Rick Wakeman: What People Get Wrong About YES

[@jasonk125]

I love the look on Beato's face. His love for music shows through in everything he does.

[@sammynorge]

I wasn't so sure he wasn't going to pull a facial muscle he was smiling so big. Can't blame him! When you are that close to a great musician, you really see the total mastery in their touch.

[@sbelcher4651]

Exactly! He’s the kid in a candy store through this! I keep waiting for him to pinch himself 😂. But what a joy to watch Wakeman’s skill & artistry admired so much by someone of Beato’s depth/breadth of knowledge & experience.

[@arturocontreras7565]

Es que ellos dos bien conocen lo el diálogo qué lleva a una misma verdad... Tanto uno como el otro saben el misterio de este enfoque al mismo misterio que en sí mismo el tecladista y Mr Beato también están caminando en el misterio mismo que es nuestro compromiso con la carretera elegida por Los dos; y que debería estar muy dentro de muchos desde mucho antes de la época actual, y al ver qué dos misterioso entre muchos más empiezan, incitar seducción a mostrar ningún ego están mostrando pasión por el don celestial dentro de muchos o pocos Músicos en the Venue o el Stream estan trabajando .@@sammynorge

[@thecollective1584]

As a musician of some experience, I've met, hung out with, shared stages with, and sat in (once) with numerous famous musicians. So, I end up meeting, say, Pete Wentz or Billie Joe Armstrong. I respect them for their talent and what they accomplished, but . Put me in front of Rik, Sir Paul, Keith Richards, people like that... I'ma fan boy harder than Mr. Beato. When you meet absolute legends that made the music you have been greatly influenced by..... Even Rick Beato can't help himself.

[@nick_john]

He has the best job in the world

[@floundergearjam]

Rick Wakeman, along with Keith Emerson elevated the keys to new heights. This man is a giant.

[@BigBoy4004]

Add Jon Lord to the Triumvirate... 🎉

[@steveo554]

Figuratively and literally a giant.

[@floundergearjam]

@@BigBoy4004 Yes! Jon Lord and Rick Wakeman did a jam right before JL passed away in 2012. It was called Sunflower Jam - Look it up. JL is definitely the third person in the triumvirate of keys.

[@vanamonde2]

And thank God he's still with us and still playing!

[@markkershenblatt]

And Emerson literally turned the keys upside down when playing solos live.

[@NoSacredCowFla]

Watching Wakeman's fingers fly is still amazing to me 40+ years later.

[@theChain120]

Yeah no kidding, be it a Hammond, a synth, a grand piano, I could watch him for hours

[@Felix_Effex]

not to discount any member past or present or ever, here's my thing about YES: I just loved how Chris's bass, Rick's keys and Steve's guitar played so well together, Pure bliss to the ears.. and I love that.. I never tire of that.

[@ronskopitz2360]

The grin on Rick’s face - can’t imagine getting to stand that close to such greatness!

[@jeremyclark3526]

I just inherited my dads old record collection and his yes records are some of my favorites 💔RIP POPS .

[@WooBino.]

Your Dad had great taste in music.🗽🗽😊😊

[@RandymanB]

My kids are chomping at the bit hoping they will get mine one day! Lucky you! Your dad and I had some amazing music back in the day! Glad to hear you enjoy it also!

[@willnova1234]

Props to your Dad. I was/am proud that my Son has inherited my love of Yes. 🙏

[@marcanglin7127]

Rick is SO correct about "solos" becoming "parts". While absolutely brilliant, ALL of Tony Banks' "solos" in Genesis songs became "parts". Not that I'm complaining, mind you. Just as David Gilmour's first "solo" in "Comfortably Numb": One simply cannot imagine ANY other notes being played at that point.

[@keymusic]

I don't know this for sure, but it seems like EVERYTHING Tony Banks played was planned. Everything, whether it's a line or a chord movement or anything else, is like a part in a classical piece and works perfectly. Maybe some of his stuff was originally improvised but it doesn't seem like it to me. I'm much more familiar with the Peter Gabriel version of Genesis but seems like Tony did the same thing in the later music also, although it was generally simpler. The fact that everything seemed like a part to me is what made me really like his playing. Not to mention, all the parts are pretty amazing.

[@johnthomas8606]

@@keymusic Banks has described many times, how he "worked out/wrote a solo"...and Genesis jammed in practice, but almost never live. (there is a live recording of them end-of-show jamming with some of the other musicians they were on tour with ca 1970/71, and the jam is junk...Genesis playing a blues boogie is cringy!) They stood out live (among many reasons) for their practiced precision during an era of bands jamming.

