Part One!
Some really good excuses as to why this GORR is so late, and hopefully as you read on you will forgive me!
Firstly, all through December I was somewhat poorly...(honest)...and indeed am still recovering and had to slim down my diary for December and indeed January, but that is not to say that it’s been quiet, far from it as I shall now start to divulge.
I’ll start with Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman (the current working name for the time being).
Jon, Trevor and I have been talking about this for some time and following the very sad passing of Chris, felt it was the right time to get together and produce both new music and perform some of the classic material as we feel it should be performed.
We have no connection with any other former members and indeed intend this to be very fresh in every approach. We will have other experienced side musicians working with us and it does appear that musicians are lining up wanting to be a part of it. We know what sort of musicians we are looking for and so hopefully in the not too distant future we will be able to make an announcement accordingly.
The band, (or super-group as some papers are already calling it), will be managed by Brian Lane at United Stage Artists. Brian managed the original YES during the 1970s and was also instrumental in putting ABWH together and has managed my musical side of things for the last three years.
We are already writing new material and swapping ideas back and forth and what I’ve heard so far is quite amazing. Very fresh, full of life, energy and melody. I have sent stuff to Jon and Trev who will hopefully add some great ideas on top of my ideas.
The plan is to play a few festivals in the summer and then to tour fully in 2017. More updates as they happen!
On a much sadder note, I really am upset over the number of friends who have passed away recently. Lemmy, Ed Stewart and of course David Bowie. It is really getting home to me that we really are not immortal and to make the most of whatever time the Good Lord has decided we should each have which is why I have made a New Year’s Resolution to actually finish off as much as I can as regards projects that I had started and were lying half completed.
To this end the Exclusive Emporium Collection is coming to life. This consists of 6 brand new albums, exclusive to Wakeman’s Music Emporium that will be by subscription only. Full details will be given on the 20th of January.
Also on the 20th January I will be guesting on a couple of pieces with Russ Ballard at the Leicester Square Theatre also with Brian May...which should be a lot of fun.
Lots more news to come in the next few days which will be added to this GORR.....things are now happening daily!!!
Cheers,
Rick