Rick Wakeman success allowed Wakeman to buy a new home in Gerrards Cross and start a collection of cars, which he rented out through his new business, the Fragile Carriage Company. In late 1971, Wakeman played two notable piano sessions, on "It Ain't Easy" on Bowie's album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" and on "Orange" by Al Stewart. In the 1972 "Melody Maker" readers' poll, Wakeman ranked second in the Top Keyboardist category behind Keith Emerson. That year, Yes followed "Fragile" with "Close to the Edge". It became their best selling album since their formation
Classic Tracks (Rick Wakeman album) Classic Tracks (Rick Wakeman album) Despite the good reviews by fans, Wakeman claims this album was finished and released without his authorization. He also claims that he was threatened with violence if he interfered with the release and was told he wouldn't receive any compensation for it. In this album, lyrics were added to the 1975 instrumental song "Merlin the Magician" from "The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table". Despite Rick's feelings about this album, this new version of "Merlin the Magician" was later played on tour and one of those performances can