[@greg-warsaw4708]

I agree with all three of you on TB. His solo parts are carefully developed, thought-out, structured and as such - tasteful, beautiful and memorable. However, any slight change would disrupt them and in this sense they are not solos in Rick's understanding. Arguably, Tony Banks has been the musician most distant from improvising (even remembering several jams caught on bootlegs, but not official albums, except for _The Waiting Room_ which stands far apart from the rest).

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

Rick Wakeman just noodling is like most virtuosos really going for it. 😊

[@davidryan7386]

Rick B; you improvised that on the spot didnt ya? Rick W: yeah ❤😮❤😂❤

[@Sparksnorthern]

...eh... Yeah

[@adamkozakiewicz6766]

You can't really make it work in writing as well as it did - the missing part is the wonderful lack of understanding on RW's part. "Well... yeah, of course I improvised it, what's your point?" It's so natural for him he forgets how insanely cool it is.

[@carpediemarts705]

He had decades of making it up on the spot live. One of the big differences of MUSIC in the 60s 70s 80s. It was a living beast that breathed different each moment.

[@NackDSP]

So great to see such a master play. I just spent a month restoring a Hammond C2 Organ. That weak output indicates that organ needs to have about 80 capacitors replaced. It's a very long job as each capacitor in the tone wheel generator has to be custom matched to the transformer. No two capacitors are the same value. After re-capping the organ so it puts out the full 3 volts, the Leslie volume would need to be set below 50% to avoid blowing the speaker.

[@LarryWilliams-e6i]

Absolutely love Yes!…,! I’m the same age as Rick..,love everything he does.., so glad that he is interviewing all the “greats” in music…, thank you so much Rick!.., no one else is doing this, at least to the level and understanding you have …so it’s really unbelievable that so many young people are now discovering this music…, I watch a lot of KZbin “reaction” videos of classic rock music.., so interesting to see the younger generations being blown away by all these classic rock music giants!

[@KekeElBecko]

It's clear that both Ricks really enjoyed this interview

[@pfink70]

Fantastic that he can still work those fingers so fast at 75! Arthritis clearly passed his house by.

[@jameswaltermusic]

And it can pass yours also with enough Omega 3s and B vitamins and exercise.

[@kennethdileo6578]

And Boron

[@martin-1965]

@@jameswaltermusic Yup saw the difference between my mom and my aunt. My mom kept working in an office and typing every day until she retired, while my aunt was a stay at home lady of leisure. My poor aunts hands ended up like claws while my mom's hands were moving freely until she died. You have to use it or lose it :)

[@ztazon]

Mr. Wakeman is really funny story teller, and most people would never suspect that this wizard has a dwarfs mouth. After his Hall of Fame induction speech, I look forward to every interview even more than before. Professor Beato, what a privilege is to receive this master class. Thank you very much

[@pedrorq]

Read his 2 biographies, they're hilarious

[@davefost]

Pure genius at work. What a treat to to watch this... How many others have the same face as Rick does while watching?

[@anthonywilliams6764]

Back in the eighties, Rick Wakeman lived in the Isle of Man, where a Pro-Am Golf Tournament was put together one weekend with a number of stars of stage and screen sat on the Sunday afternoon at a last day brunch. I was playing contrabass in a trio for the gig, and at one stage Rick was cheered as he was asked to sit in with the band. He sat at the Bluthner Grand piano, and counted in the song " Sweet Georgia Brown " at 320bpm which was ridiculously fast, but he wanted to show off a bit, and when we caught up with him, he threw fours around the band which was great fun, but still ridiculously fast. Happy Days!!!

[@davidg3944]

Priceless memory!

[@thelasthomelyhouse]

This is literally my teenage years being formed right there. It’s like watching the Beatles work out their music on the documentary Get Back - just seeing this stuff being created from inside his head -blows my mind!

[@francisseidel8014]

Awaken is one of my favorite songs, ever. So cool for Rick to talk about the "stepping stones" in Awaken and other songs. It is so cool that he kept the solos fresh but anchored with the key, crucial parts.

[@FredPriest-ud6cu]

Rick your THE MAN for putting these great artists on your channel and keeping their voices alive for future generations ! Congratulations Sir

[@martin-1965]

Totally agree :) With almost zero quality music shows on TV anymore, Rick and a few other channels are keeping the torches of great music past - and present - alive and kicking !

