Editing Rick Wakeman (section)

==Instruments==
[[File:RickWakeman2009.JPG|220px|thumb|left|Wakeman performing at the [[Royal Albert Hall]] in aid of the Performing Right Society for Music Members' Benevolent Fund in 2009]]
By the end of 1972, Wakeman's typical keyboard setup included piano, [[electric piano]], [[Mellotron]], [[Hammond organ]], and [[Minimoog]] synthesizer, and he had played a [[pipe organ]] and harpsichord on record. He went on to use many later models of synthesizers including the [[Polymoog]] and the short-lived [[Birotron]], which he helped fund in its development. Because of the advent of digital keyboards at that time, and expensive components used in the instruments' manufacture, the Birotron was never a commercial or technical success and only 35 were produced.<ref name="The Birotron">{{cite web|url=http://www.8trackheaven.com/birotron.html|title=The Birotron<!-- Bot generated title -->|access-date=31 July 2017|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607174731/http://www.8trackheaven.com/birotron.html|archive-date=7 June 2007}}</ref> In recent years, Wakeman has used various Korg models, a Yamaha Montage, and the [[Memotron]], a digital version of the original Mellotron.

An [[urban legend]] claims that Wakeman got so frustrated with one Mellotron that he poured [[petrol]] on it and set fire to it, which he said in 2010 was only "semi-true", and had become an exaggerated story over time. He clarified that some were so far beyond repair they were taken apart and burnt, but he kept the frames. A double Mellotron that he had made was stolen and reappeared in America.<ref name=holmes>{{cite web|url=http://www.metal-discovery.com/Interviews/rickwakeman_interview_2010_pt3.htm|title=Interview with Rick Wakeman|first=Mark|last=Holmes|publisher=Metal Discovery|date=28 July 2010|access-date=8 November 2013}}</ref>

In addition to keyboards, Wakeman still owns the soprano saxophone that he used at the Royal College of Music, and can play some rhythm and bass guitar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dmme.net/interviews/interview-with-rick-wakeman|title=Interview with Rick Wakeman|first=Dmitry|last=Epstein|date=January 2014|publisher=DMME|access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref>