RICK WAKEMAN

In September, the Wakeman-scored In Search of the Beast 666, unearths the astonishing facts surrounding Aleister Crowley, who proclaimed himself as the Beast 666; and became known to the British press as 'The Wickedest Man in the World'.

1. What are you currently up to? (E.g. touring/studio, etc.)

LIFE IS AS BUSY AS EVER. I'VE JUST RETURNED WITH MY BAND FROM DOING THREE SHOWS IN CANADA AND I HAVE THREE NEW MUSICAL PRODUCTS CURRENTLY JUST OUT . RETRO 2 (CD), THE OTHER SIDE OF RICK WAKEMAN (DVD) AND AMAZING GRACE (DVD AND CD). I AM CURRENTLY PREPARING FOR A UNIQUE ONE MAN SHOW WHICH I TAKE AROUND THE UK IN LATE OCTOBER / EARLY NOVEMBER ENTITLED RICK WAKEMAN'S GRUMPY OLD PICTURE SHOW. ...I HAVE MY PLANET ROCK SATURDAY MORNING SHOW AND ALSO I AM DOING SPECIALS FOR CLASSIC FM......TV IS STILL GOOD TO ME AND I HAVE ANOTHER FIVE "COUNTDOWNS" TO DO BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

2. You've recently completed the score for the upcoming Alister Crowley movie. How did you go about composing the music and why do you think Alistaer Crowley has held such a long fascination with rock fans in particular?

THE FIRST PART IS EASY TO ANSWER......YOU TRY VERY HARD TO THINK OF THE MUSIC THAT YOU ARE DOING TO ANY FILM AS BEING PART OF THE VISUALS THAT JUST SITS BELOW THE SURFACE AND IS THEIR TO HELP ENHANCE OR CREATE AN AMBIENCE OR MOOD. IF THE MUSIC STARTS TO STICK OUT THEN YOU'VE COME ABOVE THE ACCEPTABLE MUSICAL / VISUAL WATER LINE . I VERY MUCH ENJOY DOING MUSIC TO FILM. AS TO WHY HE HAS SUCH A FASCINATION FOR SOME ROCK STARS IS BEYOND ME TO BE HONEST . I DON'T GET IT . HE WAS A TRULY EVIL BASTARD WITH QUITE HORRENDOUS PARTS TO HIS LIFE THAT CERTAINLY RUINED LIFE FOR SOME AROUND HIM. I CAN'T IMAGINE ANYONE WANTING HIS AS A ROLE MODEL !

3. You recently had one of your albums released as download only. Are you planning to release more music as downloads only? Do you think downloads are the way forward especially say for fan related releases such as live shows?

I THINK THE WHOLE RECORD INDUSTRY IS A COMPLETE MESS TO BE HONEST . IT'S CONFUSING FOR EVERYBODY . THERE ARE TONS OF ILLEGAL SITES GIVING AWAY STUFF, OTHERS SELLING STUFF THEY HAVE NO RIGHTS TO AND US MUSICIANS ARE LEFT BAFFLED BY IT ALL. I BLAME THE RECORD LABELS WHEN THEY MOVED MUSIC PEOPLE WHO RAN THEM TO ONE SIDE AND REPLACED THEM WITH ACCOUNTANTS. THE WRITING WAS ON THE WALL.....EVER MET A MUSIC INDUSTRY ACCOUNTANT WHO WORKS FOR A RECORD COMPANY WHO HAS AN OUNCE OF IMAGINATION ?...I REST MY CASE. UNDOUBTEDLY DOWNLOADS ARE A VERY IMPORTANT NEW ASSET TO MUSIC AND MUSICIANS BUT IT IS SO BADLY ORGANISED . I'M NOT SURE THAT IT EVER WILL SORT ITSELF OUT PROPERLY.

4. How did the tour with yourself and Jon Anderson go? Did the fans like the more low key approach and is this something you'd like to tour again?

IT WAS GREAT FUN AND CERTAINLY SOMETHING DIFFERENT . THE FEEDBACK WAS EXCELLENT AND I'D CERTAINLY LIKE TO WORK LIVE WITH JON AGAIN , BUT IT WOULD BE DIFFERENT NEXT TIME AROUND . EVERYTHING HAS TO MOVE ON AND I THINK THERE IS CERTAINLY A NEXT STAGE THAT JON AND I CAN GO TO.

5. What are the future plans for Yes given that Steve Howe is busy with the reformed original Asia and your busy solo schedule?

NO IDEA !!! WE DO ALL KEEP IN TOUCH , BUT WE ALL TEND TO HAVE QUITE DIFFERING VIEWS AT THE MOMENT ON THE BEST WAY FORWARD. I'M SURE THERE'S AN AGREEMENT THAT CAN BE REACHED SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE !

6. Do you have any plans to write your memoirs at any stage?

THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OF AUTOBIOGRAPHIES OUT ALREADY...THE CAPED CRUSADER AND SAY YES....THERE'S A NEW BOOK COMING OUT IN OCTOBER 2008 CALLED RICK WAKEMAN..GRUMPY OLD ROCKSTAR.

7. You've done lots of TV work down the years. How did you get your first break into TV and any good TV tales to tell?

I LOVE DOING TV. I SUPPOSE MY MAJOR BREAK CAME WHEN I APPEARED ON THE SATURDAY NIGHT DANNY BAKER SHOW AND THE NATIONAL PRESS WERE VERY KIND AND GAVE THE SHOW RAVE REVIEWS . THE PHONE NEVER REALLY STOPPED AFTER THAT WITH INVITES TO APPEAR ON ALL SORTS OF SHOWS. I HAVE TO ADMIT I AM A TELLY ADDICT AND JUST LOVE APPEARING ON ALL SORTS OF SHOWS.

8. What has been the best career decision you have made and why?

THREE YEARS AGO I MADE THE DECISION TO STOP DOING LENGTHY TOURING...........WHY?...BECAUSE SOMETHING INSIDE ME CRIED OUT THAT IF I WANTED TO DO ALL THE THINGS I WANTED TO DO BEFORE I LEFT THIS MORTAL COIL, THEN I NEEDED BOTH TIME AND HEALTH ON MY SIDE......I KNEW I COULD NOT SUSTAIN THE TOURING LIFESTYLE ANYMORE WITHOUT SOME SERIOUS COLLAPSE OF MY WELL BEING COMING ALONG TO GREET ME ON THE WAY .NOT AN EASY DECISION TO MAKE , BUT I STILL DO 20 OR SO CONCERTS A YEAR

9. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

WHAT SPARE TIME ?.......I DO GET IN THE OCCASIONAL GAME OF GOLF AND RACHEL AND I LOVE WALKING AROUND THE FENS.

10. Message for your fans?

QUITE SIMPLY...THANK YOU...WITHOUT THE WONDERFUL SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT THE MUSIC WOULDN'T EXIST.