Rick Wakeman To Retire From Music Industry; Reason Behind the Move Revealed

Rick Wakeman is gearing up to meet his fans in another tour leg - which will reportedly be his last.

After decades of performing in the rock band Yes and as a solo artist, Wakeman confirmed the beginning of his final solo tour before his impending retirement.

He disclosed that he would close the curtains after his 2024 shows.

Rick Wakeman Confirms Retirement

In his interview with loudersound.com, Wakeman said "it's time to call it a day" after his long career in the music industry.

"I always planned to stop touring by my 77th birthday - for those of you who wish to send me a card, it's May 18th! - but there is so much to fit in before then that I'm having to make plans now, and so my final one-man shows will have to cease by that date," he said.

Wakeman added that he enjoyed performing through his one-man shows, but he reportedly wants to end his career for good.

While he already has solo tour plans, he hinted at his desire to give his fans the best of what he had done in the past on top of other surprises he prepared.

Wakeman had a fruitful career with Yes starting in 1971. He played in all eight studio albums of the band until 2004, including "Union," "Fragile," "Tales From the Topographic Oceans" and "Going For the One."

In 2017, he grabbed the chance to reform the band along with Trevor Rabin and Jon Anderson.

Before his announcement, he dropped solo piano shows which came from his massive solo catalog that included David Bowie's "Life on Mars" and Cat Stevens' "Morning Has Broken."

"The plan is not to perform at the same venue twice throughout this period," he went on. "So whatever venue you are hopefully thinking of coming to, it will be the last performance there - and I am taking this opportunity of thanking everyone and anyone who has supported me over the last 53 years!"

Rick Wakeman 2024 Final Solo Tour Dates and Venues

Wakeman unveiled the first set of dates and venues of his final solo tour. More details will be shared at a latter date.

March 19 - Ridgefield, CT @ Ridgefield Playhouse.

March 20 - Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theatre

March 22 - Huntington, NY @ Paramount Theater

March 23 - Collingswood, NJ @ Scottish Rite Auditorium

Mach 24 - Derry, NH @ Tupelo Music Hall

March 26 - Red Bank, NJ @ The Vogel @ Count Basie Center for the Arts

March 27/28 - Vienna, VA @ The Barns

March 29 - Albany, NY @ Egg