------------------------------------------------------- FEBRUARY 2, 1974 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: Billboard Wakeman LP Delay Stirs Pirate Fears LONDON -- Fears of a bootlegging situation arising from Rick Wakeman's solo sell-out concert at London's Royal Festival Hall last week has arisen following the A&M decision to delay release of the album, which is partly being recorded live at the concert, to a release date in early April. Wakeman, using the London Symphony Orchestra, The English Chamber Choir and a hand-picked rock band, devoted the entire second half of the two evening concerts to a 40-minute work, "Journey to the Centre of the Earth," originally planed to be recorded and rush-released in February. A spokesman for Wakeman said that he and manager Brian Lane were worried that the delay would encourage bootleg recordings of the concert to appear on the open market. The reason given by A&M for postponing the release had been the vinyl shortage. However, A&M denied that the vinyl shortage was entirely to blame, saying that a later release would "tie in more conveniently with Wakeman's plans." Wakeman begins a seven week American tour with Yes on Sunday, returning in April, but there are no further plans for Yes concerts immediately after their return. An A&M spokesman said that it could not be stated what these plans of Wakeman's were. Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, inquiries, corrections, or additions, contact yitp@yesservices.com