Vol. 5, No. 14 - November 1998 - Rick Wakeman
Hot News! (in case you haven't visited the Progressive Spiral website
recently!) Rick Wakeman currently is narrating a BBC radio series "Radio Two
Classic Albums" ~ each Wednesday evening on Radio Two (10.00-10.30pm). With
minimal advance publicity, the first edition aired last Wednesday (28
October) ~ relating to The Beatles album "Abbey Road". Tonight it's the turn
of Simply Red's Mick Hucknall re "Stars".
As you probably know, Radio Two is around the extreme left of the FM
wavelength (88-90.2MHz). I for one am glad Radio Two now strives to appeal
to members of the public under 50 years young! It's over 5 years since Radio
1FM abruptly discarded its over-25-year-old listeners, by ditching all the
quality presenters bar one! Personally, I virtually gave up listening to
radio...preferring company of friends, or playing CDs, + occasionally tuning
in to new stations such as Talk Radio + the ever-disappointing Virgin Radio
(the only light in the tunnel was Alan "Fluff" Freeman's rock show ~ until
it was abolished!) Nowadays Radio Two has reinstated the experience of
pleasure to be derived from music radio ~ it's great company...welcomes (&
needs) input from listeners...can reveal hot news about tours & CD
releases...& sometimes conveys fascinating interviews!
Worth a regular listen are Johnnie Walker's shows on Radio Two, Mon-Thurs
(5-7pm) & Sat (3.30-5.30pm). Guests have included Robert Plant, & next week
he has Yoko Ono. Tonight he interviewed Bill Wyman ~ re a book the Rolling
Stones member has written about Marc Chagall...subject of a future work by
Jon Anderson! Like JA, Mr Wyman had socialised with the painter whilst working
with the band in the south of France.
Talk Radio has an interesting music criticism + interview show, presented by
Nicky Horne ~ on Sundays (4-7pm). Mike Oldfield recently was on-air with
Nicky for a full hour, twice! Record producer Tony Visconti was a guest on 1
Nov.
(As you may know, in the '70s he worked with David Bowie + Rick Wakeman.)
Talk Radio is on Medium Wave at 1053 & 1089. Nicky is seeking listeners who
would like to go on-air, in a future week, to review 3-4 new singles.
Personally, I find his honest expression of opinions extremely
refreshing...about pieces of music...ogre of radio computer-selected tracks
for airing on commercial music stations...& the music biz generally!
Bob Harris includes in his Saturday: new CDs & some neglected older tracks,
dedications (by phone, e-mail & letter) + album requests from the previous
week. As you probably know, it's on Radio Two (10pm-1am). It was a big
thrill for me hearing "Wonderous Stories" aired by Bob on 25 Oct,
back-announced "That was for Tiz Hay and Jon Anderson, for his birthday"!
Fluff Freeman is on Radio Two each Saturday afternoon (2.00-3.30pm) with
pick of the pop chart singles of the past 40 years. Sometimes he manages to
slip in fresh news about artistes' current activities, & he's always good
for a laugh!
It would be interesting to know *your* opinion about any of these shows on
Radio Two, Talk Radio, etc., or anything better you have discovered...! The
most interesting points can be published in the paper-based "Progress" & on
the website in a section soon to be developed re radio!
Happy listening,
Tiz
You see Rick was due to be surprised with the
big red book on "This Is Your Life" (straight lift of the U.S. TV
programme) at BBC Television Centre (which is in White City, west-ish
London). For all I knew the event might not have happened and I
didn't want to ruin any future surprise (if surprise it was, which I
often doubt).
I had been phoned up the evening before and invited to be one of about
20 or so genuine fans in the audience (they got the names from the
RWCC). Although I find the programme extremely embarrassing and
wouldn't wish it on anyone I initially accepted just out of curiosity,
and because I thought I might meet Wayne and perhaps even one or two
of you on this list. Unfortunately I then realised the unusually late
recording and my lack of transport would have meant a 30 quid plus cab
fare from bandit country at about 1 o'clock in the morning. As it was
I was feeling very rough so probably wouldn't have been too popular
sneezing and coughing in the audience!
Sounds like it went off OK and I look forward to hearing what I missed
in the fullness of time (i.e. please don't pester Wayne!). And don't
ask him when it will be transmitted as he isn't supposed to say
As mentioned on our Progressive Spiral website for the past several days :
Rick Wakeman supporters able to receive BBC1 television are strongly advised
to tune-in each Monday evening at 7pm. Last Tuesday Rick was surprised to
find himself being recorded as the subject of 'This Is Your Life', the
half-hour biographical tribute show. The broadcast date has yet to be
confirmed ~ it could be imminent, or may instead coincide with the planned
January release of Rick's album 'Return to Journey to the Centre of the
Earth'.
