Keyboardist Rick Wakeman is recuperating after brain surgery

Rick Wakeman’s Health Update

Rick Wakeman seems to be recovering well.

The former keyboardist for Yes recently shared that he successfully underwent brain surgery, which prompted the cancellation of a major tour across the U.S.

“As many of you may know, I had to reschedule my American tour a few months back due to health concerns related to normal pressure hydrocephalus,” the 76-year-old musician mentioned on his website this week.

He continued, “After being hospitalized for motion tests in September, I had the necessary corrective brain ‘shunt’ surgery last week, and I’m happy to report it was a huge success. Now, I’m at home recovering with my lovely wife and our wonderful furry comfort animals!”

Normal pressure hydrocephalus, while serious, is a treatable neurological disorder affecting one’s hearing, vision, and balance.

This condition had garnered attention in May when Billy Joel, also 76, announced he was diagnosed with the same disease, leading him to cancel his tour dates through July 2026.

Wakeman is still in recovery but hinted he might return to performing next month in England for two concerts.

“He’ll need some rest, but the surgeon said he would be perfectly fine. I’m set to meet my son Oliver in March, and everything after that should work out,” the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee shared. “We’re also looking forward to the two charity concerts for Saving Strays in Norwich and Ipswich on December 19th and 20th,” he added.

Wakeman reassured fans that both his condition and the surgery won’t interfere with his piano playing. “I’m glad because, honestly, I sometimes hit the wrong notes when I lose concentration, so it might not even be that noticeable,” he joked.

He concluded his message by expressing gratitude to fans for their well-wishes during his health challenges. “I’d like to thank everyone who prayed for my speedy recovery over the past few months; it truly meant a lot to me,” he said.

Wakeman stepped in as Yes’s keyboardist in 1971, joining John Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, and Bill Bruford. Although he left the band in 1974, he returned several times, the latest being in 2004.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of Yes in 2017, Wakeman has openly discussed his life and career in various interviews. In 2023, he reflected, “Each morning, I wake up, remove my duvet, check if anything has fallen off, and if everything’s alright, I get up.” He added, “I plan to keep playing until the pain becomes too much, but I don’t want to be on stage listening to people say, ‘Things were better in the old days.’”