Rick Wakeman reconsiders his retirement from Christian concerts

PUBLIC SUPPORT has prompted rock musician Rick Wakeman to reconsider his decision to end his Christian concerts. More than 300 fans wrote to the keyboard Player after he revealed that he was quitting the concerts after an encounter with a "Pharisee" critic at the Hearts On Fire festival earlier this summer.

"That has really encouraged me to re-address many things in my life, including those of my Christian performances", said Wakeman, a member of Broadway Baptist Church, Douglas, on the Isle Of Man. The Hearts On Fire critic upbraided Rick for playing secular music - he had been asked to do so by the organisers - as well as Christian music. "I do seem to have rattled a hornets' nest here and for that I'm quite pleased. It's about time the problem was brought out into the open", Rick said. The attacks from fellow Christians who think Christian performers should "grab every opportunity to hard sell and evangelise, and that anything secular performed at Christian events is the work of the devil" affected other musicians as well, he said.

"I'm convinced that they all should attend the fictional Bash You Over The Head Until you Submit To Overpowering Evangelism Or Go To Hell You Heathen, Church Of The Do It Our Way Or Burn With The Devil, Christian Fellowship. I have always seen myself as a Christian who performs all types of music using the gift that God has given me as against being a Christian music Performer".