Quotes by Rick Wakeman

About Rick Wakeman:

Richard Christopher "Rick" Wakeman is an English keyboardist, songwriter, television and radio presenter, and author. He is best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes and his solo albums from the 1970s. In more recent years, he became known for his contributions to the BBC comedy series Grumpy Old Men, and his radio show on Planet Rock named Rick's Place, which aired from 2005 to 2010.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

I joined Yes in July 1971. I had heard Yes live, as Strawbs had supported them at a gig in Hull. I thought they were amazing - incredibly different.

Rick Wakeman

People like Frank Zappa were amazing for us Brits.

Rick Wakeman

I had just left Yes and had done a concert at Crystal Palace, South London, with a choir and orchestra playing my solo album 'Journey To The Centre Of The Earth' when I had my heart attack. That day, I hadn't been to bed for four days. I don't rememb...

Rick Wakeman

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

Rick Wakeman

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.

Rick Wakeman

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 othe...

Rick Wakeman

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.

Rick Wakeman

Coming back to Yes is like never having left. Even when I have not been in the band, I have always felt part of it.

Rick Wakeman

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

Rick Wakeman

I avoid preset sounds wherever possible, and all the sounds I use I have edited.

Rick Wakeman

There must be something wrong with the mirrors in our house because every single one I gaze into makes me appear somewhat overweight.

Rick Wakeman

I am a very extreme sort of character, as I don't do things by halves.

Rick Wakeman

I am a Yes fan, ultimately. I've been a member of the band, but I was always a fan of the band first.

Rick Wakeman

Apparently I'm well-known for my stories, my raconteur tales, that sort of thing.

Rick Wakeman

I've been married three times and divorced three times.

Rick Wakeman

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.

Rick Wakeman

Liszt was a bit of a rock and roller at heart, but he was a bit of a puritan on his sounds.

Rick Wakeman

I'm hugely fond of Scotland. My daughter, Jemma, was born in the Simpson Memorial Maternity Hospital in Edinburgh, and it always tickled me that she was so vexed she didn't have a Scottish accent even though she was brought up down south.

Rick Wakeman

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.

Rick Wakeman

I bought a racehorse, Tropical Saint, that belonged to the Queen Mother. I used to go down to Banbury and watch him train, but during a televised race, his jockey pulled up and said there was something wrong. They put him in the grass to try and sett...

Rick Wakeman

Author Bio

  • NameRick Wakeman
  • DescriptionEnglish keyboard player
  • AliasesRichard Christopher Wakeman
  • BornMay 18, 1949
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • ProfessionComposer; Musician