30th Anniversary of Rick Wakeman’s “Six Wives of Henry VIII”
January 1st, 2003 by Koldo Barroso
30 years ago today, on the 1st of January 1973, Rick Wakeman released his debut solo album “Six Wives of Henry VIII”, which is considered one of the top instrumental albums from the 70’s.
Released on the A&M label, “Six Wives of Henry VIII” is a conceptual album based on the personalities of the six wives of the English king, which was inspired by the book “The Secret Life of Henry VIII” by Ford Madox Ford.
Produced by Rick Wakeman, the album was recorded at Morgan Studios, and mixed at Trident and Morgan studios, London. It was the very first time in Rock music that a solo artist and a keyboardist recorded an instrumental album with the keyboards as the protagonists. For the album, the keyboardist from Yes was accompanied by musicians like Dave Cousins and Chas Cronk from his old band The Strawbs, and his band mates Chris Squire , Steve Howe, Alan White, and Bill Bruford.
For the album Rick Wakeman usd a variated selection of keyboards, including 2 Minimoogs, ARP synthesizer, Mellotron 400-D, Steinway 9′ grand piano, a custom built Hammond C3 organ, RMI electric piano, Thomas Goff harpsichord, and the master organ from St. Giles Church in Cripplegate. The result was an unique mix of Rock, Classical music, Jazz, Blues, Honky Tonk, and Latin Rhythms.
“Six Wives of Henry VIII”, despite of the lack of confidence and support from the record company and press on the record, sold more than six million copies over the first 5 years alone, and it is still a top classic album from the 70’s.