Wakeman's prominence rose during his tenure with the folk rock group the Strawbs. He had played the piano as a session musician on Dragonfly (1970), which was the first album released with Wakeman's name on its credits. During his stint in the Spinning Wheel, Strawbs frontman Dave Cousins invited him to join the band in March 1970. The group went to Paris to perform at a rock circus with various bands backing the circus acts. During one show, and unbeknownst to Wakeman, he pushed Salvador Dalí off the stage as he made a special guest appearance during his piano solo: "I didn't know who he was. I thought, 'Silly old sod, coming on the stage waving his stick'." The Strawbs' first major concert, on 11 July 1970 at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall, was recorded and released as Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios, both of which brought Wakeman's virtuosity into the national spotlight. "Where is This Dream of Your Youth" features an extended organ solo and "Temperament of Mind", a solo piano piece that developed from improvisations when the band would lose power, received a standing ovation. Wakeman was featured on the front page of Melody Maker for the first time, calling him "tomorrow's superstar" and "pop find of 1970". Also in July 1970, Wakeman launched a folk music night at the White Hart pub in Acton called the Booze Droop. It failed to make an impact and Wakeman owed the landlord money, so Bowie agreed to perform an acoustic set for £5 to help raise funds. The gig had around 12 attendees, as people thought the advertisements for the gig were a joke.
Wakeman's prominence rose during h.is tenure with the folk rock group the Strawbs. He had played the piano as a session musician on Dragonfly (1970), which was the first album released with Wakeman's name on its credits. During his stint in the Spinning Wheel, Strawbs frontman Dave Cousins invited him to join the band in March 1970. The group went to Paris to perform at a rock circus with various bands backing .the circus acts. During one show, and unbeknownst to Wakeman, he pushed Salvador Dalí off the stage as he made a special guest appearance during his piano solo: "I didn't know who he was. I thought, 'Silly old sod, coming on the stage waving his stick'." The Strawbs' first major concert, on 11 July 1970 at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall, was recorded and released as Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios, both of which brought Wakeman's virtuosity into the national spotlight. "Where is This Dream of Your Youth" features an extended organ solo and "Temperament of Mind", a solo piano piece that developed from improvisations when the band would lose power, received a standing ovation Wakeman was featured on the front page of Melody Maker for the first time, calling him "tomorrow's superstar" and "pop find of 1970". Also in July 1970, Wakeman launched a folk music night at the White Hart pub in Acton called the Booze Droop. It failed to make an impact and Wakeman owed the landlord money, so Bowie agreed to perform an acoustic set for £5 to help raise funds The gig had around 12 attendees, as people thought the advertisements for the gig were a joke.