story.html|archive-date=14 August 2015}}</ref> The only new studio material worked on during this time were bonus tracks on ''[[The Ultimate Yes: 35th Anniversary Collection]]''. After the 2004 tour Yes entered a four-year hiatus, during which Wakeman retired from large scale tours following ongoing health problems.<ref name=WT08>{{cite web|url=https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/leisure/wtimesleisuretheatre/2271647.rick-wakemans-grumpy-old-picture-show/|title=Rick Wakeman's Grumpy Old Picture Show|date=14 May 2008|work=Wiltshire Times|access-date=4 September 2022}}</ref> When the band regrouped in 2008, Wakeman's son [[Oliver Wakeman|Oliver]] replaced him on keyboards.

In April 2005, Wakeman and his band performed three shows in [[Havana]], Cuba, including an outdoor show attended by an estimated 10,000 people. They came about after Wakeman was offered to perform there to support a charitable foundation that supports a children's cancer hospital. The first two shows were filmed and released as ''Made in Cuba'', proceeds from which were given to the hospital.<ref name=ASSIST05>{{cite news|title=Rick Wakeman brings his 'healing music' to Cuba as fans go wild|first=Dan|last=Wooding|date=July 2005|publisher=ASSIST News}}</ref> Cuban leader [[Fidel Castro]] greeted Wakeman, thanking him for his humanitarian support.<ref name=ASSIST05/> Wakeman received some criticism following the visit, which upset him personally and made him consider retiring from live performance. He addressed the false accusations on his website, clarifying that the visit was not staged for political reasons.<ref name=ASSIST05/> Wakeman later revealed that Castro gave him some earth surrounding [[Che Guevara]]'s grave.<ref name=guardian2014/>

In June 2006, Wakeman toured the US with a solo piano tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newtownbee.com/02242006/rick-wakeman-is-no-yes-man-on-his-grand-piano-tour/|title=Rick Wakeman Is No 'Yes Man' On His Grand Piano Tour|first=John|last=Voket|date=24 February 2006|publisher=The Newton Bee|access-date=5 September 2022}}</ref> This was followed by a performance of ''Return to the Centre of the Earth'' with his band, orchestra, and choir in Quebec, Canada. The show featured [[Jon Anderson]] as a guest performer, which led to the pair touring the UK together as Anderson/Wakeman.{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=290}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/965573.yes-duo-roll-back-the-years/|title=Yes duo roll back the years|date=12 October 2006|first=Chris|last=Groom|work=Harrow Times|access-date=5 September 2022}}</ref> Wakeman scored the 2007 documentary film ''In Search of the Great Beast 666'', about the life of occultist [[Aleister Crowley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.getreadytorock.com/10questions/rick_wakeman2.htm|title=10 Questions: Rick Wakeman|date=August 2007|first=Jason|last=Ritchie|publisher=Get Ready to Rock|access-date=22 September 2024}}</ref> He toured the UK in 2007 with a new production, the Grumpy Old Picture Show. Inspired by his appearances on ''Grumpy Old Men'', the show combined live performances and stories with visual accompaniments including old photos and pre-recorded sketches. The initial run of 14 dates were so successful, Wakeman completed a further 24 dates in the following year.<ref name=WT08/>

===2009–present: Revisiting classic 1970s albums, Yes feat. ARW, and piano albums===
In May 2009, he performed his debut album ''[[The Six Wives of Henry VIII (album)|The Six Wives of Henry VIII]]'' in its entirety for the first time at [[Hampton Court Palace]], as part of the 500th anniversary celebrations of [[Henry VIII]]'s accession to the throne. He had originally asked to perform there in 1973, but was declined until he was invited 36 years later. The shows were released on CD and DVD as ''[[The Six Wives of Henry VIII Live at Hampton Court Palace]]''.

In 2010, Wakeman reunited with former Yes bandmate [[Jon Anderson]] and recorded ''[[The Living Tree (album)|The Living Tree]]'' as Anderson/Wakeman. They toured the UK and North America in 2010 and 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/anderson-wakeman-project-comes-perth-2742435|title=Anderson Wakeman Project comes to Perth|date=14 October 2010|website=Dailyrecord.co.uk|access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://onmilwaukee.com/articles/andersonwakeman|title=Prog legends Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman launch U.S. tour in Milwaukee|date=14 October 2011|website=Onmilwaukee.com|access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref> In July 2011, Wakeman got together with [[Deep Purple]] keyboardist [[Jon Lord]] to compose and perform an original piece for the charity [[The Sunflower Jam|Sunflower Jam]] at the Royal Albert Hall. Following its success the pair were set to start making an album, but later in the same month Lord was diagnosed with cancer and died in 2012. Lord's performance with Wakeman was his final live concert appearance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://recordcollectormag.com/articles/concerto-for-jon|title=Concerto for Jon|first=Chris|last=Welch|date=4 September 2012|work=Record Collector|access-date=25 June 2025}}</ref> Also in July 2011, Wakeman reunited with [[the Strawbs]] on their acoustic summer tour with a guest appearance at their show at AbbeyFest.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.strawbsweb.co.uk/live/1105/dg_bury.asp|title=Live Reviews - Acoustic Strawbs UK Dates - Summer 2011|publisher=Strawbsweb|date=31 August 2011|access-date=25 June 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Rickwakemanmoog.jpg|thumb|Wakeman performing in 2012]]
In 2012, Wakeman recorded a new and extended version of ''[[Journey to the Centre of the Earth (album)|Journey to the Centre of the Earth]]'', following the discovery of the original conductor's score three years prior which was considered lost. As the original album was shortened to fit a single LP, Wakeman re-recorded the album with the previously cut parts which expanded the work to 54 minutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/rick-wakemans-journey-centre-earth-6973290|title=Return Journey as Rick Wakeman opens tour at Newcastle City Hall|date=11 April 2014|work=Chronicle Live|first=Gordon|last=Barr|access-date=18 March 2019}}</ref><ref name=reuters2012>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-journey-reissue/wakeman-reworks-rock-epic-journey-to-centre-of-earth-idUSBRE8AD0US20121114|title=Wakeman reworks rock epic Journey to Centre of Earth|first=Mike|last=Collett-White|date=14 November 2012|access-date=2 December 2012|publisher=Reuters}}</ref> It features his English Rock Ensemble, the Orion Orchestra and English Chamber Choir conducted by [[Guy Protheroe]], and narration by actor [[Peter Egan]]. In April and May 2014, Wakeman performed the expanded album on a 14-date UK tour to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the original.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rwcc.com/livepast.asp?int_tourID=32|title=Rick Live – Journey to the Centre of the Earth UK (2014)|publisher=Rick Wakeman's Communication Centre|access-date=18 March 2019|archive-date=13 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613165634/http://rwcc.com/livepast.asp?int_tourID=32|url-status=dead}}</ref> The re-recording of ''Journey'' became the catalyst for a new and expanded version of ''King Arthur'', following a request from a South American concert promoter, for which Wakeman wrote new music based on additional Arthurian legends. The re-record version runs for 88 minutes, and features actor [[Ian Lavender]] as narrator. It was Wakeman's first album produced via online [[direct-to-fan]] support, and released on 19 June 2016, the same day that Wakeman performed it live at the Stone Free Festival at London's [[The O2 Arena|O2 Arena]].<ref name=teamrock2016>{{cite web|url=http://teamrock.com/feature/2016-06-15/stone-free-preview-rick-wakeman|title=Stone Free preview: Rick Wakeman|first=Jo|last=Kendall|date=15 June 2016|publisher=Team Rock|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref>