[@U2WB]

Rick is my favorite keyboardist of all time. Brilliant !

[@barrysmith8920]

What a coup!! From Cat Stevens to Journey to the Center of the Earth.. A truly dynamic talent is Wakeman 🌹

[@egx161]

I was lucky to have seen Yes 7 times in the mid 70’s. WOW. Great band. They sound like the records live. The talent!

[@The-KP]

This is some of the best content on KZbin! Amazing- Rick Beato interviewing Rick Wakeman, AND getting live performance and telling of heretofore unknown facts about Yes and other supergroups of the era. Great stuff!

[@Prog-t9d]

Progressive rock has always been my favorite. Fantastic musicians, creative writing, always pushing the envelope.

[@rick49]

Ive been air-keyboarding the Close To The Edge solo my whole life. My friend told me, "thats the best air-keyboard solo Ive ever seen!" 😊

[@riccampbell]

2:08 - that upward gliss is so iconic. That alone changed my life in music.

[@technonarg5978]

Brilliant interview,I could listen to Rick Wakeman reminisce, and demonstrate his musical techniques and ideas endlessly,add to that his sense of humour and his love of gardening and you have perfect podcast material.

[@MRosati5000]

We should all be like Rick.

[@fenixfp40]

Rick is a national treasure. Xx

[@peternorthe1912]

I can listen to you guys talk musicology and history for hours! I wish I could be there to ask questions!

[@roadglide]

Yes was way ahead of their time. As were other 70’s Prog rock bands. Just incredible music journeys. Your guests are such hand selected beauties from your incredible wine cellar. Just fine wine being served here. Even if you don’t have a wine cellar. We’ll pretend you do. Just fantastic. Thank you for these timeless classics of our time. Blessings. 🙏🏻

[@phillee2583]

The casual "my son, who plays with Ozzy Osborbe" 😂 What a legend, what a raconteur. Yes was the soundtrack to my youth, which makes this interview so special to me

[@willnova1234]

That sound wash going into the solo is SO sick!!! Love Yes; Love Wakeman. This music is still so exciting after years and years. Awaken is one of the most incredible keyboard songs of all time. Legend. Really enjoyed this interview

[@sgt.grinch3299]

I remember listening to Yes in my youth. I never get tired of listening to their music. Fantastic music.

[@MRosati5000]

Still do..

[@JonHammerHeart]

That solo in Close To The Edge is the most finely crafted organ solo in rock and he did it in 1 take? Amazing.

[@RubyBandUSA]

Rick a close-up overhead view of his B3 settings for the Roundabout solo would have been ... priceless

[@TheFlightLevel]

Fascinating! Fragile and Close to the Edge are two of my favourite albums from the 70s!

[@RelicOnMaui]

Where the term, "pull out all the stops" comes from... ORGAN Absolutely agree, recorded "solos" are mostly spontaneous. To "copy" them in performance is counter to the very essence of recorded moments in time. "They even copy my WRONG notes - Jimi Hendrix"

[@trab1]

Rick Beato gets a live lesson and interview from the great Rick Wakeman on one of the greatest songs of the 1970's. You, sir, are living your best life.

[@rcjward]

To use your word, Rick, that was an AMAZING interview!

[@clipper99]

Absolutely fascinating Rick. I get so much insight from your interviews. I'm sure most, if not all the musicians you interview feel like me, wishing there was just a bit more time to talk.

[@dangabor8585]

"That part" of Close To The Edge is quite possibly one of the greatest solos on any keyboard in music history. IMHO

[@aaronreeves8376]

Not only one of your best interviews Rick, but one of the best interviews I’ve ever seen or heard period!!

[@SharonMacVicar-o9g]

I really like to hear famous people being down to earth as they matter-of-factly speak of the craft that made each of them famous. A great interview, Rick B. ! Richard B. ~

[@benbarletta2927]

OMG! I'M CRYING watching him play the Close to the Edge part!!!!

[@1960taylor]

Rick was and remains one of the absolute best.

[@AgueroNain]

Ahhh man so enjoyable! I could listen to these two blokes talk about music all day long 😂 phenomenal stories, talent, music so genuine. Thank you.

[@silkeeberle8484]

Oh! YES! What a brilliant band, so many instruments ❤

[@michaelkaplan9625]

The discussion of solos and how an in-the-moment riff becomes canon that people expect to hear note for note was very interesting. Jazz musicians sometimes look down on rock players for playing the "same solo" night after night, but in a way it's kind of the ultimate compliment to a solo when people want hear "that part" again and again and again. A mixed blessing for the John Entwhistles of the world but a source of joy for the rest of us!

