Rick Wakeman “The Prog Years 1973-1977” CD/DVD Box Set Now Available

Journey to the centre of the Earth? In a career that’s now well into its sixth decade, Rick Wakeman has voyaged through time and out to the furthest reaches of sound. And now, the 32-disc “The Prog Years 1973-1977” box set turns back the clock to the caped crusader’s imperial phase, when, as a solo artist, he released some of the most ambitious, virtuosic and just plain stunning music ever committed to tape.

Gathering together the original ‘The Six Wives Of Henry VIII’, ‘Journey To The Centre Of The Earth’, ‘The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table’, ‘Lisztomania’, ‘No Earthly Connection’ and ‘White Rock’ albums, plus alternate recordings and a slew of live performances, from radio sessions to full concerts, the CD/DVD edition of “The Prog Years 1973-1977” is a must-have for all Rick Wakeman collectors.

Complete with a 60-page hardback scrapbook, 10 x postcards, 8 x full-size replica promotional photos and 4 x A3 posters, plus reproduction press kits.

The first 500 copies of this extremely limited box set will also come with a numbered certificate signed by Rick himself.

Order now, and prepare to immerse yourself in half a decade of prog-rock genius.

The Deluxe 32 disc CD & DVD box set contains rare live material, demos, alternative mixes and live film footage

Purchase

Keyboard Legend Rick Wakeman to Release New Concept Album “A Gallery of the Imagination”

Keyboard legend Rick Wakeman will be releasing his new concept album “A Gallery Of The Imagination” on February 24, 2023 on Madfish Music.

The initial idea for “A Gallery Of The Imagination” stems from Rick’s first piano teacher, Mrs Symes, with whom he studied from the age five until his time at the Royal College of Music. She taught him that music was like painting pictures: that when you play, you are painting pictures through music, an important lesson that Rick never forgot.

Having written a vast array of new music recently, all of different styles, Rick recalled the advice of his beloved teacher and decided to present the tracks for the new album as if they were pictures in a gallery. Just as there are many different styles in an art gallery, so there are many different musical styles on “A Gallery of the Imagination”. It contains many clear prog influences, especially in the Moog solos and there are also two solo piano numbers, which reflect Rick’s classical roots and show influences from the Romantic period. Equally important is the strong song and melodic influence on “A Gallery Of The Imagination” with eight unconventional vocal tracks, with Rick’s distinctive descriptive music carefully arranged around the lyrics.

Examples of the variety contained within the album are the fun yet wistful elements in “A Day Spent on the Pier”, a track describing time spent at the seaside, written in Southwold and evoked by Rick’s own memories of happy childhood days spent on the helter skelters in Brighton and Clacton and on the pier in Southsea. Rick wrote “The Eyes of a Child” with his thirteen grandchildren in mind, aware of the responsibility of trying to fix the world for following generations whereas “Cuban Carnival” celebrates the light-hearted fun times Rick spent in Cuba with his band, the English Rock Ensemble. As listeners take a musical walk-through Rick’s “Gallery”, they will find more than enough to fire the imagination and come up with their own mind paintings whilst listening to his new album. Fans can get a taste of what’s to come with the first single “The Dinner Party” available on streaming services https://RickWakemanMadfish.lnk.to/AGOTI

Says Rick, “One of my great loves is going to museums and art galleries and seeing all the different types of art, so I thought, why not a music gallery... the Gallery of the Imagination? People can paint their own mind pictures to the different types of music that are on the album. It is very diverse and for me it works very well because the concept holds it all together”.

One of the ideas Rick would like to pursue around album release is for listeners to draw or paint their own pictures or even create sculptures to the music which, in turn, could be displayed. “It is a very tactile album,” Rick explains. “I’d like to feel that people can actually touch the music.”

The line-up on “A Gallery Of The Imagination”, as with Rick’s previous album “The Red Planet”, features The English Rock Ensemble: bassist Lee Pomeroy, guitarist Dave Colquhoun, drummer Ash Soan and on vocals Hayley Sanderson, famous for her work as a vocalist on “Strictly Come Dancing”, with each artist recording their individual parts in their own studios. Join Rick for a stroll around “A Gallery Of The Imagination” – as he says: “A gallery that belongs to everyone”.