Wakeman performed a series of unique shows at the [[Blackfriars, Gloucester|Blackfriars Priory]] in Gloucester and The Centaur in Cheltenham in June 2013 as part of the Medieval Mystery Play Festival. The former had Wakeman performing with his sons Oliver and Adam and daughter Jemma. The Cheltenham shows featured excerpts from Wakeman's first three albums from the 1970s with his English Rock Ensemble, the Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra and a cathedral choir with new arrangements. The original plan was for Wakeman to stage ''King Arthur'' at [[Kingsholm Stadium]] that year, but it fell through.<ref name=BBCG2013>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-22558040|title=Rick Wakeman Gloucestershire concerts 'will be unique'|publisher=BBC News|date=15 June 2013|access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref> In August 2013, Wakeman performed 12 solo piano shows as part of the [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe]].<ref name=HN13>{{cite web|url=https://www.halesowennews.co.uk/leisure/base_sessions/10435617.base-sessions-special-rick-wakeman-interview-and-competition/|title=Base Sessions Special – Rick Wakeman Interview and Competition|date=22 May 2013|publisher=Halesowen News|access-date=13 January 2023}}</ref> In June 2015 he announced Wakemanfest, a three-day festival at the Gliderdrome in [[Boston, Lincolnshire]] that October, featuring performances from himself and the English Rock Ensemble, the Strawbs, The Cadbury Sisters, and [[Cheetah (band)|Cheetah]] vocalist Chrissie Hammond.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/rick-wakeman-launches-festival|title=Rick Wakeman launches festival|first=Martin|last=Kielty|date=9 June 2015|publisher=Loudersound|access-date=24 August 2024}}</ref> It was postponed, in addition to a piano tour of Scandinavia following the festival, after Wakeman had an undisclosed "serious health scare" and took time off at the suggestion of his management and family.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/rick-wakeman-cancel-wakemanfest-health-concerns|title=Wakeman calls off his festival over health concerns|first=Martin|last=Kielty|date=10 September 2015|publisher=Loudersound|access-date=24 August 2024}}</ref> From 2016 to 2018, Wakeman reunited with Anderson and former Yes guitarist [[Trevor Rabin]] and toured worldwide as [[Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman|Anderson Rabin Wakeman]] (later known as Yes featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman), performing a selection of Yes music across its history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/ex-yes-members-tour/|title=Are Ex-Yes Members Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman and Trevor Rabin Touring Together in 2016?|first=Jeff|last=Giles|date=13 January 2016|access-date=15 January 2016}}</ref>

In January 2016, Wakeman performed a piano version of "[[Life on Mars?]]" live on [[BBC Radio 2]] as a tribute following the death of his longtime friend [[David Bowie]]. The strong reception from listeners and viewers of the YouTube video led Wakeman to release a single of the track with a piano version of "[[Space Oddity]]" and an original song, "Always Together", in aid of [[Macmillan Cancer Support]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/rick_wakeman_s_david_bowie_tribute_tracks_will_raise_cash_for_macmillan_cancer_support_1_4389994|title=Rick Wakeman's David Bowie tribute tracks will raise cash for Macmillan Cancer Support|date=22 January 2016|first=Edmund|last=Crosthwaite|work=East Anglian Daily Times|access-date=22 January 2016}}</ref> This inspired Wakeman to produce a solo piano album of tracks that he had played on throughout his career, plus original tunes and adaptations of classical pieces. ''[[Piano Portraits]]'' was released in January 2017 and went to No. 6 in the UK, becoming Wakeman's highest-charting album since 1975 and his first to reach silver certification from the [[British Phonographic Institute]] since 1977.<ref name=ukalbumchart>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/2846/rick-wakeman/|title=Official Charts – Rick Wakeman|publisher=Official Charts|access-date=20 January 2017}}</ref><ref name=prnews2016>{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rick-wakeman-to-release-new-studio-album-300372404.html|title=Rick Wakeman To Release New Studio Album|date=5 December 2016|publisher=PRNewswire|access-date=20 December 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221092449/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rick-wakeman-to-release-new-studio-album-300372404.html|archive-date=21 December 2016}}</ref> The follow-up album ''[[Piano Odyssey]]'' featured some orchestral and choir arrangements. Released in 2018, it reached No. 7 in the UK. Wakeman concluded the series of piano albums with the seasonal-themed ''[[Christmas Portraits]]'' in 2019. In September and October 2019, Wakeman embarked on his first solo tour of the US in 13 years with his piano shows.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/rick-wakeman-announces-the-grumpy-old-rock-star-tour|title=Rick Wakeman announces the Grumpy Old Rock Star Tour|first=Scott|last=Munro|date=10 May 2019|publisher=Prog Magazine|access-date=10 May 2019}}</ref>

In June 2020, Wakeman returned to his progressive rock roots with ''[[The Red Planet]]'', an instrumental concept album inspired by [[Mars]] and featuring his English Rock Ensemble.<ref name=LS20>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/rick-wakeman-reports-a-new-prog-album-is-in-the-works|title=Rick Wakeman reports a new prog album is in the works|date=15 January 2020|first=Scott|last=Munro|publisher=Loudersound|access-date=16 January 2020}}</ref> In March 2023, Wakeman released ''A Gallery of the Imagination'', featuring tracks of varied styles including songs and instrumentals.

