Detonation Magazine

Rick Wakeman

You can’t have a serious conversation about Prog Rock, without the name Rick Wakeman cropping up at some point. In his younger days, he was the Caped Crusader, the keyboard wizard behind The Strawbs and Yes, but a series of early heart attacks almost ended his career as he was still rising. These days he’s also known for his skills as a raconteur, which has endeared him to TV audiences with his emergence as a “Grumpy Old Man”.

70s Prog Rock... Majestic showcasing of enormous talent, or embarrassingly pretentious posturing? What's the Caped Crusader's view of this?

It was a showcase for people who had ideas and technical abilities above that of the average rock and roller. Just in the same way that authors differ in their writing depending on their literary education, music and composing is governed by the knowledge of the musician and his ability to wish to use it... it was wonderfully over the top at times and that was what it was meant to be. What’s interesting is that a large proportion of today’s bands have taken snippets of Prog Rock and are using it in their music. Key changes, time signature changes, different formats... all stems from Prog Rock.

You've got quite a high profile at the moment... You're a "Grumpy Old Man", and you've appeared on a lot of TV celebrity panels over the years. Are you trying to get noticed by the producers of "Strictly Come Dancing"? What would it take to see you on "I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here"?

I’ve been asked to go on all of these and have turned them all down on more than one occasion. I do not wish to have my delicate parts nibbled by rats or cockroaches, thank you very much. If I want to suffer I’ll reminisce about past managers I’ve had... there isn’t enough money in the world to tempt me onto those particular shows.

As well as your contributions to bands like the Strawbs and yes, you have an impressive solo discography. What do you consider the highlights (and low points) of your musical career?

Everything is a high point. I don’t measure high points in commercial success. I have been at rock bottom in my life and also up near the top. They are all important parts of my life. I try and learn from everything, good or bad. The good I try to repeat, the bad I try to learn from and not repeat.

“The Six Wives of Henry VIII” (Rick’s first solo project) was popular with the fans, but not the critics. Is that a general rule with music, or just with your particular brand? Can a music critic ever be a music fan, or are the two terms mutually exclusive?

I’ve often heard people say in the business that they never read reviews and that they don’t matter… well, I bet they do read them. We all do and we all get upset at bad reviews. They hurt, especially when they are written by people who don’t know a hatchet from a crotchet. They are just giving opinions. Having said that, when they give opinions that are brilliant... we love them!

Have you been surprised by the scale of success certain of your works have achieved? Have you been surprised by anything that hasn't been as popular as you expected?

I do have one or two pieces that I thought would do better than they did, but that’s all down to timing and circumstances. It doesn’t worry me.

Rock music has evolved greatly since you started out. Have you had to adapt to stay relevant to new audiences, or do you take the approach that if it was good then, it's still good now? What's the secret of musical immortality?

I don’t adapt! Why should anyone adapt to what the latest fad is? I do what I do to the best of my ability... I don’t think “Rick the Rapper” would be quite up my street!

You've toured the world on multiple occasions. Does that get boring?

I love being on stage and I love playing live... but I hate touring now. Mainly because I detest hotels. I have spent so much of my life in hotel rooms it’s like being in an open prison after more than 40 years. I accept it has to be done and as I said, I just love playing live, so I’ll do it!

It's probably fair to say that three heart attacks by your mid-20s gives you an interesting perspective on life. What are your thoughts and emotions when you recall those times?

I’m a windscreen person... by this I mean that I look ahead all the time. I rarely glance in the rear view mirror as there is nothing I can do about what went on before or what is happening behind my life. I might occasionally glance sideways to see what else is going on at the same time as now. Health? I’ve had some serious worries, nearly dying on more than one occasion... but that’s all in the rear view mirror!

You've managed to produce several chips off the old block... How do you view the achievements of your children, especially in context of your own achievements?

I’m proud of every one of them, in equal proportions, and they are all equal in my eyes in everything they do.

Has the Wakeman name been their ticket into the industry?

Very far from it... they’ve all had to work doubly harder.

Has it heaped unnecessary expectation on them?

I don’t think so... but the good thing is they are all individually talented and that’s what counts in the end. They also all have wonderful hearts and are caring about their fellow man. As a dad I couldn’t ask for anything more.

Oliver has succeeded you in both Yes and the Strawbs, while you and Adam both worked with Black Sabbath. Does it feel weird when you think that two of your children have played in bands that you played in when you were their age?

It used to, but I’m used to it now.

