Rick Wakeman awarded professorship

Rock legend Rick Wakeman has been awarded an honorary prof-essorship by the London College of Music at a ceremony at Wembley Stadium for his con-tribution to music.

Rock legend Rick Wakeman has been awarded an honorary professorship by the London College of Music at a ceremony at Wembley Stadium for his contribution to music.

Mr Wakeman, from Scole, was classically trained at the Royal College of Music and performed in the Strawbs and Yes, before producing renowned solo works.

Despite his frequent role as a ranting Grumpy Old Man, Mr Wakeman was somewhat humbled by the experience and was unusually lost for words after a citation from LCM deputy head, Sara Raybould.

But Mr Wakeman had already cemented his relationship with LCM when he delivered a masterclass to a packed and enthusiastic audience in the summer.

Ms Raybould said: “Paramount was his love of all styles of music, his knowledge of classical and contemporary composers and the symbiosis of both to his own creativity.

“He spoke of his own university education and the crucial part it played in his development - although he did share with us the fact that he spent most of his time with William Lloyd Webber at LCM.

“The resounding message that we all carried away was the importance for young musicians to listen to everything, play anything and never to let the creative thirst remain unquenched.

“His passion for music is infectious, and staff and students are looking forward to catching more of it, as he becomes more involved with the London College of Music.”