In February 2023, Wakeman performed two shows at the London Palladium featuring ''The Six Wives of Henry VIII'', ''Journey to the Centre of the Earth'' and ''King Arthur'' played in their entirety with his English Rock Ensemble and choir, plus a selection of Yes music. The shows were released as a live album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/rick-wakeman-to-perform-his-classic-solo-albums-at-two-london-shows-in-2023|title=Rick Wakeman to perform his classic solo albums at two London shows in 2023|first=Natasha|last=Scharf|date=20 September 2022|publisher=Loudersound|access-date=20 September 2022}}</ref> After a UK tour performing the ''Journey to the Centre of the Earth'' and Yes sets in 2024, Wakeman began his final solo piano tours which has visited North America and Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goldminemag.com/artist-news/keyboardist-rick-wakeman-will-perform-last-one-man-shows-premiere-yes-sonata|title=Keyboardist Rick Wakeman will perform "last" one-man shows, premiere Yes sonata|date=24 January 2024|work=Goldmine|access-date=26 January 2024}}</ref> The tour featured the debut of a 30-minute piano composition "Yessonata", featuring various themes and melodies from Yes songs that he had originally played on. A 20-minute studio version paired with a piano suite of similar length based on themes from ''King Arthur'' was released as an album.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/share/p/iFPUi5ygvfY3kmmt/ Rick Wakeman Official Facebook page > post "Available to pre-order now due to overwhelming public demand! 'YESSONATA' CD edition" (23 August 2024)], ''Facebook.com''</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/yes-keyboard-legend-rick-wakeman-announces-final-one-man-fall-2024-solo-tour|title=YES Keyboard Legend RICK WAKEMAN Announces 'Final One Man' Fall 2024 Solo Tour|date=8 July 2024|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref> Wakeman wrote a composition for orchestra and piano as a tribute to the life and achievements of primatologist and climate campaigner [[Jane Goodall]], which was performed at the 2024 [[Starmus Festival]] with himself on piano.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.countypress.co.uk/news/24554363.rick-wakeman-appear-shanklin-theatre-isle-wight/|title=Rick Wakeman to appear at Shanklin Theatre Isle of Wight|first=Jake|last=Curran|date=1 September 2024|publisher=Isle of Wight County Press|access-date=26 October 2024}}</ref>

==Instruments==
By the end of 1972, Wakeman's typical keyboard setup included piano, [[electric piano]], [[Mellotron]], [[Hammond organ]], and [[Minimoog]] synthesizer, and he had played a [[pipe organ]] and harpsichord on record. He went on to use many later models of synthesizers including the [[Polymoog]] and the short-lived [[Birotron]], which he helped fund in its development. Because of the advent of digital keyboards at that time, and expensive components used in the instruments' manufacture, the Birotron was never a commercial or technical success and only 35 were produced.<ref name="The Birotron">{{cite web|url=http://www.8trackheaven.com/birotron.html|title=The Birotron<!-- Bot generated title -->|access-date=31 July 2017|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607174731/http://www.8trackheaven.com/birotron.html|archive-date=7 June 2007}}</ref> In recent years, Wakeman has used various Korg models, a Yamaha Montage, and the [[Memotron]], a digital version of the original Mellotron.

An [[urban legend]] claims that Wakeman got so frustrated with one Mellotron that he poured [[petrol]] on it and set fire to it, which he said in 2010 was only "semi-true", and had become an exaggerated story over time. He clarified that some were so far beyond repair they were taken apart and burnt, but he kept the frames. A double Mellotron that he had made was stolen and reappeared in America.<ref name=holmes>{{cite web|url=http://www.metal-discovery.com/Interviews/rickwakeman_interview_2010_pt3.htm|title=Interview with Rick Wakeman|first=Mark|last=Holmes|publisher=Metal Discovery|date=28 July 2010|access-date=8 November 2013}}</ref>

In addition to keyboards, Wakeman still owns the soprano saxophone that he used at the Royal College of Music, and can play some rhythm and bass guitar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dmme.net/interviews/interview-with-rick-wakeman|title=Interview with Rick Wakeman|first=Dmitry|last=Epstein|date=January 2014|publisher=DMME|access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref>

==Recognition and influence==
In his foreword for Wakeman's 1979 biography, [[Elton John]] named ''The Six Wives of Henry VIII'' as one of his favourite albums. He noted Wakeman's "brilliant" technique and wrote that his "mastery of electronic instruments only adds to his abilities".{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=7}} In 2011, [[MusicRadar]] included Wakeman among "The 27 greatest keyboard players of all time".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/the-27-greatest-keyboard-players-of-all-time-484228 |title=The 27 greatest keyboard players of all time |first=Scot |last=Solida |publisher=[[MusicRadar]] |date=27 July 2011 |access-date=22 August 2020}}</ref> In 2019, readers of ''[[Prog (magazine)|Prog]]'' voted him the second greatest progressive rock keyboard player, with the magazine stating, "Wakeman's time with Yes helped define prog as we know it, being filled with timeless brilliance [...] The man's style is fluent, and underlines a love of many genres, all cohesively brought into focus."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-top-ten-keyboard-players-in-prog |title=The top ten keyboard players in prog |first=Jerry |last=Ewing |website=loudersound.com |date=21 July 2019 |access-date=22 August 2020}}</ref> In 2024, [[Neil McCormick]] of ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' ranked him as the second greatest keyboard player of all time.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/elton-john-keyboard-players-stevie-wonder/ | title=The 10 greatest keyboard players of all time – ranked | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=Neil | last=McCormick | date=16 October 2024 | access-date=22 October 2024}}</ref>

Keyboardists who have cited Wakeman as an influence included [[Dave Greenfield]] of [[the Stranglers]]<ref name="JENKINS">{{cite book |last1=Jenkins |first1=Mark |title=Analog Synthesizers: Understanding, Performing, Buying—From the Legacy of Moog to Software Synthesis |date=October 2009 |publisher=CRC Press |page=150 |isbn=9781136122781 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iI77AwAAQBAJ&q=greenfield+korg+vc-10&pg=PA150}}</ref> and [[Mark Kelly (keyboardist)|Mark Kelly]] of [[Marillion]], who cited Wakeman as his primary influence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://musicplayers.com/2007/04/marillions-mark-kelly-keyboards-eden/|title=Marillion's Mark Kelly: Keyboards in Eden|website=musicplayers.com|first=Scott|last=Kahn|date=6 April 2007|access-date=22 August 2020}}</ref>

