Wakeman attended Drayton Manor Grammar School. He initially studied piano, clarinet, orchestration and modern music at the Royal College of Music, but he left of his own accord after a year and a half in favour of work as a session musician.
In 1970, Wakeman played with Strawbs and was an active studio musician, playing with such artists as David Bowie, Cat Stevens and Al Stewart, notably playing piano on both Bowie's Life on Mars? and Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens He joined Yes in 1971, after keyboardist Tony Kaye was asked to leave the band because of his refusal to play anything more than the organ. His first album with the band was Fragile released 1971 in the UK and 1972 in the US, and very nearly his last was Tales from Topographic Oceans, released in 1973. He also played on the studio album Close to the Edge (his favourite Yes album) and his live performances with the group were released as Yessongs. He left the band following the Tales from Topographic Oceans tour.
During his time with Yes, he released his first solo album, The Six Wives Of Henry VIII, which showcases his skills with various electronic and acoustic keyboard instruments. Some members of Yes played their respective instruments on certain tracks.
In 1975, he released the concept album The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table which was supported by a live show featuring ice skating theatrical performances accompanied by a large number of musicians, an orchestra and choirs. The cost of the show was extravagant and it caused Wakeman to declare bankruptcy.
Of all the members of the band, Wakeman is the only non-vegetarian, a difference which contributed to his first departure from the band. The primary reason for that initial departure, however, was musical differences. Wakeman felt Tales from Topographic Oceans was thin on substance and did not connect with its themes. Further, he did not enjoy the experience of reproducing the entire work on stage each night. He felt the length of the songs prohibited the band from playing many of their more popular songs of the time. Following the tour, as the band began work on what would become Relayer, Wakeman felt further alienated from the group. Disenchanted with the direction in which Yes were going, and already into a successful solo career, Wakeman jumped ship.
He rejoined Yes for their 1977 album Going for the One. He remained until their next album, Tormato, a year later. He is reputed to have given the album its name by throwing a tomato at a showing of the art used for the album's cover.[citation needed]
In 1989, he joined with three fellow ex-Yes members to form Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (a.k.a. ABWH). After ABWH's first album, some of the completed tracks for a planned second album were merged with tracks from an in-progress Yes album to create the album Union. Wakeman, along with the combined members of both bands then joined to form a Yes supergroup (made up of past and present members of Yes) for the subsequent tour in 1991. When the tour ended a year later, Wakeman left again. He then returned in 1996 for the Keys to Ascension albums but left before the band could tour. In 2002, he rejoined Yes and has been with the group ever since, but also enjoys a 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 (notably mellotron on 'Space Oddity', piano on 'Life On Mars' and 'Changes'),
* Cat Stevens (including piano on Stevens' hit cover of the hymn "Morning Has Broken"),
* T. Rex,
* Ozzy Osbourne,
* Black Sabbath (playing keyboards on "Sabbra Cadabra" and "Who are You" on 1973's Sabbath Bloody Sabbath),
* Brian May and played piano on "There's no one quite like Grandma"[citation needed] by St. Winifred's School Choir.
Although Wakeman was a noted player of the Hammond Organ and the Minimoog, he also played a key part in the popularisation of the Mellotron – an electronic musical instrument that used a bank of prerecorded tape strips, activated by each key on its keyboard. It proved too unwieldy and unreliable for regular touring, and Rick eventually doused his in petrol and set fire to it in a field . Undeterred, Rick worked with David Biro to develop the Birotron, which used the then popular 8-track cassette format rather than bare tape strips. Only 35 Birotrons were produced, it was not a commercial or technical success, and Rick eventually threw his across the stage after it broke down mid-concert, an action he now regrets, as there are only 6 known remaining examples.
He has written the soundtracks for two films by Ken Russell: Lisztomania (1975), which features vocals from Roger Daltrey and which takes as its starting point the music of Liszt and Wagner; and Crimes of Passion (1985), much of which is built around themes taken from Dvorak's New World Symphony.
As announced on the official Yes website, Rick Wakeman will not be joining Yes on their 40th Anniversary tour, he will instead be replaced by his son Oliver Wakeman. In 2008, Wakeman has been touring with a solo show, "Rick Wakeman's grumpy old picture show", an evening of biography, stories and music.
Personal life
A self-confessed former alcoholic, he had several heart attacks in his twenties. The first of them occurred just after he left Yes in early 1974, during the release of Journey To The Centre Of The Earth. He married former Page Three model Nina Carter, although they have since divorced. He has had a renewal of his Christian faith, which began around the time of their marriage.
