Former Yes member Rick Wakeman recently shared a riveting episode from his long-spanning career during an interview with The Metal Voice. Wakeman recalled the time when he was asked by Ozzy Osbourne to lend his keyboard skills to a few tracks on Black Sabbath’s ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’ album.
However, the recording process was far from ordinary. On the day Wakeman was supposed to record, he arrived at the studio to find an unexpected scene. Upon his arrival at the studio, he found the members of Black Sabbath completely knocked out. Despite this, the young tape operator had set everything up and confidently assured Rick that Ozzy had faith in his creative instincts.
With the band members out cold, Wakeman was left to his own devices. Listening to the track, he quickly figured out what was required and started playing. As if on cue, his performance sparked a reaction from Osbourne, who momentarily regained consciousness just to appreciate the music. He briefly expressed his approval before slipping back into unconsciousness.
Rick Wakeman’s words about the recording he did that woke Ozzy Osbourne up read:
“I went into the studio, and they were all unconscious in a pile. I wasn’t far off it. The only person who was less sober was the tape operator, a young lad who was terrified. He said, ‘I’ve set it up; they’ve set it up where they want you to play it, and Ozzy said you’d know what to play.'”
He added:
“I said, ‘I haven’t got a clue,’ so they put it on. I listened to it characterized, worked out the type of things to do, and then did that and go, ‘Well, hopefully, that will work, and if it doesn’t, I’m sure they’ll let me know, and I’ll come and do it again.’ At that moment, Ozzy opened his eyes and came forward a bit, and I’ll change the adjective. He just went, ‘Blooming brilliant,’ and went unconscious again, and I wasn’t far off but was much better.”
Rick’s anecdote about that recording session is actually an example of where even in the most chaotic situations, the music could resonate, communicate, and, yes, even rouse a rock star from an alcohol-induced slumber. When you get a chance to listen to the ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’ again the story is bound to put a smile on your face!
