With my 8th round pick I am happy to welcome to
Hot Banana Thrust, the
keyboardist from the band Yes -
Rick Wakeman
Richard Christopher Wakeman (born 18 May 1949 in Perivale, London) is an English keyboard player best known as the keyboardist for progressive rock group Yes. Originally a classically trained pianist, he was a pioneer in the use of electronic keyboards and in the use of a rock band in combination with orchestra and choir. He purchased his first electronic keyboard, a Minimoog, from the actor Jack Wild. Wakeman was able to buy it for half the regular selling price because Wild thought it did not work as it only played one note at a time.
He joined Yes in 1971. His first album with the band was Fragile released 1971 in the UK and 1972 in the US. He also played on the studio album Close to the Edge (his favourite Yes album) and his live performances with the group were released as Yessongs.
He has also performed as a guest or session musician for the following artists:
* John Williams,
* Brotherhood of Man
* Elton John
* Lou Reed
* David Bowie (notably mellotron on 'Space Oddity', piano on 'Life On Mars' and 'Changes')
* Cat Stevens (including piano on Stevens' hit cover of the hymn "Morning Has Broken")
* T. Rex
* Ozzy Osbourne
* Black Sabbath (playing keyboards on "Sabbra Cadabra" and "Who are You" on 1973's Sabbath Bloody Sabbath)
* Brian May
* played piano on "There's no one quite like Grandma" by St. Winifred's School Choir
Keyboard solo
Roundabout
South Side Of The Sky
Siberian Khatru