Industry Aug 31, 2026
Rick Wakeman on the vital significance of the synthesizer to music history
One of the synth’s most celebrated and foundational figureheads, the great Rick Wakeman told MusicRadar back in 2020 that the effect of the instrument’s birth was felt across genres
Originally published by
MusicRadar
Rick Wakeman, a prominent figure in synthesizer history, expressed his belief in the instrument's crucial role in music. In a 2020 interview, Wakeman suggested that progressive rock music might not have emerged without the advent of the synthesizer. He indicated that the synthesizer's introduction had a widespread impact across various musical genres. Originally reported by MusicRadar.