Category Archives: Rick Wakeman

Wakeman Announces 2008 Dates

Rick has announced the 2008 leg of his new Grumpy Old Picture Show which, according to his website, “will be basically the same material as the original shows”.

April 15 – Town Hall – Cheltenham
April 17 – Alban Arena – St Albans
April 18 – Assembly Hall – Worthing
April 19 – Congress Theatre – Eastbourne
April 20 – Pavilion – Bath
April 24 – The Muni – Colne
April 25 – Embassy Centre – Skegness
April 26 – College Theatre – Coventry
April 27 – The Winter Gardens – Ventnor, Isle of Wight
April 28 – Stables Theatre – Wavendon, Milton Keynes
April 30 – The Castle – Wellingborough
May 02 – Ashcroft Theatre – Croydon
May 03 – NEWI William Aston Hall – Wrexham
May 04 – Britannia Pier Theatre Great – Yarmouth
May 07 – Guild Hall – Winchester
May 08 – Du Maurier Festiva – Fowey
May 09 – The Broadway Theatre – Peterborough
May 11 – Cheese & Grain – Frome
May 13 – The Playhouse Theatre – Weston-Super-Mare
May 15 – Palace Theatre – Mansfield
May 16 – Palace Theatre – Southend
May 17 – City Hall – Salisbury
May 18 – Playhouse – Epsom

Rhino Records Launches Rhino.TV

As you can see below, Rhino Records has started their own YouTubesque video kiosk, featuring videos from their huge stable of artists – including many prog favorites as well. Check it out at Rhino.tv.

Yes: “Classic Artists” 2 DVD Set Arrives January 15th

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Image Entertainment is proud to present the release of Yes: Classic Artists, “Their Definitive Fully Authorized Story” in a 2-Disc Deluxe Set! The DVD set will be available in stores January 15th. The story of Yes is as controversial as their music. The twists and turns of the band’s career is now told for the first time in a series of exclusive interviews with Yes members past and present for this definitive and fully authorized DVD documentary.

Praised and criticized for defining progressive rock, Yes have been surprising and delighting worldwide audiences for over five decades. On record and on stage, Yes created a fresh sound and striking visuals, blending genres and using state of the art technology to push boundaries, winning legions of new fans with each album. Tracing the musical journey from their debut album Yes (1969) until Magnification (2001) and beyond, the story of Yes is told by the members themselves in exclusive new interviews.

The battle for recognition, the turmoil and upheaval, the stunts and pranks are revealed here and illustrated by archive performances, photographs and original music, including “Roundabout,” “I’ve Seen All Good People,” “Siberian Khatru” and “Owner Of A Lonely Heart.” Produced with full cooperation from the band, this documentary captures the musical vision and craftsmanship that continue to make Yes one of the great pioneers of sound.

This 2-DVD set is packed with original music, rare and unseen photographs from personal collections, a performance archive, music promos, and includes 20-page full-color booklet. EXTRAS INCLUDE: Extended interviews – Music Videos – Rehearsal Footage – Stills Gallery.

View the Trailer here.

Christmas Albums from Voiceprint!

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What better to do when elbow deep stuffing the Christmas Turkey or baking those Mince Pies than to wallow in the Christmas spirit, and by that I don’t mean the Brandy!

No, we have a better idea than that. Why not get yourself in the festive mood by playing some festive themed music by some of your favourite artists. We have three of those artists who have got themselves in the Christmas mood just for you and the details are listed below. All the albums are available now directly from the Voiceprint website. So have yourself a Merry Little Voiceprint Christmas.

Rick Wakeman: Christmas Variations
…has been unavailable for some time and is one of Rick’s favourite albums. Comprising ten traditional Christmas Carols performed in the inimitable style of Rick Wakeman Christmas Variations is that rare thing a Christmas album that you can play all year round. This version of the album has been re mastered for release. Tracks include Silent Night, Hark The Herald Angels Sing, Christians Awake Salute The Happy Morn, Away In A Manger, While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks By Night and O Come All Ye Faithful. Order your copy here.

Jon Anderson: 3Ships
…is once again available to buy and is available in two different packages. The first package is the original album now containing five bonus tracks including two tracks I Give Hope and Ray Of Hope never previously available. Originally released in 1985, this album has long been out of print and is a must have for fans of Jon Anderson. The album includes the tracks Three Ships, The Holly and The Ivy, Ding Dong Merrily On High, Jingle Bells and Holy Night alongside some of Jon’s own festive themed songs. Order your copy here.

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MVD Audio to Release Yes, Anderson, Wakeman Titles

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MVD Audio has a plethora of proggy goodness ready for release in the coming weeks:

Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe – An Evening of Yes Music Plus
It was 1989 when former Yes-men Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman, and Steve Howe, longing to rekindle the magic that defined Yes in the 70′s, joined forces to record and release a new album to critical acclaim, as fans around the globe watched in amazement at this most unlikely turn of events. You can once again experience the splendor and majesty that was the ABWH tour. These fan favorites are each re-released complete with the original Roger Dean artwork. So don’t delay … recapture the magic and join Jon, Bill, Rick, and Steve for an evening of Yes music plus.

Jon Anderson – Live From La La Land
Jon Anderson is known as the vocalist with the legendary progressive rock band Yes since 1980. Live From La La Land captures Jon perfectly in a which features Jon performing his solo songs and selected items from both the Yes catalogue and his work with Vangelis in an intimate setting at the Roxy in Los Angeles in California. Live From La La Land also boasts a wide variety of rare anecdotes from Jon intermingled between the tracks. He describes the meanings of various songs, tells a variety of Yes stories, Vangelis stories, and much more. These stories and anecdotes were all part of the actual concert and are preserved here for Jon’s fans to enjoy.

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More Bad News from Wakeman…

Rick’s December 1st and 2nd Christmas concerts have been canceled because, in the words of the promoter, “local support has not been forthcoming”. Read more here.

Wakeman Not Performing at Zeppelin Reunion :-(

Of course, we knew it was too good to be true. Rick has just posted the following:

Sadly due to a prior committment, Rick will not now be performing at the recheduled Led Zepellin gig at London’s O2. Rick would also like to make it clear that this was a one off event and that there are no plans whatsoever to appear with Keith in the future.