Rick Wakeman & Brian May-Starship Trooper ("Würm" final sequence by Steve Howe) live at the Starmus.

[@marksweeney7327]

For Brian May to play this as enthusiastically as he does shows great respect for the song and YES and Steve Howe.

[@lapdawg60]

Yeah, not too bad for a guy with a PhD in astrophysics (that was sarcasm- I love May's playing in both tone and style)!

[@davep8221]

Queen liked him enough to invite him to play on _Innuendo_ Steve had nothing but praise for all of Queen. 1. Steve 2. Brian/Mike Oldfield My three faves by far.

[@p-Nitti]

Dr.Sir Brian May and Maestro Rick Wakeman taking the Starship thru the Wurm Hole traveled back in Time to when Music was art.

[@gerfmon1]

Bring back the 70's!!!!!!!!! 😃 Bravo, what a guitar and keyboard lead should sound like!!! 😃

[@WCM1945]

I have never been much of a rock lover... but this brings ALL the best in music. And my daughter's friend, Bri, made me develop a taste for distortion!

[@GR8GTRFAN]

It's amazing how we critique a song. This is just some great musicians jamming out to a classic Yes tune. Nothing more and nothing less. No need to compare anything. They are having a great time playing it and I for one can appreciate this creation. It's not about May or Howe, or Rick or his son. Not even about rather Squire was better. Just enjoy instead of comparing. I'm sure their thoughts were soley aimed at just rockin away this song. Enjoy!!!!

[@superslayerguy]

Well said

[@myoldmate]

Yep, the purists will nay say, but this is really good isn't it.

[@GR8GTRFAN]

@@myoldmate Yes, very good my friend.

[@natestakely1478]

If the idea from inception is to do Yes songs you have to get a thunderous bass. All else is great

[@awickedtribe]

Right? Here's a tight band of excellent musicians doing what they do best... nothing matters except the eargasm.

[@frankscassi4960]

Damn, Brian May's sound is HUGE here. The moment he walks on stage the whole band seems to put more energy in their performance. And that final solo from Rick is pure gold. I was thinking "Yeah, still amazing but you can hear he aged", which is true, BUT the moment the rhythm sections doubles the time feel he is on fire!

[@nordvegfigg7746]

That G - Eb - C (I - bVI - IV) chord sequence in WURM was the very first Yes music I ever learned at the tender age of 14 in 1971. Those three chords started me down the prog rock road. I'll be 65 next year and still play every day. I hope I'll have my 1981 Lado Solo I in my hands when I take my last breath.

[@RhysAZ2024]

The song was going great, and then Brian May came on and then him & Rick took it to the stratosphere. Holy shit!

[@jeff6899]

BINGO !!! And it never came down !

[@repo83]

I seriously doubt if Brian May is human

[@fox1729]

Exactly! It's really amazing.. and it's so nice seeing May playing so well an Howe song ,It reminded me of Howe playing on May's innuendo

[@eel908]

Brian May and Rick Wakeman bring a higher level of consciousness to the music .

[@johnotis6764]

I thought this would be yet another edition of "shredding to the oldies," then Brian May steps out of nowhere and delivers a stunning, powerful, and heartfelt solo with taste and nuanced sensibility comparable to Steve Howe at the height of his powers. It's not just an homage or a by-the-numbers crowd pleaser. May knows the song, loves the song, and adds an interpretive depth to the song while avoiding derivative playing or empty theatrics. It's the mark of a truly seasoned and gifted musician . I guess he's as good as everyone says he is--only better.

[@jaysantiago9673]

Cheers yo, but c'mon!!!!! I dare say let me hear you try to "shred to the oldies", and then I'll listen to your fine opinion. There was NOTHING wrong with this blissful cover of The Wurm.

[@Glicksman1]

@@davidharvey4059 Wrong.

[@Glicksman1]

Yes, Brian is capable of all that and more. He never shreds, the best guitarists don't. In every way (his way) Brian is equal to Steve Howe (Doubt it? Just listen to a Queen album). Music isn't a football game where we take sides. It's all good if the music is good. For those who care, the Wurm (German; Dutch: Worm) is a river in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in western Germany which rises in the Eifel mountains and flows for 57 kilometres before discharging into the Rur.

