Birth of Richard Christopher Wakeman
Birth of Richard Christopher Wakeman, later Yes keyboard player and solo artist.
Role range: 1949-
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Rick Wakeman Biography and Timeline
Follow Rick Wakeman through 9 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Rick Wakeman, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
9Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1949–2002Years on this page
1949
1971
Fragile
Makes his Yes studio debut on Fragile during the band's international breakthrough.
Role range: 1971-1974
Yes
Joins Yes, replacing Tony Kaye and adding Mellotron, synthesizers and virtuoso keyboard parts.
Role range: 1971-1974
1973
Tales from Topographic Oceans
Plays keyboards on Tales from Topographic Oceans before leaving the band in 1974.
Role range: 1971-1974
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
Contributes keyboards to Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, adding progressive rock colour to the album.
Role range: 1973-1973
1974
Departure
Leaves Yes after the Tales from Topographic Oceans tour.
Role range: 1971-1974
1977
Going for the One
Returns to Yes for Going for the One, restoring the classic keyboard presence.
Role range: 1977-1980
1980
Departure
Leaves Yes again during the transition away from the late-1970s line-up.
Role range: 1977-1980
2002
Yes
Returns to Yes for another period with Anderson, Howe, Squire and White.
Role range: 2002-2004
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.