----------------------------------------------------- FEBRUARY 19, 2002 ----------------------------------------------------- Source: Prog-Rock: Indonesian Art & Progressive Rock http://groups.yahoo.com/group/prog-rock/message/9489 Press Conference Rick Wakeman By Surjorimba Suroto This afternoon, Thursday Feb 19th 2002 at Front Row, Taman Ria Senayan -- (Front Row is a restaurant, usually used to watch live sports TV. Taman Ria Senayan is an entertainment complex near Tennis Indoor Senayan) -- the Rick Wakeman & ERE press conference was held. As all well know RW is going to have a gig at JHCC -- (the top concert venue in Jakarta, much larger than Tennis Indoor) -- on Feb 21st 2002. I, as the Indonesian Progressive Society Public Relations representative, received the honour to interview him on behalf of IPS and Classic Rock Specials TPI -- (TPI is a TV station and "Rock Specials" is a music program playing video concerts.) It all started last Friday when Ella Su'ud (she was the producer of Classic Rock Specials TPI and she's also IPS secretary) asked me to interview Rick Wakeman on behalf of TPI. Wow, I never imagined this because I had never interviewed anyone before all my life. And in English! Ella and Tom (this was Tom Malik) gave me courage, saying that interviewing was not as difficult as we thought. Okay, so I said yes with only guts and self confidence in my pocket. Monday night before the regular Classic Rock Special began, Ella called me telling that the interview will be held on Feb 19th. Geez! I haven't prepared anything! Ella asked me to be ready at 3:00 pm at the venue (I learned later it would be at the Front Row restaurant). That night I wrote a interview scenario script. The plan was to concentrate on only three main issues: ERE, solo career, and the pro rock community. This afternoon at 2:00 pm I arrived and the restaurant was still empty. I almost thought that perhaps the interview was cancelled. But Ella said that RW's flight arrived at Jakarta at 10:00 am. Ok, I'll just wait. I took a chance and had a chat with a committee (no need to say the name) about all of the stories that had been flying about this event. He admitted that there were so many problems that should not have happened, and wouldn't have happened if they made proper preparations. Thank God everything went okay and RW arrived. He also said that YES is going to play Singapore this year and he's going to invite them to Jakarta. Jon Anderson even wanted to come along with Rick and didn't ask to be paid. Just pay the hotels and airfare. Too bad the Promoter didn't take that opportunity At 4:00 pm Rick and company arrived and went straight to the conference desk. The reporters (mostly young people) took pictures. The conference was opened by Ifeb and he also stated some rules, i.e no media blitz. Rick lead the band, giving a speech expressing his excitement to be playing in Jakarta. Then some reporters asked questions. Too bad many of them asked general questions -- like, what's the difference between his music and YES, what inspired Journey, 6 Wives album, etc. They should have gone deeper than this. Oh well, what the heck. It was uncomfortable at first, since many people were busy chatting at the back of the room. FYI, only 1/3 of the people present were really there for the conference. The rest were just having fun and didn't appreciate the event. They were asked to be silent by MC. After the conference, then TV interviews. First was Metro TV and then TPI (that's me). Ella and I introduced us from TPI and members of IPS. RW was very enthusiatic to hear we're from the society. Truthfully, I can say he was very friendly and familiar. It's very different compared to many foregin artists that I've seen off-stage. RW's friendliness really helped my mental state, which was in jeopardy. I was very excited! The interview began, and since we had limited time, all of the chit-chat nonsense was skipped. I directly asked (complete transcript to be followed after I received the video copy) about the ERE. Is there any plan to make a studio album with this band, knowing that they were more often on stage? RW replied that they'll finished their album this March and the CD will be ready to be released in July/Aug 2002. The music itself is something like No Earthly Connection part 2. I asked him why he really loved to make sequels (Return to the Centre of the Earth, and White Rock II)? He told me about the background story of White Rock II. Then I asked him why he rarely played songs from No Earthly Connection, White Rock, and Criminal Record on stage? RW replied that actually there were 1-2 songs but had to be edited from the DVD. He'll play some on the concert. I told him that Criminal Record was my personal favourite. Still about old albums, I asked if there were any plans to re-released his A&M albums? RW replied (with a very sad expression) that he had tried everything. But there were so many problems, especially since A&M had been bought by other company (Universal). The new company was not interested in releasing them. Even RW himself had No Earthly Connection as a bootleg! One alternative was make double DVD/CD like the one he's going to release soon. Or hoping that Japan will release them. The next questions were about the prog rock community. I asked his personal opinion about the community? He was excited knowing about the Indonesian Progressive Society. I almost forgot about the time, and the interview had to stop. That was unfortunate, because Rick is a very nice person and he loves to talk. After RW made a short speech for TPI (this interview was aired on Monday, Feb. 25, 2002), the interview ended. Bowo and I asked for autographs and took pictures with Rick. RW then played a keyboard solo, and much to my surprise, he played a song from White Rock (After the Ball) personally for me! I was very excited, expecially when Rick called me, saying that he was impressed knowing someone who knew that he had never played this album on stage. After the keyboard solo, I took the opportunity to asked him one final question: the rumour saying he'll join YES again with the orchestra this year. He said that everything is still in negotiation, and he's very enthusiatic that it may happen. So the beautiful evening ended and will never be forgotten. I gave my highest ratitude to Ella for having faith in me to interview a prorock legend, although I don't have track record as a reporter. See you all this Thursday, Feb 21st guys and gals! Remember, this might be your only chance to see a legendary YES-man live in Jakarta. For those who wants to see YES, get ready to save your money to go to Singapore. 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