Vol. 7, No. 5 - May 2000 - Rick Wakeman
Unless I have missed this on any listings etc, I am pleased to tell anyone in the UK that Rick will be on Radio 4 at 3.45 pm in a programme called "Songlines". The programme is about the "famous introduction to the 1973 Cat Stevens version" of 'Morning Has Broken'.
Most attendees at Rick's concerts will have heard the story - but is there more - listen to find out! (I don't work for the BBC).
...5 May is the date. 3.45 is the time and BBC Radio 4 is the place.
You can get Radio 4 on the Internet - for details visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception
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From Richard Boyd [richard@dtrac.com] May 4
I think that http://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules is a better place to get the BBC Internet options.
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From Phil Jones8 [phil.jones8@virgin.net] May 7
Well folks, as I reported, Rick appeared on BBC Radio 4 last Friday, talking about his involvement in the making of Cat Stevens version of 'Morning Has Broken.'
The minute program also features lots of other people talking about the song (hymn) where I may have given the impression this program was more of less about Rick's part in it. Well, this was the impression given by the Radio Times which described the program in its listings.
However, it was an appearance by Rick. He did say some worthwhile things and it was a good program about a little song with a big following.
As Manchester City are in with a very good chance of being promoted back to the Premier League today, the Mail On Sunday has a piece featuring Rick. He actually says that it was his son Oscar who got him into Man City. I had been wondering about that as he was always Brentford in earlier years.
For those that are interested a not-terribly-good-but-adequate scan is on my http://www.recollection.co.uk site under the "Rick Wakeman Photos" link. Or if you can't be [bothered] with that navigation, try http://www.ggj.dircon.co.uk/rw/images/mosint.jpg instead. Actually the scan was fine but Graphic Converter saves participarly crap JPEGs on its default settings sometimes.
I had the RWCC newsletter last Friday week, but decided not to mention it to give it a chance to get around the world. It should be everywhere by now. Bit short and sweet actually. The usual tales of disastrous dates on tour, but at least the good dates seem to have outweighed them this time. The interesting thing for me was that the Music Fusion release of "Almost Live in Europe" was allegedly on sale during the last tour. I didn't get too close to the merchandising table at Hertford (I might have met Wayne if I had), but I didn't notice it.
Rick is also saying how venues take 10%-25% of merchandising revenues and that can leave him out of pocket because he typically only has a 15% markup. He wonders if he should he say something on stage or put a sign up saying how greedy the venues are?
Someone asked: "Perhaps someone that is in touch with Rick on a regular basis could shed some additional light?"
There genuinely is no further news or developments. All the mujsic is just about written, there are no dates at the moment on recording it, and certainly no dates for any tours, which will be in 2001 at the earliest, if at all. Straight from Rick...
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From Bill Hammell [bill@progrock.org] May 26
Here's something from Ed Arnold, manager of the ELP Digest.
Re: the Wakeman tour. Not this summer. There will be an album first, expected around November, with the tour next year. One feature of the tour will be Keith's son, and Rick's son, they will both be making contributions....
Now shipping from Amazon for $18.99. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6305836760/rwcc00
Amazon UK are selling "Antiques and Curios" and "From the Witchwood" by the Strawbs, digitally remastered and with extra tracks for GB7.50 each. They sound superb and there are some extra sleeve notes as well. All in all an absolute bargain.
At the moment, Rick is on BBC1 television's "Through the Keyhole," on the panel trying to identify owners of a couple of houses.
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From Brian Neeson [Yescelt@aol.com] May 28
He has also been on "A Question of Pop" two weeks running. Last week "Six Wives" was one of the Covers in the "Covers" round. Midge Ure guessed the Title and Artist without too much trouble, but added "I haven't got it...honest". Last night he was a Mystery Guest miming guitar to "The Drugs don't work". Suggs figured out who he was immediately. A member of the opposite team "H" - (whoever he is?) said "Who is he?" Toyah who was in the same team as "H" asked him if he knew who she was.
I assume someone will have mentioned this but I am out of touch at present, so I will mention it just in case. Rick was a hidden guest on "Question of Pop." They had him in a mock video of The Drugs don't work any more playing guitar. (Unconvincingly to me!)
Since Toyah Wilcox had been a hidden guest and was on as a team member last night, I wonder if Rick will do the same?
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From Graham Johnson [ggj@dircon.co.uk] May 28
I was amused at the reaction of the rest of the panelists who were astounded he could have guessed it. Let's look at the evidence on the album cover...
1. Rick WakemanI mean you would have thought they could have at least said "well that is Henry VIII and that must be his wives, but I don't know who that is in the foreground" even if they didn't know the full answer.
2. Henry VIII
3./4./5./6./7./8. Six Wives
....and, I noticed that Rick is part of BBC's "Music Live" project - he appears tonight (early Monday morning, actually) at 02.40 until 03.30 (bST) on BBC2 with soul star Lynden David Hall and comedian Phil Jupitus. I'm hoping for some performances! VCR at the ready...
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From Jon Hinchliffe [jon@praying-mantis.prestel.co.uk] May 30
Rick's "Music Live" appearance was mainly for humour again. He did play a small part of "Perfect Day" while Phil Jupitus and a female comedian sang a few made up lines to it. Rick was reading the music, but clearly still adding his touches to it.
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From Steve Young [syoung.ndif@gtnet.gov.uk] May 30
More importantly from my point of view, Rick was sitting about 10 feet from Trevor Horn. As Rolf Harris would say, "Have you spotted it yet?"
If you turn your browser to "The Rivendell Progpage," you will find a small Rick Wakeman Competiton where you can win the limited Sweden pressed Wakeman/Ozzy CD-single "Buried Alive."
Just go to http://fly.to/rivendell
Rick is supposed to be on TV at 2.40am this Sunday/Monday night. I am not sure what he is doing.
I also wouldn't be surprised if he is giving a quote for the Dad's Army Special too. If it is that sort of thing.
As usual, any birthday wishes sent to Rick Wakeman Communication Centre will get passed on to the birthday boy...
