Rick Wakeman quotes

Rick Wakeman is a British musician, composer, and keyboardist, renowned for his work with the progressive rock band Yes. His virtuosic keyboard performances and elaborate stage presence have made him an icon in the rock and classical music worlds. He continues to inspire generations of musicians with his innovative style and prolific solo career. Here are 21 of his quotes:

My faith is very private to me. It plays an important part in my life, but I do not try and throw my beliefs at others. I have tremendous respect for all faiths and beliefs, but have a deep concern that religion and faith are currently a long way apart from each other. (Rick Wakeman)
When I die, I'll probably climb out of the coffin and play the organ at my own funeral! View quote
Rick Wakeman
My life revolves around music and always will. I need to be a part of music and not an observer. View quote
Rick Wakeman
There's a fine line between angry and grumpy. Angry isn't nice, but grumpy is funny. View quote
Rick Wakeman
When the first list was being drawn up in the rock 'n' roll book of Genesis, it would have been: In the beginning, God created Pink Floyd. View quote
Rick Wakeman
The studio is not the place to write. You need to be 75% ready when you go into the studio, and then the music can develop to the next stage. View quote
Rick Wakeman
People like Frank Zappa were amazing for us Brits. View quote
Rick Wakeman
I read numerous books - loads in fact - and, as I always do when recording a historical project, immersed myself into the subject matter. I spent many hours at Henry's old homes, such as Hampton Court, and visiting the Tower of London. I read no other books during that period. View quote
Rick Wakeman
Coming back to Yes is like never having left. Even when I have not been in the band, I have always felt part of it. View quote
Rick Wakeman
As a songwriter, I was influenced by David Bowie - a great writer. A class above everybody in so many ways. Lennon and McCartney, of course. Class stuff. David Cousins was my favorite lyricist. View quote
Rick Wakeman
Actually, I only left twice. I left then, and then rejoined literally two years later for Going For The One. (Rick Wakeman)
My earliest professional musical experiences were really as a session player, and every day was an adventure. Three sessions a day, every day, and you never knew who you would be working with until you arrived at the studio. View quote
Rick Wakeman
I was born in 1949 - which seems like a long time ago... Actually, it is a long time ago, when I think about it. View quote
Rick Wakeman
I always say that it's about breaking the rules. But the secret of breaking rules in a way that works is understanding what the rules are in the first place. View quote
Rick Wakeman
Country and western is the music of the devil. Thats the real truth of the matter. My late Mother, bless her, loved country and western. God, I couldnt handle it. View quote
Rick Wakeman
I'm always writing or playing because that is my life. View quote
Rick Wakeman
Ive been married three times and divorced three times. View quote
Rick Wakeman
I like Toronto a lot, it's a good city. The only thing that really annoys me about Toronto is that you're turning Maple Leaf Gardens into a grocery store, which is absolutely nothing short of disgusting. View quote
Rick Wakeman
But I listen to live recordings of things that I did back in the '70s and then how I've done things since. And there's no doubt about it: if I compare the two, it's like chalk and cheese. View quote
Rick Wakeman
Even the two times that I left, I never really felt like I left the band. It's very bizarre. It's like there's sort of an umbilical cord that stretches between us spiritually. View quote
Rick Wakeman
But I'd play on everything from pop records to a lot of the glam stuff to rock stuff to classical stuff. I used to get called to do all those things, it was great. (Rick Wakeman)

Rick Wakeman

Rick Wakeman - Image
Photo: Stéphane Gallay from Laconnex, Switzerland, CC BY 2.0
Occupation: British Musician
Born: May 18, 1949
Quotes count: 21