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Rick Wakeman

Rick Wakeman (born May 18, 1949) is a progressive rock keyboard player. He is a classically trained pianist and has been highly acclaimed for his virtuosity. In his early years he was a pioneer in the use of electronic keyboards[?], and his name has become a byword for a keyboard player surrounded by a vast array of equipment.

He was born in Perivale, Middlesex, England.

Wakeman came to fame in 1970 playing with The Strawbs[?], and joined Yes for the first time in 1971. Wakeman has joined and left Yes at least four times in his turbulent long-term relationship with the group. In 2002, he joined the band for a fifth time.

Wakeman has enjoyed a long, extremely prolific, but only occasionally successful solo career. He has also performed as a guest or session musician for artists as disparate as John Williams, Brotherhood Of Man[?], Elton John, Lou Reed, David Bowie and Black Sabbath.

Once known as one of the hardest-partying rock musicians, he has been calmed down somewhat by an early heart attack, marriage (to a former topless model), children and conversion to Christianity. Despite once being a director of Brentford F.C.[?], he now supports Manchester City F.C. after a disagreement with the board.

Discography

Solo and with his son Adam

External links

wikipedia.org dumped 2003-03-17 with terodump