eonmusic: music for life.
  • Home
  • News
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Features

Rick Wakeman Reveals How He Almost Joined Black Sabbath

21/3/2016

0 Comments

 
Rick Wakeman has revealed how he almost joined Black Sabbath. Speaking at the Classic Rock Awards in London on Wednesday night (11th Nov 2015) ​, Wakeman was full of praise Midlands' legends.
Picture
By Eamon O'Neill on 17 November 2015.

Progressive rock keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman has revealed how he almost joined heavy metal group Black Sabbath. Speaking exclusively to Gigs And Festivals at the Classic Rock Awards, which were held in London on Wednesday (11th Nov 2015) night, Wakeman was full of praise for the doom metal purveyors.

Taking place at the Roundhouse in Camden, the Classic Rock ‘Roll Of Honour’ recognised the achievements of those from the world of hard rock. Winners included Swedish superstars Europe, who scooped up the ‘Comeback’ award, Led Zeppelin who won the award for ‘Reissues Of The Year’, and Queen who were crowned ‘Living Legends’.

Speaking on the red carpet, Wakeman explained how he came to work with Black Sabbath in 1973.
The former Yes man said: “Ozzy and I, and all the guys; Tony [Iommi] and Geezer [Butler] and Bill [Ward] were all great, great pals. Yes supported Sabbath on a whole tour in 1972, and we just became great, great friends, and still are to this day”.

Wakeman went on to record with the metal legends on their ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’ album, and it was this meeting that almost led to him permanently joining the band. He explained: “Well I know at the time there was talk because both Ozzy and Tony have told me. There was talk after that album of maybe asking me to join, to add keyboards in the band.” Going on to clarify just why the merger didn’t happen, the soloist was philosophical: “At that time it was decided – and I have to say quite correctly – metal at that time was ‘guitars’; total and utter guitars – nobody ever added a keyboard. And I think, certainly for me, at that time it would have been wrong.”

The Grumpy Old Man went on to say that working with Ozzy Osbourne in later years was something that he was still proud of.
Rick said: “Ozzy said to me; “times change and times move on”, and you take the ‘Ozzmosis’ album – I call that a prog-metal album. You take tracks like ‘Perry Mason’ and ‘I Don’t Want You’; they’re metal taken to another level.”

Finally, praising the Black Sabbath band members, Wakeman added: “I’m a huge Sabbath and Ozzy fan – love ‘em to bits, and people like Ozzy, and, in fact, Tony Iommi and Geezer, there’s a lot more to them musically than sometimes people give them credit for.”

Wakeman has just been announced as one of the headline acts of the inaugural Stone Free Festival, which will take place at London’s O2 Arena on Sat 18th and Sun 19th June 2016. There he’ll be performing the whole of his ‘Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table’ opus for the first time since 1975.

First published on gigsandfestivals.com, 17 November 2015. ​
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    EXCLUSIVE: Trey Spruance Charts the Return of Mr. Bungle.
    Picture
    Rory Gallagher Remembered; 25 Years Gone.
    Picture
    Helloween Postpone New Album & 2020 Dates.
    Picture
    The Bay Strikes Dublin as Testament & Exodus Give One More Lesson in Brutality.
    Picture
    Ian Anderson Chats Jethro Tull's 2020 Plans, and his 'Feud' With Robert Plant.
    Picture
    Nicko McBrain Pays Tribute to "True Diplomat and Wonderful Human Being" Neil Peart.
    Picture
    Body Count Return with Brutal New Track 'Carnivore'.
    Picture
    EXCLUSIVE: K.K. Downing Talks His Forthcoming Return to the Stage, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
    Picture
    INTERVIEW: Everclear's Art Alexakis Goes it Alone for 'Sun Songs' Album & Tour.
    Picture
    Epiphone & Lzzy Hale Team Up For Signature Explorer Model.

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    September 2015

© 2016 - 2020 eonmusic.co.uk

Contact: info@eonmusic.co.uk
ABOUT
  • Home
  • News
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Features