Bro Rick Wakeman, born on the 18th May 1949 is an English keyboardist and composer best known as a former member of the progressive rock band Yes across five tenures between 1971 and 2004, and for his solo albums released in the 1970s. Bro Wakeman has had a very full and active music career but in more recent times In September and October 2019, Wakeman embarked on his first solo tour of the US in 13 years, playing piano shows. This was followed by the release of Christmas Portraits, a Christmas-themed piano album. In 2020, Wakeman returned to his progressive rock roots with The Red Planet, an instrumental album inspired by Mars and features his English Rock Ensemble. His next album was A Gallery of the Imagination, featuring tracks of varied styles including songs and instrumentals, released in 2022. In February 2023, he and his band performed two shows at the London Palladium featuring The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Journey to the Centre of the Earth and King Arthur performed in their entirety, plus a selection of songs he performed with Yes. Bro Wakeman was initiated into Chelsea Lodge No. 3098 in 2007 becoming its 110th Master in 2014, has been appointed a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. He is also an honorary member of his late Father’s Lodge – Brent Valley Lodge, No. 3940.