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“The Myths and Legends of Rick Wakeman” 4CD Box Set Featuring Vintage Concert Recordings

Focusing on the artist’s mid-‘70s work, The Myths And Legends Of Rick Wakeman 4CD box set showcases Wakeman at his most adventurous and mesmerizing performing tracks from the legendary albums The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table, The Six Wives Of Henry VII, Journey To The Centre Of The Earth and others!

Packaged in a superb clamshell box with individual wallets for each show plus a 16-page booklet brimming with liner notes and vintage photos! - PURCHASE

“It’s really lovely to see some of the music I’m most proud of, released in a new way and presented so well… I’m still wondering though if I am more of a myth than a legend!!!” – Rick Wakeman

Rick Wakeman is best known for playing keyboards in the progressive rock band YES across five tenures between 1971 and 2004 and for his solo albums released over the past 5 decades. Wakeman has released over 90 solo albums spanning a range of musical styles. He has made many television and radio appearances throughout the years and has written three books; an autobiography and two memoirs. In 2017, Wakeman was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of YES.

 

Rick Wakeman's official website: https://www.rwcc.com/

 

Members of YES, GENESIS, DEEP PURPLE, PARLIAMENT, KING CRIMSON, DREAM THEATER, THE DAMNED, PUBLIC IMAGE LTD, TANGERINE DREAM Perform Pink Floyd’s 1975 Masterpiece WISH YOU WERE HERE in its Entirety!

 Album features performances by Rick Wakeman, Ian Paice, Todd Rundgren, Geoff Tate, Joe Satriani, Steve Hackett, Steve Hillage, Edgar Froese, Tony Levin, James LaBrie, Bootsy Collins, Rat Scabies, Jah Wobble, Carmine Appice and more!

Pink Floyd’s 1975 album, Wish You Were Here, surely counts as one of the greatest rock albums of the 20th century. A musically and emotionally complex tribute to the band’s former leader, vocalist Syd Barrett, whose deteriorating mental health had caused the band to oust him in 1968, the album has become a touchstone for a generation of artists who sought to achieve the synthesis of brilliant, multi-part suites, poignant ballads, and heady melodic rockers that Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Richard Wright, & Nick Mason realized on this album.

And now, a stunning all-star line-up of rock and metal royalty have gathered to recreate this epic masterpiece as a testament to its long-enduring legacy. Still Wish You Were Here includes awe-inspiring performances from keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman, Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice, Rock Hall of Fame nominee Todd Rundgren, ex-Queensrÿche vocalist Geoff Tate, guitar god Joe Satriani, Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie, spacebass super genius Bootsy Collins, The Damned’s Rat Scabies, PiL’s Jah Wobble and lots more! Get ready to fall in love with this classic record all over again.

Still Wish You Were Here will be available on both CD in a beautiful 6-panel deluxe digipak and a stunningly gorgeous gatefold vinyl in a variety of colors!

Pre-order the album: https://orcd.co/still_wish_you_were

Track List:
1. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-5) - Geoff Tate, Steve Hackett, Billy Sheehan, Mel Collins, Geoff Downes, Ian Paice
2. Welcome To The Machine - Todd Rundgren, Rick Wakeman, Tony Levin
3. Have A Cigar - James LaBrie, Steve Stevens, Patrick Moraz, Rat Scabies, Jah Wobble
4. Wish You Were Here - Rik Emmett, Joe Satriani, Edgar Froese, David Ellefson, Carmine Appice
5. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 6-9) - Rod Argent, Steve Hillage, Ian Paice, Bootsy Collins

Rick Wakeman’s “Return to the Centre of the Earth” Deluxe & Super Deluxe Box Sets Available For Pre-order

 

“Return to the Centre of the Earth” is a studio album released on March 15, 1999 on EMI Classics. The album is a sequel to Wakeman’s 1974 concept album “Journey to the Centre of the Earth”, itself based on the same-titled science fiction novel by Jules Verne. Wakeman wrote a new story of three unnamed travelers who attempt to follow the original journey two hundred years later, including the music which features guest performances from Ozzy Osbourne, Bonnie Tyler, Tony Mitchell, Trevor Rabin, Justin Hayward, and Katrina Leskanich. The story is narrated by Patrick Stewart. Upon release, the album reached number 34 on the UK Albums Chart.