Children include Adam Wakeman, Oliver Wakeman, Oscar Wakeman, Jemma Wakeman, Ben Wakeman, and Manda Wakeman, who have inherited their father's interest in music.
A passionate football fan, Wakeman has supported Brentford F.C. since he was a child, and later on he also became a director of the West London club. After a disagreement with the board, he moved on to Manchester City F.C. but never stopped loving the Bees. He was also involved in the ownership of the American soccer club Philadelphia Fury in the late '70s, along with other rock celebrities such as Peter Frampton and Paul Simon.
He is a strong supporter of the UK's Conservative Party, and performed a concert in September 2004 for the benefit of the party. The Arthur section of his King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table suite is used as the theme tune to the BBC's Election Night Coverage since 1979 (with the exception of 2001). Wakeman's album Fields of Green '97 featured the track "Election '97/Arthur", which was used by the BBC for their coverage of the 1997 General Election. The music was further revamped for the BBC's 2005 Election Night coverage.
Rick can currently be seen as a contributor on BBC Two's series, Grumpy Old Men. He has also appeared in a number of episodes of Countdown; about twenty per year, according to Wakeman. He currently (2008) presents a weekly Saturday morning programme, "Rick's Place", on Planet Rock. He has also appeared on the satirical panel show Have I Got News For You as a guest.
Rick appeared as himself in "Journey to the Centre of Rick Wakeman", the last episode of season two of Mitch Benn's Crimes Against Music, a BBC Radio 4 comedy programme. The episode detailed a fictional war between England and Wales in 2009 which only Rick could stop. The majority of the episode was set inside Rick where Mitch and his team are sent to rouse him from a coma and thus stop the war.
In December 2006, Rick was the guest host for an episode of The Personality Test, a BBC Radio 4 programme where the panel stay the same and the host changes each week. The questions set in the programme are all about the host. Rick set a challenge for a new concept album idea, and the comedian Will Smith suggested "Spiders and Other Invertebrates". Rick said he liked that idea so much, he would include a track of his next album called "Spiders and Other Invertebrates", and would include a sleeve credit to Will. Will responded by saying that Rick had "...just made my life".
Rick has been president of the show business charity The Heritage Foundation (formerly Comic Heritage) for the past two years. The charity erects blue plaques on the homes and/or work-places of late entertainers and sportspeople. He is also Honorary President of the Classic Rock Society, a UK-based organisation helping to promote classic and progressive rock. In October 2007 Rick commenced a new tour 'Rick Wakeman's Grumpy Old Picture Show', where Rick accompanies video performers such as Gordon Giltrap and the English Rock Ensemble.
He also appeared on Top Gear and got a lap time of 1.55.26.
In December 2006 and 2007, Rick was the celebrity who turned on the Christmas lights in Diss, Norfolk, a town close to his home.
On 25 June 2019, The New York Times Magazine listed Wakeman among hundreds of artists whose material was reportedly destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire. In September and October 2019, Wakeman embarked on his first solo American tour in 13 years, playing piano shows. Wakeman's Christmas-themed piano album, Christmas Portraits, was released in November 2019.
In January 2020, Wakeman started recording a new progressive rock album which was set for release in March. The album's title was revealed as The Red Planet and, according to Wakeman, harks back to albums such as The Six Wives of Henry VIII and Criminal Record; it was due for release on 3 April 2020 and features the English Rock Ensemble. It was delayed again to be released "nearer to June realistically", due to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
Ice
Rick Wakeman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And your eyes like smoke and your prayers like rhymes,
And your silver cross, and your voice like chimes,
Oh, who among them do they think could bury you?
With your pockets well protected at last,
And your streetcar visions which you place on the grass,
And your flesh like silk, and your face like glass,
Who among them do they think could carry you?
Where the sad-eyed prophet says that no man comes,
My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums,
Should I leave them by your gate,
Or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait?
With your sheets like metal and your belt like lace,
And your deck of cards missing the jack and the ace,
And your basement clothes and your hollow face,
Who among them can think he could outguess you?
With your silhouette when the sunlight dims
Into your eyes where the moonlight swims,
And your match-book songs and your gypsy hymns,
Who among them would try to impress you?
Sad-eyed lady of the lowlands,
Where the sad-eyed prophet says that no man comes,
My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums,
Should I leave them by your gate,
Or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait?
The kings of Tyrus with their convict list
Are waiting in line for their geranium kiss,
And you wouldn't know it would happen like this,
But who among them really wants just to kiss you?
With your childhood flames on your midnight rug,
And your Spanish manners and your mother's drugs,
And your cowboy mouth and your curfew plugs,
Who among them do you think could resist you?
