While on his Grumpy Christmas Stocking UK Tour, Rick Wakeman’s van was broken into, and a number of irreplaceable items were stolen. The van was parked on the outskirts of Birmingham in a hotel car park. The theft occurred on the evening of Wednesday, 7 December.
The equipment is of no commercial value, as it is customized and programmed for Rick’s exclusive use. All serial numbers and other identifiers are on record, so they can easily be recognized if they are put up for sale.
However, the stolen gear is invaluable and largely irreplaceable, as far as Rick is concerned.
Items stolen include, in particular, a Sycologic M16 Remote, three Sycologic M16R racks and two Sycologic Remote Controller Pads. A reward is being offered for the safe recovery of these, and the rest of Rick’s gear.
Please emailinfo@kilimanjarolive.co.uk with any information.
However, the show must go on. Rick was able to perform an amended set at Birmingham Town Hall the night following the theft and, after some hard work from his tech, will be set up to pick up the tour again at Cambridge Corn Exchange tonight, Saturday, 10 December.
The remaining tour dates are:
11 December – Stoke Victoria Hall
13 December – York Barbican
14 December – Blackburn King George’s Hall
16 December – Buxton Opera House
17 December – Ipswich Corn Exchange
21 December – Worthing Assembly Hall