“I AM IMMENSELY PROUD OF RETURN TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH, AS WHEN I LOOK BACK, IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN ALMOST SUICIDAL TO HAVE RECORDED AND RELEASED IT WHEN PROG WAS AT SUCH A LOW STATUS, BUT THANKS TO RICHARD LYTTLETON, THE PRESIDENT OF EMI CLASSICS, WHO BELIEVED SO MUCH IN THE MUSIC, IT WAS RECORDED TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD POSSIBLE AND I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT WITHOUT HIM, THE MUSIC WOULD NOT EXIST TODAY.” - Rick Wakeman, UK 2020. 

Rick Wakeman’s official website: www.rwcc.com 

 

 

Return to the Centre of the Earth Deluxe Box Set

Keyboard Legend Rick Wakeman’s Live Virtual Television Series “Rick’s Plaice”

First broadcast Saturday November 7th

In 2005 in a studio far, far away, (Norfolk), an elderly musician would broadcast and stream “Rick’s Plaice” to the world on Saturday Morning. Nobody really knew who he was, but a select few believed him to be the alter ego “Hands Solo” named after his exploits on the mini Moog.

Fraught with danger, he was constantly under attack from the owners of the planet known as “ROCK” for flying too close to the surface of decency and in 2010 was eventually banished to the galaxy known as “Grumpy” where, for the last 10 years, he has secretly plotted a return to the airwaves and now the time has come…

“I can’t wait for the first series of the new ‘Rick’s Plaice’ to be shown as it will be a nice guideline for me for the second series as to how much weight I need to lose. And if you have as much fun watching the shows with all of the live music performances, guided tours around my equipment, facts about musicians I have worked with and even a quiz, then you will have enjoyed them as much as I enjoyed making them…which I have to say was most enjoyable. We’re already planning for the filming of the New Year's Special and also getting ready for a second series, and I really hope that once the unsocial distancing rules are relaxed, that for the recording and filming we can have live audiences in with us without them having to wear masks and stinking of hand sanitizer. Enjoy…we did.” – Rick Wakeman

 

“Rick’s Plaice” premieres on Saturday November 7th and then broadcast every Saturday for the following five weeks.

“Rick’s Plaice” is offering a season ticket pass (all six episodes + the New Year’s special) at a special price and a discount code for the first 5,000 subscribers offering a 25% discount on the season pass.

A limited number (250) VIP season passes are also available which gives you merch + a signed DVD of all six episodes + the New Year’s special.

 

 

 

“Rick’s Plaice” broadcast link: www.ricksplaice.com

Rick Wakeman’s official website: www.rwcc.com 

Classic Rock Legends BADFINGER Team Up With The King Of Keyboards RICK WAKEMAN For A Very Special Rendition Of The Paul McCartney-Penned Hit “COME & GET IT!”

 Joey Molland’s Badfinger has been experiencing quite the career revival recently with artists ranging from indie rock icon Matthew Sweet to Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson participating in exciting new versions of Badfinger’s extensive catalog of hits. And now comes one of the biggest hits Molland & company ever recorded - the Paul McCartney-penned pop classic “Come & Get It” reinvented here with a superb contribution from famed piano/keyboard player Rick Wakeman! With Wakeman’s special touch, this tune takes on a whole new life with added melody and bounce, and although Badfinger guitarist/bassist Tom Evans originally sang lead on the 1969 version, Molland ably takes over vocal duties.

Rick Wakeman Releases New Digital Single “ASCRAEUS MONS” From His New Album The Red Planet

With the release of Rick Wakeman’s new studio album, The Red Planet due on August 28th 2020, described by BBC Radio 2’s Steve Wright as “King of the Prog rock keyboard .. one of our most successful and prolific musicians”, has released the first single to be taken from the album entitled “Ascraeus Mons”.

Inspired by 2021 being the anniversary of mans’ first expeditions to mars plus the fifty since including many landings Wakeman states “the incredible information discovered and of course some astonishing images. You just have to look at the photos online or in books to be inspired, the landscapes are fascinating and the volcanoes are huge …..bigger than anything on earth. It was the perfect subject for me to be inspired musically.”

He explains further “The main themes and ideas were all written on the piano, with photographs of Ascraeus Mons scattered around. I wanted the start of the album to be a statement and I always felt the church organ as an initial solo instrument said it all. This is certainly a track that screams out to be played live.....so I’d better get practising !!”

The Red Planet features 8 newly composed pieces, especially for this project, and harks back to Wakeman's critically acclaimed debut album The Six Wives of Henry VIII where there were 6 heavy keyboard pieces based around a central subject matter. It is a serious return to “Wakeman Prog”...

