Prog Rock Legend Rick Wakeman Sets Sights on 2026 Tour

For the first time in their storied musical careers, Rick Wakeman and his son Oliver will be hitting the road together in 2026 for a U.S. tour. Both are former members of the legendary progressive rock band Yes, and now the father-son duo is joining forces for what promises to be a historic run of shows.

The newly announced dates also serve as replacements for several postponed performances from Rick’s earlier Strictly Wakeman Tour with vocalist Hayley Sanderson. That tour was cut short earlier this year due to an undisclosed health issue that required surgery. Rescheduled shows are now set for March 2026, with some original tickets remaining valid. Fans are encouraged to check with local venues for ticketing updates and on-sale information.

“It’s always an honor for me to share the stage with one of my wonderful children,” Wakeman said in an official statement. “And for the first time, it’s a thrill to be actually doing a tour with my eldest son Oliver. I know it will be very special – especially if, on the odd occasion, he buys me dinner!”

Two Generations of Prog Royalty

Though both Wakemans are intimately tied to the legacy of Yes, they’ve never officially toured together—until now.

Rick Wakeman’s relationship with Yes spans multiple decades and five separate stints, beginning with the band’s classic 1971–1974 period. During that era, he contributed to seminal albums like Fragile and Close to the Edge, helping to shape the sound that defined progressive rock. He returned to the band in the late ’70s, early ’90s, and again in the early 2000s before stepping away in 2004.

Oliver Wakeman carried the torch into the next generation. He joined Yes in 2008 and remained with the band until 2011. During that time, he co-wrote “Into the Storm” for their 2011 album Fly from Here and later curated the 2019 archival release From a Page, which featured previously unreleased material from his tenure. Like his father, Oliver was also a member of the Strawbs, adding another shared chapter to their musical legacies.

Melancholia and Memories

Before the 2026 tour kicks off, Rick Wakeman will release a new solo piano album titled Melancholia. Known for his virtuosic technique and emotional depth at the keyboard, the project is expected to reflect his more introspective side—perhaps a fitting lead-in to a tour that celebrates family, legacy, and longevity in music.

The Wakemans have performed together on rare occasions, most notably during a special one-off concert at London’s O2 Arena in 2016. That night, they delivered selections from Rick’s The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table in a dramatic, orchestral setting.

Now, with a full-scale tour on the horizon, fans will have the chance to witness two generations of Wakeman wizardry live on stage.

Rick Wakeman 2026 Tour Dates
3/11 – Ridgefield, CT @ Ridgefield Playhouse*
3/13 – Phoenixville, PA @ The Colonial Theatre*
3/14 – Poughkeepsie, NY @ Bardavon*
3/15 – Derry, NH @ Tupelo Music Hall*
3/18 – St Louis, MO @ The Sheldon
3/20 – St Charles, IL @ Arcada Theatre
3/21 – Kent, OH @ The Kent Stage
3/22 – Cincinnati, OH @ Ludlow Garage*
3/24 – Richmond, VA @ The National*
3/25 – Englewood, NJ @ Bergen Performing Arts*
3/26 – Huntington, NY @ The Paramount
3/28 – Westerly, RI @ United Theatre
3/29 – Red Bank, NJ @ The Vogel

*Tickets from the postponed Strictly Wakeman Tour will be valid for these new shows.