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|1984|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 for his multiple tenures in the [[progressive rock]] band [[Yes (band)|Yes]] and for his prolific solo career, which has spanned six decades. His most successful and acclaimed albums are his first three progressive rock [[concept albums]]–''[[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). [[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]], Wakeman intended to become a concert pianist but quit the [[Royal College of Music]] in 1969 and became a sought after [[session musician]]. Amongst the estimated 2,000 sessions he did, he played on "[[Space Oddity]]" and "[[Life on Mars?]]" for [[David Bowie]], "[[Morning Has Broken]]" by [[Cat Stevens]], and on tracks for [[Elton John]], [[Marc Bolan]], and [[Lou Reed]]. After a brief stint in the folk rock group the [[Strawbs]], during which he received national press attention, he joined Yes in 1971, playing on seminal albums such as ''[[Fragile (Yes album)|Fragile]]'' (1971), ''[[Close to the Edge]]'' (1972) and ''[[Tales From Topographic Oceans]]'' (1973). His technical virtuosity on keyboards such as the [[Hammond organ]], [[Moog synthesizer]], and [[Mellotron]], combined with his flamboyant stage presence and trademark capes, made him an iconic figure in 1970s progressive rock. In 1974, he formed his touring and recording band, the English Rock Ensemble, and in the following year, expanded into soundtrack work for [[Ken Russell]]{{'s}} feature film ''[[Lisztomania (film)|Lisztomania]]'' (1975).

Wakeman's subsequent career is characterised by its vast productivity and stylistic diversity, with a discography exceeding [[Rick Wakeman discography|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/>}} During the 1980s and 1990s, amidst shifting musical trends and personal financial strain, he transitioned toward low-budget albums for niche markets while maintaining a consistent presence as a live performer through band-led tours and one-man shows featuring music and anecdotal storytelling. This period saw Wakeman diversify into broadcasting and record label management, and pursued new musical directions with his first [[New-age music|new-age]] and [[Christian music]] albums, ''[[Country Airs]]'' (1986) and ''The Gospels'' (1987), respectively. A commercial resurgence began with ''[[Return to the Centre of the Earth]]'' (1999), his first release to reach the UK Top 40 in 18 years, followed by a revisit of his three best-selling concept albums with new and expanded arrangements. His piano album ''[[Piano Portraits]]'' (2017) was his first UK Top 10 in 42 years. Throughout this time, Wakeman completed a total of five stints with Yes until 2004 and mostly recently performed in the offshoot band [[Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, and Rick Wakeman]] from 2016 to 2020.

In addition to music Wakeman is a well-known media personality, recognised for his appearances on television shows such as ''Live at Jonguleurs'', ''[[Countdown (game show)|Countdown]]'' and ''[[Watchdog (TV programme)|Watchdog]]'', and as a regular on the BBC comedy series ''[[Grumpy Old Men (TV series)|Grumpy Old Men]]''. He has published three books, presented a Saturday morning radio show on [[Planet Rock (radio station)|Planet Rock]] from 2005 to 2010, and has a podcast. He was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] as a member of Yes in 2017, and was appointed a [[Order of the British Empire|Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (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. He is the only child of Cyril Frank Wakeman and Mildred Helen Wakeman (née Eastment). 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=https://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 Wakeans 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/> His art teacher at A-level was jazz pianist [[Mike Westbrook]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/rick-wakeman-the-wizard-of-yes|title=Rick Wakeman: The wizard of Yes|first=Chris|last=Welch|date=24 February 1973|work=Melody Maker|via=Rock's Backpages|access-date=8 June 2026 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Wakeman 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]]
At age 12, Wakeman formed his first musical group, the [[traditional jazz]] outfit Brother Wakeman and the Clergymen.<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>  The band's name was a reference to their makeshift uniforms: school shirts worn backward to resemble clerical collars, prompting a friend to remark that they looked like vicars.<ref name=1991tourbook/> That same year, he began studying the clarinet and served as the second clarinettist in his school orchestra.<ref name=1991tourbook/>{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=31}}

In 1963, Wakeman joined the Atlantic Blues, a local five-piece ensemble. The group secured a year-long residency at a rehabilitation club for the mentally disabled in [[Neasden]], an experience Wakeman later credited with teaching him the essential discipline of working within a band.<ref name=1991tourbook/> During this period, he also formed Curdled Milk, a short-lived group named in homage to [[Cream (band)|Cream]]'s "Strange Brew", to perform at an annual school dance.<ref name=1991tourbook/> The performance ended in financial loss when Wakeman lost control of his car and drove through the headmaster's rose garden; the band's fee was subsequently forfeited to cover the damages. Shortly thereafter, while still a member of the Atlantic Blues, Wakeman joined the Concordes (later the Concorde Quartet). Accompanied by his cousin [[Alan Wakeman]] on saxophone and clarinet, he played dance and pop standards at local functions. He used his earnings from these performances to purchase his first electronic keyboard, a [[Hohner Pianet]].{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=28}}

By 1966, he had established his own dance band, the Green Dolphin Trio, which held a residency at the Brent council social club in [[Alperton]].<ref name=1991tourbook/> He departed the following year to join the Ronnie Smith Band at the [[Top Rank Suite|Top Rank]] ballroom in [[Watford]]. It was here that he met vocalist Ashley Holt, who would become a frequent collaborator on Wakeman's future solo projects and tours.<ref name=1991tourbook/> Smith briefly fired Wakeman for his perceived lack of seriousness toward dance music, he was soon reinstated at the Top Rank venue in [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]]. During this time, Wakeman became a regular at the Red Lion pub in [[Brentford]], participating in jam sessions with notable musicians such as [[John Entwistle]], [[Mitch Mitchell]], and [[Nick Simper]].<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> These connections led to his first radio appearance when singer [[James Royal]] invited him to join a live BBC session alongside Entwistle and guitarist Mick King.<ref name=LoudersoundBB2012/>

In 1968, Wakeman won a scholarship to the [[Royal College of Music]] in London, aiming to become a concert pianist. His admission followed a period of intense study; having completed only six of the eight required exam grades for his A-level music qualification, he was forced to complete two years of curriculum in ten months. Supported by additional tuition from Symes, and motivated by a ten-[[shilling]] bet with his school teacher regarding his success—Wakeman secured his place, using an offer at his father's building supply business to succeed and pursue music.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=29}}{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=30}}

