Renowned keyboardist Rick Wakeman has officially announced the postponement of his much-anticipated U.S. tour.

The iconic musician, whose illustrious career spans collaborations with legendary acts such as Strawbs, David Bowie, and Yes, was set to kick off the Strictly Wakeman tour featuring vocalist Hayley Sanderson on July 18 with more than six scheduled performances.

In a recent press release from his publicist, it was revealed that Wakeman’s health concerns have prompted his doctors to recommend immediate surgery this month to address a persistent medical issue.

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The statement further advises fans who purchased tickets for the July shows to “retain your tickets as they will remain valid for any newly scheduled dates.” Ticket holders will be promptly informed as updates regarding the postponed performances become available.

Importantly, Wakeman’s upcoming U.K. tour with the English Rock Ensemble in October, along with other planned performances, will continue as scheduled and remain unaffected by his necessary surgery.

Wakeman has openly shared his struggles with various health challenges, including arthritis, diabetes, and macular degeneration. Notably, he experienced a heart attack at the young age of 25 following a solo concert in 1974. He has since spoken candidly about having suffered three heart attacks during his 20s.

What to Expect from Rick Wakeman’s 2025 Tour Schedule

Wakeman’s planned U.S. tour in July was marketed as a brand-new live experience, showcasing “music specially adapted for piano and vocals” in collaboration with Sanderson, a celebrated performer from the U.K. television show Strictly Come Dancing.

A press release highlighted that these performances would be a groundbreaking venture for Wakeman, marking the first instance he would tour alongside a female vocalist. “Hayley is a joy to collaborate with; her talent captures the essence of the music, creating a seamless arrangement,” he stated enthusiastically.

“This collaboration with Hayley, focusing solely on piano and voice, allows us to explore new arrangements of pieces from some of my rare albums,” he added, emphasizing the unique nature of the performances.

Prior to this tour, Wakeman concluded a solo tour earlier this year in April, which he billed as his final U.S. solo tour. These solo concerts featured the artist narrating stories from his past while performing music from his extensive solo career and his collaborative work with other renowned artists, including his time as a session musician.

Wakeman and Sanderson previously collaborated on her 2009 album Just Songs and have performed together with a band and orchestra across various venues in the U.K. and South America.

Additionally, Sanderson is featured on Wakeman’s Live at the London Palladium, an album that showcases a selection of tracks from his illustrious career, as well as on his recent 2023 concept LP A Gallery of the Imagination.

Fans can find the updated schedule for Wakeman’s Strictly Wakeman tour below:

Rick Wakeman, Strictly Wakeman 2025 Tour
July 18 – Richmond VA – The National
July 20 – Ridgefield CT – Ridgefield Playhouse
July 21 – Ocean City NJ – Ocean City Music Pier
July 23 – Englewood NJ – Bergen Performing Arts Center
July 25 – Cincinnati OH – Ludlow Garage
July 26 – Northfield Park OH – MGM Northfield Park – Center Stage
July 29 – Derry NH – Tupelo Music Hall
July 30 – Poughkeepsie NY – Bardavon Opera House
July 31 – Phoenixville PA – Colonial Theatre