Rick Wakeman - The Wizard of the Keyboards

It’s all about the ‘Wizard of the Keyboards’ this week, with one of the last podcast interviews that famed Englishman, RICK WAKEMAN has agreed to. It took me months to get him to agree but finally I have him here for you and he chats happily with us about his life, career, and his favourite musical creation, King Arthur. Rick Wakeman, of course, is best known as a former member of the progressive rock band, Yes, as well as for his multitude of solo albums.  In interview, Rick talks candidly about his divorces, his heart attacks at the age of 25 and how these events affected his life. One minute he was on top of the world with a fleet of Rolls Royces, the next minute he was sleeping 'rough' on park benches. Rick tells us how he defied doctors' orders by continuing to perform and tour after he had been hospitalised for several weeks.  He talks about how this period of time turned out to be god's send because it was from his hospital bed that he imagined and wrote much of "King Arthur'. It's an inspirational tale.  Rick also discusses being a session musician - one of the most in demand players because of his prowess on the keyboards but he also tells us the unlikely story of how he came to play the mellotron and how he carved out a brilliant career by being one of the first musicians able to keep the instrument in tune.  We hear stories from Rick about how he came to work with David Bowie on the album ‘Hunky Dory’, how the two became friends and what an incredibly generous and giving artist Bowie was.  Rick also brings us up to date in terms of how the pandemic changed his lifestyle, caused him to lose weight and sell some of his possessions. We learn how he amused himself when he (like everyone else) was off the road and about the music that emanated from him during this time.  He also openly talks about his family, including his six children and twelve grandchildren, and how they are the inspiration for keeping him feeling young and energetic. Rick Wakeman is brilliant musician, fabulous raconteur and very very funny.  I really hope you enjoy my chat with him. If you'd like to know more check out my website www.abreathoffreshair.com.au or head straight to Rick Wakeman's website https://rwcc.com/ Don't forget if you'd like to contact me with any comments or suggestions for guests you'd like to hear interviewed, I'd love to hear from you! Simply send me a message through the website above. You can also find me here https://linktr.ee/abreathoffreshair