Though he initially enrolled in the performer's course, with piano as his primary study and clarinet as his secondary, Wakeman soon grew intimidated by the calibre of his peers. Feeling he lacked the technical superiority required for a concert career, he switched to the teacher's course.<ref name=1976tourbook/> Despite this shift, his time at the college provided foundational influences; his orchestration professor, [[Philip Cannon (composer)|Philip Cannon]], had a lasting impact on Wakeman's later approach to composition.<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's tenure at the college was marked by increasing friction with the institution's traditionalism. His proposals to establish a rock and jazz club were rejected, and he clashed with faculty over his appearance, refusing a professor's demand to cut his hair.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=31–32}} Disillusioned, he began neglecting his studies, spending his time at the Musical Bargain Centre, a music shop in [[Ealing]]. The shop’s owner, Dave Simms, recognised Wakeman's potential and employed him as a pianist in his dance band.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=61}}

Wakeman's transition into professional session work began when guitarist [[Chas Cronk]] visited the shop seeking an organist and brass arranger for a session with [[Jimmy Thomas]], a vocalist for the [[Ike & Tina Turner|Ike & Tina Turner Revue]].<ref name=Louder2024/>{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=33}}{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=62}} At [[Olympic Studios]], Wakeman was introduced to influential producers [[Denny Cordell]], [[Gus Dudgeon]], and [[Tony Visconti]]. Though he initially struggled with the technicalities of scoring for brass—incorrectly writing the parts in [[concert pitch]]—his playing style impressed Cordell who subsequently offered Wakeman regular session work for [[Regal Zonophone Records]].{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=64, 66}} This provided a necessary income supplement to his small student grant, though the college officially disapproved of outside professional engagements.{{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> Recognising Wakeman's growing aptitude for contemporary music and the lucrative nature of his session career, his clarinet professor, Basil Tschaikov, encouraged him to pursue his professional path. In 1969, after one year of study, Wakeman withdrew from the college.<ref name=Pianist2017>{{cite magazine|url=https://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>

===1969–1970: Early session work===
Following his departure from the Royal College of Music, Wakeman secured a steady income by returning to the Ronnie Smith band at the Top Rank ballroom in Reading. This period proved significant personally as well as professionally; he met his first wife, Rosaline Woolford, at the venue and the pair were engaged within three months. To supplement his evening residency, Wakeman began working as a freelance session musician during the day. His schedule was rigorous, often encompassing three or four sessions daily across various London studios. Starting at a rate of £9 per full session, his reputation for efficiency and technical precision soon commanded fees of up to £15.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=37}} His ability to deliver the required arrangements with minimal rehearsal earned him the nickname "One Take Wakeman."{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=112}} Wakeman's versatility led to a prolific partnership with prominent session contractor David Katz, who frequently employed Wakeman as his primary pianist for television scores, including themes for ''[[The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]]'' and ''[[Jason King (TV series)|Jason King]]''.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=40–41}} Beyond television, he collaborated extensively with producers Dudgeon and Visconti, contributing to what is estimated to be approximately 2,000 sessions throughout his career spanning pop records, television and radio jingles, and film soundtracks.<ref name=contemporarykeyboard1976/><ref name=1991tourbook/><ref name=MS2019/> Despite the financial success, Wakeman grew increasingly disillusioned by 1971; he felt constrained by the "hired hand" nature of the work, and the lack of creative input in the songwriting process left him artistically unfulfilled.<ref name=contemporarykeyboard1976/>

{{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 fame as a session musician and played with a variety of contemporary musicians, including hits by [[David Bowie]] (left) and [[Cat Stevens]] (right)
}}
Wakeman's transition into high-profile session work began in early 1969 with the psychedelic rock band [[Junior's Eyes]]. Under the production of Visconti and Cordell, he contributed to a non-album single and their debut LP, ''Battersea Power Station'' (1969). This collaboration proved a catalyst for his career; when Dudgeon sought a [[Mellotron]] player for [[David Bowie]]'s "[[Space Oddity]]", Visconti, who had been impressed by Wakeman's technical facility, recommended him. The June 1969 session at [[Trident Studios]] showcased the efficiency that would define Wakeman's reputation, as Dudgeon 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... off he went, just like that, back to his ballroom job.'"{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=34–36}} For his performance on the track, which eventually peaked at number one in the UK in 1975, Wakeman was paid a standard session fee of £9. The recording garnered him his first media coverage, an interview with the ''Middlesex County Times''.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=36–37, 46}} His contributions to ''[[David Bowie (1969 album)|David Bowie]]'' (1969) extended to the B-side "[[Wild Eyed Boy from Freecloud]]" and "[[Memory of a Free Festival]]". The professional bond between the two remained strong. In July 1970, Bowie supported Wakeman with an acoustic set at the White Hart pub in [[Acton, London|Acton]]. Intended to clear debts from Wakeman's failing folk club residency named the Booze Droop, the performance was famously poorly attended; only a dozen people appeared, as many locals dismissed the advertisements as a hoax.<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 accepted a residency with the Spinning Wheel, the house band at The Greyhound pub in [[Chadwell Heath]], East London. The position, advertised in ''[[Melody Maker]]'' by owner Bob Wheatley, required a seven-day-a-week commitment. This stable employment allowed Wakeman to leave his family home in Northolt and relocate with Woolford to a basement flat in [[Ilford]].<ref name=1991tourbook/><ref name=MM70>{{cite web|url=https://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 period, Wakeman was approached by bassist [[Nick Simper]] to join [[Warhorse (British band)|Warhorse]], a new project formed following Simper's departure from [[Deep Purple]]. Although he participated in several rehearsals, Wakeman departed before the band's first demo recordings. Simper later attributed this to Wakeman's perceived lack of commitment and his struggle adapting to the band's hard rock direction.<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> Wakeman's studio career continued to diversify. In a gesture of support, Visconti booked Wakeman for [[Marsha Hunt (actress, born 1946)|Marsha Hunt]]'s cover of "[[I Walk on Gilded Splinters]]", tasking him with playing a single piano note solely to ensure he qualified for the session fee.<ref name=holmes/> The two also collaborated with [[Marc Bolan]] on a one-off project, releasing the single "Oh My Love" under the pseudonym Dib Cochran and the Earwigs.<ref name=LoudersoundBB2012/>