Sad-eyed lady of the lowlands,
Where the sad-eyed prophet says that no man comes,
My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums,
Should I leave them by your gate,
Or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait?
Oh, the farmers and the businessmen, they all did decide
To show you where the dead angels are that they used to hide.
But why did they pick you to sympathize with their side?
Oh, how could they ever mistake you?
They wished you'd accepted the blame for the farm,
But with the sea at your feet and the phony false alarm,
And with the child of a hoodlum wrapped up in your arms,
How could they ever, ever persuade you?
Sad-eyed lady of the lowlands,
Where the sad-eyed prophet says that no man comes,
My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums,
Should I leave them by your gate,
Or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait?
With your sheet-metal memory of Cannery Row,
And your magazine-husband who one day just had to go,
And your gentleness now, which you just can't help but show,
Who among them do you think would employ you?
Now you stand with your thief, you're on his parole
With your holy medallion which your fingertips fold,
And your saintlike face and your ghostlike soul,
Oh, who among them do you think could destroy you
Sad-eyed lady of the lowlands,
Where the sad-eyed prophet says that no man comes,
My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums,
Should I leave them by your gate,
Or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait?
The lyrics to Rick Wakeman's song "Ice" are poetic and enigmatic, creating vivid imagery of a mysterious woman known as the "sad-eyed lady of the lowlands." The verses describe her in detail, with comparisons to mercury, smoke, rhymes, chimes, and silk, among others. She is portrayed as powerful and enigmatic, with secrets, visions, and an indomitable spirit that cannot be broken by anyone. The chorus asks a question several times, "Who among them do they think could carry you?" implying that this woman is not to be underestimated and cannot be controlled by anyone.
The second verse continues with the theme of the sad-eyed lady's mystique and power, describing her metal sheets, lace belts, and hollow face. It also mentions her music and gypsy hymns, which suggest a free spirit and a nomadic lifestyle. The chorus repeats with minor variations, again emphasizing the idea that no one can truly know or understand the sad-eyed lady.
The third verse introduces a political dimension to the song, with the reference to the kings of Tyrus and their convict list. The sad-eyed lady is contrasted with these powerful men, who want to kiss her geranium and sympathize with her, but ultimately cannot resist her. The verse then turns to a memory of childhood flames, Spanish manners, and curfew plugs, which suggest a tumultuous past. The chorus repeats again, asking if the sad-eyed lady should be waited for or left alone.
The final verse brings the song full circle, with a reference to the farmers and businessmen who tried to persuade the sad-eyed lady to accept the blame for the farm. She refuses, however, and remains steadfast in her independence and strength. The verse ends with a description of her holding a medallion and standing with a thief, implying that she may not be entirely innocent herself. The final chorus repeats again, emphasizing the mystery and power of the sad-eyed lady.
Overall, the lyrics to "Ice" are complex and poetic, painting a vivid picture of a powerful and enigmatic woman who cannot be easily understood or controlled. The repeated question of who could carry or destroy her suggests that she is a force to be reckoned with, and the vivid imagery and references to music and politics give the song additional layers of meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
With your mercury mouth in the missionary times,
In an age of rapid technological advancements, you, with your eloquent way of speaking, seem to have the ability to inspire others.
And your eyes like smoke and your prayers like rhymes,
Your mysterious eyes and your beautiful poetry-like prayers captivate all those who hear you.
And your silver cross, and your voice like chimes,
Your beautiful singing voice and religious iconography add to your already mystical aura.
Oh, who among them do they think could bury you?
You possess qualities that make you seem transcendent, and it is unlikely that anyone could contain or silence you.
With your pockets well protected at last,
Finally, you have amassed enough wealth to feel secure financially.
And your streetcar visions which you place on the grass,
You have high ambitions but are grounded by your humble beginnings, using your own experiences as inspiration.
And your flesh like silk, and your face like glass,
You have the appearance of delicacy and beauty, but with a hint of vulnerability.
Who among them do they think could carry you?
No one seems to match your level of success and resilience, making you seem unstoppable.
Sad-eyed lady of the lowlands,
You are a mysterious and alluring woman, with a tendency to appear downcast.
Where the sad-eyed prophet says that no man comes,
Even a wise and prophetic figure cannot understand or predict your actions and plans.
My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums,
Your captivating gaze and Middle Eastern musical instruments that you keep in your storage space reveal a fascination with exotic cultures.
Should I leave them by your gate,
Should I offer you these items as gifts, since they embody much of your character?
Or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait?
But is it too soon, and will I have to wait for a better opportunity to offer them to you?
