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Classic Rock News And Views
February 23, 2010
Yes Tour A Success Says Squire
Chris Squire sounds like a happy guy. With the end of the Yes tour just around the corner, he has nothing but good things to say about the recent history of the venerable group; one that has weathered dramatic personnel changes during its four decades of existence.
“Most people who come to see us have a real favorable opinion of Benoit. I have heard nothing but positive feedback,” the veteran bassist says regarding their current lead singer Benoit David. David, who came into the limelight after what must have been a pretty successful run as part of a Yes tribute band, has been filling Jon Anderson’s shoes since Anderson was sidelined by health problems.
It’s not certain what the relationship between Anderson and the rest of the group is these days, but Squire has continued to say that they would like to do something with him again in the future. It sounds like Squire might be a bit less optimistic about the possibility of a full recovery than Anderson may be, and indicates that he does not think the singer will ever be well enough to take on a full-blown tour.
Although Anderson’s absence from the lineup seemed like it would be temporary situation at first, over the last two years that possibility has gradually diminished if Squire’s comments are any indication.
Yes –- in it’s current form – has started to talk about a new music. Squire confirms that they plan to work on new material that they hope to release at some point during the year. There’s obviously enough confidence in Benoit David among to other member of the group to grant him what is looking more and more like a permanent slot.
Squire’s comments fortify that speculation.
“When new members come in, they usually bring something that’s refreshing and exciting and full of energy, and I’m hoping that will happen this time, as well,” he says, referring to their plans to record new music.
Guitarist Steve Howe seems fully on board with the idea of including David as a permanent member of the group as well. His reference to the group’s many personnel changes over the years is an indication that he has no problems welcoming a new member.
“Peter Banks was a pretty fine guitarist when I took his place; (keyboardist) Rick Wakeman brought in something different coming in for Tony Kaye; and (drummer) Alan White took on a new role when Bill Bruford decided to try something more eclectic. People’s individual experience were allowed to come into the band,” Howe explains.
In addition to David, the group seems to have accepted keyboardist Oliver Wakeman as one of their own. As the son of former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman, Oliver is not quite the outsider that some might consider Benoit David to be, and he may not be subject to the same fan scrutiny that a lead vocalist might have to endure.
Squire, Howe and drummer Alan White seem determined to keep Yes alive in one incarnation or another. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing is something fans will decide for themselves.
Read more on Yes at The News-Herald and The Palm Beach Post.
February 4, 2010
Chris Squire on Yes – Past, Present and Future
As the only member of progressive rock group Yes who has remained on the roster throughout the group’s enduring history, Chris Squire is the go-to guy if one wants to learn about their history, evolution and influences. Those are exactly the kinds of things Squire talked over recently with Kevin O’Hare of MassLive.com.
It’s actually quite a good interview, and I picked up on a few things about the group that I had not previously heard about. For example, citing the 5th Dimension as an early influence is a bit of a surprise coming from the member of a progressive rock group, but I suppose it just further demonstrates the similarities that exist among various genres you can find if you care to dig deep enough.
Squire’s love for harmonies was shared by Jon Anderson and early versions of Yes actually covered some 5th Dimension material back in the late 1960’s when they started paying club dates, as they were both quite fond of the 5th Dimension’s The Magic Garden album.
More well known, but perhaps no less influential for Yes during their formative period was the music of Simon & Garfunkel. The Yes version of the duo’s well-known song “America” is said to have earned the the approval of the original writers.
The status of Jon Anderson appears to be unchanged according to Squire. Although Anderson has been out performing as a solo artist recently and has scheduled some dates in Canada next month and in early April, according to Squire his struggles with respiratory illness are still preventing him from touring with Yes, which is much more demanding in terms of material, as well as the number and frequency of shows.
Another surprise for people who may not be uber Yes fans is the relationship between Squire and Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page. They briefly formed up a group entitled XYZ during 1981, following the death of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. Although Robert Plant was supposed to have joined with Squire and Page, that never quite came to fruition and XYZ was written into history with just a few demo recordings to their credit.
With regard to the variety of material Yes has produced over their long career, Squire reveals a little bit about his feelings regarding some of the group’s more diverse work, particularly the them-oriented album Tales from Topographic Oceans. Asked whether he thought that album “went too far,” Squire indicates that he thinks it did (I have to agree), but was also quick to point out that he thinks it gave the band credibility, and being that it was such a “bold out of the box move,” it contributed to the group’s longevity.
Currently, Squire seems quite content performing with the current incarnation of Yes. He’s particularly impressed with Rick Wakeman’s son Oliver, who has demonstrated a determined effort to remain true to the original material; something his father may have had a tendency to “bluff his way through” if he was so inclined.
With a tip of the hat to Jon Anderson, Squire confirms that stand-in frontman Benoit David will never sound quite like Anderson, but acknowledges that he has been well received by the fans and is holding his own.
It’s probably widely known that David was discovered via YouTube, but what may not have been detailed as publicly was the fact that during his first look at David performing with his Yes tribute band Close To The Edge on the video sharing site, he actually thought it was footage of Yes and wondered which performance it was from.
Yes continues their tour with a stop at the Calvin Theatre in Northampton, MA on Monday.
December 8, 2009
Future Yes Plans Make No Mention of Jon Anderson
Could it be that Jon Anderson and Yes have parted company for good? When the band made the fateful decision to embark on their 40th anniversary tour with a stand-in while Anderson was recuperating from a respiratory ailment, it may have been the beginning of the end for the group called Yes that was fronted by a fellow named Jon Anderson.