===1970–1971: Strawbs===
In March 1970, [[Dave Cousins]] invited Wakeman to join the folk rock group [[Strawbs]] for a week-long residency at a rock circus in [[Paris]]. Wakeman had previously contributed piano to their second album, ''[[Dragonfly (Strawbs album)|Dragonfly]]'' (1970), the first recording to feature his name in the [[liner notes]].{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=46}}{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=52}} Having married Woolford just weeks prior, Wakeman accepted the offer despite a reduction in pay, and the trip served as a working honeymoon. A notable incident occurred during one performance when surrealist artist [[Salvador Dalí]] made an unannounced guest appearance on stage; unaware of Dalí's identity during his solo, Wakeman accidentally pushed the artist off the platform to continue his set.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=54–55}}{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=94}} Wakeman's reputation shifted to national star following the Strawbs' headline concert at London's [[Queen Elizabeth Hall]] on 11 July 1970. The performance, captured on the live album ''[[Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios]]'' (1970), showcased his technical virtuosity on the piano and [[Hammond organ]]. Two tracks in particular drew critical acclaim: "Where is This Dream of Your Youth", which featured an expansive, classically influenced organ solo, and "Temperament of Mind", a solo piano piece developed from improvisations used to entertain audiences during equipment failures. The performance earned a standing ovation and prompted a landmark front-page story in ''Melody Maker'', which hailed Wakeman as "tomorrow's superstar" and the "pop find of 1970".{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=56–58}} During this period, he began developing the theatrical stage presence that would become his trademark, including the use of a screw-studded wooden plank to physically depress organ keys, allowing him to perform complex lead lines with both hands simultaneously.<ref name=MM70/>

Wakeman maintained a prolific session schedule alongside his work with the Strawbs. He composed the theme tune to the BBC television show ''[[Ask Aspel]]'',{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=66}} and in early 1971, provided the distinctive piano arrangement for [[Cat Stevens]]' UK top-ten hit "[[Morning Has Broken]]". Though initially uncredited, Stevens later apologised for the omission and in 2002, arranged for a back-payment of royalties, which Wakeman donated to one of Stevens' educational charities.<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> His studio versatility further led to collaborations with [[Elton John]], contributing Hammond organ to ''[[Madman Across the Water]]'' (1971) and appearing as a guest performer at John's [[Royal Festival Hall]] concert that March.<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> Despite these high-profile credits, Wakeman's finances remained precarious. Following a chance encounter with Bolan on [[Oxford Street]] while struggling to pay weekly rent, he recorded a series of piano glissandos for [[T. Rex (band)|T. Rex]]'s "[[Get It On (T. Rex song)|Get It On]]" primarily to secure 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> However, his most significant artistic development occurred in June 1971, when Bowie invited him to his [[Beckenham]] home to audition material for his next album, ''[[Hunky Dory]]'' (1971). Wakeman later described the compositions, which included "[[Life on Mars?]]" and "[[Changes (David Bowie song)|Changes]]", as the finest selection of songs he had ever heard. His piano contributions became central to the album's sound, and he credited Bowie with teaching him essential studio craft.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=105}}<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>

By mid-1971, Wakeman's session earnings allowed him to move to [[West Harrow]] and invest in new technology.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=103}} He famously purchased a [[Minimoog]] synthesizer at half price from actor [[Jack Wild]], who mistakenly believed the instrument was defective because it could only play [[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> During this period, the budget label [[Polydor Records|Polydor]] released ''[[Piano Vibrations]]'' (1971), an album of pop and jazz covers featuring Wakeman, the [[John Schroeder (musician)|John Schroeder orchestra]], and an unnamed singer; he was paid a flat fee of £36 and received no credit on the sleeve.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=107–108}}

Wakeman's final studio effort with the Strawbs was ''[[From the Witchwood]]'', was released in July 1971. The recording process exposed a growing creative rift; Cousins rejected Wakeman's songwriting contributions as overly complex and deemed his lyrics "awful",{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=65}} while Wakeman began prioritising session work over band rehearsals. Tensions peaked during a ''[[Top of the Pops]]'' performance of "The Hangman and the Papist", where Wakeman's flamboyant use of a paint roller to play his organ frustrated 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> Recognising that his interest in the band's folk direction had waned, Wakeman prepared to leave the group and at one point, considered assembling his own band.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=104}}{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=66–68}}

===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, Wakeman reached a pivotal juncture in his career when he was simultaneously invited to join Bowie's new backing group, [[the Spiders from Mars]], and the [[progressive rock]] band [[Yes (band)|Yes]]. The latter offer arose following the dismissal of founding keyboardist [[Tony Kaye (musician)|Tony Kaye]], whose reluctance to expand beyond the piano and organ conflicted with the band's desire to incorporate more electronic keyboards.{{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 opted to join Yes, citing the greater musical freedom and long-term potential. His arrival was a significant industry event, earning him his second ''Melody Maker'' cover feature within a year, while his weekly salary increased from £18 to £50.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|pp=108–109}}<ref name=telegraph2014/>

Wakeman made an immediate impact during rehearsals for ''[[Fragile (Yes album)|Fragile]]'' (1971), contributing heavily to the arrangements of the band's signature tracks "[[Roundabout (Yes song)|Roundabout]]" and "[[Heart of the Sunrise]]".{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=27}} The album was recorded in just five weeks to facilitate a return to touring, which was necessary to finance Wakeman's expanding array of equipment. In keeping with the album's concept of featuring a solo piece from each member, Wakeman recorded "Cans and Brahms", a multi-tracked synthesiser adaptation of the third movement of [[Johannes Brahms|Brahms]]' [[Symphony No. 4 (Brahms)|Symphony No. 4]].{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=115}} He later expressed dissatisfaction with the track, labelling it "dreadful"; he explained that a contractual dispute between Yes's label, [[Atlantic Records]], and his previous label, [[A&M Records|A&M]], prevented him from recording an original composition.{{sfn|Morse|1996|p=29}} Despite his significant creative input, including piano sections on "[[South Side of the Sky]]", Wakeman received no formal songwriting credits. Although management had promised to resolve the oversight, he chose not to pursue the matter further to maintain band harmony.{{sfn|Welch|2008|p=117}}