==Personal life==
===Family===
Wakeman has been married four times and has six children. In March 1970, at the age of 20, he married Rosaline Woolford and had two sons, [[Oliver Wakeman|Oliver]] and [[Adam Wakeman|Adam]].{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=46}} They divorced in 1977.<ref name=express2004>{{cite web|url=http://zenponies.com/yitp/2004/may/may01_04.html|title=The Love Child Rick Wakeman has Kept Secret for 18 Years|date=1 May 2004|newspaper=The Express|first=Rachel|last=Kaufman|access-date=30 January 2017}}</ref> In later life Wakeman said the marriage was a mistake for both of them, as they were too young and were "not ready for what the musical world was about to throw at me."<ref name=CR1994>{{cite web|url=https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Rick_Wakeman_The_prog_rock_veteran_on_music_and_faith/40132/p1/|title=Rick Wakeman: The prog rock veteran on music and faith|first=Tim|last=Cockram|date=1 April 1994|work=Cross Rhythms|access-date=22 June 2025}}</ref> Wakeman married Swiss-born Danielle Corminboeuf, a recording studio secretary, in January 1980 in the [[West Indies]] and lived with her in Montreux.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=138}}<ref name=express2004/> They had one son, before they divorced in late 1980.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=146}}<ref name=express2004/> In 1981, Wakeman met former [[Page 3 girl|Page 3]] model [[Nina Carter]] and had a daughter,{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=155}} before they married in November 1984 and had a son.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=185}}<ref name=express2004/> The couple separated in 2000<ref name=express2004/> and finalised their divorce in 2004.<ref name=express2011>{{cite web|url=http://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/292644/Fourth-marriage-for-Wakeman|title=Fourth marriage for Wakeman|date=30 December 2011|work=The Express|access-date=30 January 2017}}</ref> Wakeman left the Isle of Man and lived in hotels for several months.<ref name=EDP07/>

In the early 2000s, Wakeman had a relationship with Italian artist Alina Bencini who produced artwork for his albums released during this time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/2738820-Alina-Bencini|title=Artists – Alina Bencini – Discography|website=Discogs|access-date=22 June 2025}}</ref> In 2004, Wakeman revealed that he had had an extramarital affair with American-born designer Denise Gandrup, who first met Wakeman in 1972 and made several of his capes.{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=122}} After they split in 1981, they reconnected in 1985 and had one daughter. Wakeman felt it best to keep the relationship and child secret to protect his family, but continued to financially support his daughter.<ref name=express2004/> As of 2023, Wakeman has thirteen grandchildren.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sonicperspectives.com/interviews/interview-with-rick-wakeman/|title=Rick Wakeman on playing with Yes again: "Without Chris Squire and Alan White, it could never be repeated"|first=Rodrigo|last=Altaf|date=21 March 2023|publisher=Sonic Perspectives|access-date=27 July 2025}}</ref>

In December 2011, Wakeman married journalist Rachel Kaufman who is 25 years his junior. The pair met in 2004 when Kaufman conducted a press interview with him, and were engaged in 2007.<ref name=guardian2014/><ref name=express2011/><ref name=EDP07>{{cite web|url=https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/20688129.rock-star-rick-far-grumpy/|title=Why rock star Rick is far from grumpy|work=Eastern Daily Press|date=23 October 2007|access-date=22 June 2025}}</ref>

===Health===
Wakeman has faced a number of health issues. In his twenties he had three heart attacks due to smoking and drinking heavily and overworking.<ref name=Louder2016/><ref name="interview_2002"/> The first two were minor and he was told they may have gone unnoticed. The third occurred soon after his headline performance at the [[Crystal Palace Park]] in July 1974.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metaltalk.net/columns/20101783.php|title=Interview With The Legendary Rick Wakeman|first=Steve|last=Goldby|publisher=metaltalk.net|access-date=22 November 2016}}</ref> Wakeman stopped smoking in 1979, but continued to drink and recalled "wild" nights with [[Keith Moon]], [[Vivian Stanshall]],<ref name=guardian2014/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/rick-wakeman-interview-david-bowie-john-lennon-black-sabbath|title=Rick Wakeman's wild tales of John Lennon, David Bowie, Keith Moon and Ozzy Osbourne|first=Jerry|last=Ewing|date=25 January 2025|publisher=Loudersound|access-date=13 July 2025}}</ref> and [[Rick Parfitt]].

In September 1984, Wakeman was fined £155 and banned from driving for one year for speeding and being over the [[Drunk driving law by country#United Kingdom|drink drive limit]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000560/19840914/214/0015|title=Rick's banned|newspaper=Daily Mirror|page=15|date=14 September 1984|via=British Newspaper Archive|access-date=14 July 2023|url-access=subscription}}</ref> On 8 August 1985, Wakeman became [[Teetotalism|teetotal]] after he fell ill during an Australian tour. He flew home where a doctor revealed he had [[alcoholic hepatitis]], signs of [[cirrhosis]] and organ failure, and said he had six months to live if he continued to drink.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Rick Wakeman: The MOJO Interview|first=Tom|last=Doyle|date=August 2025|magazine=MOJO}}</ref><ref name=guardian2014>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/jan/08/rick-wakeman-interview-prog-rock-punk|title=Rick Wakeman: 'Punk was a revolution ... things had to change'|work=The Guardian|first=Paul|last=Lester|date=8 January 2014|access-date=22 January 2014}}</ref><ref name=mirrorhealth>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/rick-wakeman-health-time-25-3423174|title=Rick Wakeman: By the time I was 25 I'd had three heart attacks|first=Alun|last=Palmer|website=[[Daily Mirror]]|date=17 April 2014|access-date=22 November 2016}}</ref> In 1998, Wakeman collapsed on a golf course and was rushed to hospital, where he was diagnosed with [[double pneumonia]], [[pleurisy]], high blood pressure, and showed signs of [[Legionnaires' disease]].<ref name=Express2017>{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/818639/Rick-Wakeman-diabetes-battle-health-high-blood-pressure|title=Rick Wakeman: I owe it to my family to stay as healthy as I can|first=Roz|last=Lewis|date=20 June 2017|work=The Express|access-date=23 June 2025}}</ref> He was placed in an induced coma,<ref name=Louder2016>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/rick-wakeman-i-was-going-to-die-unless-i-stopped-smoking-and-drinking|title=Rick Wakeman: "I was going to die unless I stopped smoking and drinking..."|work=Classic Rock Magazine|first=Mark|last=Blake|date=20 April 2016|access-date=13 February 2019}}</ref> and at one point his doctors gave him 24 hours to live.<ref name=mirrorhealth/> Wakeman has had a vasectomy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/people/celebrity-interviews/22596279.interview-rick-wakeman/|title=Interview: Rick Wakeman|first=Katie|last=Jarvis|date=1 October 2013|publisher=Great British Life|access-date=25 February 2023}}</ref>

