{"id":15489,"date":"2021-06-21T17:52:23","date_gmt":"2021-06-21T17:52:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/skylight.gr\/?p=15489"},"modified":"2021-06-21T17:52:26","modified_gmt":"2021-06-21T17:52:26","slug":"prog-rock-icon-rick-wakeman-returns-to-the-us-with-a-solo-show-full-of-music-and-mirth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/skylight.gr\/index.php\/2021\/06\/21\/prog-rock-icon-rick-wakeman-returns-to-the-us-with-a-solo-show-full-of-music-and-mirth\/","title":{"rendered":"Prog Rock Icon RICK WAKEMAN Returns to the US with a Solo Show Full of Music and Mirth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman<\/strong> has two reasons to celebrate. First, his outstanding career in music has just been recognized by Queen Elizabeth II, who named him a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in her recent annual Birthday Honours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And secondly, after 18 months of lockdown in the UK, he is finally able to announce the long-delayed follow-up to 2019\u2019s sell-out The Grumpy Old Rock Star Tour<\/em> with – The Even Grumpier Old Rock Star Tour!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having made his name creating prog rock extravaganzas, in his solo shows Wakeman returns to his roots with a programme packed with virtuosic piano performances and hilarious anecdotes, inspired by his 50-plus-year career. Repertoire will range from his solo works and his stints in the band YES through to his early days as a session musician playing keyboards on such classics as David Bowie\u2019s Life On Mars<\/em>, plus surprises like his unique interpretations of Beatles\u2019 hits and many more memorable tunes, adapted for the grand piano. And all of this glorious music is punctuated by riotous reflections on his life and the people he\u2019s met along the way. As he himself often observes, life is rarely dull when Rick Wakeman is around! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 24-city tour will kick-off on Thursday, October 14th in Derry, NH at the Tupelo Music Hall and continue through November.  Tickets go on-sale starting Friday, June 25th, 10am local time. Check Rick Wakeman\u2019s website www.RWCC.com<\/a> or the theatre\u2019s sites for specific on-sale information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professional musician, keyboard player, songwriter, broadcaster and raconteur, Wakeman\u2019s career started as a much-in-demand session player, who performed on recordings by David Bowie, Elton John, Lou Reed, Al Stewart and hundreds more artists. His big break came in 1971 when he joined YES, who went on to become the most successful prog rock band in the world, but Wakeman has also always gone his own way outside the framework of that group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Seventies, he achieved chart-topping success with solo albums such as Journey To The Centre Of The Earth, The Six Wives of Henry VIII and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table<\/em>, which cumulatively sold over 10,000,000 copies in North America alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has written several film scores, amongst them two for director Ken Russell (Lisztomania and Crimes of Passion<\/em>) and two \u2018Harry Palmer\u2019 movies starring Michael Caine (Bullet To Beijing<\/em> and Midnight in St Petersburg<\/em>), and in the UK, has built up an impressive reputation as a witty guest and host on shows like Grumpy Old Men, Countdown, Watchdog<\/em> and the comedy cabaret show Live at Jongleurs<\/em>. His wickedly irreverent acceptance speech when YES was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 nearly brought the house down!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That same year, he made British chart history when his Piano Portraits<\/em> record became the first solo piano instrumental album to enter the UK\u2019s Top 10 on release \u2013 a feat he then repeated 2018’s Piano Odyssey<\/em>. Both records feature tunes that have a special connection with Rick\u2019s personal musical journey and his subsequent tours, in which he performs a selection of tracks accompanied by hilarious memories and anecdotes have been instant sell-outs in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the achievements of his incredible career have been officially recognized with a CBE in recognition of his services to music, so come and celebrate with him on his forthcoming tour. And don\u2019t worry \u2013 Rick will still find plenty of reasons to be grumpy\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reviews from Rick Wakeman\u2019s Grumpy Old Rock Star US Tour 2019:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA wonderfully intimate, hilarious, and jaw-dropping performance… Not a grumpy soul in the room, least of all Mr. Wakeman himself.\u201d \u2013 Parklife DC<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA dazzling display of dexterous fingerwork on the ivories.\u201d \u2013 www.vintagerock.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reviews from Rick Wakeman\u2019s UK solo tours:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA hugely enjoyable night for fans and newcomers to Rick Wakeman. Genuine laughs and exquisite musicianship \u2013 what more can you ask for?\u201d \u2013 Lancashire Telegraph<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe audience\u2026 were thoroughly entertained with masterful piano playing and wonderous stories.\u201d \u2013 Global Entertainment and Media<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo other artist could entertain a theatre full of people, playing alone, and keep them riveted for the entirety of his set. Rick is one of the warmest, wittiest, most talented musicians around.\u201d \u2013 Wolverhampton Express & Star<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProg lover or not, if you get the opportunity to see Rick Wakeman, go for it; he\u2019s a national treasure, and he\u2019ll make you laugh too.\u201d \u2013 Bucks Herald<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAn inimitable mixture of dry humour and blinding talent\u201d \u2013 East Anglian Daily News<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And from YES\u2019 2017 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRick Wakeman\u2019s ornate, detailed keyboard work\u2026 was just the icing on the cake\u2026 Wakeman had already brought the house down with an acceptance speech that contained a hilarious stream of dirty jokes.\u201d \u2013 Rolling Stone <\/em>
RICK WAKEMAN
The Even Grumpier Old Rock Star Tour \u2013 North America 2021<\/strong>October<\/strong>
              14 Tupelo Music Hall, Derry NH
              15 Academy of Music, Northampton MA
              16 Garde Arts Center, New London CT
              19 Narrows Center for the Arts, Full River MA
              22 The Paramount, Huntingdon NY
              23 Concert Hall at the New York Society for Ethical Culture, New York NY
              24 The Birchmere, Alexandria VA
              26 Asbury Hall, Buffalo NY
              27 Wellmont Theatre, Montclair NJ
              28 The Vogel @ Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank NJ
              29 Scottish Rite Auditorium, Collingswood NJ
              30 Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield CT<\/p>\n\n\n\n

November<\/strong>
              1 The Kent Stage, Kent OH
              3 The Sheldon, St Louis MO
              4 Copernicus Center Theater, Chicago IL
              5 Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis MN
              9 Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix AZ
             11 Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, San Francisco CA
             12 The Theatre at Ace Hotel, Los Angeles CA
             13 Magnolia, El Cajon CA
             15 Neptune Theatre, Seattle WA
             17 Variety Playhouse, Atlanta GA
             18 Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Amaturo Theater, Fort Lauderdale FL
             19 Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater FL<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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