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Rick Wakeman is a British musician and keyboardist known for his work with the progressive rock band Yes and his extensive solo career. His virtuosic keyboard performances and complex compositions, such as those on "The Six Wives of Henry VIII," have made him a significant figure in the rock and progressive music genres. Wakeman's contributions to music are recognized for their creativity and technical excellence.
"I'm always writing or playing because that is my life."
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"I'm always writing or playing because that is my life."

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"Even the two times that I left, I never really felt like I left the band. It's very bizarre. It's like there's sort of an umbilical cord that stretches between us spiritually."
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"Even the two times that I left, I never really felt like I left the band. It's very bizarre. It's like there's sort of an umbilical cord that stretches between us spiritually."

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"But I'd play on everything from pop records to a lot of the glam stuff to rock stuff to classical stuff. I used to get called to do all those things, it was great."
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"But I'd play on everything from pop records to a lot of the glam stuff to rock stuff to classical stuff. I used to get called to do all those things, it was great."

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"My earliest professional musical experiences were really as a session player, and every day was an adventure. Three sessions a day, every day, and you never knew who you would be working with until you arrived at the studio."
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"My earliest professional musical experiences were really as a session player, and every day was an adventure. Three sessions a day, every day, and you never knew who you would be working with until you arrived at the studio."

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"Actually, I only left twice. I left then, and then rejoined literally two years later for Going For The One."
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"Actually, I only left twice. I left then, and then rejoined literally two years later for Going For The One."

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"My life revolves around music and always will. I need to be a part of music and not an observer."
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"My life revolves around music and always will. I need to be a part of music and not an observer."

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"When I die, I'll probably climb out of the coffin and play the organ at my own funeral!"
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"When I die, I'll probably climb out of the coffin and play the organ at my own funeral!"

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"I was born in 1949 - which seems like a long time ago... Actually, it is a long time ago, when I think about it."
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"I was born in 1949 - which seems like a long time ago... Actually, it is a long time ago, when I think about it."

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"I like Toronto a lot, it's a good city. The only thing that really annoys me about Toronto is that you're turning Maple Leaf Gardens into a grocery store, which is absolutely nothing short of disgusting."
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"I like Toronto a lot, it's a good city. The only thing that really annoys me about Toronto is that you're turning Maple Leaf Gardens into a grocery store, which is absolutely nothing short of disgusting."

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"The studio is not the place to write. You need to be 75% ready when you go into the studio, and then the music can develop to the next stage."
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"The studio is not the place to write. You need to be 75% ready when you go into the studio, and then the music can develop to the next stage."

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"People like Frank Zappa were amazing for us Brits."
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"People like Frank Zappa were amazing for us Brits."

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"I read numerous books - loads in fact - and, as I always do when recording a historical project, immersed myself into the subject matter. I spent many hours at Henry's old homes, such as Hampton Court, and visiting the Tower of London. I read no other books during that period."
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"I read numerous books - loads in fact - and, as I always do when recording a historical project, immersed myself into the subject matter. I spent many hours at Henry's old homes, such as Hampton Court, and visiting the Tower of London. I read no other books during that period."

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"Country and western is the music of the devil. That's the real truth of the matter. My late Mother, bless her, loved country and western. God, I couldn't handle it."
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"Country and western is the music of the devil. That's the real truth of the matter. My late Mother, bless her, loved country and western. God, I couldn't handle it."

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"As a songwriter, I was influenced by David Bowie - a great writer. A class above everybody in so many ways. Lennon and McCartney, of course. Class stuff. David Cousins was my favorite lyricist."
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"As a songwriter, I was influenced by David Bowie - a great writer. A class above everybody in so many ways. Lennon and McCartney, of course. Class stuff. David Cousins was my favorite lyricist."

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"But I listen to live recordings of things that I did back in the '70s and then how I've done things since. And there's no doubt about it: if I compare the two, it's like chalk and cheese."
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"But I listen to live recordings of things that I did back in the '70s and then how I've done things since. And there's no doubt about it: if I compare the two, it's like chalk and cheese."

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"My faith is very private to me. It plays an important part in my life, but I do not try and throw my beliefs at others. I have tremendous respect for all faiths and beliefs, but have a deep concern that religion and faith are currently a long way apart from each other."
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"My faith is very private to me. It plays an important part in my life, but I do not try and throw my beliefs at others. I have tremendous respect for all faiths and beliefs, but have a deep concern that religion and faith are currently a long way apart from each other."

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"I always say that it's about breaking the rules. But the secret of breaking rules in a way that works is understanding what the rules are in the first place."
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"I always say that it's about breaking the rules. But the secret of breaking rules in a way that works is understanding what the rules are in the first place."

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