[@stillme9171]

Rick Wakeman did NOT improvise those classical lines. I played Yes music for a classical pianist and she said "why, that's from Bach's Well Tempered Clavier" and she duplicated it right in front of me. She did the same thing with 2 more "solos". I mean, he's a good keyboardist,just not an innovator.

[@michaelkaplan9625]

@@stillme9171 Which "classical lines" are you referring to? And which Bach passages do they (allegedly) correspond to? I've played quite a bit of Bach, and except for the use of arpeggios (which are common tonal vocabulary, not Bach's or anybody's property), the solos in Roundabout (the subject of this video) don't sound Bach-like, or even Bach-ish to me. The lines frequently veer from classical into bluesy territory which is definitely not Bach, Bach-ish, or even Bach-esque. If you see your classical pianist again....ask for receipts.

[@francismcgovern5042]

rick wakeman is such a treasure.....so skilled, musically, technically and apparently really easy to get along with...gentle giant?

[@GregoorLendfers]

AWAKEN is my absolute favourite music piece of ALL time. Nothing better than that piece.

[@1Ratrod]

Awesome to hear one of my generation's top musicians, even my stepfather had his lp's. in the 70's when he was over 40 y.o.

[@jimdiaz9968]

The look on RB’s face is priceless looking over the Hammond… can’t blame you Rick, anybody would have that same look getting up close and personal with someone like Wakeman doing his thing. There seems to be a British thing about solos being fluid or not fixed parts where players from the US and Canada tend to be more composed parts that started as spontaneous jams. Thinking about guys like Alex Lifeson who would comp solos from multiple passes/takes then learn them after the recording sessions for tours. That’s one of the things I love about Rush. Reading Geddy’s autobiography he goes into detail about catching Alex’s spontaneous nature then wrangling pieces into parts for songs and solos; Geddy acting as a director of sorts. Great creative techniques.

[@RandalSmith]

I saw Anderson, Wakeman, Rabin at the Schermerhorn in Nashville. Absolutely awesome. My wife isn’t easy to impress and she was totally blown away.

[@SamLibman]

Saw Rick’s show here in Atlanta recently. An absolute class act.

[@LIGHTintheHALLS]

I just love Rick. He’s anointed with an amazing musical mind.

[@betsyduane3461]

Wakeman was on a lot of songs most people don't know about. "Oh! You Pretty Things" "Changes" "Space Oddity" by David Bowie "Bang a Gong (Get It On)" by T.Rex "Morning Has Broken" by Cat Stevens

[@papa_pt]

WOAH sheesh I just looked at his full list of appearances 😳 that's incredible

[@doctornova3015]

Life On Mars

[@DarylBark]

Two of my very favorite Ricks! Mr. Wakeman is always such a joy to listen to, his Stories as well as his Music.

[@johnboyce1916]

Rick is just a humble man and relates everything so well

[@sandylman8219]

What a good start to day! Wakeman an absolute genius. So unassuming. The music just flows from his fingers.

[@mattwarbuckle]

I would watch a Rick and Rick channel every day, until the end of time.

[@DanBlake3rd]

Rick B’s Wakeman interviews have been my favorite. They are amazing.

[@ryanjones4150]

With every one of these great conversations with all of our heroes, the door gets opened a little more for the next great to spend time with Rick and for us to be privy to it. Can't wait to see all the upcoming interviews he will do, he might just be the most important documentarian of late-20th Century music that exists.

[@schmui]

Thank you, 2 Ricks. ❤

[@robertmaccreight4910]

It's always a pleasure to watch a master at work. Great interview Rick.

[@mikaelhedqvist3876]

Thank you Great Britain for all music l grow up with in the seventies. Jon Lord made me start playing keyboards when l heard DP`s Hey Joe in 1968.

[@NEntv58]

This is just so epic for those of us who came of age hanging on every note of this stuff.

[@rodneygriffin7666]

Yes! Two Ricks! Fabulous!!

[@dkelley9661]

What Mr Wakeman said about hitting the stepping stones is so insightful and observable; to play exactly the same solo every night is painful and stifling. By keeping a similar trajectory and loosely improvising, you keep it fresh yet recognizable. Otherwise it's scarecely a proper solo, but more a rehearsed part of the song. Not as fun, exciting or honest.

