Pianos and Keyboards

Oliver Wakeman was born into a musical family and is the eldest son of rock musician Rick Wakeman. He has written and appeared on various albums, all of which have been released to critical acclaim. Oliver's musical career started at about the age of 5 with piano lessons taken during break time at New Gregories School in Beaconsfield. As a child, Oliver would often sit at his dad's grand piano in the lounge and run his fingers haphazardly over the keys thinking that if he did it enough times them something tuneful would happen and one day it did - only briefly, but it was enough to make the young Oliver sit there all day, annoying everyone, trying to 'guess-play'. Eventually Oliver realised that he was just going to have to learn to play properly. Oliver's classical training has been a bit 'on and off' for years. However, he has now become a trained player, much to his satisfaction, and can claim a few distinctions along the way. Oliver's recording career started in 1984 when he and his younger brother Adam contributed backing vocals to a track on father Rick's "Cost of Living" album. The track is called 'Bedtime Stories" and to this day is the only track that features Oliver, Adam and Rick Wakeman on the same track. At age 17 Oliver started to gig regularly in pubs in the Devon area and considers those experiences to be as important as the formal musical training he has received. 1989 saw Oliver's own personal recording debut as part of the band 'Obssession'. He featured on the cassette-only release "Debut of Desire'". Oliver wrote one song for the album called 'Into the Mirror' which he is still threatening to re-record one of these days. Oliver left 'Obssession' and started college in his late teens. He trained as a graphic design artist and holds a diploma in the subject. In 1995 Oliver began work on what was to become his first solo album with the purchase of an old Atari ST computer, which he still has somewhere around the house, although he has now upgraded to a Mac. 1995 - 1997 saw Oliver join his good friend and 'rock-jock' Jim Ling for a spell on the airwaves. Oliver helped present the Lantern FM Friday night rock show. Over the two years Oliver made over 40 appearances on the show presenting music that hasn't received airplay anywhere else. 1997 saw the release of Oliver's first solo album "Heaven's Isle". "Heaven's Isle" was written at the request of the Landmark Trust to promote their 1997 season of Lundy Island. The album was re-released throughout Europe by Verglas music in late 1999. Music from this album has been used by BBC 1 & Independent Television for various programmes. The Tarka Tourism board's video "The Secret Country of the Two Rivers" also features music from this album. His second album 'Jabberwocky' (a collaboration with London based musician Clive Nolan) was released in early 1999 and featured an all star cast, including Peter Banks (Yes), Tony Fernandez (Strawbs), Rick Wakeman, Tracey Hitchings (Landmarq) & Bob Catley (Magnum). Oliver and Clive are currently adding the finishing touches to the follow up "The Hound of the Baskervilles" due for release in early 2002. This will feature a similar cast plus Robert Powell as Dr Watson. Oliver's 3rd solo album, "The 3 Ages of Magick" was recorded with Steve Howe (Yes, Asia), who contributed guitars and executive production duties. This album will be released in July 2001. Oliver has also written music for various corporate companies in order to launch or promote their products including the pro-audio company Allen & Heath. Oliver has been nominated for the Classic Rock Society's best keyboard player award for the last four years and in 1999 his first two albums were nominated for best album. He was also voted best newcomer in the Dutch Progressive Rock annual poll in 1999. A commissioned new age album, "Chakras", is due for release in late 2001. Discography: Solo and associated       Oliver Wakeman Heaven's Isle Opus Music 1997 Clive Nolan & Oliver Wakeman Jabberwocky Verglas 1999 Oliver Wakeman Heaven's Isle re-issue Verglas 1999 Oliver Wakeman with Steve Howe The 3 Ages of Magick Resurgence 2001 Oliver Wakeman Chakras Origins 2001 Clive Nolan & Oliver Wakeman The Hound of the Baskervilles Verglas 2002 (projected)