The commercial success of ''Fragile'' transformed Wakeman's personal and professional standing. His increased earnings enabled a move to a large residence in [[Gerrards Cross]] and the establishment of the Fragile Carriage Company, a business through which he managed a growing collection of luxury cars for hire.{{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> The [[Fragile Tour|subsequent tour]] marked Wakeman's debut performances in North America, during which he leveraged his rising profile to secure a five-album solo contract with [[A&M Records]].{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=73}}<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> His rising profile was reflected in the 1972 ''Melody Maker'' readers' poll, where he was ranked the second-best keyboardist, trailing [[Keith Emerson]].{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=89–90}}

In 1972, Yes released ''[[Close to the Edge]]'', now regarded as a landmark album of the progressive rock genre. The album showcased Wakeman’s expanding technical range, incorporating diverse instrumentation such as the harpsichord and a pipe organ. Unlike his uncredited work on ''Fragile'', Wakeman received a formal arrangement credit for the final track, "[[Siberian Khatru]]". During the subsequent American tour in September 1972 Wakeman began to wear a cape on stage, becoming the visual trademark that would define his public image. After an audience member offered him a cape for free, Wakeman commissioned his own bespoke versions, the first of which was a $300 sequined one designed by Denise Gandrup.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=85}} Combined with his long blonde hair, the capes provided a striking visual contrast to the more reserved stage presence of his bandmates. Wakeman's performances during this period were documented in the concert film ''[[Yessongs (film)|Yessongs]]'' (1975), filmed at the [[Rainbow Theatre]], which highlighted his intricate solo segments. His versatility beyond Yes continued with a guest appearance in the orchestral performances of [[the Who]]'s ''[[Tommy (The Who album)|Tommy]]'' (1972) at the same venue and contributions to the soundtrack of the British drama film ''[[Zee and Co.]]'' (1972).{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=77}}

In January 1973, A&M released Wakeman's debut solo studio album, ''[[The Six Wives of Henry VIII (album)|The Six Wives of Henry VIII]]''.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=98}} Recorded intermittently throughout 1972, the instrumental [[concept album]] featured his musical interpretations of the personalities of [[Henry VIII]]'s [[Wives of Henry VIII|wives]] with contributions from his bandmates in Yes and the Strawbs, alongside various session musicians. Wakeman's profile was significantly boosted by a fortuitous television appearance on ''[[The Old Grey Whistle Test]]''; a large segment of the national audience, displaced by the last-minute censorship of [[Andy Warhol]]'s ''[[Blue Movie]]'', tuned in to see Wakeman perform "Catherine Howard" on the show. He later reflected that this accidental exposure was a "tremendous break" that introduced his music to the wider British public.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=98–99}} The album was a commercial and critical success, reaching No. 7 in the UK and No. 30 in the US, where it was [[RIAA certification|certified Gold]] for selling 500,000 copies. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine named it one of the year's best records,<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> and the 1973 ''Melody Maker'' readers' poll saw Wakeman overtake Emerson to be named top keyboardist.{{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]]
Wakeman's solo triumph contrasted with his growing alienation during the sessions for Yes's double concept album, ''[[Tales from Topographic Oceans]]'' (1973). He was sceptical of the project's esoteric themes, based on scriptures outlined in [[Paramahansa Yogananda]]'s ''[[Autobiography of a Yogi]]'', and felt the music was overextended and insufficiently rehearsed. He distanced himself from the group during recording, frequently retreating to the studio bar and contributing to [[Black Sabbath]]'s "[[Sabbra Cadabra]]" 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> His frustration peaked during the subsequent six-month tour; in a well-publicised act of protest against the setlist, he ate a takeaway curry on stage during a performance at the [[Free Trade Hall]] in [[Manchester]].{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=110}} Though he later acknowledged some "very nice musical moments" on the album, he maintained that the material suffered from "awful" padding.<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 hiatus in the Yes tour, Wakeman recorded ''[[Journey to the Centre of the Earth (album)|Journey to the Centre of the Earth]]'', a 40-minute adaptation of the [[Jules Verne]] [[A Journey to the Center of the Earth|novel]] conceived in 1971 that required an orchestra, choir, and rock band. To finance the £40,000 production costs, Wakeman re-mortgaged his home, sold several of his luxury cars, and was forced to record the work live in concert which took place at the [[Royal Festival Hall]] on 18 January 1974 with the [[London Symphony Orchestra]] and the [[English Chamber Choir]] conducted by [[David Measham]], and narrator [[David Hemmings]]. For his band, Wakeman enlisted musicians that he had played with in a West London pub–vocalist [[Gary Pickford-Hopkins]], drummer [[Barney James]], and bassist Roger Newell–with his former Top Rank bandmate Ashley Holt on second vocals, and session guitarist Mike Egan.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=120}}{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=13}}{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=11–15}}<ref name=journeyprogramme>Concert programme for ''Rick Wakeman: Journey to the Centre of the Earth''. 18 January 1974.</ref> Despite initial resistance from A&M's UK division, the label's co-founder [[Jerry Moss]] personally ordered its worldwide release.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|pp=123–124}}

Following the conclusion of the ''Tales from Topographic Oceans'' tour, Wakeman confirmed his departure from Yes on 18 May 1974, his 25th birthday. Later that day, he learned that ''Journey'' had entered the UK charts at number one, a first for A&M.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|pp=124–125}} The album reached No. 3 in the US, received a [[Grammy Award]] nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance|Best Pop Instrumental Performance]],{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=22}} and was certified Gold in the UK, US, Australia, Canada, and Brazil. However, the physical demands of his career reached a breaking point during a headline performance at the [[Crystal Palace Bowl|Crystal Palace Garden Party]] in July 1974.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=120–121}} Suffering from exhaustion, a wrist injury, and the effects of excessive smoking and alcohol, Wakeman required morphine injections to finish the show; shortly thereafter, he suffered a minor heart attack.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=124}}

===1974–1976: ''King Arthur'', commercial peak, and ''No Earthly Connection''===
While recovering in hospital from his heart attack, Wakeman disregarded medical advice to moderate his lifestyle and reduce his workload; he continued to smoke and drink and began to write music for his next album. He settled on another concept album, this time based on [[Arthurian legend]], titled ''[[The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table]]''.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=126}} Before recording commenced, Wakeman embarked on his first solo world tour in September 1974. The initial 20-city North American leg featured his band, the [[National Philharmonic Orchestra]] and Choir of America conducted by Measham, performing ''Journey to the Centre of the Earth'' and selections from ''The Six Wives of Henry VIII''. Per medical instructions, he was required to pass a heart monitor test before every performance.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=128}} The tour concluded in March 1975 after dates in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