Rick has blown the dust off his favourite analogue keyboards and along with his with the latest keyboards, has used the same formula he devised when making his legendary albums The Six Wives of Henry VIII and Criminal Record.

Upon being asked about the expectations of his Prog Fans, that they are hoping he will have shoved the “Prog Fader” up to 11, he replied, “That could be a problem.... as it's already at 14!!!”

The album, produced by Rick Wakeman and Erik Jordan, has already garnered high praise and coverage in the worldwide media including Vanity Fair, Billboard, plus making the cover feature in the UK’s Prog Magazine and multiple interviews on BBC radio stations.

Madfish will be releasing worldwide to retail The Red Planet as a CD Digipack with 20 page booklet, a black vinyl 2LP in gatefold sleeve and digitally on 28th August 2020, these are available to pre-order HERE

For a limited number of very lucky fans there is (covid-19 dependent) a special launch event to be held at the UK’s National Space Centre in Leicester on Saturday 22nd August – more details on tickets can be found HERE

The English Rock Ensemble (ERE) features:
Rick Wakeman - Keyboards
Dave Colquhoun- Guitars
Lee Pomeroy - Bass
Ash Soan - Drums

Rick Wakeman's official:
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Keyboard Legend Rick Wakeman & The English Rock Ensemble Return To Prog On New Album “The Red Planet”

Keyboard Legend Rick Wakeman & The English Rock Ensemble will be releasing “The Red Planet” on April 3, 2020. The album features 8 newly composed pieces, especially for this project, and harks back to Wakeman's critically acclaimed debut album “The Six Wives of Henry VIII” where there were 6 heavy keyboard pieces based around a central subject matter. It is a serious return to “Wakeman Prog”...

Rick has blown the dust off his favourite analogue keyboards and along with his with the latest keyboards, has used the same formula he devised when making his legendary albums “The Six Wive's of Henry VIII” and “Criminal Record.”

Upon being asked about the expectations of his Prog Fans, that they are hoping he will have shoved the “Prog Fader” up to 11, he replied, “That could be a problem.... as it's already at 14!!!”

The first 1,000 units of vinyl come in 180-gram red double vinyl, signed and numbered, in a special “Pop-Up” album cover. The first 2,000 units of the CD edition signed and numbered, in a special “Pop-Up” CD album cover. These collectors items are sure to sell out quickly, fans are advised to pre-order to avoid disappointment, or worst still buy copies from auction sites.

The English Rock Ensemble (ERE) features:
Rick Wakeman - Keyboards
Dave Colquhoun- Guitars
Lee Pomeroy - Bass
Ash Soan - Drums

 


Produced by Rick Wakeman and Erik Jordan

This is the first release on the newly formed R&D MultiMedia, which is a transatlantic partnership between music business veteran and long time Wakeman sidekick Rob Ayling and rock journalist and producer Doug Harr.

Rick Wakeman's official website: www.rwcc.com
R&D Media: www.RNDmultimedia.com  

Pre-order Rick Wakeman's “The Red Planet” and other special offers: HERE

Play Back event package: HERE

Rick Wakeman "Box of Boots: Set of 10 Live CDs: Official Bootleg Series" Now Available for Pre-order

Giving an official release to some wonderful historic concerts previously only available to a few people, keyboard legend Rick Wakeman is releasing Box Of Boots: Set of 10 Live CDs: Official Bootleg Series on December 2, 2019. This is a response to these concerts being heavily bootlegged throughout the years and continuing the trend of Frank Zappa, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Pearl Jam... Rick has decided to make stand against the bootleggers and supply official bootlegs which have been cleaned up in the studio, packaged in a great way at a fraction of the price saving fans from buying them off the black market!

Keyboardist, songwriter, producer, television and radio presenter, and author, Rick Wakeman is best known for his work with progressive rock band YES, which spans across five tenures between 1971 and 2004 and for his solo albums released in the 1970s. Wakeman's discography includes over 90 solo albums that range from several musical styles. He has made many television and radio appearances; in recent years he became known for his contributions to the BBC comedy series “Grumpy Old Men,” “Watchdog” and his radio show on Planet Rock that aired from 2005 to 2010. Wakeman has written three books; an autobiography and two memoirs. In 2017, Wakeman was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of YES. 