Rick Wakeman fans may be interested to know he narrates the forthcoming
album by eldest son Oliver, and Clive Nolan of the bands PENDRAGON and
ARENA. Titled 'Jabberwocky', the Nolan / Wakeman album is based on Lewis
Carroll's poem also called 'Jabberwocky' and it is due for release in
January. First YES guitarist Peter Banks plays guitars on the 'Jabberwocky'
album, which also includes MAGNUM singer Bob Catley, together with Tony
Fernandez (Rick Wakeman's drummer from The English Rock Ensemble +
subsequent solo tours). About one-quarter of the vocals are by England's
prog gig scene regular Tracy Hitchings, and Pete Gee plays fretless bass.
Rick Wakeman continues to narrate the BBC radio series 'Radio Two Classic
Albums' ~ each Wednesday evening on Radio 2, 10.00-10.30pm. This Wednesday
the album covered will be PHIL COLLINS 'Face Value', with DIRE STRAITS
'Brothers In Arms' to conclude the series next week. Please see the
mainpage of our website, & join the campaign to encourage the BBC to compile
another classic albums series ~ perhaps including an album *you* propose!
(Albums must have spawned 2-3 hit singles in the UK, so YES fans' only hope
is with 'Going For The One', from which 'Wonderous Stories' reached Number 7
& remained in the UK singles charts for 9 weeks in 1977. From the
same album, the title track was in the singles charts for 4 weeks, reaching
Number 24.)
Keep the comments coming! Our paper-based 'Progress' magazine and 'Yes
Music Circle' are currently being compiled for printing as soon as possible.
Perhaps *you* can help make the letters pages particularly interesting!
Tiz Hay
Co-ordinator
'PROGRESS' Magazine
& 'YES MUSIC CIRCLE' (international supporters club, formed 1980)
P O Box 310, Guildford, GU2 5WH, England
+ PROGRESSIVE SPIRAL website at :
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/2757
Nic said
<< Meanwhile, put on your CD changer "Heritage Suite", "Visions" and maybe "The New Gospels" on random!>>
It won't be a Wakeman free Christmas on the box.
Rick is scheduled to appear on the Christmas edition of "Never Mind the Buzzcocks."
We certainly have an exciting few weeks of Wakeman-filled fun ahead of us.
This is Your Life
Generation Game (new show)
Never mind the Buzzcocks
Jabberwocky Release 11th January
...then there's something else the following week..??
Thanks for letting us know about this, Brian. I would have forgotten to
check. I taped it. I thought everyone might like to know the most
important bit i.e. what Jon, Chris and Steve had to contribute.
It was over very quickly. After a brief excerpt from Wondrous Stories
Jon (hidden behind dark glasses) said
"Hi Rick Wakeup. How are you? This is Your Life. I'm so happy for you
and it's always been a pleasure to be with you and to write music with you."
Then Chris (behind equally dark glasses)
"Congratulations. We really do miss the smell of chicken curry wafting
across the stage during your solo."
Then Steve, laid back as ever,
"Congratulations today and, boy, we did some great guitar and keyboards
together. Maybe we'll reunite another time. (me - I do hope so) So,
Rick, all I can say is, good one. Take care."
Well at least we saw them if only for a minute. The rest of the show was
pretty good with contributions mostly from show business personalities
such as Norman Wisdom, Howard Keel, Robert Powell and Jim Davidson. If
you'ver read Rick's autobiography it was all there. If you haven't -
why not? The man is a gem.
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From: jon@praying-mantis.prestel.co.uk (Jon Hinchliffe) Dec 1
On Mon, 30 Nov 1998 06:40:54 -0500, "Bruce"
Well I have NTSC record capability and I made a spare PAL and 1 NTSC
copies. I am offering Martin K the first chance of the NTSC original but
apart from that if I am happy to try and arrange a trade for any copies if
someone needs one.
--------------------------------
From: bill.eaves@zetnet.co.uk - Dec 1
Only Steve Howe seemed to say much, even if he does always seem to
look as if he has just been dug up. A pity none of the YES guys could
make it to the show or not be on a bit longer.
It was a good show and well worth watching, it could have had more
about his music and Yes period but very entertaining.
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From: "Tiz Hay" (tiz@progress.freeserve.co.uk) - Dec 1
Si Brader expressed concern (on 30 November) about Rick on the television
show where he was the centre of attention.
It must have been quite a shock for Mr Wakeman to discover the reason for
all the ''little white lies'' told to him in order to keep secret the
surprise! He seemed bemused for the first few minutes of the show. I
believe other recipients of 'This Is Your Life' normally have an hour or two
to come to terms with being visited by presenter Michael Aspel, before going
into the tv studio to record the main event. In contrast, Rick already was
in the building where tv programmes are made (because he and comedian Jim
Davidson were filming 'Generation Game').
Personally, I felt very heartened to see Nina frequently rubbing Rick's arm
in a loving way. At the time of filming, he was still quite weak from the
serious infection suffered in the recent past.
Good to witness his humour shining forth! Also to see all 5 of his children
together in one room.
As Elinor Bostock already quoted (on 30 November) Chris Squire was also on
fine form :
>''Congratulations. We really do miss the smell of chicken curry wafting
Tiz Hay
>What time would that be in NEW England USA???
>Perhaps I can coerce someone to make an audio tape of the occasion...
>across the stage during your solo.''
The 'Yes' Music Circle
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