[[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 completed at [[Morgan Studios]] in January 1975, featuring Wakeman's band and Measham conducting the New World Orchestra and English Chamber Choir.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=133}} Released that March, the album reached No. 2 in the UK and No. 21 in the US, earning a gold certification in the UK for selling 100,000 copies, plus Brazil, Japan, and Australia.<ref>Booklet notes to Wakeman's 1994 live album, ''Live on the Test'' (1994).</ref> To promote the record, Wakeman staged three sold-out shows at London's [[Wembley Arena|Empire Pool]] for 27,000 spectators. Because the venue floor was already frozen for another attraction, Wakeman presented the concert as an ice pageant featuring 14 costumed skaters and a castle-themed stage set [[in the round]]. Although the production was a commercial success, it was prohibitively 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 = https://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1995_articles/nov95/rickwakeman.html?print=yes | access-date =26 October 2009 }}</ref> The shows were later ranked 79th on VH1's 100 Greatest Shocking Moments in Rock and Roll.<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> The track "Arthur" has served as the theme for BBC general election broadcasts from 1979 to 2005 (except 2001), and from 2019 onwards.

[[File:Rick wakeman pelo 1975.jpg|thumb|left|Wakeman in 1975]]
By mid-1975, Wakeman had reached the height of his commercial success. He was featured on the cover of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' in January and managed his business interests with a staff payroll through Complex 7, a group of companies with a rehearsal facility at a former bus depot 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 personal wealth was reflected in his acquisition of a farmhouse in [[Woodbury Salterton]], Devon, and a former nursing home in [[Burnham Beeches]], Buckinghamshire, used to house his car collection. His career was profiled in the BBC documentary series ''Success Story'' in September 1975.

Wakeman assembled a new line-up of his band, by now officially named the English Rock Ensemble, that consisted of Holt, Newell, and Hodgson, plus newcomers John Dunsterville on guitar, Reg Brooks and Martin Shields on brass, and [[Tony Fernandez (musician)|Tony Fernandez]] on drums. Fernandez would become a mainstay of Wakeman's future projects, touring with him until 2022.<ref name=1976tourbook>{{Cite book|title=Rick Wakeman: In Concert tour programme|date=1976|url=https://www.rwcc.com/programmes/1976RWInConcert.pdf}}</ref> The group toured major venues across the US, Canada, and Brazil from October to December 1975, performing selections from Wakeman's first three albums. The Brazilian leg was particularly successful, with biographer Dan Wooding estimating a total attendance of 500,000 people.<ref name=1976tourbook/>{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=148–149}} During this period, Wakeman composed and recorded the [[Lisztomania (album)|soundtrack]] for ''[[Lisztomania (film)|Lisztomania]]'' (1975), a surrealist biopic of composer [[Franz Liszt]] directed by [[Ken Russell]]. The album features the English Rock Ensemble and vocals by the film's star, [[Roger Daltrey]], while Wakeman appeared on-screen as [[Thor]], covered in silver paint.<ref name=1991tourbook/> The soundtrack reached No. 145 in the US but failed to chart in the UK. Wakeman later expressed dissatisfaction with the project, citing poor production and a lack of his own original material;{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=147}} he eventually supervised a reissue of his original score entitled ''The Real Lisztomania'' in 2002.

In early 1976, Wakeman recorded ''[[No Earthly Connection]]'' at [[Château d'Hérouville]] in France with the English Rock Ensemble. Although initially conceived as an exploration of mythological gods, the album's focus shifted toward "the origins of mysterious phenomena" such as [[Stonehenge]] and the [[Bermuda Triangle]], reportedly inspired by Wakeman’s sighting of a UFO while on tour.<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}} He composed the music in its entirety before playing any of it, describing the work in the liner notes as a "futuristic, autobiographical look at music" across human existence. The centrepiece is the 28-minute suite "Music Reincarnate" with five distinct sections.<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}} Released in April 1976, the album reached No. 9 in the UK and No. 67 in the US.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=172}} Wakeman and his group toured the album across North America and Europe that concluded in August.

===1976–1980: Return to Yes and final A&M albums===
Following his 1976 world tour, Wakeman faced a severe financial crisis. High operating costs and tax liabilities resulted in a debt of £350,000, forcing him to sell his Rolls-Royce collection, shutter his Fragile car service company, and disband the English Rock Ensemble.{{sfn|Wooding|1979|pp=171–172}} He secured financial relief through a royalty advance from A&M Records and the completion of the [[White Rock (album)|soundtrack]] for ''[[White Rock (film)|White Rock]]'', a documentary on the [[1976 Winter Olympics]] in [[Innsbruck]] that reached No. 14 in the UK. The score included "After the Ball", a track Wakeman entirely improvised in a single take after forgetting to compose the piece prior to the recording session. During this period, Wakeman's manager, [[Brian Lane (music manager)|Brian Lane]], proposed a supergroup featuring former Yes bandmate [[Bill Bruford]] and [[King Crimson]] bassist [[John Wetton]]. The trio rehearsed for six weeks, but the project collapsed due to management disputes and premature coverage in ''Melody Maker''. 

[[File:Yes concert.jpg|thumb|right|Yes performing in 1977, during Wakeman's (far right) second stint with the band]]
Wakeman's fortunes shifted in November 1976 when he was invited to join Yes in [[Montreux]], Switzerland, during the sessions for ''[[Going for the One]]'' (1977). The band's previous keyboardist, [[Patrick Moraz]], had departed due to internal pressures, and Wakeman found the new material more enjoyable and accessible than the band's previous experimental direction.{{sfn|Hedges|1982|p=108}} Though he initially joined as a session musician, he quickly agreed to return as a full-time member. However, his return was complicated by Lane, who leaked the news to ''Melody Maker'' before consulting Wakeman, leading to a premature front page announcement.<ref>''YesYears'' documentary, 1991.</ref> During the recording of the follow-up, ''[[Tormato]]'' (1978), Wakeman utilised the [[Birotron]], a unique [[Sampler (musical instrument)|tape-replay keyboard]] he had helped fund. The album's title and cover art were famously inspired by an incident in which Wakeman, frustrated by the band's initial artwork choice, threw a tomato at the design.<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>

