'70s Rock Legend Performs at Unexpected Venue Months After Brain Surgery
Rick Wakeman, who first gained fame for his work in the legendary progressive rock band Yes starting in the early 1970s, is officially returning to the stage in 2027 after having to cancel his last tour because of a health scare. But first, Wakeman is back after months in an unexpected place: a European river cruise.
Wakeman is currently performing on the Basel to Amsterdam leg of the Trading Boundaries Voyage cruise down the Rhine River. The trip started on July 11 in Basel, Switzerland, and concludes in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on July 18.
Alongside the former Yes keyboardist, other music legends will also be performing, including former Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre and the rock band Caravan. A second cruise will take place between July 18 and July 25, sailing back to Basel.
For fans unable to grab tickets to the river cruise experience, there's no need to worry, as Wakeman announced a brand-new tour earlier this year. The 77-year-old music icon shared the exciting news with fans, revealing that he and his band, the English Rock Ensemble, will be embarking on an extensive tour throughout the United Kingdom next February and March.
It will officially be their longest U.K. tour yet, with Wakeman calling it The Wizard Of Prog - Ultimate Highlights Concert Tour. The first show will be on Feb. 17 in Brighton, England.
There will be concerts every day or every other day until the final stop of the tour on March 12 in Leicester, England. Wakeman later added an extra date on March 9 in Reading due to demand, making the tour 19 shows in total.
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Wakeman's new performances, both those on the river cruise and the shows scheduled for early next year, are major moves for the musician, as he underwent corrective shunt brain surgery in November 2025.
He was forced to postpone his U.S. tour to early 2026 in order to focus on his health, but as far as fans can tell, Wakeman has been doing great after recovering from the surgery. Fans are especially hyped up about the chance to see him on his milestone U.K. tour next year.
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This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 10:47 PM.