Is the world ready for a Wakeman, Wakeman & Wakeman project?

The world might be, but I’m not!

You've been very open about your faith, both personally and through your music. Are you a Christian musician, a Christian who happens to be a musician, or a musician who happens to be a Christian? Is there a difference?

They are separate. I’m a Christian and I’m a musician. I write all sorts of music, some of it Christian, but that doesn’t make me a Christian musician.

Tell me about your first music teacher. How did you get from being Mr Lewis' star pupil to becoming one of the world's greatest keyboard wizards?

Mr Lewis wasn’t my music teacher... you’ve been reading Wikipedia which is 95% inaccurate! Mr Lewis was my junior school teacher for a year when I was 8. He used to whack kids over the knuckles with a ruler. My piano teacher was Mrs. Symes and she was wonderful. She was my main inspiration in how I play.

How important is it for you to keep in touch with your fans personally? Do you think that sometimes musicians (and by extension, any sort of celebrity) feel they are above such things?

I can’t speak for other people but quite a few fans have become friends over the years. I love meeting people and it’s nice to share music with people.

Looking at your contemporaries, was there anyone you listened to and thought, "I wish I could play like that"?

To be honest, no.

Or anyone you listened to and thought, "How on earth did he fool everyone into thinking he could play"?

Err... yes... more than a few... but I’m not going to name them!

How does your faith influence the sort of music you write and perform? Does it make it difficult to collaborate with certain people, or contribute to certain projects?

My only rule about what I won’t do is that of working on projects that are openly anti-Christian or openly blasphemous... anything else is fine.

Are you able to keep up with technology? Your first Moog must feel a bit primitive by today's standards.

Not at all... it’s my favourite keyboard and the Mini Moog is revered by all keyboard players young and old. It’s what really started everything.

Where would you have been if you'd never progressed to electronic keyboards?

Sitting at the piano!

If any of our readers are sitting out there thinking, "Rick who?" it's easy enough to get hold of your material. However, with your back catalogue being as extensive as it is, the full works would need you to remortgage your house. Where would you recommend a new fan to start, if they want to get the essence of Rick Wakeman?

Depends what sort of music they like really. Amongst the catalogue there’s orchestral stuff, hard rock, soft rock, Christian music, oratorios, concept albums, retro albums... best to ask someone I suppose !

Your website (http://www.rwcc.com) includes submitted reviews of your albums, including some (admittedly few) negative ones. Is it your policy to be open and honest about fan reaction, or simply an oversight that will be corrected now I’ve brought it to your attention?

Not at all... providing people aren’t openly rude everyone is entitled to their opinions.

You've told me your "knowledge of Christian rock music is very very limited", but your repertoire is more extensive than many Christian rock bands can even dream about. Is your Christian music output as important to you as your more mainstream work? Does your label support your Christian work as fully as the rest of it?

I particularly enjoy the classical side to my Christian compositions. The New Gospels was undoubtedly a gift from above as indeed was my choral piece “Noah”... I would like to do more. Much much more.

You don't mind people knowing where you stand politically.

No harm in that... I don’t believe anybody votes the way I do because they like my music or watch Grumpy Old Men!

Do you think public figures have a duty to be politically active, or is there a danger of abusing their positions in this way?

Some people do for sure.

Haven't all the major parties become pretty indistinguishable from each other anyway?

Personally I don’t think so, but I think the calibre of politician has dropped drastically in recent years. There are a few people in the House of Commons who really worry me!

Golf: guaranteed cure for insomnia? Discuss.

My golf is not good at the moment, so it’s a bad cure for insomnia, as I lie awake worrying about my short game!

Do you consider yourself to have been a success?

If I’m honest I suppose so... but to what degree? We’re all a success to some degree... it’s down to the degree you set yourself.

What's left for you to achieve?

Loads and loads!

What opportunities have you missed that it's now too late to take?

Talking at length to my father before he died suddenly on East Acton station over 30 years ago.

Is Jesus a Rick Wakeman fan?

Great question... during my next prayer session I’ll ask him!

One last question. My band has an opening for a keyboard player... Any chance you might be available? We have gigs lined up. Please...?

Diary a bit full, I’m afraid!

Thank you for taking the time, Rick, it’s much appreciated.
Everything you need to know about Rick can be found at http://www.rwcc.com. You can also read about him on Wikipedia, but this isn’t recommended...
RWM 10.8.11

Rick Wakeman was speaking with Raph Merriman

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