Wakeman's final solo releases for A&M saw him return to instrumental concepts. ''[[Rick Wakeman's Criminal Record]]'' (1977) was loosely themed around criminality and featured Yes bandmates [[Chris Squire]] and [[Alan White (Yes drummer)|Alan White]] and humorous vocals by comedian [[Bill Oddie]]. The album reached No. 25 in the UK and No. 28 in the US; its track "Birdman of Alcatraz" gained further recognition as the theme for the BBC television drama series ''[[My Son, My Son (TV series)|My Son, My Son]]'', and was 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> His final A&M effort, the double album ''[[Rhapsodies (album)|Rhapsodies]]'' (1979), was recorded in Montreux and featured shorter tracks in diverse musical styles with [[Bruce Lynch]], [[Frank Gibson Jr.]], and [[Tony Visconti]] as guest musicians. It peaked at No. 25 in the UK. Following a 1979 tour with Yes, the band attempted to record new material in Paris and London. However, these sessions were largely unsuccessful due to creative differences and internal friction. In early 1980, both Wakeman and lead vocalist [[Jon Anderson]] left the group, marking the end of Wakeman's second tenure with the band.

===1980–1984: Financial instability and Charisma years===
Following a four-year hiatus, Wakeman reformed the English Rock Ensemble for a European tour in 1980.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=140}} That same year, he declined an invitation to form a supergroup with [[Carl Palmer]], [[John Wetton]], and [[Trevor Rabin]]. Despite the commercial potential, Wakeman opted out on principle after discovering the record company was willing to sign the band without hearing any material—a decision he later noted "sealed [his] financial fate."{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=140}} The death of his father in November 1980, coupled with a second divorce, prompted him to leave Switzerland and return to England. Facing bankruptcy, Wakeman experienced a period of homelessness, briefly sleeping in [[Kensington Gardens]] before finding temporary accommodation with a former roadie.<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>

To address his mounting debts, Wakeman signed with [[Tony Stratton-Smith]]'s [[Charisma Records]].{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|pp=140-142}} His first release for the label was ''[[1984 (Rick Wakeman album)|1984]]'' (1981), a concept rock album based on [[George Orwell]]'s [[Nineteen Eighty-Four|dystopian novel]]. The project featured lyrics by [[Tim Rice]] and vocal contributions from [[Jon Anderson]], [[Chaka Khan]], and [[Kenny Lynch]]. The album reached No. 24 in the UK and became Wakeman's highest charting album of the decade. Plans to adapt it into a musical were halted by legal intervention from the Orwell estate.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=143}} A subsequent world tour followed in 1981, with a line-up of Fernandez, Tim Stone on guitar, [[Steve Barnacle]] on bass, and Cori Josias on vocals, but it was marred by growing internal band friction.<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><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> Before the tour Wakeman held two performances of ''Journey to the Centre of the Earth'' 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>

Throughout 1981 and 1982, Wakeman diversified his output through television and film scoring. He recorded the soundtrack for the American slasher film ''[[The Burning (1981 film)|The Burning]]'' (1981)<ref name=1991tourbook/> and later composed the score for ''[[G'olé!]]'', the official documentary of the [[1982 FIFA World Cup]]. In 1982, he released the humorous album ''[[Rock 'n' Roll Prophet]]'' (intended as a spoof on the pop duo [[the Buggles]]) on his own Moon Records label, which featured the eccentric single "I'm So Straight I'm a Weirdo" with Wakeman on lead vocals.<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> Originally recorded in Switzerland in 1979, it remained unreleased until Wakeman secured the rights to the album.<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=https://www.rwcc.com/programmes/1985SilentNights.pdf|title=Rick Wakeman: Silent Nights Tour Book|date=1985|publisher=Concert Publishers|access-date=13 December 2016}}</ref> The music video to the song featured a young [[Boy George]]. In early 1983, he appeared as a co-host on the [[Channel 4]] music programme ''[[GasTank]]'' alongside [[Tony Ashton]].<ref name=1985tourbook/>

Despite this productivity, Wakeman's third Charisma album, ''[[Cost of Living (Rick Wakeman album)|Cost of Living]]'' (1983), failed to chart, leaving him in a precarious financial state in what he described as "managerless, penniless and homeless".{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=148, 151}} He continued to rely on film work and other diverse commissions, contributing to the soundtrack of ''[[The Missing Link (1980 film)|B.C. Rock]]'' and the [[Ken Russell]] film ''[[Crimes of Passion (1984 film)|Crimes of Passion]]'' (1984)—utilising themes from [[Dvořák]]'s [[Symphony No. 9 (Dvořák)|Symphony No. 9]]—and the adventure film ''[[She (1984 film)|She]]'' (1984), which included collaborations with [[Justin Hayward]] and [[Maggie Bell]].<ref name=1985tourbook/> Other projects from this era, including a score for the ballet ''Killing Games'', were ultimately shelved during development.<ref name=1985tourbook/>

===1984–1988: President Records and personal recovery===
{{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}}
In 1984, Wakeman began a 23-year association with the independent label [[President Records]], eventually producing nearly 40 albums for the company.<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> His inaugural release for the label, ''[[Silent Nights]]'' (1985), was his first solo studio effort in over two years. Recorded with a band featuring [[Rick Fenn]] and [[Chas Cronk]], the album produced the single "Glory Boys" which gained national attention.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=158}} During this period, Wakeman also expanded his portfolio of television music, composing themes for the ITV drama ''[[Lytton's Diary]]'', the tech programme ''Database'', the BBC show ''Paddles Up'', and the documentary ''Supercat''.<ref name=1985tourbook/><ref name=1989TB/>

To support ''Silent Nights'', Wakeman embarked on his first full-scale world tour in four years, including his first North American performances since 1979. The British leg of the tour was documented on the album ''[[Live at Hammersmith (Rick Wakeman album)|Live at Hammersmith]]'' (1985). Despite the tour's scale, it proved a financial failure, leaving Wakeman "seriously in debt" and forcing him and Carter to remortgage their home.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=177}} The Australian leg of the tour in September 1985 marked a critical turning point in Wakeman's personal life. After falling ill due to his long-standing alcoholism, he committed to sobriety and has remained [[teetotal]] since.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=178}} Following his recovery, Wakeman resumed high-profile session work by reuniting with [[David Bowie]] to provide the piano contribution for the 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 was defined by Wakeman's diversification into [[New age music|New Age]] and [[Christian music]]. In 1986, he released his first New Age album, ''[[Country Airs]]'', a collection of solo piano pieces inspired by a walk in the British countryside. Although Wakeman later admitted he recorded the album primarily to secure a much needed £5,000 advance from Coda Records, it became an unexpected commercial success, reaching number one on the UK New Age chart.<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><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> This success solidified his association with the genre, leading to a weekly New Age radio residency 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]]'' (1987), which featured compositions dedicated to his relatives and pets alongside scores for the films ''The Day After the Fair'' and ''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>