In 2016 Wakeman announced he had [[type-2 diabetes]]. In 2023, he said his playing was affected by [[macular degeneration]] in his left eye, which he treats with monthly injections. He also has arthritis in his hands, legs and feet, for which he wears half gloves while performing.<ref name=gorr-feb2016>{{cite web|url=http://www.rwcc.com/gorr_1602.asp|title=Grumpy Old Rick's Ramblings for February 2016|date=5 February 2016|publisher=Rick Wakeman's Communication Centre|access-date=6 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1736018/Rick-Wakeman-a-gallery-of-the-imagination-the-english-rock-ensemble|title=Rock legend Rick Wakeman on his life and career as he releases new album|first=Garry|last=Bushell|date=19 February 2023|work=Daily Express|access-date=23 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thesunpapers.com/2023/03/20/despite-health-issues-keyboardist-rick-wakeman-keeps-on-going/|title=Despite health issues, keyboardist Rick Wakeman keeps on going|first=Chuck|last=Darrow|date=20 March 2023|publisher=The Sun Newspapers|access-date=23 June 2025}}</ref> In 2025, Wakeman was diagnosed with a brain and spine disorder and had corrective surgery on his spinal cord.<ref>{{cite episode|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ep-20-the-backstage-vip-tour/id1791053628?i=1000734310467|title=Episode 20: The Backstage VIP Tour|date=31 October 2025|series=The Myths and Legends of Rick Wakeman|people=Wakeman, Rick; Jeeves, Mark}}</ref> Wakeman has never used drugs and believes that had he taken them he would have done so to excess and died.<ref name=PP17>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/baxterpr/docs/rick_wakeman_press_pack_|title=Rick Wakeman – Piano Portraits – Press Pack|date=29 September 2017|publisher=Baxter PR|via=Issuu|access-date=13 January 2023}}</ref>

===Other activities===
[[File:Rick_wakeman_2014_(cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Wakeman performing in one of his capes, 2014]]
In the 1970s, Wakeman met [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother]] and bought Tropical Saint, a racehorse that belonged to her.<ref name=telegraph2014/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/04_april/08/wogan.shtml|title=Wogan returns to sport as chair of Fighting Talk on BBC Radio Five Live|publisher=BBC|date=8 April 2005|access-date=2 September 2017}}</ref> After it died, he bought Balinloning, a small horse that he had in care for a year and entered in races.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zenponies.com/yitp/1979/apr/apr_79.html|title=''Rhapsodies'' Media Press Pack – The Six Lives of Rick Wakeman: Wakeman on Wakeman|date=April 1979|publisher=A&M Records|access-date=2 September 2017}}</ref>

In 1977, Wakeman was one of several musicians, along with [[Peter Frampton]], [[Mick Jagger]], and [[Paul Simon]], who were part of the ownership group of the [[Philadelphia Fury (1978–1980)|Philadelphia Fury]], a new American soccer team to compete in the [[North American Soccer League]]. The team split in 1980.<ref>{{cite news|title=NASL Song: Rock Stars Get In Act|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MkZQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TVgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6744,161105&dq=nasl+expansion&hl=en|access-date=2 February 2022|work=The Evening Independent|date=16 November 1977|page=2-C}}</ref> Wakeman is a lifelong supporter of [[Brentford F.C.]] and in 1979, was a director of the team for one year. In 1983, he became chairman of [[Camberley Town F.C.]] while he was living there.<ref name=1991tourbook/> He quit in 1987 due to his busy work schedule, but remained active as an honorary vice-president.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108903700/|title=Rick quits after saving soccer club|newspaper=Evening Standard|date=10 April 1987|page=16|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date=4 September 2022}}</ref> Wakeman is also a supporter of [[Manchester City F.C.]]<ref name=Louder2013/>

In a 2010 interview, Wakeman was critical of Wikipedia, saying it has too many inaccuracies and mistakes, and that he would love to see it "closed down".<ref name=holmes/>

In June 2017 he was the castaway for the [[BBC Radio 4]] programme ''[[Desert Island Discs]]''. His favourite piece was [[Giuseppe Verdi]]'s ''[[Anvil Chorus]]'' and his book choice was ''Principles of Orchestration'' by [[Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov]], which his orchestration professor at the Royal College had introduced to him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08tbrlc |title=BBC Radio 4 – Desert Island Discs, Rick Wakeman |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |access-date=18 June 2017}}</ref><ref name=Odyssey2018/>

Wakeman's agent for TV and media work is entertainer [[Roger De Courcey]], best known for performing with his puppet Nookie Bear.<ref name=INSIGHT14>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hiowmasons.org/Insight/Insight7/files/basic-html/page7.html|title=Journey to the Centre – Rick Wakeman in Conversation|first=Peter|last=Martin|magazine=Insight|year=2014|issue=7|page=7|access-date=6 September 2022}}</ref>

Wakeman has been a supporter of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], saying he was "unique in [Yes] as a card-carrying Conservative".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-11785483|title=So what exactly is 'progressive' in politics?|first=Brian|last=Wheeler|date=26 November 2010|work=BBC News|access-date=15 November 2019}}</ref>

Wakeman had a renewal of his Christian faith which began at around the time of his 1984 marriage to Carter.<ref name="Wakeman, Rick 1995">Wakeman, Rick (1995). ''Say Yes! An Autobiography'', Hodder & Stoughton Religious, {{ISBN|0-340-62151-6}} {{ISBN|978-0340621516}}</ref>

In the 1990s, Wakeman bought a house in Los Cristianos, [[Tenerife]].<ref name=TT0910>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/england/london-travel/my-hols-rick-wakeman-jf8t6ls98pm|title=My Hols: Rick Wakeman|first=Caroline|last=Rees|date=9 May 2010|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=26 May 2022|archive-date=13 June 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613154653/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/my-hols-rick-wakeman-jf8t6ls98pm}}</ref>

