Yes In Birmingham (2003) Part 9- Rick Wakeman Solo

Yes during their 35th Anniversary Tour in 2003, performing at the N.I.A., Birmingham. Footage of this show was featured throughout the documentary Yesspeak, and was finally released in full in 2008 on Yes: The Director's Cut, along with another show from the Glastonbury Festival of the same year. Small clips of interviews from the band members are featured in between songs. The interviews are also seen in full on Yesspeak.
Jon Anderson- Vocals, Guitar, Percussion
Steve Howe- Guitars, Vocals
Chris Squire- Bass, Vocals
Rick Wakeman- Keyboards
Alan White- Drums, Percussion

[@GeoffYuleSmith]

Rick Wakeman, you are in my opinion, without doubt, the greatest rock keyboardist in the world, ever. Congratulations and thank you.😀🎹

[@6brman224]

When I was a teenager - now 69 - I used to watch him when he played for free at the Valiant Trooper pub in Holmer Green on Sunday nights.

[@mattwharton5939]

That’s such a great memory to have. What else do you remember from those nights?

[@baldguy42]

I cannot believe I just watched the legendary Rick Wakeman play 'Jane Seymour', my fave song from 'The Six Wives Of Henry VIII', LIVE!! BY HIMSELF!!!!!! GODS, the man is a musical genius!

[@florincibu5428]

GOD not gods

[@philgorner9836]

Seen Rick many times and never fails to impress. For those who doubt his classical chops (despite practising Bach etc every day - BBC Radio Three interview), he was also invited to play Shostakovich with the NY Phil after Journey in 1974. He turned it down not because he wouldn't be up to it (after a little practice he would be, just as everyone else) but because he said he'd feel guilty walking into a concert with them on the back of his fame when others would have given their eye teeth for the chance (same BBC interview). Knowing of Rick's thoroughly decent character that sums the guy up.

[@philgorner9836]

He did that kind of thing when he studied at the Royal College of Music and, more recently, on tours abroad and piano solo tours here. He does admit that when it comes to jazz, however, he doesn't have the chops.

[@stephanbuth8195]

you heard all melodies the world has to offer in one Rick Wakeman solo🎹

[@Stratocoaster08]

The ORIGINAL wizard of the keyboards! BOOM. Take THAT, Jordan Rudess! Ya... You heard him! :P ...and please, I'm only kidding around... I LOVE Jordan too. His talent needs no defending :) ...we're very fortunate to share our world with such excellence, and that this remarkable wizardry walks among us mere mortals... *Inspired mortals! I might add...

[@donaldwhittaker7987]

Rick and Emerson are a pleasure to listen to

[@paulsimmons5726]

Crazy talented on any type of keyboard and the closest in the band to being able to get a gig as a stand up comedian!

[@jmmch76]

I cannot believe that a human being is capable of doing it

[@tevevid]

Yeah, amazing...

[@KeytarKris]

That’s what they said about Franz Listz

[@madjidhamdini8114]

he's not a human he's a synthesizer !

[@davep8221]

I can't even drum my finger that fast. Or for so long without getting the order wrong. And he has 0 ego. Needs more hair and cape!

[@Mr.Cockney]

The real (and unknown thing) is that he only moves the left hand. The right hand is manned by a twin brother that kept inside his brain while Rick was in the womb of his mother.

[@k2gh]

seen him do that live. I was already a big fan, but seeing and hearing him do it live. SO awesome

[@teresakoslosky3053]

Saw him play several times with YES!! Unmatched FIRE!

[@jkmenegay]

That's one of those songs that you need to listen to about 20 times to get in synch with what they're trying to do. It is kinetic energy throughout! Just keeps moving.

[@walkernick86]

That's a classically trained pianist for you right there! Amazing!

[@xsited1]

Unbelievable skill, so precise.

[@pascalasmussen6883]

Simply the Best !

[@amydavidval]

I think that this one is officially my favorite one.

[@MrKeeft1]

Incredible as usual..church organ on a Gem...got the directors cut, never watched,,got the new offshoot blu ray..KNOCKOUT..

[@steveharleyfan]

I love Roland, I have two myself. But that Gem has the ability to fill your ears with sound.

[@FukiMakai]

That GEM organ is the best church organ sound I ever heard out of a synth. Second is some KORG's.

[@kkteutsch6416]

Just a legend on music performming, nothing more to say, it's only for enjoy and take a magical trip !