Wakeman's first Christian release was his 1987 double album ''The Gospels''. Based on the four canonical gospels, the project featured tenor Ramon Remedios, narrator [[Robert Powell]], and the [[Eton College Chapel Choir]].<ref name=WDP87/><ref name=1987southbank>{{cite book|url=https://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> Originally conceived for a 1985 church fundraiser, the work was expanded into a full studio production and premiered at the [[Royal Albert Hall]].{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=179}} A subsequent 1988 performance in [[Caesarea (modern town)|Caesarea]], Israel, was broadcast to an international television audience.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=185}}<ref name=1987southbank/> During this period, Wakeman maintained ties to the rock and pop worlds. In 1987, he toured Australia as a guest member of the instrumental rock band [[Sky (English/Australian band)|Sky]].<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> He also returned to conceptual rock with ''[[Time Machine (Rick Wakeman album)|Time Machine]]'' (1988), loosely inspired by the [[H. G. Wells]] [[The Time Machine|novel]]. The album featured guest vocalists [[Roy Wood]] and [[Tracy Ackerman]]. Though Wakeman had envisioned a grand production involving an orchestra, choir, and a celebrity ice show, these plans were ultimately abandoned due to insufficient funding.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=187}}

In March 1988, motivated by a need to stabilise their finances, Wakeman and Carter relocated the family to [[Peel, Isle of Man|Peel]] on the [[Isle of Man]]. He converted a coach house on the property into a 24-track recording facility, which he named Bajonor Studios—an acronym derived from the first names of his family members.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=188}} The studio was a strategic compromise; Wakeman had previously lost film-scoring opportunities due to the prohibitive costs of renting commercial London studios, and the private facility allowed for lower production overheads.<ref name=SOS95/> Bajonor served as his primary recording base from 1990 until 2001. The first project completed at the studio was the New Age album ''Aspirant Sunset'' (1990), which also marked the beginning of his long-term collaboration with recording engineer Stuart Sawney. Reflecting his ongoing interest in environmental themes, Wakeman pledged 50p from every sale of his ''Aspirant'' album trilogy to [[CPRE, The Countryside Charity]].<ref name=RWCCDEC90/> During this period, he also befriended fellow Isle of Man resident and comedian [[Norman Wisdom]], with whom he recorded a collaborative album.<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: Yes reunions and media expansion===
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=https://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=https://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 and late career resurgence===
In May 2009, Wakeman took part in the 500th anniversary celebrations of [[Henry VIII]]'s accession by performing his debut album, ''[[The Six Wives of Henry VIII Live at Hampton Court Palace|The Six Wives of Henry VIII]]'', in its entirety at [[Hampton Court Palace]] for two nights. The event marked the fulfilment of a request he had first made in 1973, but was denied; the performances were subsequently released as a [[The Six Wives of Henry VIII Live at Hampton Court Palace|live CD and DVD]] and feature [[Brian Blessed]] as the narrator. Following this, he reunited with former Yes bandmate [[Jon Anderson]] in 2010 to record ''[[The Living Tree (album)|The Living Tree]]'' as Anderson/Wakeman, followed by tours of 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> During this period, Wakeman also collaborated with Deep Purple keyboardist [[Jon Lord]] for a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of the Sunflower Jam charity. Although the pair intended to record an album together, the project was curtailed by Lord's cancer diagnosis and his subsequent death in 2012; their Sunflower Jam set remained Lord's final live 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> In July 2011, Wakeman reunited with [[Strawbs]] during 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]]
The discovery of a long-lost conductor's score in 2009 prompted Wakeman to record an expanded version of ''[[Journey to the Centre of the Earth (album)|Journey to the Centre of the Earth]]'' in 2012. Originally truncated to fit the constraints of a single LP, the re-recorded work spanned 54 minutes and featured the English Rock Ensemble with original vocalist Ashley Holt and second vocalist [[Hayley Sanderson]], the Orion Orchestra, and narration by [[Peter Egan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://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> To commemorate the original album's fortieth anniversary, Wakeman performed this expanded version on a 14-date UK tour in 2014.<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> This project served as the catalyst for a similar expansion of ''[[The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table]]''. Released in June 2016, this 88-minute version, narrated by [[Ian Lavender]], was Wakeman's first album produced through [[direct-to-fan]] crowdfunding. He premiered the work live the same day at the Stone Free Festival at London's 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>

In June 2013, Wakeman participated in the Medieval Mystery Play Festival with performances at [[Blackfriars, Gloucester|Blackfriars Priory]]—where he was joined by his children Oliver, Adam, and Jemma—and the [[Cheltenham]] Centaur. The latter featured new arrangements of his 1970s trilogy performed with the English Rock Ensemble and the Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra. Although he had planned to stage ''King Arthur'' at [[Kingsholm Stadium]] that year, the event was cancelled.<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> Following a 10-show piano residency at the [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe]] in 2013,<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> he announced a Wakemanfest event at the Gliderdrome in [[Boston, Lincolnshire]] for October 2015;<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> however, the festival and a subsequent Scandinavian tour were postponed after Wakeman suffered an undisclosed health scare.<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> Once recovered, he spent much of 2016 to 2018 touring globally with Yes bandmates [[Jon Anderson]] and [[Trevor Rabin]] as [[Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman]], a collaboration that performed music from different eras of the band's catalogue.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://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>

