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.
"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."
"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."
"Actually, I only left twice. I left then, and then rejoined literally two years later for Going For The One."
"I was born in 1949 - which seems like a long time ago... Actually, it is a long time ago, when I think about it."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."