[@lapdawg60]

Just found this, and I thought the same. Plus, he has a doctorate in astrophysics, and his iconic guitar was built by him and his dad from scratch (everything -- including the pickups). Very smart guy. What makes it even more fun is he looks like Sir Isaac Newton.

[@Glicksman1]

@@lapdawg60 As for Brian's Red Special guitar, the pickups were and are slightly modified Burns Tri-Sonics which they bought and installed in the guitar.

[@brianwood7480]

I'm 72.5 and this took me right back to my teens. Brian May is beyond description on his hand-made masterpiece. It's a perfectly beautiful sunny spring day here in S.Louisiana, and all's well. Please guys, knock off the negativity and your memories. Peace to y'all.

[@brianwood7480]

And ENJOY.

[@Rolimaus64]

So awesome, I love Mr Wakeman, Yes, Queen, and everybody in this video, but the old fireplace log that the old guy with the grey locks is playing sounds just so great.

[@WCM1945]

You mean "Bri", don't cha?

[@JayKlosinski]

The fantastic thing still about Rick Wakeman is the man still wears a cape. Even with a t shirt. Cape. I don’t have a cape. Rick Wakeman likely has giant road cases FULL of capes. Closets of capes. Capes of all colors and sizes. Capes for Christmas, vacations, family gatherings. CAPES. “Oh look, Ricky has his lovely Sparkly cape on today, he really dressed up for your 95th birthday pappy! He must think you’re very special!…” How many cape stores are left you ask? Can’t be more than 1 or 2 in the whole wide world (other than the cheap magician cape supply stores) but Rick Wakeman keeps those fine caperies in business. Only the best old capeists are still doing their work, crinkled hands from sewing new “drag bars” into torn up cape finery, renewing the glory of exquisite vintage capery, with an artistry almost gone. I don’t have a cape, you likely don’t either. But we want one. Or more. Imagine the sun streaming into your living area on a shiny autumn Sunday, padding around your home with comfy, warm fuzzy slippers, carrying a cup of hot chocolate or tea, gnawing on a sausage wrapped in a pancake, with a cape. Sounds appealing doesn’t it? Delightful even. Rick Wakeman knows. Oh yes. He knows.

[@Hidyman]

Actually, I think he wears a cloak.

[@scottwalton5888]

Fuckin Hilarious.

[@lauraarcher6996]

😅😂👍 I used to know a batty old lady who used to go out and about in a cape!!

[@artysanmobile]

@@JayKlosinski Capes work for keyboard players and singers

[@gozieboy3899]

As a huge Wakeman fanboy, I must say "Well played"!

[@d.w.5144]

I am 55 now and then I see this old guys playing their music it boosted me up for live. thank you all.

[@d.od.3463]

Hey Diermar Winter; I'm almost 75 and seen them all. I must say that this one is right at the top with the best!

[@acoronab]

God bless you

[@d.w.5144]

Hey David, you gave me hope for the next 20 years, think my ears get cracked .

[@d.w.5144]

thank you sir. God bless you too

[@Theytoldmetodoit1]

I live very near to Brian May and he often visits the astronomy club I belong too. Glad to say we have spoken on a few occasions due to the fact I have a masters in astrophysics and am working towards PhD also a bonus is I also play guitar, although not to his standards and I am very much with him when it come to the protection of the environment and our native woodland creatures such as badgers. He really is a very down to earth and humble guy.

[@halbos7637]

Hey Man! That is great that you are also an astrophys guy. And you are a musician. Really cool man!

[@PhillipLandmeier]

I envy you. Through my teen years my career path was astronomy until I switched to engineering in the middle of college. And a lifelong musician, classically trained on piano, pipe organ, violin. Also play guitar and sax. I'd love to have an opportunity to hang out with Brian May.

