Prog rock pioneer 'overwhelmed' by stamp issue

Rick Wakeman lived on the Isle of Man for 14 years

Celebrated rock pianist Rick Wakeman said he was "very overwhelmed and very proud" to have a set of Isle of Man stamps created in his honour.

The collection features fantasy landscapes, created by Roger Dean, which adorned the covers of several of Wakeman's solo projects and work with the band Yes.

The images depict surreal landscapes that include floating islands and cliffs as well as fantastical creatures, with each featuring an elaborate colourful stage.

The musician said the artwork had "always felt like a natural extension of the music I've created, and to see our worlds brought together on stamps is both surreal and wonderful".

The stamps feature designs by Roger Dean created for album covers

The collection, released by the Isle of Man Post Office, features six designs and was put together in collaboration with both the musician and designer.

A pioneer of progressive rock, as well as having a prolific solo career Wakeman has also featured on music by other artists including David Bowie and Elton John.

He said he first met Dean in 1971 during the recording of the Yes album Fragile, starting a friendship that has "lasted to this day".

Describing the first seeing his designs, Wakeman said: "We looked and we just all felt that it was, well it was almost like artistic versions of what we were doing musically.

"So Rog literally became a sixth member of the band, so to speak, as regards to the recording and the albums and designs for work.

"Roger has done stuff for me too because I do like very much what he does, he is very unique."

The artwork for the Yes album Fragile features in the collection

Reflecting on the importance of the cover artwork to an album as a whole, Wakeman said: "I'm glad that vinyl and LPs are being made and sold again because the cover is so important. It's all part of a package. Music is tactile - it's something to listen to and to touch.

"If you've got an album, you've got a great cover and you've got all the information that you need about the album. I mean, that's so much better than just downloading something and having a title written down there."

He said he remembered going into record shops decades ago and being captivated by album artwork.

"You'd be going through all the albums looking at the covers and if there was a cover that really caught your eye... sometimes you'd actually buy the album because the cover was so good.

"You sort of felt that if it's that good, then surely the music's got to be that good as well."

Born in Middlesex, Wakeman lived on the island for more than a decade after relocating in 1987, and recorded several albums at his home studio during the period, including one in collaboration with the Manx National Heritage celebrating local historical landmarks."

He said he still held the Isle of Man in huge affection, adding: "I champion the island whenever I can, especially when I'm abroad.

"I know people that have visited and come back to me and said 'what a beautiful place', and is very unique in so many ways.

"I can hand on heart say that I really enjoyed living there and I'm very glad I did."

Rick Wakeman begins a set of 14 tour dates on Sunday

Looking ahead to his latest UK tour, The Return Of The Caped Crusader Part 2, which begins on Sunday in Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, he said touring was "hard work, but that's what I like, I don't like things to be easy".

"I enjoy the playing but I don't enjoy the travelling anymore because I have some health issues which are very difficult to deal with.

"I mean, I'm 76 now and I keep telling myself I'm not, but when the body talks, you're afraid you are."

"I've got arthritis in my hands and feet, but at the moment they're not stopping me playing.

"It is painful, which is why I've stopped doing the one-man shows. I used to do two-hour one-man shows.

"I still do some of those shows, but I always have somebody with me, like a singer or one of my sons, or my band, because that does take the pressure off, it's not 100% full on.

"You always play all the time, but there are periods there where whoever's with you takes the spotlight, shall we say, which means that it's more of not such an intense, hard work on the hands during those periods, which gives you some time. It makes it work."

But despite the difficulties, Wakeman says he still looks forward to the performances.

"I've always said that if ever I lost that I'd close the piano lid," he said.

"That's not going to happen, I play every day, I just feel so blessed that I'm able to do it. I love every day."