# Rick Wakeman Mars album release

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/rick-wakeman-mars-album-release
> Updated: 2026-07-31T13:16:01.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

In mid‑July 2026, progressive‑rock veteran Rick Wakeman announced that his next solo album, “Return to the Red Planet,” would be issued on 16 October 2026.  The record, a sequel to his 2020 Mars‑inspired album, was recorded with his English Rock Ensemble and will be available in multiple physical formats, with a UK tour planned for later in the year.

By the end of July, Wakeman released the first single, “The Jezero Crater,” from the forthcoming album.  The track and the album’s nine‑track listing continue to explore Martian geography and recent mission data, including a nod to David Bowie’s “Life on Mars?” through the song “Bowie’s Vision.”  The single reinforced the album’s scheduled October release.

Together, the snapshots trace the rollout of Wakeman’s Mars‑themed project, from its initial announcement and format details to the debut of its lead single and further thematic exposition.

## Claims

- Rick Wakeman released the first single 'The Jezero Crater' from his upcoming album 'Return to the Red Planet'. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The album 'Return to the Red Planet' is scheduled for release on Oct. 16. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The album is a follow‑up to Wakeman's 2020 album 'The Red Planet'. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The album's songs are about Mars landscapes, weather patterns and geological epochs. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The album's track listing includes nine tracks: 'The Jezero Crater', 'Bowie’s Vision', 'Noctis Labyrinthus', 'Noachis Terra (Land of Noah)', 'Witch Hazel Hill', 'St Paul’s Bay', 'Martian Dust Devils', (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Rick Wakeman consulted planetary research, data and mission reports before creating the album. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The track 'Bowie’s Vision' references David Bowie's 1971 song 'Life on Mars?'. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Rick Wakeman played piano on David Bowie's 1971 track 'Life on Mars?'. (corroborated by 4 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-07-31: Rick Wakeman releases single 'The Jezero Crater' from Mars-themed album

Rick Wakeman's new single “The Jezero Crater” previews his Mars‑themed album “Return to the Red Planet,” due Oct 16, featuring nine tracks and a Bowie tribute.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rick-wakeman-releases-single-the-jezero-crater-from-mars-themed-album

### 2026-07-16: Rick Wakeman to Release New Album “Return to the Red Planet” on Oct. 16, 2026

Rick Wakeman’s new progressive‑rock album “Return to the Red Planet” drops on 16 Oct 2026, inspired by recent Mars data, featuring his English Rock Ensemble and accompanied by a memoir due Oct 29.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rick-wakeman-announces-new-album-return-to-the-red-planet

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Cite as: Rick Wakeman Mars album release. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/rick-wakeman-mars-album-release