In 1993 Wakeman was invited to play the piano at the inauguration of US President [[Bill Clinton]]. He declined due to unavailability.<ref name=RECC1993>{{cite web|url=https://rwcc.com/rwccarchive/rwcc_199301.php|title=RWCC News for January 1993|date=January 1993|publisher=Rick Wakeman's Communication Centre|access-date=13 January 2023}}</ref>

In 1996, Wakeman was involved in a plane crash while landing at [[Derry]], Northern Ireland. The eight-seater [[Manx Airlines]] plane lost power and its undercarriage collapsed, causing the plane to land on its rear wheel and the front crashing onto the tarmac, with the propellers and engine breaking off. After passing a medical check he played at an awards ceremony dinner for the same airline.<ref name=Louder2013/>

In 2002, Wakeman crashed into a stationary abandoned car while driving at around 65 mph at night on the [[M40 motorway]]. Despite bleeding in his mouth, he refused hospital treatment as Yes were due to start a North American tour in a couple of days. He remembered "nearly crying with agony on stage" during the first week.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/driving/article/my-first-crash-rick-wakeman-mgjwhmcs2z0|title=My first crash: Rick Wakeman|first=Rick|last=Wakeman|date=22 June 2003|work=The Sunday Times|access-date=28 July 2025}}</ref>

In September 2005 Wakeman began to host a Saturday morning radio show on [[Planet Rock (radio station)|Planet Rock]] called ''Rick's Place'', that went on to feature [[David Jensen]] as co-host.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://the-media-leader.com/wakeman-to-join-planet-rock/|title=Wakeman to join Planet Rock|date=2 September 2005|publisher=The Media Leader|access-date=7 September 2022}}</ref> The show ended in December 2010 after over 200 original episodes. Several months before its cancellation, Wakeman began a pre-recorded Saturday night show on [[Dublin]]-based [[Radio Nova 100FM (Ireland)|Radio Nova]] with his friend David Hoffmann which lasted through 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotpress.com/culture/wide-awake-man-9190430|title=Wide Awake Man|first=Dave|last=Hanratty|date=12 September 2012|publisher=Hot Press|access-date=13 July 2025}}</ref> In 2009, Wakeman recorded an online interview series called ''Face to Face'' with various musicians.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=55489|title=Face to Face with Rick Wakeman|first=Dan|last=Wooding|publisher=Identity Network|access-date=13 July 2025}}</ref> In 2020 he launched ''Rick's Plaice'', a subscription-based video series based on the format of his former Planet Rock show.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/rick-wakemans-opens-ricks-plaice-with-new-video|title=Rick Wakeman's opens Rick's Plaice with new video|first=Jerry|last=Ewing|date=17 October 2020|publisher=Loudersound|access-date=7 September 2022}}</ref> The series lasted two seasons.

====Freemasonry====
In 2007 Wakeman became a [[Freemason]], joining the Chelsea Lodge No. 3098 which is made up of entertainers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chelsea-lodge.org.uk/ |title=Chelsea Lodge No 3098 |publisher=Chelsea-lodge.org.uk |access-date=5 September 2015}}</ref> His father was a member of the Brent Valley Lodge No. 3940, and the support that Wakeman and his mother received from his friends at the Lodge following his death was a catalyst for Wakeman to learn more about Freemasonry. In 2019, Wakeman was elected as an honorary member of his late father's Lodge.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pglm.org.uk/rwakeman-cbe/|title=Rick Wakeman CBE – The Middlesex Connection|date=10 July 2021 |publisher=Middlesex Freemasonry|access-date=7 September 2022}}</ref> In 2011, Wakeman joined the [[Knights Templar (Freemasonry)|Knights Templar]] fraternity,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scan.lusu.co.uk/index.php/2015/09/27/interview-rick-wakeman/|title=Interview: Rick Wakeman|first=Zach|last=Hughes|date=27 September 2015|publisher=SCAN|access-date=2 September 2017}}</ref> and is also a member of the Vaudeville Lodge.<ref name=HIOWM/> In 2014 he was installed as the 110th Worshipful Master of the Chelsea Lodge. He was and elected as the 125th King Rat in the showbusiness fraternity and charity organisation, the [[Grand Order of Water Rats]]. Wakeman was the first person to hold both titles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freemasonrytoday.com/more-news/lodges-chapters-a-individuals/rick-wakeman-elected-king-rat-2014-the-grand-order-of-water-rats|title=Rick Wakeman elected King Rat by Grand Order of Water Rats|date=28 January 2014|publisher=Freemasonry Today|access-date=2 September 2017|archive-date=3 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903030639/http://www.freemasonrytoday.com/more-news/lodges-chapters-a-individuals/rick-wakeman-elected-king-rat-2014-the-grand-order-of-water-rats|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chelsea-lodge.org.uk/masters.htm|title=Chelsea Lodge Past Masters|website=www.chelsea-lodge.org.uk|access-date=31 July 2017}}</ref><ref name=guardian2014/><ref name=HIOWM>{{cite web|url=https://www.hiowmasons.org/Insight/Insight7/files/basic-html/page7.html|title=Journey to the Centre – Rick Wakeman in Conversation|first=Peter|last=Martin|publisher=Hampshire and Isle of Wight Freemasons|access-date=7 September 2022}}</ref> He hosted the Grumpy Old Rockstar's Chelsea Lodge Ladies Festival in the following year.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.chelsea-lodge.org.uk/Ladies15.htm | title=Ladies Festival Pictures 2015|website=Chelsea-lodge.org.uk | access-date=23 May 2016}}</ref> Wakeman appears in his Masonic apron in the 2017 documentary series ''Inside the Freemasons''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freemasonrytoday.com/ugle-sgc/ugle/a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-inside-the-freemasons|title=A behind the scenes look at Inside the Freemasons|website=Freemasonrytoday.com|access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref>

