----------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 13, 1973 ----------------------------------------------------- Source: Melody Maker  Rick Wakeman to Go Solo Rick Wakeman is to star in his own show at London's Royal Festival Hall next year. And the concert will be recorded for his next solo album. Wakeman will appear with the 100-piece London Symphony Orchestra performing his own musical adaptation of Jules Verne's "Journey To The Centre Of The Earth." It will be Wakeman's first solo concert and there are also plans to film the concert for colour video cassettes. The show will be presented at the Festival Hall on January 18, by Yes manager Brian Lane -- in conjunction with Lou Reizner, who master-minded the all-star version of the Who's "Tommy " -- and Barry Dickens of MAM. There will be two concert performances, each lasting one hour 40 minutes. Wakeman -- voted the world's best keyboard player in Melody Maker's 1973 Poll -- will play selections from "Six Wives" followed by "Journey To The Centre Of The Earth." It is hoped Richard Harris will be the narrator. An album, recorded live at the concert, will be rush-released by A&M at the end of January. And if the venue's authorities agree, the show will be filmed for video cassettes, to be used when they become "commercially viable." On stage Wakeman will play three Moog synthesisers, three Mellotrons, three electric pianos, an acoustic piano, a Hammond organ, an electric harpsichord and two electric devices to mix and control his own sound. He will also play the Festival Hall organ. None of the other members of Yes will be taking part, but Wakeman will be working with Barney James (drums), Ashley Holt and Gary Pickford-Hopkins (vocals), Mike Egan (lead guitar), Dave Wintour (bass), Roger Newell (bass) and Frank Riccotti (percussion). Holt and James are both members of Warhorse, a band Wakeman worked with up until 1969. He has now taken over as their record producer. Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact YesinthePress@aol.com