[@jeffschielka7845]

Rick Wakeman THE FINGERS. THE MASTER. FOREVER YES!!!🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹

[@francoisgrenier4919]

Total silence in the room...👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👊🌹❤️

[@awaken77]

God gave this man golden fingers

[@albertnealjr1527]

Magic fingers with rythem supreme !

[@Yonpol2X]

I was at a Yes concert on the 2003 tour. It was at the Estepona bullring. Rick Wakeman, wore his classic sequin cape. They didn't play the song Close to the Edge, but they did play Awaken, with Jon Anderson playing the harp. They started the show with Siberian khatru and ended it with Roundabout.

[@G8GTJav]

Wow! Amazing talent.

[@yves-vv6uf]

I saw him in concert in Perth wa👏👏👏👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏☮️☮️☮️☮️☮️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍👍

[@midiselnomada4000]

La Mejor Elección,en los Teclados,Dinámica Pura, y la parte, del GEM,Sublime, nunca mas fue así,

[@margieolson1471]

Believe it, I have seen him in concert and at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa Ca.

[@KimClouse1959]

Awesome in so many ways!!

[@diegopereira6862]

amazing as always

[@mcsmith1517]

Fabulous! love it!

[@arnaldotabosa1680]

Great musician !

[@StrideLatinProgRick]

Awesome! Rick Wakeman is always the best! The incredible version of "Jane Seymour" included here is a definitive masterwork.

[@hecthor8687]

Hermosa y fantástica manera de tocar y melodías muy barroco con toques de fantasía

[@keniac14]

Rick ! fan of keyboards and person - got his book. soon to read.

[@John-D.]

WOW.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Wizard indeed!

[@midiselnomada4000]

Creo fue la Mejor Etapa, en los Teclados,y ese GEM ,Aspero, pero Sacro,No me canso de Escucharlo.

[@awaken77]

3:59 my favorite part from Six Wives - organ layered with Minimoog is fantastic mix

[@daveh9335]

Thanks for the clinic Mr Wakeman. And I'm a drummer 🤣

[@jandnuckolls]

Hey I am right there with you. Had the Henry VIII since it came out on vinyl, and I swear that I (a drummer also) could not play them that fast. The world has been better for this guy to share his talent.

[@KeytarKris]

I think it's awesome you are in Las Vegas man. You rock!🤘

[@KeytarKris]

@Rick Wakeman you are synth wizard of high caliber. Wishing you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving and holiday season man

[@KeytarKris]

@Rick Wakeman I down loaded WhatsApp and my phone number is [phone]. Keep making music and inspiring others. Continue to be healthy and happy out there. Have a happy and blessed thanksgiving and holiday season 🤟

[@midiselnomada4000]

Con los Teclados Originales , Cuando mejor Sono, Gracias maestro.

[@midiselnomada4000]

La parte con el GEM, es Increíble.

[@vince-qb6su]

I am a fairly good keyboards player. I just saw this video. Now I am depressed.

[@BluesLicks101]

That's how I felt as a guitarist when I went to see Joe Satriani.

[@TheWatcherofsky]

The Wizard of Rock, The Keyboard God

[@raylp4751]

Can't forget Keith and Jon. The trio The greatest rock/ prog rock keyboard players. All legends.

[@awaken77]

@@raylp4751 Wakeman and Emerson planned an album and tour together, unfortunately it didnt happen

[@raylp4751]

@@awaken77 Yes Rick mentioned it at Keith's tribute. Both great but I wonder what together they would play. Rick did a duet with Jon Lord. Not bad but trying to get on simular ground took away the individuality we all love.

[@awaken77]

@@raylp4751 "It's not as big as it was" was fine. Not sophisticated, but memorable , the guys were having fun doing that keyboard battle on stage

[@raylp4751]

@@awaken77 Memorable. As in I mentioned it. They clearly liked doing it and as fans worth a watch and listen. More so since we lost Jon.

[@midiselnomada4000]

Sublime,Genioooo.

[@brianshultz8437]

Best ever!

[@mariosimone1377]

Grande!

[@tevevid]

Great !

[@CBRRR-RFirebladeVTR]

Sehr schön

[@teresakoslosky3053]

Wow!❤❤❤❤❤🔥🔥

[@dmelv]

the best

[@jmeyer4321]

Looks like a mad scientist, plays like God's guardian angel.

