Stewart Macpherson, of The Stetson Group has announced three very special and unique one-man shows in New Zealand this October by legendary keyboard maestro, composer and songwriter Rick Wakeman.
37 years after his last visit to New Zealand, when he performed Journey To The Centre of the Earth with the Auckland Symphonia at Western Springs, Auckland, English born Wakeman is probably best known for his role as the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band YES.
Fast forward to 2012 and Wakeman returns in what will be a rare and intimate trio of concerts in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch from October 6-8 known as “An Intimate Evening With Rick Wakeman”. The one-man show is described as “an entertaining evening with Rick performing on a grand piano interspersed by ludicrously ridiculous, albeit true, funny anecdotes”.
Wakeman boasts a long catalogue of impressive musical plaudits; 50,000,000 record sales around the world, which have included more than 150 record and CD releases, soundtracks for more than 25 films, and more than 4,000 world-wide concert performances.
His name has appeared on the credits of albums as a session musician with Al Stewart, Elton John, Lou Reed, John Williams, Cat Stevens (including the classic piano on Morning Has Broken), Marc Bolan, Marsha Hunt, Mary Hopkin, Black Sabbath, and David Bowie. With all of this success it’s understandable how he has endeared himself to all genres and all ages, a rare accomplishment in this day and age!
Rick is looking forward to bringing his one-man show to New Zealand:
“ I have been really rather fortunate to have reached an age where people stop trying to tell you what you should be doing. I think they have now come to the conclusion that I’m not going away, so they might as well let me get on with what I want to do!
“This means that I have been able to dip my toes into the world of comedy, stand-up, television, acting and writing which means full days and a full life. I’ve also been able to diversify as regards concerts and these vary from shows with my band to full blown concerts with band, symphony orchestra and choir.
“Over the last couple of decades, the one man show, ”An Intimate Evening with Rick Wakeman” has surprised even me as to its popularity and has been performed in the UK, America, South America and Eastern Europe and I am really thrilled to be coming back to New Zealand, (which is also my wife’s favourite country), to perform the shows there.”
Producer, Stewart Macpherson from The Stetson Group is pleased to be able give fans such a rare chance to see the one man show:
"After the success of YES (without Rick Wakeman) in Auckland earlier this year, it is a great thrill to have been able to convince Rick to fly to NZ to present three of his solo shows.
“He only does 2 or 3 of these very intimate shows in a year, so we are very privileged.
“Expect great humour, and an eclectic range of music from this extraordinary artist.”
