Rick Wakeman, CBE, a world-renowned keyboardist, songwriter, composer and performer has been awarded the prestigious Musicians’ Company Honorary Fellowship at The Royal College of Music in London.
The award was bestowed by Bishop Graeme Knowles, Master of the Musicians’ Company during a special celebratory event, during which Rick Wakeman, an alumnus of the Royal College of Music gave a fascinating insight into his long and varied career with piano illustrations to the evening’s presenter Will Gompertz (Artistic Director of The Barbican Centre). During the evening which took place in the Royal College of Music’s stunning new concert hall, the globally revered recording artist discussed how different genres of music have influenced his life’s work, with important links highlighted between a wide range of songwriters and composers including David Bowie, Liszt, Paul McCartney and Prokofiev.
One of the most versatile artists of his generation, Rick Wakeman is a music icon and is uniquely respected and admired by countless musicians across all genres of music, having produced a staggering amount of material over many decades and receiving many accolades including an induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 alongside his band members from the group Yes.
Wakeman commented “ I am truly very proud to have become a member of the Musicians’ Company and look forward to engaging with it in the coming years.
Master of The Musicians’ Company Bishop Graeme Knowles says, “I am so pleased to lead this ancient Company founded in 1500 into the 21st century. Rick Wakeman is one of the most distinguished musicians of our generation and a worthy recipient of the Company’s Fellowship”.
Each year the Musicians’ Company, one of the oldest and most respected charitable companies in the City of London, donates over £250,000 in scholarships and awards in support of talented young musicians at the start of their careers across all musical disciplines.
Associated with its widespread support for young musicians across all musical genres, the Musicians’ Company has a long tradition of recognising creative talent and the contribution that distinguished artists have made to the music profession from Elgar and Vaughan Williams to John Dankworth and Ronnie Scott. The Company added a Lifetime Achievement award in Popular Music in 2016 with recipients including global icons Annie Lennox and Brian May.
