“It’s personal. In theory it could be the last thing you leave”: Why Rick Wakeman made Return To The Red Planet
Rick Wakeman has made *Return To The Red Planet*, a sequel to his 2020 concept album, inspired by new discoveries about Mars. He says the project let him give the music more character and fun, and matters to him as a personal work that reflects how he writes and records.
Unlike the first album, the new record was made with the full English Rock Ensemble in the studio, allowing the musicians’ ideas to develop together. Wakeman wanted vocals that work like another instrument rather than conventional verse-and-chorus songs, and says the music must keep listeners’ interest throughout. The article also previews discussion of David Bowie and accounts from Moon astronauts, though the supplied text does not include those details.
- Rick Wakeman has released a second album inspired by Mars.
- The full English Rock Ensemble recorded together in the studio.
- He favours vocals that serve the music rather than a song formula.
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Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and has long been a subject of scientific study and speculation about life beyond Earth. New observations and discoveries have changed what scientists know about its surface and history, giving artists fresh material to imagine what the planet might be like.
Rick Wakeman is a British keyboard player and composer, known for his work with the band Yes as well as solo albums. A concept album tells a story or explores a theme across its music; Wakeman’s earlier album Return to the Centre of the Earth and its sequel use Mars as their setting.
The English Rock Ensemble is Wakeman’s group of musicians. Recording together in the studio can let players shape the music as they perform, while vocals used more like instruments can make a record feel different from a collection of conventional songs.