Rick Wakeman, legendary former keyboardist of Yes, has revealed that he recently underwent brain surgery to treat a neurological disorder.
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Earlier this year, the prog-rock icon postponed a July 2025 leg of his final solo tour, and rescheduled a number of the dates for March 2026. Now, he has opened up on the specific health issue that led him to rearrange his tour schedule. An update on his official website over the weekend reads as follows:
“As many of you may be aware, a few months ago I had to reschedule my American tour because of health issues as I was diagnosed with the neurological disorder ‘normal pressure hydrocephalus’ and following hospitalised operational tests in September, I had the necessary corrective ‘shunt’ brain surgery last week which I am pleased to say was very successful and I am now recuperating at home being cared for by my lovely wife and our wonderful furry healing animals!
I have to take things easy for a while but have been told by my surgeon that I will be perfectly fine to travel to America for the tour with my son Oliver in March and will be fine for all future engagements after that — and I will also be fine for the 2 Saving Strays charity concerts in Norwich and Ipswich on December 19th and 20th.
I am also pleased to say that it doesn’t seem to have affected my piano playing in any way as I still seem to be very capable of hitting the odd wrong note here and there when I lose my concentration!! Once again, I’d like to thank everybody who wished me well over the last few months for a speedy recovery as it really did mean a lot to me.”
Thanks again… Rick”
The health issue Wakeman underwent surgery for is the same one affecting Billy Joel, who canceled all his tour dates earlier this year due to his own battle with normal pressure hydrocephalus. The condition can cause issues with walking, bladder control, and memory.
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The 76-year-old Wakeman followed up his post on his website with a message on X/Twitter, writing, “a big thank you for all the lovely messages ….. I’m doing really well and driving my lovely wife nuts!!!”
As Wakeman mentioned, he plans on honoring his upcoming tour dates, including a couple of December charity gigs in the UK and the aforementioned March US tour with son Oliver. Tickets are available here.
Here’s wishing Rick Wakeman a continued recovery. See his upcoming US tour dates below.
Rick Wakeman 2026 US Tour Dates:
03/11 – Ridgefield, CT @ Ridgefield Playhouse
03/13 – Phoenixville, PA @ The Colonial Theatre
03/14 – Poughkeepsie, NY @ Bardavon
03/15 – Derry, NH @ Tupelo Music Hall
03/18 – St. Louis, MO @ The Sheldon
03/20 – St. Charles, IL @ Arcada Theatre
03/21 – Kent, OH @ The Kent Stage
03/22 – Cincinnati, OH @ Ludlow Garage
03/24 – Richmond, VA @ The National
03/25 – Englewood, NJ @ Bergen Performing Arts Center
03/26 – Huntington, NY @ The Paramount
03/28 – Westerly, RI @ United Theatre
03/29 – Red Bank, NJ @ The Vogel
a big thank you for all the lovely messages ….. I’m doing really well and driving my lovely wife nuts !!!
— Rick Wakeman CBE (@GrumpyOldRick) November 24, 2025