[@sammynorge]

As a young guitarist long before 'puters, I used this method to get through the solos of popular tunes. Back then, you learned everything at full tempo, and I couldn't always figure out the crazier licks. Hit those stepping stones, though, and everyone thought you'd nailed it.

[@papa_pt]

100% agreed. I'd hate to play the exact same notes every night

[@BigMacIain]

Plus, it keeps in mind the rest of the band who need to know when he's done so that they can move forward.

[@henrycatt5844]

That John Entwistle story is priceless! Loved the full interview Rick.

[@gizka6816]

what an absolute legend, still rockin, you love to see it

[@DavidRinkevich]

Living Legend!!!

[@brucesstreet8204]

Brilliant - love the 'stepping stones' idea. 😄 You listen to the recorded track so many times it gets a groove track in your mind - that you can sound surf to. By using those stepping stones it's like surfing at the same surf break but at another time.

[@badllama8090]

I remember seeing Mr Wakeman driving his Gold Rolls Royce on the M25 Motorway near London years ago and he was kind enough to give us a wave :)

[@philfyphil]

I absolutely love Rick, he’s an amazing man and an amazing musician.

[@sammyvh11]

Genius on the keys and great comedian too

[@kirkdavenport7185]

Love both you guys. Grew up listening to Mr. Wakeman. My heart is full :)

[@minsterhill]

still one of the greatest prog interviews ever

[@sira.scottascot8865]

Involuntary said "Yeah!" Out loud when he swelled into the solo. Fantastic!

[@rhill109]

The organ solo on Roundabout gets my vote for greatest rock keyboard solo of all time. Great guitar solos inspire you to play along with you air guitar. With this, air Hammond B3.

[@BigMacIain]

As great as it is, I do prefer the Close To The Edge solo, even though it's not as bluesy. Pretty close though.

[@Chudhole]

Rick is an international treasure

[@davidg3944]

Rick(s) rock!

[@tomgio1]

Good lord, that dexterity still! Quick aside…in middle school I got a cheap mini Casio, and it could record and speed up snippets. Well, every Yes song I attempted was done at 1/2 speed and then I used the cheat button to get it to “real time.” I’m a drummer, so insert joke here, lol.

[@davidg3944]

As long as you don't explode, a drummer's life is good.

[@jasons2851]

Amazing. I can't imagine standing there watching the legend play.

[@Scott-b4x]

Man, when he went into the solo about 2:10, it was magic. Such a classic solo!

[@shrevesoule3567]

Rick, these interviews are so cool because growing up with Close to the Edge and Fragile.... I always wondered how they got from one end of the song to the other with out have the music right in front of them.

[@jchis9852]

Got to see Rick Wakeman in 1989 in Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman & Howe. One of the greatest keyboard players of our generation!

[@paul_domici]

Such a Genius!!! I love his playing!!!

[@GeorgeSmiley77]

_Fragile,_ ELP's _Trilogy_ and DSOTM were my favourite prog rock albums. It's mind blowing to see Wakeman play those _Roundabout_ parts so effortlessly in 2024. I really like his _Six Wives of Henry VIII_ too. Subbed

[@a.p.5906]

Best show with the Best guests. Hands down.

[@mootbooxle]

Ol’ Rick’s still got it!!

[@pauldudeuk]

That was a bit of an abrupt ending! I crewed one of his shows where he played our Steinway in the middle of a panto set, it was amazing to meet him!

[@TRayTV]

I remember Alex Lifeson talking about improving solos in the studio then having to play the same solo for the next 30 years.

[@looseshoulderssumali7311]

This is an incredible interview. Whoa!

[@AMP98765]

Top 5 keyboardist on the planet and also an amazing comic. That rock n roll hall of fame stand up bit was more than stellar or amazing. 😅

[@lrcb40]

Chills! Best video interview IMHO

[@Jomor44]

That was fantastic. So good to hear and see. Both Rick’s seemed so excited. Keep it coming. Hopefully there’ll be a part 3.

[@CarlosBenjamin]

It was a treat watching one Rick smile as he watched the other Rick just play.

[@murraymaunder8754]

Greatness. It's still with Rick. It's such a pity that so few people will ever get to hear and appreciate the Greatness of Close to the Edge, Awaken, or The Revealing Science of God (or many other Great classics).

[@T10elC]

Wonderful interview. I love organ and I love Yes.

[@bigal1863]

chills man...gives me chills

[@alantomasino9035]

The ‘70’s era of Yes was IMO the best, saw them in both ‘78 and ‘79 at the old Olympia stadium in Detroit 😎👍🏻