Wakeman to walk fans into the world of rock musicians

Dubai: One of Britain's best-known rock musicians is coming to Dubai for an evening of song and chat alongside comedian Jim Davidson.

Rick Wakeman, the keyboard player with band Yes, will be appearing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi early next month.

The show, titled So You Want To Be A?Rock Musician, which will be held in Abu Dhabi on June 1 and Dubai on June 2, follows on from a similar event with BBC reporter Kate Adie earlier this year called So You Want To Be A?News Correspondent.

Organisers have said the evening will offer "a fascinating insight" into Wakeman's career, including his time with Yes and the other bands he has worked with such as Black Sabbath and Edison Lighthouse.

"This prolific star will share amusing anecdotes and film footage and tell the truth about life on the road with the supergroups and as a solo performer," organisers said in a statement.

During the first half of the show, Wakeman will chat with and answer questions from host Davidson, a famous British comedian and television host, while in the second half he will perform some of his and his bands' greatest hits.

Wakeman, a pioneer in the use of electronic keyboards, joined Yes in the early 1970s and went on to become one of the decade's biggest progressive rock stars.

He has continued to tour and record with the group and has also released a string of solo records and worked on films and musicals.

The first show is at The Club in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, June 1, while the Dubai event takes place the following evening at The Windsor Ballroom at Grosvenor House.

Tickets for the Abu Dhabi show are available from The Club on 02-673-1111 and tickets for the Dubai performance can be bought at www.boxofficeme.com or by calling 800-4669.

"The prolific star will share amusing anecdotes and film footage and tell the truth about life on the road with supergroups and as a solo performer."