Episode
Rick Wakeman’s Defiant King Arthur Album | Music News
- Published
- Sep 13, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 133
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- https://sources.thednn.ai/99f8d8ebffdffda3
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Summary
At just 25, Rick Wakeman suffered his first heart attack after a tour and hit solo album—doctors ordered him to retire. Instead, he turned hospital bed into creative command center, sketching an epic King Arthur album fueled by childhood visits to Tintagel. Humming melodies into a smuggled tape recorder, he wrote “The Last Battle” as his personal declaration of defiance. By November 1974, he assembled a full orchestra, choir, and vocalists to record the grand, Mellotron-laden King Arthur album—which soared to 2 in the UK and 21 in the US. But Wakeman didn’t stop there—he staged a jaw-dropping live show on ice at Wembley, funding it himself with skaters playing Arthurian roles, only to go bankrupt. He rejoined Yes by ’76, but that rebellious, mythic chapter remains his most legendary act of musical courage. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: [email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Sources: https://www.loudersound.com/bands-artists/rick-wakeman-myths-and-legends-of-king-arthur-story-behind-album More coverage & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/99f8d8ebffdffda3 Report issues to [email protected].