Rick Wakeman announced his farewell tour. The reason for this is as follows, off his website http://www.rwcc.com - www.rwcc.com if you haven't seen it for yourself

Cuban, Mexico and Costa Rica Report

"It’s 2.30 on the morning of the 5th of May and my luggage has just been delivered by a courier company as it was lost in Madrid during my journey home! (They also managed to lose Lee Pomeroy’s bass guitar the day before in Madrid as well, so perhaps we’ll choose a different route in future when heading to Latin America)!

So much has been said and written about the trip to Cuba and hopefully http://www.rwcc.com/notice_01.asp#10 - the announcement that was put on the site has made it extremely clear as to why I went there to play. However the nastiness from some people, who have gone quite viciously on the attack without first checking any facts, have made me think long and hard about my future as a live performer and so after much deliberation have decided to make 2006 the last year that I will appear live on stage anywhere in the world.

I have always believed that music is meant for healing, not dividing and what has been written has deeply upset me, especially as it is so factually incorrect, and it is clear to me that it is time to shut the piano lid for good as regards live performances.

I have asked the agents and promoters I currently deal with to look for final dates in as many countries as possible up until December 31st 2006, after which I will retire from the live stage and concentrate on recording and writing for films wherever and whenever possible.

These final shows will be either those with an orchestra, with the English Rock Ensemble, the One Man Show (or a derivative of), The New Gospels or Church shows."

This is sad news for me, seeing as I am a big fan of his music, and I can only hope he'll be in the area and i'll be able to get a ticket to see one of his final performances.