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Rick Wakeman Quotes

Powerful Rick Wakeman for Daily Growth

About Rick Wakeman

Rick Wakeman, born on May 18, 1949, in Leicester, England, is a celebrated English keyboardist, songwriter, and author primarily known for his work with progressive rock band Yes. Wakeman's career spans over five decades, during which he has made significant contributions to the music industry. Wakeman's musical journey began at an early age. Inspired by artists like Liberace and Jerry Lee Lewis, he started playing piano at the tender age of seven. At 14, he played in his first professional band, The Lynn Cornell Group. However, his breakthrough came when he joined David Bowie's backing group, The Arnold Corns, in 1968. In 1971, Wakeman joined Yes and contributed to their groundbreaking albums "Fragile," "Close to the Edge," and "Relayer." His elaborate keyboard solos and complex compositions significantly enhanced the band's sound. After a brief departure in 1974, he returned to Yes until 1980. Apart from his work with Yes, Wakeman embarked on a successful solo career, releasing numerous albums such as "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" (1973), "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" (1974), and "Cost of Living" (1985). His music is characterized by its orchestral, theatrical, and progressive elements. In addition to his musical pursuits, Wakeman has also written several books. Notably, he authored "The Myths and Legends of Music" (2003) and "Rick Wakeman's Catalogue: The Authorized Biography" (2014). Wakeman's influence on progressive rock music is undeniable. His innovative keyboard techniques and dramatic compositions have left a lasting impact on the genre. He continues to perform, compose, and write, ensuring his legacy endures in the world of music.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Music is the language of the spirit. It cuts through all boundaries."

This quote by Rick Wakeman suggests that music transcends cultural, geographical, and linguistic barriers, serving as a universal medium for expression and understanding. Music's ability to tap into emotions and resonate with people from diverse backgrounds is what makes it the "language of the spirit." In essence, this quote underscores the power and importance of music in connecting individuals and fostering empathy, unity, and shared experiences across the globe.

"The piano is a versatile instrument that allows for such a vast range of emotions to be conveyed."

This quote by Rick Wakeman emphasizes the piano's unique ability to express a wide spectrum of human emotions, making it an incredibly versatile musical instrument. Its capability to convey various feelings, from tender melancholy to powerful joy, adds depth to the music it produces and allows musicians to creatively interpret and share their emotional experiences with listeners.

"Creativity is like a wild mustang, you have to gently approach it and coax it out."

This quote by Rick Wakeman suggests that creativity, much like a wild mustang, is untamed and requires careful handling to bring forth its full potential. The gentle approach implies a respectful and patient nurturing of the creative spirit, recognizing its inherent freedom and wildness. Coaxing it out signifies encouraging and inspiring creativity without imposing constraints or stifling its natural flow. This quote underscores the importance of fostering an environment that allows creativity to flourish while preserving its raw and spontaneous essence.

"The only mistakes in music are the ones you can't recover from."

Rick Wakeman's quote emphasizes the idea that in music, some errors or mistakes are forgivable as long as they don't significantly disrupt the overall flow and impact of a performance. It suggests that artists should strive for perfection but understand that imperfections are inevitable and part of the creative process. The focus is more on recovering from mistakes gracefully and ensuring that the music still resonates with listeners, rather than aiming for a flawless, unattainable standard.

"I believe that every note you play should count, so I tend to make sure they do!"

Rick Wakeman's quote emphasizes the importance of intention and significance in musical expression. Every single note he plays carries meaning and purpose. This perspective highlights his dedication to creating music that resonates with listeners, rather than just playing random sounds. It speaks to the artistry, thoughtfulness, and craftsmanship involved in his work as a musician.

My eyes are green, and in one of them there is a splash of brown - apparently it is not a colour, but a freckle! Sometimes I notice that one eyelid droops more than the other.

- Rick Wakeman

Green, More, Other, Brown

There's a fine line between angry and grumpy. Angry isn't nice, but grumpy is funny.

- Rick Wakeman

Angry, Line, Fine, Fine Line

My life revolves around music and always will. I need to be a part of music and not an observer.

- Rick Wakeman

My Life, Always, Observer, Revolves

'Tales From Topographic Oceans' is like a woman's padded bra. The cover looks good, but when you peel off the padding, there's not a lot there.

- Rick Wakeman

Woman, Like, Peel, Oceans

I didn't enjoy 'Topographic Oceans' at all. It was a double album, and the truth is it was padded out, and I didn't like that. But I was a fan of Yes - still am - and as such, I'm entitled to say what I think.

- Rick Wakeman

Think, Still, Entitled, Oceans

To play music, you have to understand it. I didn't understand 'Topographic Oceans.' That's why I hardly played on it. It frustrated me no end - and playing the whole thing on tour, I got farther and farther away from it.

- Rick Wakeman

Play, Away, Frustrated, Oceans

I'm hugely fond of Scotland. My daughter, Jemma, was born in the Simpson Memorial Maternity Hospital in Edinburgh, and it always tickled me that she was so vexed she didn't have a Scottish accent even though she was brought up down south.