[@siddjames5058]

Bollocks

[@RicardoMartinez-jy5lo]

The Positivists today are very careful to hide the fact that Isaak Newton was an avid student of astrology back then: In fact, Newton got some of his insights on gravitation from that forgotten medieval source of knowledge and wisdom, this is astrology.

[@karmicselling4252]

@@RicardoMartinez-jy5lo Ok! But could he play guitar?

[@jackhamlin5198]

Rick Wakeman, 71 and still wearing a cape. How cool is that? LMAO

[@meyerweinstock9567]

freakin' UBER cool.... (Yes fan since '69)

[@Hydrocorax]

But now he just wears an old T-shirt under it.

[@TheRealist2022]

I went to the "Grumpy Old Christmas Show" in Liverpool last year. He wore an old sweatshirt, jogging pants and trainers....under a frock coat...was very disappointed with it being christmas...

[@johngardner4096]

I am seeing a bunch of craftsmen having the time of their lives playing together - a pleasure to watch, and a joy to hear.

[@RichWards-Wins]

Brian comes in and makes the jam session into an EPIC jam session.

[@karengarrison3666]

You know when you love something, cause you don't want it to end ~ and that is the cresendo to Starship Trooper. Brian May was brilliant, and of course Rick is on fire! 🔥

[@kandyno]

My God...how amazing is Rick Wakeman?

[@bdtheqb]

Everything is going great.. so then you add an astrophysicist... and it becomes ...Stellar..

[@BrigidFitch2112]

I see what you did there, and appreciate it :)

[@HabuBeemer]

Nice! and well said.

[@arabianattitude]

Hell YEAH!!!!

[@antonnee]

A dude wearing a cape. Is it Batman? Is it Superman? no, it's Wakeman.

[@BenDRobinson]

He doesn't really have the stage antics to go with the cape

[@darryldouglas6004]

Hell yeah! The greatest superhero of all time. He can mesmerize millions with his synthesizers. 😃

[@annieD67]

@@BenDRobinsonhe’s better then Superman on those keyboards!

[@kernelpanic1009]

These are some of the great elders of British music. May they play on forever.

[@jimdartouzos2127]

At some point in May's Amazing solo...I could have sworn I seen sparks coming off of the fretboard. ...Fucking Excellent.

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

I really don’t care who isn’t and who shouldn’t and who couldn’t. This is just a bloody great tune played by some of prog-rock’s finest ever 😊👌

[@pablobatistaperez3118]

Please respect the "man with the tambourine". This is Ashley Holt, singer of the legendary rock band "Warhorse" from the seventies. One of the most powerful voices I have ever heard. Also known for his collaboration with Rick Wakeman on albums such as "No earthly connection". In this concert he gave it his all, like the rest of the artists. This song by Yes was a generous encore to close the concert, Ashley had already sung the vocal part of the song, with his voice almost broken. So in this part of the video he already looked relaxed enjoying. (I was very lucky to be there, in the audience.)

[@jimhanty8149]

I layed in my collage dorm room in 1971 listening to The Yes Album in the dark that was the last track on the album if I remember right… lowest bass line ever heard at that time…. .. what a wonderful time it was… 52 years ago and with a totaly different group of people playing that progression it is still exciting …..in a few years years no one from that time will be left to lend the same excitement to the performance… everyone here should be grateful that a few still are out there doing it…

[@rickoursler2583]

This was absolutely amazing. A stunning array of musicians jamming and having fun. No more no less.

[@Marknorthway]

What a wonderful way to spend 11 minutes of your life - to watch something as good as this.

[@andythomas706]

Marknorthway: Yes Mark, it was 'cliche' heaven wasn't it!

[@michaelflowers5712]

That was great!

