# Rick Wakeman

> English keyboardist

**Wikidata**: [Q312053](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q312053)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Wakeman)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rick-wakeman

## Summary
Rick Wakeman is an English keyboardist, composer, and musician known for his work in progressive rock and other genres, with a career spanning multiple bands and musical projects since the late 1960s.

## Biography
- Born: May 18, 1949 (United Kingdom)
- Nationality: United Kingdom
- Education: Attended Royal College of Music and other institutions
- Known for: Progressive rock music, keyboard performances, and multiple musical projects
- Employer(s): Various bands and music projects including Yes, Strawbs, Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, and Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman
- Field(s): Music, specifically keyboard performance and composition

## Contributions
Rick Wakeman has contributed to numerous musical projects across different genres. He has been affiliated with several bands including Yes, Strawbs, Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, and Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman. His work has been released through various record labels including Charisma, Voiceprint Records, EMI Classics, and others. He has maintained an active presence in the music industry since 1969, with his work appearing on albums distributed by major labels like A&M Records.

## FAQs
**What bands has Rick Wakeman been a part of?**
Rick Wakeman has been a member of several bands including Yes, Strawbs, Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, and Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman.

**What record labels has he worked with?**
He has worked with various record labels including Charisma Records, Voiceprint Records, EMI Classics, and others.

**When did his music career begin?**
His music career started in 1969 according to the source material.

**What is his primary instrument?**
His primary instrument is the keyboard, as indicated by his occupation as a keyboardist.

**What educational institutions did he attend?**
He attended the Royal College of Music and other educational institutions.

## Why They Matter
Rick Wakeman has significantly influenced the progressive rock genre through his technical keyboard skills and innovative compositions. His work has inspired generations of keyboardists and contributed to the development of complex musical arrangements characteristic of progressive rock. His ability to blend classical and rock elements has set a precedent for musicians in the genre, and his contributions have helped define the sound of progressive rock music.

## Notable For
- First keyboardist to achieve significant success in progressive rock
- Multiple Grammy nominations and awards for his musical compositions
- Founder and leader of several influential bands including Yes and Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe
- Author of numerous music albums across different genres
- Pioneer in combining classical music elements with rock music
- Long-standing career spanning over five decades
- Multiple record label affiliations including major labels like EMI and A&M Records

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Rick Wakeman was born on May 18, 1949, in the United Kingdom. He received his musical education at the Royal College of Music, where he developed his keyboard skills and classical training. His early exposure to classical music laid the foundation for his later work that would blend classical and rock elements.

### Career Beginnings
Wakeman began his professional music career in 1969. His early work involved session musicianship and contributions to various bands. He quickly established himself as a skilled keyboardist with technical proficiency and creative compositions.

### Band Affiliations
Throughout his career, Wakeman has been a member of several influential bands:

- **Yes**: One of his most notable affiliations, where he contributed to the band's progressive rock sound and complex keyboard arrangements.
- **Strawbs**: He joined this English rock band and contributed to their musical development.
- **Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe**: A supergroup formed in 1988 that featured prominent musicians.
- **Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman**: A band formed in 2010 that continued his musical legacy.

### Record Label Associations
Wakeman has worked with multiple record labels throughout his career, including:

- **Charisma Records**: A British record label known for progressive rock artists.
- **Voiceprint Records**: A UK-based independent record label.
- **EMI Classics**: A classical music label under EMI.
- **Other labels**: Including Voiceprint Records and various international distributors.

### Musical Style and Influence
Wakeman is known for his technical keyboard skills and innovative compositions that blend classical music elements with rock. His work has influenced numerous keyboardists and contributed to the evolution of progressive rock. He has demonstrated versatility across different genres, including ambient, new age, and classical music.

### Professional Identifiers
Wakeman maintains multiple professional identifiers including:
- Website: http://www.rwcc.com/
- Social media handles: rickwakemanmusic, RickWakemanMusic, rick-wakeman-official
- Various online profiles and artist pages

### Career Timeline
His career has spanned over five decades, with consistent musical output throughout his professional life. He has continued to release new music and tour, maintaining an active presence in the music industry.

### Legacy
Rick Wakeman's contributions to progressive rock and keyboard performance have established him as a significant figure in the music world. His technical proficiency and creative compositions have influenced generations of musicians and helped define the sound of progressive rock. His ability to blend classical and rock elements has set a precedent for musicians in the genre.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. datos.bne.es
4. Montreux Jazz Festival Database
5. MusicBrainz
6. filmportal.de
7. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. BBC Things
11. Discogs
12. ISWC Network
13. Quora
14. The Movie Database
15. YouTube API
16. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data