Rick Wakeman

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Rick Wakeman (born May 18, 1949 as Richard Christopher Wakeman) 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.

Related Topics:
May 18 - 1949 - Progressive rock - Keyboard player - Electronic keyboard

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He was born in Perivale, Middlesex, England.

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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.

Related Topics:
1970 - The Strawbs - Yes - 1971 - 2002

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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, Cat Stevens, and Black Sabbath.

Related Topics:
John Williams - Brotherhood Of Man - Elton John - Lou Reed - David Bowie - Cat Stevens - Black Sabbath

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Wakeman became highly skilled at playing the temperamental and notoriously intractable Mellotron - an electronic musical instrument that worked using continuous prerecorded tape loops. He went on to invent the Birotron, developed with David Biro, and designed to overcome the quirks and challenges on the Mellotron. The Birotron was not a commercial or technical success.

Related Topics:
Mellotron - Electronic musical instrument - Tape loop

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Once known as one of the hardest-partying rock musicians, he has been calmed down somewhat by an early heart attack, marriage (to former model Nina Carter, although they have since divorced), children and renewal of his Christian faith. Children include Adam Wakeman, Oliver Wakeman and Nina Wakeman, who are all musicians too. Despite once being a director of Brentford F.C., he now supports Manchester City F.C. after a disagreement with the board.

Related Topics:
Nina Carter - Oliver Wakeman - Brentford F.C. - Manchester City F.C.

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He is a strong supporter of the UK's Conservative Party, and performed a concert in September 2004 for the benefit of the party.

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