The box set contains:
Boston USA 1974 Live At Boston Music Hall, Boston, MA October 5th 1974
Osaka Japan 1975 Journey To The Centre Of The Earth Koseinekin Hall, Osaka Japan, 21st January 1975
Vienna, Austria 1976 Vienna Ensemble 1976 Live In Vienna Kurhalle, Oberlaa
Preston UK 1981 Live at Guildhall Preston, November 16th 1981
Sheffield UK 1981 Live at the City Hall Sheffield, UK November 21st 1981
Daphne Du Maurier Festival UK 2001 17th January 2001
Tokyo Japan 2008 Solo Performance in Tokyo 2008
Rick Wakeman and the English Rock Ensemble Cropredy, UK 2010 Live Cropredy Festival, Oxfordshire, UK, 2010
Tokyo Japan 2014 International Forum Hall, Tokyo 1st July 2014
Osaka Japan 2014 Sankei Hall 30th June 2014
 
To pre-order Rick Wakeman Box Of Boots: Set of 10 Live CDs: Official Bootleg Series:
 https://www.musicglue.com/rick-wakeman-emporium/products/box-of-boots-set-of-10-live-cds-official-bootleg-series

Rick Wakeman's official website: 
http://www.rwcc.com/

The box set is a limited edition of 1,000 units. Each contains a signed and numbered certificate. 

Keyboard Legend Rick Wakeman's Emporium Now Open!

Rick Wakeman is pleased to announce a new partnership with Music Glue as the new home of his online store, The Rick Wakeman Emporium! Featuring Signed Special Items, Signed CDs, DVDs and LPs, Signed Memorabilia & Artwork, CDs, DVDs and LPs, T-Shirts, Mugs and Tote Bags!

Visit Rick Wakeman's Emporium: https://www.musicglue.com/rick-wakeman-emporium

Born in Perivale, Middlesex, England, Rick Wakeman's interest in music manifested itself very early, and from the age of seven on he studied classical piano. At the age of 14, he joined a local band, Atlantic Blues, the same year he left school to enroll in the Royal College of Music. He had his eye on a career as a concert pianist, but Wakeman was dismissed from the college after it became clear that he preferred playing in clubs to studying technique.

By his late teens, he was an established session man, playing on records by such diverse acts as Black Sabbath, Brotherhood of Man, and Edison Lighthouse. At the end of the '60s, his name also began appearing on the credits of albums by such artists as Al Stewart and David Bowie, and one set of sessions with a folk-rock band called the Strawbs led to his joining the group in 1970. After two albums with the Strawbs, Wakeman joined Yes, a post-psychedelic hard rock band that had attracted considerable attention with their first three albums. Wakeman played a key role in the final shape of the group's fourth record, Fragile, creating a fierce, swirling sound on an array of electric and acoustic pianos, synthesizers, and Mellotrons. Fragile was a hit, driven by the chart success of the single "Roundabout," and Wakeman was suddenly elevated to star status.

Yes' next album, Close to the Edge, expanded his audience and his appeal, for his instruments were heard almost continually on the record. During the making of Close to the Edge in 1972, Wakeman also recorded his first solo album, an instrumental work entitled The Six Wives of Henry VIII, which consisted of his musical interpretations of the lives and personalities of the said six royal spouses. Released early in 1973 on A&M Records, it performed respectably on the charts. Public reception of Yes' 1974 album, Tales From Topographic Oceans, was mixed, and the critics were merciless in their attacks upon the record. Wakeman exited the group before the album's supporting tour. His new solo album, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, adapted from the writings of Jules Verne and featuring a rock band, narrator (David Hemmings), and full orchestral and choral accompaniment, was released to tremendous public response in both America and England, where it topped the charts. In 1975, his next album, The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, was given a grand-scale premiere at Wembley's Empire Pool, although it also cost Wakeman a fortune to stage the event on ice. During this same period, Wakeman began working on film scores with the music for Ken Russell's Lisztomania, which was a modest hit.

In 1977, Wakeman returned to Yes, with which he has continued recording and touring. His solo career continued on A&M into the end of the '70s, with Criminal Record and Rhapsodies, which were modestly successful. Wakeman's biggest media splash during this period, however, came through his alleged role in getting the Sex Pistols dropped by A&M Records soon after being signed. None of this bothered his fans, which rapidly expanded to encompass those he picked up through his work with lyricist Tim Rice on a musical adaptation of George Orwell's 1984, and his burgeoning film work, which included the music to movies about the 1976 Winter Olympics and the 1982 soccer World Cup competition. Additionally, he became a regular on Britain's Channel 4. Wakeman's audience and reputation survived the 1980s better than almost any progressive rock star of his era, as he continued releasing albums on his own label. He also remained associated with Yes into the '90s.