[@donnavisco2502]

He sometimes sounds like one, too.

[@markgore9202]

Grandiose

[@josephgilham318]

WOW !

[@MusicWorld777]

Good Solo

[@joerghadzik7368]

😱 absolutly perfekt

[@ricardocagnoni]

pure talent......

[@chrissalter5332]

One word "magical" and to think that every note was invented by the man himself !! I visited ricks home in 1972 (madavale London) where he would have written six wives, his grand piano sitting there with his trophies hanging on the walls around it, a fantastic memory how lucky was I!!!! His own music along with his contribution with YES made the seventies magical for me, loads of fantastic memories, then the buggles appeared on the scene in the early eighties , Rick was no longer and for me the magic had gone!! 20 years later in 2004 the magical line up got together again for thare 35th anniversary, i saw there show open air at powderham castle Devon UK what a concert it was 20 years waiting and my wish had come true fanbloodytastic

[@ricardocagnoni]

@@chrissalter5332 you are really a lucky guy !! I am from Argentina, far away, I first had the chance to see him on a solo tour presenting 1984, I was 18 years old at that time, when the concert finished I wait for him at the exit of the theater just to hug him... man, he is like God to me... a combination of talent, virtuosism... and he blend so well with Jon and Steve Howe... We are lucky to be contemporaneus of this guy !

[@chrissalter5332]

@@ricardocagnoni hi Ricardo thanks for your reply, I'm not someone to boast or namedrop but my teen years were rather special,, I am 63 years old now , I grew up in a little village in Devon England and my best friend was a chap called Jake Berry his mum is my godmother, if you look on the internet for (Jake Berry production / stage manager ) a very grey haired Jake will appear !! You might find his collection of stories interesting to read , just a little story I have to share with you, Jake and I played football for locally team and my dad used to watch us play on one Saturday a very tall chap with the longest blond hair came to watch us play !! And my old dad bless him was standing beside him chatting away , when I got home and explained who he was talking to , his reply was a nice guy but needed a hair cut lols !!!!! Jake's change of direction bought many great memories for me with VIP passes to concerts but by far the best was watching rick performing his magic and his time with yes ,,, cheers my friend stay safe ,,,

[@abrarahmed1888]

There appears to be a backing synth being played over these extracts from VI wives but doesn’t appear to be from his hands? The electronic church organ sound (original played at St Giles, Cripplegate) is sublime

[@michaelpowell3736]

no wonder they call him the wizard awsesome

[@A55563]

Hands blessed by the ALMIGHTY!. Obviously. See the symbol He wears?.

[@ribracktv543]

Man I love six wives

[@user-mh4iq4pp6x]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Cpayne30]

Rick, don't hang garbage bags from your expensive keyboards !

[@MrKk320]

lol

[@labarone8910]

Garbage bags? GARBAGE BAGS? That there is Darth Vaders bedsheets!

[@diegopereira6862]

xDD

[@kevintwin7777]

the Wizard

[@verntoews6937]

Wow

[@juanmontiel2009]

EL MAESTRO RICK WAKEMAN

[@catherineona8098]

Oh, how do you take 30 years of creativity and mix it into 5 minutes? Ask Rick!

[@hafstrat]

I must revisit 6 wives. 👍🏼💕

[@JeremyRobberechts]

Rick Wakeman is amazing. Give him some great keyboards/synths and he'll make them sound like cheap plastic (OK it doesn't apply to the Minimoog).

[@theeltea]

Spot on, dude.. SPOT ON.

[@WillieWonka928D]

As much as I love Rick, his choice in keyboard sounds after 1977 has been awful imo. At least his playing makes up for it.

[@theeltea]

***** I love the motorized faders on that GEM unit though

[@TonyTutorio]

Upton Upon Seven, Folk Fez.

[@hazysativa3045]

Hahah, you have to appreciate the talent.. forget all the cheesy sounds, the man can play.

[@markstoneman1585]

keyboard king

[@liys540]

Mark Stoneman the lords of keyboards

[@lucianocatarin9176]

Che spettacoloooooooooooooooo altro che trap/rap,musicisti e artisti veeeeeeeeeri con i controcoglioni,scusate l'espressione volgare

[@user-qk5gv9dz4f]

👏👏👏👍👍👍🙋‍♂️

[@matthewstollar2678]

Why does John Anderson's voice get higher every year ?

