This article is about the English television show. For the rock band known as Gastank at one time, see Gastunk.
Gastank is an English television show that aired from 1982–1983 in the United Kingdom on Channel 4. Hosted by former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman,[1] along with keyboardist Tony Ashton, the show featured a mix of interviews with 1970s musicians and impromptu performances where the guest artist would join Wakeman and his house band in playing re-arranged versions of their classic songs or entirely new pieces, created for the show. The format was very informal with the setting likened to a bar, where Wakeman would interview the guest over a drink or two, followed by their performance, in front of a small studio audience, sitting in groups at tables. Wakeman would frequently cite the show as an opportunity for musicians from different bands to get the opportunity to work together. During its run, the show featured guests as diverse as Ian Paice, Andy Fairweather Low, John Entwistle, Godley and Creme, Eric Burdon, Phil Lynott and Steve Hackett.
The house band for the show was Rick Wakeman (keyboards), Tony Ashton (keyboards & vocals), Chas Cronk (bass, episodes 1-3, 5 &6), Jerome Rimson (bass, episodes 1-4), Tony Fernandez (drums).
As of August 2020, all full episodes and selected individual performances are available on YouTube.
^Auslander, Philip (2006). Performing glam rock: gender and theatricality in popular music. University of Michigan Press. p. 203. ISBN978-0-472-06868-5.
