Rick Wakeman – Virtuoso Keyboardist in Bowie’s Early Classics

Rick Wakeman is best known as the flamboyant keyboardist of Yes, but in David Bowie’s early years he played a crucial, if relatively brief, role. His virtuosic piano playing and sense of drama strengthened several of Bowie’s most important early songs, including the iconic “Life on Mars?”.

As Bowie searched for a path from folk-like experiments toward a fully formed singer-songwriter and glam-rock identity, Wakeman helped him with rich, melodic piano parts. His playing elevated the arrangements to a higher level — not merely accompanying, but co-creating. On “Life on Mars?” the piano becomes almost a second lead character alongside Bowie’s voice. The combination of flowing arpeggios, dramatic accents, and subtle timing gives the song its almost cinematic character.

Wakeman contributed to recordings during a period when Bowie was searching but determined. Their collaboration shows how open Bowie was to strong musical personalities. Rather than restricting Wakeman, he allowed him to do what he did best: play expressive, sometimes extravagant parts that enhance the emotional intensity of the songs.

Although Wakeman did not become a permanent fixture in Bowie’s later career — his path continued more through prog rock and solo albums — his contribution to Bowie’s early years remains highly significant. In interviews, Wakeman looks back with warmth and respect, emphasising Bowie’s courage to take risks in arrangement and song structure.

For many fans, Rick Wakeman is primarily the man behind that unforgettable piano part on “Life on Mars?”, but his contribution goes further. He helped build a sonic world in which Bowie’s theatrical, cinematic style could fully flourish. In the grand puzzle of Bowie’s long career, Wakeman may be just one piece — but a brilliant, shimmering piece that helped shape the early masterpieces.