[@Madison-ut6bz]

A True Concert Pianist lol

[@dreamsdreams9493]

Rick is one of my favorite musicians. I have been a fan of his for twenty five years. Nonetheless, being honest and fair, I must admit that he is light years from having the technique and the repertoire of a concert pianist. Has he ever recorded major classical works? No, he has not. He will not. Rick himself has stated that he longed to be a concert pianist. He enrolled at the Royal College of Music with that idea in his head, but he gave up due to the difficulty of the process. Gradually, he began to focus on progressive rock and composing, and the rest is history... A fantastic keyboardist and a prolific rock composer he is, but as far as his pianism is concerned, he is an underachiever. And the same goes for many progressive rock keyboardists whom I admire: Lord, Rudess, Emerson, Banks, Wright, etc...Great and innovative keyboardists, but mediocre pianists. They are mediocre pianists beside classical concert pianist masters, or jazz-classical genius pianists such as Keith Jarrett and Friedrich Gulda. Are there any progressive keyboardists with considerable concert piano skills? Yes there are: Patrick Moraz, Eddie Jobson, and Mark Robertson come to my mind.

[@gazza2969]

Is this Birmingham uk. or Alabama

[@benmarshall404]

Birmingham UK, the National Indoor Arena (now called the Utilita Arena)

[@andrewdudek]

Got enough keyboards there, Rick?

[@Putaspellonyou]

stage setup and backdrops by your local high school drama club...

[@MrBUESUM]

5 thumbs down. Drummer-Freaks?

[@dreamsdreams9493]

Rick is one of my favorite musicians. I have been a fan of his for twenty five years. Nonetheless, being honest and fair, I must admit that he is light years from having the technique and the repertoire of a concert pianist. Has he ever recorded major classical works? No, he has not. He will not. Rick himself has stated that he longed to be a concert pianist. He enrolled at the Royal College of Music with that idea in his head, but he gave up due to the difficulty of the process. Gradually, he began to focus on progressive rock and composing, and the rest is history... A fantastic keyboardist and a prolific rock composer he is, but as far as his pianism is concerned, he is an underachiever. And the same goes for many progressive rock keyboardists whom I admire: Lord, Rudess, Emerson, Banks, Wright, etc...Great and innovative keyboardists, but mediocre pianists. They are mediocre pianists beside classical concert pianist masters, or jazz-classical genius pianists such as Keith Jarrett and Friedrich Gulda. Are there any progressive keyboardists with considerable concert piano skills? Yes there are: Patrick Moraz, Eddie Jobson, and Mark Robertson come to my mind.

[@FukiMakai]

Keith Emerson too, until his breakdown in 1994, since when he started playing with only 3 fingers of his right hand.

[@krehetpi]

Klavier Dreams Concert pianist couldn’t do what Rick does either.Envy goes both ways.

[@dreamsdreams9493]

@Rick Wakeman You are welcome Maestro

[@floling]

it's not the most talent. or the quickest fingers. the secret is to have as many keys as possible per square meter 😂

[@danwolves8855]

I bet Paul's Mom made Rick's cloak.

[@vassilyyarovoy7384]

Это не фонограмма!

[@olegmakarov7877]

Dull and boring. Rudess plays with much more creativity and fantasy and technique.

[@gregoryschleitwiler9601]

You're right about Rudis, but Rick is the one who was behind the sounds created. He was an advisor for keyboard magazine fir years. You certainly cannot compare Jordan to Rick as a whose better. They are both great. I think Rick is far more versatile the Jordan

[@olegmakarov7877]

@@gregoryschleitwiler9601 Vice versa. Jordan is by far more versatile than Rick. As a piano and organ player myself I know this for sure. But I respect the talent of any talented individuals. I know what hard work stands behind that. Talent shoumd be well supported by hard efforts.

[@gregoryschleitwiler9601]

@@olegmakarov7877 I can play all of Chopin Valse's and the Pathetique all 3 movements to perfection. Can you make that claim. I think I might be a better judge then you.

[@olegmakarov7877]

@@gregoryschleitwiler9601 Wow, impressive) I play Chopin's Scherzi No.1 and No.2. So what ?

[@gregoryschleitwiler9601]

@@olegmakarov7877 Impressive. I don't think I would be able to do that one. Nice to know I'm talking to someone who knows what he's talking about. Getting ready for an ELP Tribute band for Sunday show. Do you play out? Still think Wakeman is better