[@norbertovelazquez7441]

Wow just wow!! Wakeman and Brian!! Epic

[@s.e.wagger3888]

Rich, old guys having fun....LOVE IT!!!!! And there's just something so special about a keyboard "lead-break" that a guitar just can't match!!! (Wakeman is still up there with Jon Lord)

[@gerfmon1]

Rick is the GOAT when it comes to keys. And of course Steve Howe is tied with Dave Gilmour for the Greatest Of All Time. IMO lol

[@tompearce4454]

What a privilege to witness these great musicians amazing

[@SISU889]

Was we not entertained ? !! Masters of their craft ..... Bravo

[@jabehauber]

As a teenager, we would gather in my friend's house - the one where no parents were home - and play those three chords of Wurm for like an hour, taking turns soloing over them, in complete awe and reverence, yet feeling the power of what they conveyed. The amps kept getting notched up "one more loud". At one point, and no one knows how, at the end of one of these sessions a living room arm chair wound up flipped on its side. To this day, we believe the sheer volume and power of Wurm did it.

[@StillAliveAndKicking_]

A brilliant jam session. I thought the first guitarist was excellent, May was excellent too.

[@smithc9698]

Amazing what 3 beautiful chords can do in the hands of geniuses

[@manuj4507]

Thanks magic Rick for this. Thanks Brian for your generosity and love for music. A tribute for us, all we fans of Yes over the world! Thanks for this gift!

[@PhillipLandmeier]

Holy shit. Fantastic. Wow. Wow. Steve Howe's composition is an invitation to tear it up, and they just tore it up! This is kickass music.

[@Brian_B505]

Am I dreaming? BM jamming with Wakeman on Starship Trooper?! Thank you for sharing this!

[@d.od.3463]

This needs to be released on disk so we all can play over and over...

[@alanbruce8632]

"Or Am I Dreaming?" was a song Wakeman played when he was with The Strawbs.

[@aboy9984]

Well he is an astrophysicist

[@TheRealist2022]

@@aboy9984 Ooohh!! He can read our horoscopes??? Cool!!!

[@estebangranados2583]

Not a dream!!!!

[@thecandlebombs]

think I need a cigarette after this one fantastic! brilliant!!

[@Retired-Inspired]

What a mind-blowing jam!! Nothing short of fantastic.🤩🤩

[@MikeFowlerguitars]

This made me smile. In fact I'm still smiling. And that's a good thing. I get that it's a simple chord progression.... But it still made me smile. So thanks for posting this. 👍

[@767driver4]

How lucky we are to have grown up with this phenomenal talent!

[@alexmaiux]

Queen opened for Yes many times in the '70s... but wow!

[@reschtamas]

I'm a Queen and Yes fan. I'ts heavenly, thanks for the upload!

[@beekay5914]

This song is practically sacred to me, I love it so much, so it must be treated with reverence. The guy on the blue guitar honored the song with his playing, Brian May was dazzling, brilliant, and Wakeman was scary good as usual. Wow.

[@geraldbasso1782]

Totally great here! Could listen to this all day long!

[@mirrortime]

Brian May's solo is so perfect.

[@estebangranados2583]

Let's consider ourselves lucky listening to this masterpiece!!

[@patrickgrant109]

It doesn't get Old!! It gets better and better..... WOW!! Thanks for posting 😎✌👍

[@aviduser1961]

As a long time fan of Yes, I have never seen another musician enter Rick's circle of keyboards. Thank goodness it was Brian May. That was great! I just hope that the people in the audience knew how special this was. Amazing! Thank you for posting!

[@gozieboy3899]

When that happened, I almost thought it looked like May realized, "uh, maybe I shouldn't be here". And he scampered back off.

[@TheBent139]

Amazing that no matter what video it is there are always those that look for the negative. Love the job Wakeman does toward the end. No one can play the MiniMoog like that. He just knows that piece of equipment like no one else. You won't be seeing this stuff forever. Enjoy it while it lasts!

[@TheMaurobala]

God! “Just a regular jam session” one has said. Invite me to the next one, please!

[@julianash4663]

Incredible what a sound to behold

[@arielsinardi2626]

Cuánto talento sobre sólo 3 tonos !!!! Grandioso.... piel de gallina

[@davidfarrall]

Always liked the Wurm sequence. This is the best collaboration and version I’ve heard.

[@mangolassi_.]

If yo got Brian May and Rick Wakeman together on a stage, it's absolutely okay to keep jammin over three chords for 10 minutes.

