Rick Wakeman: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview

Feature Photo: Rick-Wakeman-2025-STRICTLY-WAKEMAN-POSTER-IMAGE-JPEG-RICK-PHOTO-CREDIT-SME.jpg

With Yes, and as a solo artist, Rick Wakeman redefined keys-driven progressive music. To this day, Wakeman’s distinctive style and vision can be heard throughout the genres. He’s grateful for this, but he’s motivated to keep creating new music.

Speaking of that, Wakeman has a new record out, Melancholia, which continues to push the envelope. As for what sparks his never-ending creativity, Wakeman shrugs, telling ClassicRockHistory.com, “I never know, to be honest. It could be anything that, for whatever reason, fires up my musical imagination.

By the looks of Melancholia, Wakeman’s imagination is as expansive as ever. To that end, when Wakeman reveals the message behind his latest creation: “To nurture and let emotions work in your life,” he says. “There is nothing wrong with having moments of melancholia. I feel that it’s an important emotion and perhaps somewhat misunderstood.

Wakeman is 76. He’s got his aches and pains, but that’s not going to slow him down. More new music is on the way for 2026, along with more shows. Beyond that, Wakeman will continue to harness the cosmos, even if he’s not sure how to fully explain his process.

“I wish I knew,” he says of how it all works. “I am just fortunate that whatever it is, it works for me, and I truly hope it continues to do so.

What inspired your new record, Melancholia?

I was composing a piano piece in memory of one of our rescue dogs, Garo, who sadly left us for doggie heaven. My wife said, “That’s beautiful, very melancholic, you should do a whole album of this.” I thought to myself, ‘What a great idea it would be to do a piano concept album on the theme of ‘Melancholia,’ as we all have melancholy moments in our lives.” I found it a very inspiring subject.

When you step in front of the keys these days, what goes through your mind, and how has that changed from your younger years?

My main thought is to somehow remain standing, as age has brought with it mobility issues and other health-related difficulties, so I really have to focus very hard on what I am playing. I also have arthritis in my hands, which is very painful, but amazingly, I manage to play in an almost trancelike state, which masks the pain. After the show, I plunge my hands in ice-cold water, and the relief is wonderful!

Have the keys always been natural for you, or have you had to keep working at them?

Except when I’m travelling, I play every day. This is a combination of keeping the fingers working and because I simply enjoy playing so much.

What might happen if you stopped playing for an extended period of time altogether and then picked it up again?

That’s never going to happen. If the day comes when I am unable to play live, then I will simply continue composing, which I can do at my own pace. I can’t imagine not being able to play at all.

Though you play every day, does rest and stepping away from the instrument do you good? What’s the balance?

If I can play every day, then I do. Obviously, being on the road and travelling makes it tricky, and days in hotels are impossible, unless I take a keyboard to my room, which I don’t do anymore unless there is a good reason.

What gear are you using now, and how has that changed over the years and through the eras?

I use different rigs depending on the show I am doing. I’m currently out with my nine-piece band, and the rig is big!

Which piece of music, or musical moment, stands tall amongst the rest from Melancholia, and why?

Probably the title track, “Melancholia.” I don’t know why, but when I listen to it and it comes to an end, I find myself in a sort of trance for a few minutes after it has finished. Personally, I find it thought-provoking, but maybe that’s just me.

When you look back on your career, how do you measure your impact and influence on prog rock and piano-key driven music?

I’m always extremely flattered and even embarrassed when people say the music and my playing have had an influence on them, but there is also a growing tinge of pride that perhaps the gift that god has given me is being put to good use.

Can you hear your style and sound within other players and bands?

It is, and it certainly makes me want to keep on playing, to keep writing, and to stay alive!

Of your classic solo albums, which is your favorite, and why?

Oh gosh! There are nearly a hundred of them, so I’d give a different answer every time asked, I reckon. But today it would be a toss-up between The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and The Knights of The Round Table, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, and Return to the Red Planet, which comes out next spring.

Of your music with Yes, do you have a favorite song and album? If so, why?

Close to the Edge was so ahead of its time and also the perfect example of prog rock of its time. The version of “Awaken” on the ARW Live album is a great example of how a piece can evolve from the original studio recording on Going for the One.

Would you change your journey with Yes, or as a solo artist at all?

I wouldn’t change a thing. Both have been remarkable journeys.

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