Return to the Centre of the Earth
Return to the Centre of the Earth is a studio album by English keyboardist Rick Wakeman. It was released on 15 March 1999 on EMI Classics and is the sequel to his 1974 concept album Journey to the Centre of the Earth, itself based on the same-titled science fiction novel by Jules Verne. It tells a new story of three unnamed travellers who attempt to follow the original journey 200 years later, but from a different entrance. It is narrated by actor Patrick Stewart.
Patrick Stewart narrates the story
Richard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboardist and composer best known as a member of the progressive rock band Yes across five tenures between 1971 and 2004, and for his prolific solo career. AllMusic describes Wakeman as a "classically trained keyboardist extraordinaire who plied his trade with Yes and developed his own brand of live spectacular in a solo act."
Wakeman performing in 2017
Wakeman quit the Royal College of Music to become a full-time session musician
Among Wakeman's first sessions were for David Bowie
Wakeman performing with Yes in 1974. By this time, he had a distinctive look of long blonde hair and wearing capes on stage