====Charity work and patronage====
[[File:RickWakeman2009.JPG|thumb|right|Wakeman performing at the [[Royal Albert Hall]] in aid of the Performing Right Society for Music Members' Benevolent Fund in 2009]]
In 1988, Wakeman was elected into the [[Lord's Taverners]] cricket charity, and was chairman of the Isle of Man branch with his wife in the early 1990s.<ref name=1989TB/><ref name=RWCCDEC90>{{cite web|url=https://rwcc.com/rwccarchive/rwcc_199012.php|title=RWCC News for December 1990|date=December 1990|publisher=Rick Wakeman's Communication Centre|access-date=13 January 2023}}</ref> He took up golf in the 1980s after becoming teetotal, and has since taken part in many charity tournaments. From 1995 until at least 2012, the Rick Wakeman Celebrity Classic golf tournament took place at Burhill Golf Club in Surrey, raising funds in aid of the children's charity [[Great Ormond Street Hospital|Sparks]].<ref name=Louder2013/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.todays-golfer.com/news-and-events/general-news/2012/august/rick-wakeman-hosts-17th-star-studded-charity-event-at-burhill-golf-club/|title=Rick Wakeman's charity golf day raises £26k|date=28 August 2012|first=Jake|last=O'Reilly|publisher=Today's Golfer|access-date=23 August 2024}}</ref>

Wakeman is an honorary president of the [[Classic Rock Society]], formed in Rotherham in 1991.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/air-guitar-hero-452272|title=Air guitar with a hero|work=The Star|date=25 November 2016|access-date=9 January 2023}}</ref> In 2009, he became a patron of [[BIMM University|Tech Music School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.techmusicschool.co.uk/about-us/history/|title=About Us - History|publisher=Tech Music School|access-date=13 July 2025}}</ref> He was one of the board of directors of the Performing Artists' Media Rights Association (PAMRA), a non-profit organisation committed to promoting musicians' rights and income.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/cliff-s-law-gives-ageing-rockers-a-pension-after-copyright-ruling-2351636.html|title='Cliff's law' gives ageing rockers a pension after copyright ruling|date=9 September 2011|work=The Independent|first=Charlie|last=Cooper|access-date=10 January 2023}}</ref>

He is a patron and active supporter of several animal welfare charities, including Friends of the Animals<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.friendsoftheanimals.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Newsletter-66.pdf|title=Newsletter 66|publisher=Friends of the Animals|date=June 2020|access-date=13 July 2025}}</ref> and Saving Strays. In 2017, Wakeman was made an ambassador to [[Animals Asia Foundation]], of which he has supported since 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animalsasia.org/uk/media/news/news-archive/legendary-musician-proud-to-be-named-new-animals-asia-ambassador.html|title=Legendary musician proud to be named new Animals Asia ambassador|date=19 May 2017|website=Animals Asia|access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref>

====Awards and honours====
In October 1997, Wakeman received a Golden Badge Award from the [[British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors]] (BASCA), given for outstanding contributions to the British music and entertainment industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldbadgeawards.com/archive/1990-1999/gold-badge-awards-1997/|title=Gold Badge Awards – Archive – 1990–1999 – 1997|publisher=Gold Badge Awards|access-date=24 December 2016}}</ref>

In 2008, Wakeman gave a class to students of the [[London College of Music]] and later that year, received an honorary professorship from the college for his contributions to music.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dissmercury.co.uk/news/21683757.rick-wakeman-awarded-professorship/|title=Rick Wakeman awarded professorship|publisher=Diss Mercury|date=20 November 2008|access-date=11 January 2023}}</ref> In 2010, Wakeman was awarded the Spirit of Prog Award at the annual [[Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards]].<ref>{{cite magazine | url= http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i380e27368bb3e68cd49c42cece12498c | title= AC/DC, Stones, Slash Win At Classic Rock Awards | first= Emma | last= Johnston | magazine= Billboard | date= 11 November 2010 | access-date= 17 November 2010 | archive-date= 4 August 2012 | archive-url= https://archive.today/20120804192554/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i380e27368bb3e68cd49c42cece12498c | url-status= dead }}</ref> In 2012, Wakeman received an [[List of fellows of the Royal College of Music|honorary fellowship of the Royal College of Music]] in a ceremony presented by HRH The Prince of Wales, the college's president.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rcm.ac.uk/about/news/all/2012-03-15thepresidentsvisit2012.aspx|title=The President's Visit 2012|date=15 March 2012|publisher=Royal College of Music London|access-date=11 January 2023}}</ref> In 2022, he received the [[Worshipful Company of Musicians|Musicians' Company]] Honorary Fellowship at the Royal College.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.music-news.com/news/Underground/148773/Rick-Wakeman-awarded-honorary-fellowship|title=Rick Wakeman awarded honorary fellowship|date=19 May 2022|publisher=Music-News|access-date=11 January 2023}}</ref>

Wakeman was appointed [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (CBE) in the [[2021 Birthday Honours]] for services to music and broadcasting.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=63377|supp=y|page=B10|date=12 June 2021}}</ref> He is a [[Freedom of the City of London|Freeman of the City of London]], and a [[Livery company#Liverymen|liveryman]] of the [[Worshipful Company of Glovers]].<ref name=Louder2013>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/rick-wakeman-interview-career-2013|title="There was a crunching noise, as the plane hit the tarmac, and the propellers and engines flew off, along with the odd bit of wing": the epic life and mad musical journey of Rick Wakeman, keyboard wizard and Knight Templar|date=14 July 2024|first=Phillip|last=Wilding|publisher=Loudersound|access-date=23 August 2024}}</ref>

==Band members==
Sources:<ref name=1981TB/><ref name=1985tourbook/><ref name=1989TB/><ref>{{cite liner notes|title=Out of the Blue|year=2001|others=Rick Wakeman and The English Rock Ensemble|id=MFCD005|publisher=Music Fusion}}</ref><ref>{{cite liner notes|title=Out There|year=2003|others=Rick Wakeman and The English Rock Ensemble|id=MFW6093X|publisher=Music Fusion}}</ref><ref>{{cite liner notes|title=Live at the London Palladium 2023|year=2024|others=Rick Wakeman|id=FRCD4BOX1940|publisher=Cherry Red}}</ref>

{{columns-list|colwidth=24em|
'''Vocals'''
*Ashley Holt (1974–2019)
*[[Gary Pickford-Hopkins]] (1974–1975)
*Cori Josias (1981)
*Gordon Neville (1985)
*[[Chrissie Hammond]]  (1991–1998)
*[[Damian Wilson]] (2000–2003)
*[[Hayley Sanderson]] (2012–present)
*Mollie Marriott (2024–present)
*Jessie Smith (2025–present)

