Brit rock legend's tour postponed as he's forced to have surgery over ‘ongoing health issue'
Legendary keyboardist Rick Wakeman, 76, had originally scheduled dates for Strictly Wakeman, his U.S tour with fellow musician and Strictly Come Dancing singer Hayley Sanderson.
4
A Brit rock legend has been forced to postpone his U.S tour
Credit: Getty
4
Rick Wakeman needs to have surgery for an ongoing health issue
Credit: Getty
However, just days before the first show was set to happen on July 18, organisers have revealed that the tour has been postponed.
Sharing the
news
on his Instagram page for his 41.5 thousand followers to see, the post read: 'It is with great regret that Rick Wakeman has to postpone his 'Strictly Wakeman' tour of the US with Hayley Sanderson in July, as his doctors have recommended that he undergo surgery this month to correct an ongoing health issue.
'Please hold on to your tickets as they will be valid for any rescheduled dates. When further information about the show is available, ticket holders will be informed.
'Rick's UK tour with the English Rose Ensemble in October and other ongoing commitments are not affected.'
READ MORE ON RICK WAKEMAN
The post was further captioned: 'No
interviews
or any further information will be provided at this time.'
His loyal fans rushed to send their well wishes to the star as one commented: 'Rick – your amazing music has sent so much positive
energy
out into the universe.
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Rick has had a number of health issues over the years
Credit: Getty
'Hoping all the good vibes come back to you a thousand times over. Looking forward to seeing you back on tour soon.'
Another social media user penned: 'Quick recovery, Rick! We all look forward to our super keyboardist donning his cape and back on stage very soon.'
Most read in Celebrity
The Strictly Wakeman tour was first announced back in April this year and would have seen him team up with a female singer for the first time ever on a tour.
The tour was supposed to kick off on July 18 in Richmond, Virginia and wrap on July 31 in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.
Major UK music festival is AXED as 'group of children' suddenly fall ill
In a press release at the time, Rick expressed: 'Hayley is great to work with, as she has the talent to feel the music in such a way as to make all the arrangements seamless.
"Hayley and I have never worked in concert with just the piano and voice, and so it opens up opportunities for new arrangements of pieces from rare albums."
The composer is best-known as a member of the progressive rock band Yes across five tenures between 1971 and 2004.
He went on to have an incredible solo career, with his discography including over 100 albums from a range of musical styles.
In 2017, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Yes and in 2021, he was awarded a CBE for his services to music and broadcasting.
Rick has had a number of health issues over the years, including three heart attacks in his twenties due to smoking and drinking heavily and overworking.
In 1985, doctors told him he had alcohol hepatitis, signs of cirrhosis and organ failure, and was told he had six months to live if he continued to drink.
In 1988, the icon collapsed on a
golf
course and was rushed to hospital, where he was diagnosed with double pneumonia, pleurisy, high blood pressure and showed signs of Legionnaire's disease.
As well as this, the rock legend has type-2 diabetes and suffers with arthritis in his hands, legs and feet, for which he wears half gloves while performing.
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The musician was a part of hit rock band Yes
Credit: Getty
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