Rick is on Radio 5 Now !!

[Trevor Walker]

If there are any other Brits on the site - Rick is in the studio @ Radio 5 at the moment and will be talking about his new album, Yes and his tour !

[upbgirl]

darn! wrong side of the 'pond' again!!
my hubby just got a wakeman cd-lord of the rings stuff.. i think it's called 'songs of middle earth' and i stocked the cooler all night at work listening to it..man-he IS a wizard...let us know what he says, ok, trevor?

[Trevor Walker]

Well, upbgirl, he was his usual bubbly self.

He pointed out the subtle differences in the sense of humour between each side of the pond. He recounted a story of a recent Radio interview in the States. The very serious interviewer asked Rick about what is different about touring now compared to the tours in the early Seventies. He pointed out that he, along with Alan, are the youngest in the group, but in looking round the stage he was very glad "we all had our own hips !". The interviewer promptly solicited calls from the public, and virtually the rest of the session comprised people calling in to talk about their replacement hip operations !

He answered a few e-mails which were sent in, updating Jon's condition (he is recovering very nicely and the European Tour is not in doubt) and stating that all the current members of Yes are playing better than ever and having more fun than ever before. He said that "Prog Rock" is no longer taboo, and he said he hated that label. He said that whatever you call it "Prog Rock" or "Classical Rock" it is in a healthy state at the moment with many youngsters picking up instruments and playing.

He also recounted the famous Yes concert in the Free Trade Hall in Manchester, England where his roadie nipped out for a curry during "Tales" and, as Rick had very little to do in "Ritual" he and the Roadie spread the dishes over the keys and promptly ate it before it went cold ! He said that "Ritual" involved a lot of "shed building" by the drummer !

He also promoted his Tour in April and May (45 gigs in 46 nights!) with the English Rock Ensemble. Two days after that tour finishes he re-joins Yes for the European Tour (Woooooo Hoooooo !).

All in all he was in a bubbly witty mood and looked, apparently, very healthy. He said that after he books into hotels he throws his bag on the bed and goes out for a long two hour walk. Trouble is, he says, that at his age he usually forgets how to get back to the hotel !

That was about it. Radio 5 in the UK is a news and sports channel so the chat was interrupted frequently but was still interesting nevertheless.

Hope it was of some interest.

[Dances w/PURPLE]

Thanks Trevor! How are ya over there? Florida is lovely and warm again with nice spring rains.


Trevor..what do you mean by "nipped out". Curry is a spice. hmmmmm. Got me hangin'.

[Trevor Walker]

Yeah, dances ! I see it's 77 degrees in Orlando - been on the Local 6 website again ! Like to keep up with what's happenin' over there ! It's pretty mild over here too at the moment.

By "nipped out" I mean he left the gig and went to the local Take-away Indian restaurant. Apparently the odour of the curry wafted over the front 12 rows and all eyes were on Rick swigging booze and chomping curry !

[Dances w/PURPLE]

Ah! I get it.

He is "spirited". You know I would love to sit around a campfire and listen to Rick tell stories. He's narrates the Roger Dean "Views" DVD and just keeps it going along so delightfully well. He seems like a fun guy and aside from his music, I imagine he is humorous to be with, never a dull moment.

[Trevor Walker]

He hosts a stand-up comedy show in the UK and appears regularly on an afternoon quiz show. Talented guy indeed !