[@piotrgold4457]

You made my day hahah

[@joefincham9759]

Player/Composer Steve Howe is vastly underrated/unappreciated. Great jamming by the Wakeman kid and Les Paul guitarist...still the old school dudes were able to take the piece to another level. I put the Steve Howe voicing of the chords on my looper and could literally shred over it all night!

[@kiawra9]

And Mr. Rick Wakeman still rocking a cape all these years later. Well done all.

[@aldito7586]

Rick Wakeman And Brian May. You really don't get better than this !!!

[@oliveringram3056]

YES you do.....Rick Wakeman and Steve Howe..!!!!

[@marcelofernandoka5463]

TWO LEGENDS AND A SUPERLATIVE CREW!!!!!!! AMAZING, WONDERFULL, AWESOME SESSION!!!!!!

[@robertwyman9202]

Excellent. Wakeman is such a freak. I love him. Steve Howe is so underrated. Technically brilliant, and good ear for the melody. Throw in Brian May, and how have I not seen this before!!!

[@11thearlofwigan]

Fantastic version ... what a performance

[@vitalyalexandrov4380]

I thank fate that I lived my life in the times of rock giants

[@richardbird8889]

Sadly now we mainly live in an era of pop midgets and computets

[@sammyvh11]

Another decade or so and this music is gone. But so will I.........Bravo!

[@mstewart109]

No.it has been around since it as start. But now on platforms like utube. I know - i was around during their beginning ..

[@mister_chaddy]

That was absolutey outstanding.

[@billdavis1054]

This is a great Jam, of a good Yes song. I saw Yes at least 15 times. This is a good version, and kudos to the musicians involved made it fun!

[@davidmuir7711]

A fine jam. A good time was had by all, and the song was done justice.

[@davidm1252]

Nothing short of an epic performance - absolutely brilliant and a powerful performance is an understatement . Great great musicians !! Long live rock !!

[@davidmuir7711]

Sir Brian comes out and the song becomes something else altogether. He is larger than the whole rest of the musicians. Thank you for sharing the show with us.

[@stefanosensolini2259]

OH NO! IT'S ONLY A KIND OF MUSIC EASIER TO YOU !! YES VS QUEEN THERE IS NO RACE!!

[@davidmuir7711]

@@stefanosensolini2259 all due respetivo maestro, you should listen. Brian brings enthusiasm to what is otherwise a dull and listless rendition.

[@nz6065]

Incredible ! Yes was my favorite Group in the seventies and Wurm was my favorite movement .

[@bvovidz]

What an incredible jam. My first time hearing this song. Amazing.

[@williamlangan5902]

As for myself, it’s great to see this. Würm was the part that made me fall in love with the song Starship Trooper. Rick and Sir Brian look like they’re having fun onstage, jamming it out. Not sure who the other musicians are but they do a good job, the bass player, the drummer and the other guitarist. I love the Les Paul the other guitarist is holding. Thanks for posting. Feel free to tell me who else is playing.

[@aquilarossa5191]

Rick at the end. So awesome. No wonder the crowd got to their feet. Stuff on keyboards we guitar players get envious of, especially we who lean on pentatonics a lot.

[@magneto7930]

Huge Yes fan here, but I'm an admirer of BM as well. Saw Queen in concert with the legendary Freddie Mercury. Saw Yes quite a few times. I'm not going to judge this performance. All I can say is that if you were in the audience you would have loved it regardless. Brian was a guest having fun with the boys, it's what famous musicians do. Brian is not trying to be Steve Howe, he's just being himself. Lay off the judgment and just enjoy the jam!

[@billhart9832]

Bravo! God bless the extravagance and virtuosity of Prog Rock!

[@beekay5914]

Brilliant playing by Brian. I hope that Steve Howe saw this and liked it. I am a gigantic Yes fan, and I think that Wurm is one of their best compositions.

[@davep8221]

Brian May: CBE, Real PhD, Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University, VP RSPCA, AIDS crusader. Fairly decent guitar player. What a slacker.

