RICK WAKEMAN DEIFIED

I'm not sure how Rick Wakeman, who is a devout Christian feels about being described as a 'God'. In fact I don't know how I (who am also a Christian, albeit of a rather Zen type) feel about describing Rick as a 'God' despite the fact that he plays keyboards like an angel (oh dear this is getting confusing...)

30/08/12 Prog Magazine who recently announced the first annual Orange Amplification presents the Progressive Music Awards, in association with currencies.co.uk, are to honour the legendary Rick Wakeman as the first ever recipient of the Prog God Award.

Rick Wakeman is one of the most respected and celebrated keyboardists in the world of music. An innovator of the instrument, a composer and songwriter, he is best known as a member of Yes. Having sold over 50 million solo albums alone including the classics of ‘The Six Wives Of Henry VIII’, ‘Journey To The Centre Of The Earth’ and ‘The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table’, he also co-wrote and performed on seven Yes albums including ‘Fragile’, ‘Close To The Edge’, ‘Tales from Topographic Oceans’ and ‘Going For The One’. Consistently touring through his career as a solo performer and with bands such as The Strawbs, New English Rock Ensemble and ABWH (Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe), he has played some of the most extravagant and groundbreaking live shows ever seen, to millions of people around the world.

From the beginning of Wakeman’s musical career straight out of college in 1969, he became one of the most sort after sessions musicians in the world. He played on Cat Stevens ‘Morning Has Broken’ and David Bowie’s ‘Life On Mars?’, ‘Changes’, ‘Oh! You Pretty Things’, ‘Space Oddity’ and ‘Absolute Beginners’. Other artists he has recorded with include Black Sabbath, T. Rex and Elton John.

Rick Wakeman on winning the first ever Prog God Award: “I’m very proud indeed. I’ve always believed that these days there is hardly a band or musician anywhere who haven’t used some element of prog in their music. It’s all about freedom of expression, which in my case is often in seven different time signatures! I am genuinely very very proud to get this award.”

Prog Magazine has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2009, and has had a market-defying three years at the forefront of the prog scene. Originally part of the Classic Rock Magazine brand, Prog became its own entity this year and continues to find success, and The Progressive Music Awards are a credit to this. Having been embraced by prog’s affluent and notably dedicated cult following, the magazine has established itself at the heart of this most unique and underground of rock scenes.

For more information please contact Ben Pester, Communications Manager at ben.pester@futurenet.com or 0207 042 4035 and 07737 138 384

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Editors Notes:

About Future plc:
Future plc is an international media group and leading digital publisher, listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: FUTR). Founded in 1985 with one magazine, today we have operations in the UK, US and Australia creating 200 special-interest publications, apps, websites and events. We hold market-leading positions in Games, Film, Music, Technology, Cycling, Automotive and Crafts. Our biggest-selling products include T3, Total Film, Classic Rock and Official Xbox Magazine. Our websites include gamesradar.com, bikeradar.com,musicradar.com and techradar.com (the UK’s number one consumer technology website). Future sells 2.2 million magazines each month; we attract more than 40 million monthly unique visitors to our websites; and we deliver over 100 digital editions and bespoke apps on tablet. Future exports or syndicates publications to 89 countries, making us the UK’s number one exporter and licensor of magazine content. Future was named Consumer Digital Publisher of the Year for the second year running at the Association of Online Publishers Awards 2012.

About Orange Amplification:

Founded in 1968 by Cliff Cooper, Orange Amps have always been a pioneering force in guitar amplification and built their reputation on delivering high quality without compromise on construction and tone. Known as the best British guitar amplifier manufacturer for both design and build, the company were awarded The Queens Award for Enterprise and International Trade in 2006 and 2009, the highest award that the Queen can confer on a UK company and it is recognised throughout the world.

Check out Rick's Gonzo Artist Page