Rick Wakeman - Space Oddity 

One of the very few musicians on the planet I could listen to all day long - nonstop. Such a talent and great individual. He's made this world a better place.

I am both a David Bowie fan and a Rick Wakeman fan. I find myself crying and I can't help it. This is so beautiful.

Rick Wakeman is one of the last remaining links to one of the greatest eras of music. Watching this video, and seeing Rick's face as he plays, reminds us all how fragile is that llink. The sheer poignancy of it makes one weep.

Dear Rick, you certainly don't remember me. I am (now) an old Brazillian /Dutch lady who has always loved your music. When I was young, you made a concert in Sao Paulo, my home city. I was there in the crowd, screaming your name. When the show finished, I ran to the stage and frantically tried to find you. I was greeted by a number of security personnel, but I plead to see you. I mentioned my admiration for you, and one guy looked at me with kindness and allowed me to enter and see you. I could not believe my luck. You were sitting on a table, I remember looking at you: you are a giant, literally. I was so amazed to be by your side that I almost could not say a word. It was pretty embarrassing because I knew it was a unique opportunity, but I could only utter a few words in my (then) poor English. Soon, I was out of the room. It was a long time ago but I will never forget this moment, one of the very special of my life. Yours was the first vinyl I had and the first CD I heard uncountable times until someone requested me to stop. Your music and energy have been ringing in my ears. If you are reading it now, know that I am grateful for your life and for your work, which will always be with us. I read you will be touring in the UK this year, I got tickets for De Montfort Hall on 30th November 2024! Probably, I will not be able to jump onto the stage like before, but I will cherish the entire show! Lots of love, Cristina

Probably the best keyboardist/pianist in rock music history.

This is so delicately played and phrased, it's almost holy and otherworldly.

I always find it somewhat amusing/disturbing that some people can take the time to listen to something creative/beautiful and then click on the thumbs down. I'd love to see those individuals attempt to create ANYTHING.

Without Rick Wakeman, dozens of absolute classic singles would never have made it. He is the undisputed master of melody

This is truly beautiful. Rick Wakeman played and created such stunning music. I truly believe the 70's was a time when some of the most awesome music was inspired/created.

Its incredible how Great Britain produced the best musicians of Prog Rock,Hard Rock,Pop,Heavy...,alone,compared to the intire world.

Rick, you are the best keyboarder of all time in the world.

Rick was such an important part of one of Bowie's greatest albums, "Hunky Dory."

All other genius aside, I find it incredible how Rick picks out the lead melody in his many solo performances. It's so much more than a loudness thing. The balance of tones he achieves is sublime.

What a beautiful tribute. I love the embellishments, it's like the sun sparkling on a lake.

When I was a kid my dad made me listen to the group YES and until the hour I always remember that you are a good pianist, greetings from Chile.

Fantastic! Also, Wakeman just might be the real "most interesting man in the world".

It's odd, I love Rick and Yes and Bowie, but apart from that... just watching this is hypnotic... I can't seem to take my eyes away... Beautiful

I had the privilege of seeing Mr. Wakeman live in Argentina several times...how talented this exceptional artist has..what a superb level!! clap clap clap.-

beautiful. a fitting tribute to bowie by a man who played on some of bowie's best songs.

sensational interpretation... piano mastery... highlighting the genius of bowie

He just makes it look so effortless. Incredible musician, all round great bloke. So funny as well. I'd be happy if I could play at 10% of his level. Keep playing Rick.

Been a Fan of Rick's since i was 14,He is a Real Legend.

As a keyboard musician since a boy and a pro Player everywhere I am in awe at his skills,only matched perhaps by Keith Emerson. Superb.

Fantastic interpretation, my favorite David Bowie song.

Who else clicked Like within two seconds of the start?

Rick you make it look effortless. I wish I could play the piano.

Amazing how he represents so many parts of the song with just two hands

OMG Rick, you've totally excelled yourself, this is the loveliest piano arrangement of Space Oddity I've ever heard ! (has anyone else done one ?)...

Rick's playing here is like sitting at the edge of a small lake, and as the wind creates little waves that lap at the edges and the sun in the clear blue sky reflects, it glistens off the peaks of those little waves. Embellishments on natural beauty, only certain peaks pick up the reflection whilst others dip away forming troughs that support the peaks and overall it makes a flowing beauty that is constantly moving and made of many different dimensions. Inspiring musicianship.

Epic !!! Rick Wakeman was the first show I watch at my life - I was a teen and he came to Rio de Janeiro, Brasil!!! I love him !! He is a master !!! A genius at the piano !!

Wow ! This is a truly epic rendition of Bowie's song. He played it like a master pianist.

El màs grande Tecladistas y Pianista de todos los tiempos ...

Totally awesome and I’m having lunch with him tomorrow!! I’m so excited! Wonderful wonderful man. And as a pianist myself he is the one who makes the piano talk…. Xx

This is beautiful playing , thankyou .

Rick, Keith Emerson, and only a few others were able to do stuff across the musical world and not screw up the feeling.

Music simply can't get much more beautiful than this stellar rendition !!!###

This amazing - i can hear every word in my head - I am Major Tom to ground control

Emotional, one great artists tribute to another great artist, Bowie a man before his own time and Wakeman a legend still today

Perfect.