- Rick Wakeman

Down, Brought, South, Scottish

Since the 1980s, I've been known more for my TV work, I used to host 'Live at Jongleurs' and of course 'Grumpy Old Men,' and so it's really all come from there. It's been a funny career really, there are people that know me now as a TV person, a comedian, an interviewer - I've had people genuinely gobsmacked to find out I am a musician.

- Rick Wakeman

Career, Been, TV, Interviewer

People like Frank Zappa were amazing for us Brits.

- Rick Wakeman

Amazing, Frank, Brits, None

Touring with Yes was generally great fun, and I got on well with the rest of the guys, but we were like chalk and cheese in many respects. I was unique in the band as a card-carrying Conservative.

- Rick Wakeman

Rest, Like, Many Respects, Great Fun

Sparks is a sporting charity that puts on golf tournaments for sick children, and my animal charities include Oldham Cats and Feline Care, a big cat charity close to me in Norfolk. I'm also a Freemason and the money they raise for charity is phenomenal.

- Rick Wakeman

Big, Tournaments, Charities, Phenomenal

I would have loved to record with Paul McCartney on some of his early solo recordings, wonderful music. Playing some lovely organ, perhaps. I would have loved to record with John Lennon. He was a dear friend. I had lunch with him just two days before he died.

- Rick Wakeman

Lunch, Some, Organ, Lennon

As a songwriter, I was influenced by David Bowie - a great writer. A class above everybody in so many ways. Lennon and McCartney, of course. Class stuff. David Cousins was my favorite lyricist.

- Rick Wakeman

Everybody, Lyricist, Many, Lennon

There must be something wrong with the mirrors in our house because every single one I gaze into makes me appear somewhat overweight.

- Rick Wakeman

Mirrors, Makes, Our, Gaze

I've been married three times and divorced three times.

- Rick Wakeman

Been, Married, Times, Divorced

I bought a racehorse, Tropical Saint, that belonged to the Queen Mother. I used to go down to Banbury and watch him train, but during a televised race, his jockey pulled up and said there was something wrong. They put him in the grass to try and settle him but found him dead in the field.

- Rick Wakeman

Queen, Dead, Settle, Jockey

There are people who think the film 'This Is Spinal Tap' is simply a very funny 'mockumentary.' Well, with Yes, we lived it. Take the hilarious scene in the film in which the bass player is trapped in a giant pod - that actually happened to Alan one night.

- Rick Wakeman

Hilarious, Very, Spinal Tap, Alan

Even the two times that I left, I never really felt like I left the band. It's very bizarre. It's like there's sort of an umbilical cord that stretches between us spiritually.

- Rick Wakeman

Like, Very, Bizarre, Cord

I was 65 in May, and when I have just shaved, I see my father. I realise that I now have the same facial idiosyncrasies he had: little twitches here and there, mouth and nose movements, even the way he would tilt his head.

- Rick Wakeman

Father, Here, I See, Tilt

Liszt was a bit of a rock and roller at heart, but he was a bit of a puritan on his sounds.

- Rick Wakeman

Rock, His, Sounds, Roller

I am a very extreme sort of character, as I don't do things by halves.

- Rick Wakeman

Character, I Am, Very, Halves

I avoid preset sounds wherever possible, and all the sounds I use I have edited.

- Rick Wakeman

Use, Sounds, Edited, Wherever

My faith is very private to me. It plays an important part in my life, but I do not try and throw my beliefs at others. I have tremendous respect for all faiths and beliefs, but have a deep concern that religion and faith are currently a long way apart from each other.

- Rick Wakeman

My Life, Private, Very, Tremendous Respect

Apparently I'm well-known for my stories, my raconteur tales, that sort of thing.

- Rick Wakeman

Stories, Sort, Well-Known, Tales

I like Toronto a lot, it's a good city. The only thing that really annoys me about Toronto is that you're turning Maple Leaf Gardens into a grocery store, which is absolutely nothing short of disgusting.

- Rick Wakeman

City, Toronto, Gardens, Annoys

I read numerous books - loads in fact - and, as I always do when recording a historical project, immersed myself into the subject matter. I spent many hours at Henry's old homes, such as Hampton Court, and visiting the Tower of London. I read no other books during that period.

- Rick Wakeman

Fact, Other, Visiting, Immersed

My mother had never had a day's illness in her life and never thought to have checks. Then, at 78, she discovered she had breast cancer and passed away the next year. But if she'd had a check two years before, they could have done something about it, they could have saved her.

- Rick Wakeman

Next, Away, Discovered, Illness

I had joined Yes in 1971. I was a classically trained musician who had worked with numerous artists as a session musician. I played on David Bowie's 'Life On Mars,' Cat Stevens's 'Morning Has Broken' and even on some Des O'Connor records, though I kept that quiet.

- Rick Wakeman

Some, Trained, Numerous, Bowie

My dad died in 1980, and I found out afterwards from mum that my piano lessons, which cost £2 a week, took up nearly a third of his income.

- Rick Wakeman

Income, Which, Took, Lessons

I had just left Yes and had done a concert at Crystal Palace, South London, with a choir and orchestra playing my solo album 'Journey To The Centre Of The Earth' when I had my heart attack. That day, I hadn't been to bed for four days. I don't remember much. I felt very numb during the day and airy, which is the best way to describe it.

- Rick Wakeman

Bed, Very, Best Way, Orchestra

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