In a speech that easily out-shined any other at Friday's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman waxed comedic about his life, family and a recent prostate exam.
He began his remarks in the context of his musical upbringing, then quickly and deliberately veered off beat.
Wakeman told Rolling Stone backstage at the Hall of Fame ceremony that he's uncomfortable talking about "how great the band has been," so he wanted to try something different and "have a bit of fun, really." The keyboardist says he has a wealth of comedy material from his entertainment career in England, and from being part of the comedy show, Grumpy Old Men.
"I do a lot of comedy [appearances] -- half stand-up and half music and I've enjoyed doing it. For an event like this I thought long and hard: Do I go on and thank all the different guys in the band that I've played with? Everyone is going to say that. A lot of it is understood."
Watch the acceptance speech below:
Wakeman has tons of anecdotes from his career that he shares during his live shows, like this favorite of ours about performing drunk onstage in Seattle.
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