'''Guitar'''
*Geoffrey Crampton (1974–1975)
*John Dunsterville (1975–1976)
*Tim Stone (1980–1981)
*[[Rick Fenn]] (1985)
*Dave "D'Zal" Martin (1989)
*[[Fraser T. Smith|Fraser Thorneycroft-Smith]] (1992–1999)
*Ant Glynne (2000–2003)
*Dave Colquhoun (2005–present)

'''Bass'''
*Roger Newell (1974–1976)
*Steve Barnacle (1980–1981)
*[[Chas Cronk]] (1985)
*[[David Paton]] (1987–1996)
*[[Alan Thomson (musician)|Alan Thomson]] (1992–1994)
*Lee Pomeroy (2000–present)

'''Drums'''
*[[Barney James]] (1974–1975)
*[[Tony Fernandez (musician)|Tony Fernandez]] (1975–2022)
*[[Ash Soan]] (2005, 2020)
*Adam Falkner (2022–present)

'''Brass'''
*Martyn Shields (1975–1976, trombone)
*Reg Brooks (1975–1976, trumpet)

'''Percussion'''
*John Hodgson (1974–1975)

'''Keyboards'''
*[[Adam Wakeman]] (1992–present)

'''Narration'''
*Terry Taplin (1974–1975)
*[[Robert Powell]] (1980s)
*[[Ian Lavender]]
*[[Peter Egan]]
}}

==Discography==
{{For|a full discography and list of guest appearances|Rick Wakeman discography}}

'''Selected solo releases'''
{{div col}}
*''[[Piano Vibrations]]'' (1971)
*''[[The Six Wives of Henry VIII (album)|The Six Wives of Henry VIII]]'' (1973)
*''[[Journey to the Centre of the Earth (album)|Journey to the Centre of the Earth]]'' (1974; live)
*''[[The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table]]'' (1975)
*''[[No Earthly Connection]]'' (1976)
*''[[Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record]]'' (1977)
*''[[Rhapsodies (album)|Rhapsodies]]'' (1979)
*''[[1984 (Rick Wakeman album)|1984]]'' (1981)
*''[[Cost of Living (Rick Wakeman album)|Cost of Living]]'' (1983)
*''[[Silent Nights]]'' (1985)
*''[[The Time Machine (Rick Wakeman album)|Time Machine]]'' (1988)
*''[[Sea Airs]]'' (1989)
*''[[Phantom Power (Rick Wakeman album)|Phantom Power]]'' (1990)
*''[[Night Airs]]'' (1990)
*''[[Classic Tracks (Rick Wakeman album)|Classic Tracks]]'' (1993)
*''[[Rick Wakeman's Greatest Hits (album)|Rick Wakeman's Greatest Hits]]'' (1993)
*''[[Light Up The Sky (Rick Wakeman EP)|Light Up The Sky]]'' (1994; EP)
*''[[The Seven Wonders of the World (album)|The Seven Wonders of the World]]'' (1995)
*''[[Return to the Centre of the Earth]]'' (1999)
*''[[Piano Portraits]]'' (2017)
*''[[Piano Odyssey]]'' (2018)
*''[[Christmas Portraits]]'' (2019)
*''[[The Red Planet]]'' (2020)
*''A Gallery of the Imagination'' (2023)
*''Yessonata'' (2024)
*''Melancholia'' (2025)
{{div col end}}

'''Film scores'''
{{div col}}
*''[[X Y & Zee|Zee and Co.]]'' (1972)
*''[[Lisztomania (film)|Lisztomania]]'' (1975)
*''[[White Rock (album)|White Rock]]'' (1977)
*''[[The Burning (1981 film)|The Burning]]'' (1981)
*''[[G'olé!]]'' (1983)
*''[[She (1984 film)|She]]'' (1984)
*''[[Crimes of Passion (1984 film)|Crimes of Passion]]'' (1984)
*''[[Creepshow 2]]'' (1987; with [[Les Reed (songwriter)|Les Reed]])
*''[[Hero (1987 film)|Hero]]'' (1987)
*''[[Phantom Power (Rick Wakeman Album)|Phantom Power]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Bullet to Beijing]]'' (1995)
*''White Rock II'' (1999)
*''In Search of the Great Beast 666'' (2007)
{{div col end}}

'''Video games and CD-ROM'''
*''Microcosm'' (1993; Sega Mega Drive)
*''Between Earth and the End of Time: The Worlds of [[Rodney Matthews]]'' (1996; CD-ROM)

==Bibliography==
'''Books'''
*''Say Yes! An Autobiography'' (1995)
*''Grumpy Old Rockstar: and Other Wondrous Stories'' (2008)
*''Further Adventures of a Grumpy Old Rockstar'' (2010)

'''Songbooks'''<ref>Music Exchange (Manchester) Ltd. ''1981 Catalogue of Printed Music''; p. 5</ref>
*''Criminal Record'' 
*''Journey to the Centre of the Earth''
*''The Myths & Legends of King Arthur & the Knights of the Round Table''
*''The Six Wives of Henry VIII''

==Notes and references==
'''Notes'''
{{Notelist}}

'''References'''

{{Reflist|30em}}

'''Sources'''
*{{Cite book|last=Hedges|first=Dan|title=Yes: An Authorized Biography|year=1982|publisher=Sidgwick & Jackson|isbn=978-0-283-98751-9}}
*{{Cite book|last=Morse|first=Tim|title=Yesstories: "Yes" in Their Own Words|year=1996|publisher=St Martin's Press|isbn=978-0-312-14453-1}}
*{{Cite book|last=Wooding|first=Dan|title=Rick Wakeman: The Caped Crusader|publisher=Granada Publishing Limited|isbn=978-0-586-04853-5|year=1979}}
*{{Cite book|last=Wakeman|first=Rick|title=Say Yes! An Autobiography|publisher=Hodder & Stoughton|isbn=978-0-340-62151-6|year=1995}}
*{{Cite book|last=Welch|first=Chris|author-link=Chris Welch|title=Close to the Edge: The Story of Yes|publisher=Music Sales|isbn=978-1-84772-132-7|year=2008}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{IMDb name|id=0906857}}
*[http://www.rwcc.com/ Rick Wakeman's Communication Centre]
*{{discogs artist|Rick Wakeman}}
*[https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/rick-wakeman Rick Wakeman Interview] at [[NAMM Oral History Program|NAMM Oral History Collection]] (2013)

{{Rick Wakeman}}
{{yesband}}
{{Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe}}
{{Strawbs}}
{{Ozzy Osbourne}}
{{2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wakeman, Rick}}
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