With your sheets like metal and your belt like lace,
Your physical appearance is a mixture of toughness and soft femininity, creating an intriguing dichotomy.
And your deck of cards missing the jack and the ace,
Perhaps you lack some necessary components to achieve success, but you still have precision and focus.
And your basement clothes and your hollow face,
Your choice of clothing reveals your modest background, and your face appears as if it needs nourishment and vitality.
Who among them can think he could outguess you?
You are a complex and unreadable person, and no one can predict your actions with certainty.
With your silhouette when the sunlight dims
As the day ends, your image is a haunting yet beautiful stencil against the darkening sky.
Into your eyes where the moonlight swims,
The reflection of moonlight in your eyes seems to indicate that you hold a deep and hidden understanding of the world around you.
And your match-book songs and your gypsy hymns,
Your music reveals a fondness for both the urban and the mystical, which seem to represent different aspects of yourself.
Who among them would try to impress you?
Everyone wants to stand out in your eyes and present themselves as appealing.
The kings of Tyrus with their convict list
People in high positions try to use their power and influence to aim your favor.
Are waiting in line for their geranium kiss,
Each person lining up to gain your favor is desperate to be noticed and recognized by you.
And you wouldn't know it would happen like this,
This unexpected adoration came as a surprise to you.
But who among them really wants just to kiss you?
One wonders whether you can trust the motives of those who seek you out, and who crave intimacy with you.
With your childhood flames on your midnight rug,
The vestiges of your youth remain with you and shape your present self.
And your Spanish manners and your mother's drugs,
Your ancestry and your troubled upbringing have left a mark on you, both in behavior and in a tendency toward addiction.
And your cowboy mouth and your curfew plugs,
The nostalgia of a bygone era combines with modern interventions to shape and protect you, but also to restrain you.
Who among them do you think could resist you?
You possess many characteristics that make you attractive and alluring, and very few can resist your charm and magnetism.
Oh, the farmers and the businessmen, they all did decide
Two influential groups seem to have a common goal that would benefit them both.
To show you where the dead angels are that they used to hide.
They take it upon themselves to present you with information that they perceive as highly valuable.
But why did they pick you to sympathize with their side?
You are left wondering why they are directing this effort your way, and what they hope to gain.
Oh, how could they ever mistake you?
Their decision to approach you with this proposal was a miscalculation, due to your sharp sense of discernment.
They wished you'd accepted the blame for the farm,
One implication is that they are hoping you will take responsibility for something that happened on a farm in order to absolve them of blame.
But with the sea at your feet and the phony false alarm,
You enjoy your life very much, living near the beauty of the ocean, but you are vigilant against deception and false alarms.
And with the child of a hoodlum wrapped up in your arms,
You have taken under your care the child of someone who is considered a delinquent or criminal.
How could they ever, ever persuade you?
The request they are making of you will be quite difficult to fulfill, as it may require unreasonable or unethical behavior.
With your sheet-metal memory of Cannery Row,
You remember the challenges and obstacles you faced in the past and the lessons you learned from them.
And your magazine-husband who one day just had to go,
You carry with you the memory of a relationship that ended abruptly, perhaps with a spouse who passed away or left you without warning.
And your gentleness now, which you just can't help but show,
You exhibit kindness and empathy, but it is difficult for you to suppress these traits even when they might not be appropriate.
Who among them do you think would employ you?
Your unique experiences and characteristics make it unlikely that you would find a typical job or employer, as you are one of a kind.
Now you stand with your thief, you're on his parole
You are in a close relationship with someone who is a known criminal and you are taking responsibility for their actions by being their parole officer.
With your holy medallion which your fingertips fold,
Despite your association with a criminal, you maintain a connection to spirituality or religion, perhaps using it as a source of strength and guidance.
And your saintlike face and your ghostlike soul,
Your appearance suggests purity and holiness, but there is a part of you that remains mysterious and unknown.
Oh, who among them do you think could destroy you
Despite any difficulties and hardships you may face, you possess the resilience and strength to weather even the toughest storms.
Sad-eyed lady of the lowlands,
You remain an enigmatic and captivating presence, but there is a sense of melancholy and sadness that accompanies you.
Where the sad-eyed prophet says that no man comes,
It seems that even those who possess great power and wisdom cannot access your deepest emotions or understand the full scope of your character.
My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums,
Your eyes and your drums continue to be symbols of your mystery and allure, keeping you tethered to a different time and place.
Should I leave them by your gate,
The singer is still unsure of how to present these items to you, as a gift or offering.
Or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait?
It may be better to bide one's time and wait for a better opportunity to win your favor, rather than risk approaching you at the wrong moment.
Contributed by Isabelle D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.