An absolute legend on keyboard

....wonderful!!..always a pleasure to see Rick Wakeman performance...

His fingers are short like mine...this gives me much hope and inspiration to keep practicing

Beautiful , creative. Rick is a exceptional musician.

So Beautiful… It’s like David is right here, present as I listen. Missing him. And the awesome Rick Wakeman ❤️.

Still blowing me away after all these decades, Rick. Thank you for that. Bless you for that.

Simply beautiful. Thank you.

If somebody like David Bowie hires you to play on his record and tells you “just play what feels right”, then chances are you did something right in your early career...

Fantastic musician. He can rock with the best of them and he sure knows his way around synthesizers, keyboards and organs but the way he played this was just superb. I think David Bowie would approve. Brilliant sir.👍👍🇨🇦

wow beautiful

45 seconds in and I am crying, a very touching rendition...

And here come the tears...

Rick Wakeman THE FINGERS. THE MASTER. FOREVER YES!!!🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹

Rick Wakeman at Peel Castle that was something else sheer joy he lived on the island

This man is a genius. Period. In ANY time.

Simply a master piece ! Thank you.

God bless you, Mr Rick Wakeman. You has added a note of beautiful sound to my youth. All the sound of your music was a companion for me and my brothers. I enjoyed all your compositions... Best regards for you. I think you are the best keyboard player of the world. Thanks a lot for grow up my spirit. Greetins from Spain.

perfect!

I just heard the album Piano Portrait. it's an amazing piano album, believe me!!

great!

Those 4 chords in the interlude,C F G A just happen to show up in 1977 for the majestic intro to Parallels from Going For The One and Chris Squire is the sole composer.

Ground Control to Major Tom Ground Control to Major Tom Take your protein pills and put your helmet on Ground Control to Major Tom (ten, nine, eight, seven, six) Commencing countdown, engines on (five, four, three) Check ignition and may God's love be with you (two, one, liftoff) This is Ground Control to Major Tom You've really made the grade And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear Now it's time to leave the capsule if you dare "This is Major Tom to Ground Control I'm stepping through the door And I'm floating in a most peculiar way And the stars look very different today For here Am I sitting in a tin can Far above the world Planet Earth is blue And there's nothing I can do Though I'm past one hundred thousand miles I'm feeling very still And I think my spaceship knows which way to go Tell my wife I love her very much she knows Ground Control to Major Tom Your circuit's dead, there's something wrong Can you hear me, Major Tom? Can you hear me, Major Tom? Can you hear me, Major Tom? Can you "Here am I floating 'round my tin can Far above the moon Planet Earth is blue And there's nothing I can do"

I normally hate piano, but I can't get enough of these wonderful Rick Wakeman videos . Thank for the uploads ;)

Beautiful!

Brillant!!!

He doesnt wear a cape live on stage for nothing, folks...Because he is.....SUPER KEYMAN

When I was an adolescent of 14 or 15 years (that was in the early 70ies) my life has been influenced and is still up to today by 3 persons: Ian Anderson, Chris Squire (RIP) and Rick Wakeman. Opening my old Bösendorfer there is always a little thought to you, Mr. Wakeman. Thank you!

Simply beautiful.

This guy still an amazing musician !

Genius...composer and performer

The first time I heard the Maestro, I found someone who could lead me into music that the books could never teach. Journey to the Centre of the Earth was my first 'play along' on my piano, from then it was an open universe of music for me. because of Rick Wakeman.

Rick. You are a magician. Bye from Spain

such a beautiful piece of music

stunning

I have been lucky enough to have seen him 4 times. He is amazing live. My favorite keys man .One of the very best alive today.

Such a unique style, I just love the way he plays.

Thank you, the two GREAT musical deities - Rick Wakeman and David Bowie!!! May you rest in piece, Major Tom...

Thank You ♥

WOW!!Perfect!!

The king of the keyboards 😍😍

Flawlessly played.wow

With Emerson and Lord gone...he is our last of the Holy Trinity! Happy Birthday, Rick!

Man this is so good

Just beautiful

Omg... This is amazing!!!

His piano on Honky Dory is outstanding! OK Bowie wrote the songs but the piano arrangements make a lot of them! Life on Mars, Changes, Fill your Heart, Oh You Pretty Things. Always wondered how much Bowie wrote certain lines like on Oh You Pretty Things, did he do that Cdim-Db-Ddim-Eb-Bb-Fsus4-F riff at the end of first verse, it's such a piano thing! I think Rick might have just thrown that in there!

Beautiful

Thank you!!!!!

This giant. ❤

Wow! Beautiful! Thank you!

That was beautiful!!! Sent shivers up my spine!

Simply perfection . . . .

Tears in my eyes

Simply his commendable abilities, extensive and generously demonstrated...

Thank you, Rick, for sharing with us.

Just so wonderful. Superb.

the master. .... thank you

Hendrix, Wakeman Joni Mitchell. The geniuses of our time.

Effortlessly perfect....and no music sheets!

WOW!! I CRIED AND I HARDLY EVER CRY.😢

Beautiful from my favorite keyboardist