Well it's goodbye to 2025 and to be honest I'm not that sorry to see the end of it. There have been some really high spot which include the recording of both Melancholia and Return to the Red Planet. I'm really very happy at the way Melancholia has been received, and I hope that Return to the Red Planet is just as well received as I am so pleased with the music. On the 5th of January I travel to Nursery Studios for a final playback of the album where Erik and I may decide on the odd tweak here and there, but I think to be honest that there are unlikely to be any changes and then it's on to the next stage of mastering and preparing the sleeve and any booklet or notes. I am led to understand that release will be around my birthday, (18th of May), and what a nice 77th birthday present that would be!
On the weekend of the 10th, Oliver and I get together to discuss the finalities for the March tour "Wakeman and Son" in America. This'll be great fun as it will be a first as regards us touring together and will include some different music alongside some regular favourites. There are fourteen concerts booked, sadly once again all, or mostly, are East Coast based. I'm told that agents and promoters on the West Coast are not interested in anything I do, which I have to admit, does disappoint me and also to be honest, I don't actually believe them!!
On Tuesday 13th I'm off to the BBC again to record the BBC 4 radio programme, "Add To Playlist", which I really enjoy doing. It's a really clever format and very listenable to.
On the 15th I have a meeting with two very eminent and successful ballet choreographers who I have worked with in the past, to discuss the music for a new production which will come to fruition late this year or sometime in 2027. I am really looking forward to composing and recording the music as it is just the kind of musical project I love doing when given the opportunity.
I'm back in London (by train) on the 15th for one of my regular eye checks at Moorfields hospital and I'm sure all will continue to be well with the treatment. It also gives me an opportunity on the train to prepare more stuff ready for other projects coming up.
On the 19th and 26th, Mark Jeeves and I will be recording some more podcasts. Incidentally, I hope you liked the pantomime which we recorded in Ipswich during the Saving Strays Xmas concert… which I am pleased to say, along with the concert in Norwich, raised over £24,000 for which all of us at the charity are so grateful.
On the 26th I'm having a long management meeting to discuss all things 2026 and beyond and make definitive plans and dates to go with them. I have so much I want to do over the next 3 years and it's important that as much as is possible is done to help me achieve everything, or as much as everything as possible!
The rest of the month is mainly made up of days with the ghost writer for the 5th autobiography and this one will be different from all the previous ones and will not be a third Grumpy Old Rockstar either. There will be fun anecdotes for sure but I also want very much to get my musical life down on paper and thoughts as to why things happened and put to bed stuff that has been written in the past that I simply shake my head at. This worked really well with the website, where everything on the RWCC site we know is accurate for people to read. I'm hoping the new book will have the same effect on putting to be various incorrect myths and legends and actually opening eyes as to what really went on at certain times!
Well, that's about it as regards the first month of 2026 and I am determined to make it as really artistically fruitful as possible, so it should be quite a ride, and I hope that many of you will join me on it.
Have a healthy and successful 2026 and make the most of it!
Cheers Rick