Rick Wakeman - The Red Planet (Limited Edition) (2020)

Rick Wakeman is no stranger when it comes to being perhaps one of the most influential artists in the history of the Progressive Rock genre during its golden era of the 1970s. From his time as a session musician working with bands and artists such as Elton John, Lou Reed, Marc Bolan & T. Rex, and Al Stewart to name a few. He found his niche when he worked with the late great David Bowie by playing the mellotron on his 1969 hit, ‘Space Oddity’. And playing piano on his fourth album, Hunky Dory.

It wasn’t until he found success with when joined Yes in 1971 after leaving his previous band, The Strawbs with the release of their fourth studio album, From the Witchwood. Now say what you want about the keyboardist, but Rick has been around performing and recording music for nearly 51 years now. Whether it’s with Yes or his time as a solo artist based on conceptual textures from The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, The Myths and Legends of King Arthur & The Knights of the Round Table, and one of my favorites, 1984.

Rick is not only just a keyboardist, but he also has a great sense of humor. He also produces and presents both on TV and on the Radio whilst writing two books from 2008 and 2011 entitled, Grumpy Old Rock Star: And Other Wonderous Stories and Further Adventures of a Grumpy Old Rock Star. There’s one thing I had forgotten to mention about Rick Wakeman that deserves some recognition, and that’s his time when he and keyboardist Tony Ashton hosted a TV show on Channel 4 in the U.K. called, Gas Tank.