In January 2016, Trevor Rabin announced he plans to perform with Wakeman and Jon Anderson as Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman (ARW), later in the year. Anderson revealed the three wrote "some unique songs together". Also in January, following requests from fans, Wakeman recorded piano versions of "Life on Mars?", "Space Oddity", and "Always Together" as a tribute to David Bowie following his death with proceeds from the songs donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Rick Wakeman's official website: https://www.rwcc.com

RICK WAKEMAN, JEFF WAYNE, KEVIN PEEK “Beyond the Planets” Limited Edition 180 Gram Clear Vinyl Personally SIGNED by Rick Wakeman Now Available For Pre-order!

Now available for pre-order RICK WAKEMAN, JEFF WAYNE, KEVIN PEEK “Beyond the Planets” Limited Edition of 100, Hand Numbered, 180 Gram Clear Vinyl personally SIGNED by Rick Wakeman!

Have you even wondered what would happen if the king of progressive rock keyboards teamed up with the bloke who wrote “The War Of The Worlds” rock opera and the guitarist with the late lamented Classical Rock group Sky? Well, you need wonder no longer! A reviewer on the Prog Archives writes: “Beyond the planets” is essentially the performance of Holst's “The planets” in a rock context. Wayne's contribution is limited to the composition of an Overture for the album. As this ends, some brief narration by Patrick Allen is heard. Allen does a great impression of Richard Burton, which when combined with Wayne's distinctive sound, immediately creates echoes of “War of the Worlds.” Allen returns a couple of times during the album to link tracks together with further brief narration. The familiar introduction to “Mars” (as used by Rainbow on “Eyes of the World” among many others) then takes over, and we launch into a full rendition of “The Planets suite.” The music is performed dramatically and faithfully throughout, with Peek using various guitar sounds according to the mood of the piece.

This is a strict edition of 100 units, all hand numbered, pressed on 180 gram clear vinyl and personally SIGNED by Rick Wakeman released by The Strictly Limited Edition Vinyl Company.

Estimated delivery date : July 2019

https://www.diggersfactory.com/vinyl/226769/rick-wakeman-jeff-wayne-kevin-peek-beyond-the-planets  

Keyboard Icon Rick Wakeman and Legendary Astronaut Chris Hadfield Pay Tribute To Stephen Hawking and David Bowie At Starmus Festival 2016

In a rare meeting of the minds, keyboard icon Rick Wakeman and legendary astronaut paid tribute to Stephen Hawking at the Starmus Festival in Tenerife, Spain on July 1, 2016! The two legends performed a moving tribute David Bowie with their rendition of his classic song “Space Oddity”.

The Starmus Festival was born with the aim of making the most universal science and art accessible to the public. Traditionally the perfect symbiosis between astronomy, art and music, STARMUS 2016 brought together not only the brightest minds from these areas but many others besides, as we debate the future of humanity with scientists, business people at the cutting edge, and celebrities of all kinds.

 Chris Austin Hadfield is a retired Canadian astronaut who was the first Canadian to walk in space. An engineer and former Royal Canadian Air Force fighter pilot, Hadfield has flown two space shuttle missions and served as commander of the International Space Station.

Commander Hadfield originally performed a cover Bowie's “Space Oddity” on board the International Space Station in 2013. He posted the video on the internet which immediately became a global sensation, being the first ever music video performed in space. Although he had made the video for a number of reasons, Hadfield felt that, “Maybe most importantly, it was a chance to let people see where we truly are in space exploration”. David Bowie himself responded saying that the cover of his 1969 song was “possibly the most poignant version of the song ever created”. The guitar Hadfield used to perform the song is still on the space station where it will remain forever!

Rick Wakeman, who played mellotron on the original version of Bowie's “Space Oddity” says, “It’s a real honour to have played on probably the two most iconic versions of 'Space Oddity', the brilliant original with David of course and now this very special version with Chris that was born 300 miles from planet earth!”

While the Starmus Festival 2016 was paying tribute to Hawking, the promoters also decided to pay tribute to David Bowie! Why? Because Bowie and Hawking share the same birthday - January 8th. Also, Bowie was very much inspired by Space, Astronomy etc… He was invited to Starmus but the invitation arrived the same day he passed…

For more information: http://www.starmus.com/