[@jimrinaldo6886]

dav ep no

[@davep8221]

I had hoped the irony would be obvious.

[@davidklein1903]

Really good stuff

[@daveversion2.2]

Just had to watch this again. Love Yes and this is one of my favs……but Brian May sets it afire!

[@keithmilburn4866]

Yes are one of my fav bands of all time, the ‘Yes Album ‘ a true masterpiece

[@morbidmanmusic]

To bad this isn't really yes... how do you feel about cover bands playing yes?

[@F21012013R]

I see a bunch off guys who are heaving a great time together on stage playing a Yessong!

[@merlinzipp]

One of the greatest jams of all time.

[@jamiepastman5594]

you need to get out more

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

Brian May's sound will never, ever be superseded. Best and most unique sound I've heard.

[@CoachingChaos]

He's unique - we say that a lot about artists, but it's so true with him. And that Red Special guitar - designed and built by May when he was a teenager - makes a big difference as well! R.I.P. Freddie, Peter, and Chris.

[@gozieboy3899]

It's easy to make these superlatives, and then you see a Buddy Rich video and go omg, or the Steve Vai solo on "The Sheltering Sky" and say THAT is the best, or Robert Fripp doing "FraKctured" live in Bonn... you get the point. It's all good, man!

[@mikeanglada742]

I just want to Reach the Level where I Can Wear a Cape with Complete Confidence!!! :D

[@UKMikey]

A cape's just the thing if one wants to smuggle a curry up on stage to eat during the longer numbers.

[@StefanoPapaleo-TS]

So... who's it gonna be? Rick or Batman?:)))

[@fieldingmellish6856]

Write and perform an iconic riff like @9:52 ... then you can suit up !

[@carmenwillman4183]

Takes many years Grasshopper.

[@paulkcormier]

BRILLIANT COMMENT

[@missyounorm33]

Tony Fernandez on drums. He was also an original member of the Strawbs along with Rick

[@bjornandersson3837]

Strawbs were great!

[@905if6was9]

A very credible version. Check out some live Yes, and Steve Howe over the years. If you're not already a Yes fan, you will be after seeing Howe's artistry, along with Squire, Wakeman, etc.

[@Chuckles..]

Steve must be pleased with this!.

[@artysanmobile]

@@Chuckles.. he really is playing amazing things here.

[@bradders56]

Absolutely excellent.Still playing my original copy of 'The Yes album' on vinyl.Saw Joe Bonamassa and his band perform Starship Trooper at a gig many years ago and they nailed it too.

[@kentmains7763]

Joe does an outstanding job with it.

[@Johnno9989]

Two of my favourite musicians performing together.

[@kengodwin3879]

Wow! The old guys kill it! Yeah, the first solo is technically very proficient, but Brian's has that undeniable soul and seasoning. Amazing

[@esportswomen]

You complainers are on drugs! This is fab. Its not the original but its not trying to be. Its called PROG rock for a reason. Thanks kids :)

[@spaghettioverlord3247]

Of course I’m on drugs. Why else would I be here?

[@rupe53]

Always interesting to hear one of the greats playing a tune from another great. It shows compassion and appreciation.

[@lifeson90]

is like this song was written.. for Brian May to eventually show how cool a guitarist he actually was

[@ruthierochesterNY]

Simply incredible! I know no words to express how great this clip was. WOW

[@DenisPetrov1980]

A touch of Queen soul to the music of Yes... Brilliant!

[@CHRISFREEMAY]

Brian May and his unique style of play guitar. I love the sound of the Red Special!!

[@sbearly]

A lot of talent on that stage. And Wurm is a great chord progression to play over.

[@aldito7586]

Yeah! But what about Butch?

[@GuitarBassCigar]

Its amazing to have the opportunity to see legends blend their styles. Musical imitation is "easy" but recreating a legendary song in your own style, and keeping the original feel, is not as easy. All the musicians here deserve the spotlight as everything was fantastic.

[@VallinSFAS]

With the certified Starship Trooper himself, Dr. Brian May.

[@VallinSFAS]

Ever notice how much he looks like Sir Isaac Newton?