More sad news this week regarding the passing of Bill Oddie. It's not common knowledge, but Bill came and stayed with me when I lived in Switzerland to record the only chunk of vocals on the track "The Breathalyser" on my Criminal Record album. I have fond memories of his voracious appetite and also of him vanishing at 5 in the morning to go in search of birds that could only be found in the region of Les Monts de Corsier. Bill also suggested that I added real bird sounds to Birdman of Alcatraz, which I did and it worked beautifully. Loved the Goodies and played golf with Tim Brooke-Taylor and am one of the patrons of the Slapstick Festival alongside Graeme Gardner, of which Bill was also very active. A small tribute from me but taken from a great memory.

Rick Wakeman, 28th July 2026