Richard Christopher Wakeman is a renowned English keyboard player, composer, and songwriter, best known for his illustrious career as the former keyboardist of the iconic progressive rock band Yes.
Born on May 18, 1949, in west London, Wakeman's fascination with music began at a young age. At 12, he purchased his first electronic keyboard, which sparked his lifelong passion for the instrument. He went on to study at the Royal College of Music, where he honed his skills in piano, clarinet, orchestration, and modern music.
Wakeman's professional music career took off in the late 1960s, when he began working as a session musician, contributing to tracks by notable artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, David Bowie, T. Rex, Elton John, and Cat Stevens. In 1969, he joined the folk group Strawbs, featuring on three of their albums.
In 1971, Wakeman replaced Tony Kaye as the keyboardist for Yes, a position he held until 1974. During this period, he also launched his solo career, releasing his debut album, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, in 1973. The album was a commercial success, and Wakeman went on to release two more solo albums, Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1974) and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (1975).
Wakeman rejoined Yes in 1976, only to leave again in 1980, this time to focus on his solo work. He returned to Yes in 1989, forming the side project Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe with fellow ex-Yes members. The group released one album, and Wakeman remained with Yes until his third departure in 1992.
Wakeman has continued to work on his solo career, releasing over 100 albums that have sold more than 50 million copies worldwide. In 2010, he was awarded the Spirit of Prog award at the annual Marshall Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards.
Throughout his illustrious career, Wakeman has been a driving force in the progressive rock genre, known for his innovative keyboard playing and distinctive songwriting style. His contributions to Yes and his solo work have cemented his status as a rock legend, and his music continues to inspire new generations of fans.