A significant shift in Wakeman's solo career occurred in January 2016 following the death of his long-time friend [[David Bowie]]. A live piano tribute of "[[Life on Mars?]]" on [[BBC Radio 2]] received such viral acclaim that Wakeman released it as a charity single for [[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> The reception inspired a trilogy of solo piano albums: ''[[Piano Portraits]]'' (2017), ''[[Piano Odyssey]]'' (2018), and ''[[Christmas Portraits]]'' (2019). The first of these reached No. 6 in the UK, marking his highest chart position since 1975 and his first silver-certified album in the UK 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> This commercial resurgence culminated in 2019 with his first solo tour of the United States in 13 years.<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 progressive rock with ''[[The Red Planet]]'', an instrumental rock concept album inspired by [[Mars]] that featured 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> He followed this in March 2023 with ''A Gallery of the Imagination'', a stylistically diverse collection of songs with Sanderson on vocals and instrumentals. During this period, he also staged a significant retrospective at the [[London Palladium]] in February 2023, performing ''The Six Wives of Henry VIII'', ''Journey to the Centre of the Earth'', and ''King Arthur'' in their entirety alongside a selection of Yes material. These performances were subsequently 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>

Following a 2024 UK tour dedicated to his ''Journey'' and Yes catalogues, Wakeman embarked on what was billed as his final solo piano tours of 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> A centrepiece of these performances was "Yessonata", a 30-minute piano composition interpolating various themes and melodies from his tenure with Yes. A 20-minute studio version of the piece was later paired with a similar suite based on themes from ''King Arthur'' for a standalone album release.<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> In 2024, Wakeman also performed at the [[Starmus Festival]], debuting an original composition for piano and orchestra written as a tribute to primatologist and climate campaigner [[Jane Goodall]].<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> Following a period of recouperation from surgery, Wakeman began a North American tour with himself and eldest son [[Oliver Wakeman]] on additional keyboards for the first time in March 2026, billed as Wakeman and Son.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/rick-wakeman-2026-tour/|title=Rick Wakeman tries something new with 2026 dates|first=Nick|last=DeRiso|publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=16 September 2025|access-date=14 March 2026}}</ref> A 17-date UK tour with the English Rock Ensemble is scheduled for 2027.<ref name=2027tour>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/bands-artists/live-performances/rick-wakeman-announces-his-the-wizard-of-prog-ultimate-highlights-concert-tour-for-early-2027|title=Rick Wakeman announces his The Wizard Of Prog - Ultimate Highlights Concert Tour for early 2027|first=Jerry|last=Ewing|date=18 May 2026|publisher=Loudersound|access-date=6 June 2026}}</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. They had two sons, [[Oliver Wakeman|Oliver]] and [[Adam Wakeman|Adam]].{{sfn|Wooding|1979|p=46}} Their marriage became strained by the end of 1976, as Wakeman was advised to take a year out of the country for tax purposes and was to spend several months recording with Yes in Switzerland. Woolford was reluctant to move with the family, and for this and other reasons, filed for divorce in 1977.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|pp=136–138}}<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> He began a relationship with Swiss-born Danielle Corminboeuf, a secretary at Mountain Studios in Montreux, while recording with Yes at the same studio. They married in January 1980 in [[Barbados]].{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|pp=136–138}}<ref name=express2004/> They had one son, before they split after Wakeman returned home from his 1981 world tour "with my suitcase on the doorstep and Danielle in Belgium with a nineteen-year-old catering student".{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|p=143}} Their divorce was finalised in 1984.{{sfn|Wakeman|1995|pp=158–159}} 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=https://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 their home on the Isle of Man and for a period lived in hotels.<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> They have lived by the [[Shotley Peninsula]] in [[Suffolk]] since 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/magazines/suffolk/24327512.rock-legend-rick-wakeman-loves-coming-home-suffolk/|title=Why rock legend Rick Wakeman loves coming home to Suffolk|first=Jayne|last=Lindill|publisher=Suffolk Magazine|date=27 June 2024|access-date=4 July 2026}}</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, when he was 25.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://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 had surgery on his spine and brain to treat his [[normal pressure hydrocephalus]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.styleweekly.com/closer-to-the-edge/|title=Closer to the Edge: Making a spectacle with prog rock legend Rick Wakeman of Yes fame|first=Don|last=Harrison|date=21 March 2026|publisher=Style Weekly|access-date=23 March 2026}}</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 football 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 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 1977, media reports identified Wakeman as one of several artists at A&M Records who allegedly threatened to leave if it signed the controversial punk band the [[Sex Pistols]]. Wakeman denied the claims, calling it a publicity stunt by A&M to justify terminating the band's contract, and clarified that he was instrumental in securing a deal for the American punk group [[the Tubes]]; upon seeing them perform, Wakeman recommended them to [[George Daly (music executive)|George Daly]], advising him to contact A&M executive [[Kip Cohen]], who subsequently signed them to A&M.<ref name=LouderQA2014/>

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&nbsp;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|work=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>

Wakeman 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, he 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 [[King Charles III|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 AV media notes|title=Out of the Blue|year=2001|others=Rick Wakeman and The English Rock Ensemble|id=MFCD005|publisher=Music Fusion}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Out There|year=2003|others=Rick Wakeman and The English Rock Ensemble|id=MFW6093X|publisher=Music Fusion}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Live at the London Palladium 2023|year=2024|others=Rick Wakeman|id=FRCD4BOX1940|publisher=Cherry Red}}</ref><ref name=2027tour/>

{{columns-list|colwidth=24em|
'''Vocals'''
*Ashley Holt (1974–2019)
*[[Gary Pickford-Hopkins]] (1974–1975)
*Cori Josias (1981)
*Gordon Neville (1985)
*Ramon Remedios (1987–2001)
*[[Chrissie Hammond]]  (1991–1998)
*[[Damian Wilson]] (2000–2003)
*[[Hayley Sanderson]] (2012–present)
*Mollie Marriott (2024–present)
*Jessie Smith (2025–present)
*Sara Davey (2025–present; backing)
*Jo Goldsmith-Eteson (2025–present; backing)
*Jo Marshall (2025–present; backing)

'''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 (2002, 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)
*''[[Country Airs]]'' (1986)
*''[[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)
*''[[Midnight in Saint Petersburg]]'' (1996)
*''White Rock II'' (1999)
*''Alone'' (2002)
*''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)
*''The Wizard of Prog: My Autobiography'' (due October 2026)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/480078/the-wizard-of-prog-by-wakeman-rick/9781529983883|title=The Wizard of Prog by Rick Wakeman|publisher=Penguin|access-date=6 June 2026}}</ref>

'''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}}
[[Category:Rick Wakeman| ]]
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