Well, I'm back home and already working on projects that I've either started or are already work in progress, but first a tour report.
It was really lovely to be away with Oliver for 24 days as it gave us a great opportunity to catch up with so much that you just can't do on the phone or by e-mail.
The additional plus side of the tour was that the shows themselves were great fun and they all went smoothly and the reviews (that I have seen) were really lovely, so thanks so much for all who came along.
I will admit that by the end of the show I was a bit tired. It was still quite soon after the operation and I was told the rehabilitation time would be 6 months and so in reality I still had two and a half months left to go, but I felt pretty good and that was very much down to the way Bobby, John and Erik dealt with every aspect of the tour in spite of the appalling routing, which was on some occasions downright dangerous… (this included, amongst other ridiculous travelling, a 1,300 mile drive in two and a half days with a show at the end of it as well! After the previous two tours of bad routing I had asked the agent that a bit of care, consideration and respect for us on any future tours be looked at carefully, but in fact, it got worse and so at Red Bank on the 30th of May, I officially confirmed on stage that the end of the one and two man shows in America had finally come.
Many thanks to all those who made it to a show and indeed to all who made it to any of the one and two man shows over the last few years. It has been great to meet up with so many friends old and new.
So, we're now into April and the diary is already pretty full mainly with music writing and planning future recordings and concerts for both this year and 2027. Also, more podcasts for both The Myths and Legends of Rick Wakeman and Sounds of the 70 Year Olds with Griff Rhys-Jones. There are also plans afoot for some live "audience with" podcasts too which will be announced on the website very soon in addition to the one already announced.
On the 10th in Henley, Mollie Marriott has organised a great fundraising concert for Saving Strays. Please come along if you are nearby… a one-off evening for sure.
On the 14th I have an interesting day in London which starts with a "brain check-up" with my surgeon followed by a management lunch to go through plans for the remainder of the year and then in the evening a meeting to discuss the recording and presentation of the new version of The New Gospels oratorio, to be entitled Christus and will feature Alfie Boe in the tenor and main role.
I have more days with Ian Gittens who is putting together the new book which is due for release this coming October. It's going to be a book of many pages, that's for sure.
Then at the end of the month, I fly to Bosnia to visit the Saving Strays shelter out there alongside Peter Egan and Maria Slough who runs the charity. I will also be meeting various people out there with a view of helping to gain more support for both the dogs and the people who look after everything there for us.
Once again, thanks for all your support… here's to a continuing fruitful rest of 2026…
Cheers Rick