Rick Wakeman Update

Rick Wakeman says 'no' to YES for their upcoming world tour for health reasons
He will be replaced by another Wakeman, his son Oliver

By Dan Wooding

LONDON, UK (ANS) -- Rock keyboard legend, Rick Wakeman, has said "no" to YES, the British super group, for health reasons for their upcoming 2008 world tour.

But the Wakeman name will not be out of the picture, for he will be

Rick Wakeman on stage with YES with his famous cape

replaced on keyboards by his talented son, Oliver, while his other son, Adam, also a keyboard supremo, continues to tour with the Wildman of Rock, Ozzy Osbourne.

Rick, a committed Christian, made the announcement on his website - www.rwcc.com, in which he said, "Throughout much of last year, e-mails and phone calls were held between Jon [Anderson], Chris [Squire], Steve [Howe], Alan [White] and myself as to where we all felt the future for YES lay, and of course, there were conflicting views in many areas! (Nothing new there, but very healthy of course).

"My major concern was that of over-touring, which I felt YES had done since 2002 with far too many shows, especially in America which for me diminished the 'specialness' of the band.

"I also was concerned for the health of the band, both as a whole and as individuals. It's a matter of public record for instance, that Jon in particular really suffered during the last weeks of the previous YES tour which was extremely worrying for us all.

"Over the years, I have had my fair share of 'narrow escapes' when it comes to health and I felt that I simply could not do months and months of touring each year anymore and I expressed this to the other guys from the outset. I'm absolutely fine at the moment, but want to stay that way, so I suggested to the new management that we perhaps limited the shows we would do and make each show something special, but this was rejected with the management feeling that lengthy touring was the answer for the band..

"It was therefore with an extremely heavy heart that I had to say to the guys that I could not be part of a massive long term touring schedule as I did not feel it right for the band musically and also for the band member's health. We are a democratic band and I accept that I was a sole voice in this thinking."

Oliver Wakeman

Rick Wakeman went on to say, "Chris and I met up a few times and spoke about who I felt would be able to do a good job in the keyboard department and I put forward just two names, my two eldest sons Adam and Oliver. Adam, to be truthful, was not really a 'contender' because he is fully committed to Ozzy and is touring constantly. Oliver has worked with Steve of course on various recordings and so there was already a rapport there. I was therefore very happy when Oliver told me that Steve had called him.

"I am sad of course not to be walking on stage with the guys on the upcoming tour, but like each member of YES, I have developed a deep inner spiritual feeling that takes over your whole life, and sadly witnessing too many friends around my age, (both musicians and people connected with the business), either departing this world or having serious illness, has played an enormous part in the very difficult decision I had to make.

"I truly hope that this is not the end of the Classic Line-Up and that something very special may happen in the not too distant future. In the meantime, I wish the guys, good health, great music and much happiness."

British fans will still be able to see Rick Wakeman when next month he starts his Grumpy Old Picture Show 2008 leg. (Details at www.rwcc.com).

Rick Wakeman has been a big supporter of ASSIST Ministries for many years now and has undertaken two US tours to benefit the ministry.

Note: Dan Wooding wrote the official biography of Rick Wakeman called Rick Wakeman, the Caped Crusade, foreword by Elton John, which is still be auctioned almost daily on eBay.

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Dan Wooding, 67, is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma of 44 years. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS). He was, for ten years, a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC. Wooding is the author of some 42 books, the latest of which is his autobiography, "From Tabloid to Truth", which is published by Theatron Books. To order a copy, go to www.fromtabloidtotruth.com. danjuma1@aol.com.

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