Initially, Anderson was initially quite upset about the group’s plans to soldier on without him, and made no secret of it, posting his thoughts on his personal website. The rest of the group reacted in a way that seemed to suggest that the presence of Benoit David – The “understudy” who was chosen to take Anderson’s place – was only temporary, and that Anderson would be welcomed back to the group when his health would allow it.
Since that time things seemed to have evolved. Although there have been no public statements from Anderson regarding his official status as a member of Yes, a recent announcement from another member of the group suggests that they may have split with Anderson for good.
Chris Squire, the only continuous member of the group since its founding, has recently announced that the group plans to tour next year in its current form; in other words without Jon Anderson. There is also talk of a new album. In addition to what Squire told Plant Rock Radio back in October regarding their plans for a tour and album, he also revealed that both Benoit David and Oliver Wakeman are now official members of the band. “This is now Yes,” Squire was reported to have said.
With regard to the status of Jon Anderson, Squire indicated that the group – in its current form – has his blessing and that they are still friends. Anderson is reportedly not well enough to endure a full tour schedule with Yes and has decided to continue his solo efforts. Squire adds that he hopes he will have the chance to work with Anderson again some day.
The 2010 tour begins in February on the 4th at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord, NH. The tour then works its way west and winds up the month with a show in the 28th at the Sunset Cove Amphitheater in Boca Raton, FL. Not a bad place to be in February.
A quick look at the Yes discography shows that Jon Anderson played a major role in creating a very significant quantity of the group’s material, including some of their best-known hits like “I’ve Seen All Good People,” “Roundabout,” and “Owner of A Lonely Heart.” This, it would seem, gives Anderson a financial stake in whatever activities the other members are engaged in as long as they continue to use material that Anderson wrote or shares credit on. Not being a lawyer or music company executive, this is just speculation on my part, but it seems like a reasonable conclusion.
Whether Anderson and the rest of the group ever reunite – even for a single gig – remains unclear. Things often change quite unexpectedly in the music industry, so I think we can safely assume that almost anything is possible.
February 16, 2009
More Details Emerge Regarding Cancelled Yes Tour
We are now learning that the “unspecified medical reasons” that put a halt to the current Yes tour are due to some type of problem that bassist and most-enduring member Chris Squire is experiencing with his leg. The condition required emergency surgery.
Some reports are indicating that there was a blood clot in Squire’s leg, which would make sense, since those types of things can result in a a life-threatening situation. Recent word indicates that Squire is expected to make a full recovery. Alan White was reportedly on a Seattle radio station recently providing some information about Squire’s condition.
As for the tour, the plans for any make-up dates are said to be uncertain, although there has also been some talk of the group doing some shows this summer with Asia opening for them. Asia and Yes seem like a good combination, so it sounds like an interesting possibility.
Squire’s health problems are not a good sign for future tour plans, but it’s certainly not a indication that the long-enduring progressive rockers are ready to hang it up just yet. If both Squire and frontman Jon Anderson recover fully from their medical problems, perhaps there is still hope for a Yes tour featuring a more complete line-up.
Anderson indicated a while back that he feared for the group’s demise if they did not work up some fresh material, so there may be some internal differences to work out before we see another tour fronted by Anderson.
November 19, 2008
Classic Rock Briefs For November 19, 2008
New Rush DVD Close To Release As Group Takes A Break
Although I have not seen it yet, the new live DVD coming on the 25th sounds like a good one. As someone who is less impressed with lightning fast cut-away shots from camera to camera and more impressed with having the opportunity to actually watch a great group of musicians like these guys play, I’m looking forward to getting a look at this one.
Snakes & Arrows Live, recorded at the Ahoy Rotterdam Arena in the Netherlands last October is said to have taken a different approach than earlier DVDs from the group. “With this one we wanted to focus on the playing," according to Geddy Lee. "So a lot of the camera work features the interaction between Neil, Alex and myself, a lot of the details that you don’t normally cover in a DVD performance.”
Lee also said that Rush is “a little burnt out right now,” and is planning on taking a break for a while. He does sound confident that they will start writing again in the future although he’s not specific about when that will be. Full Story.
Snakes & Arrows Live is currently available for pre-order at Amazon.com.
Chris Squire Talks About History of Yes and Feelings About Rock And Roll Hall of Fame
As the latest incarnation of the veteran progressive rock group continues their tour with stand-in frontman Benoit David, bassist Chris Squire takes some time to talk about his experience as the only member of the group who has remained continuously through their 40 year history.
When asked about not being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, Squire responds, “Who knows, I don’t know what you do about that. They just seem to have some anti-prog rock thing going on within their voting committee, and it’s just incredible that we’ve never been put forward.”
Personally, I think Squire is onto something. The fact that groups like Yes and Rush have yet to receive invitations for inclusion into the Rock Hall is a bit ridiculous, and the people in charge of making those decisions need to re-think some of them.
The decision makers out there in Cleveland should recognize the important contributions and outstanding musicianship demonstrated by both Yes and Rush, to name just two. Both groups have a very significant and dedicated fan base and have probably sold more albums than many artists who have been honored by being included among the other inductees. Full Story.
Paul Stanley Radio Interview Available Online
KISS fans might want to head over and check out the recent audio interview with guitar man Paul Stanley. He talked with the folks at radio station WBPM Classic Hits 92.9 in the Hudson Valley area of New York and commented about the group’s plans for a new album and possible tour. Full Story.
Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler And Joe Perry To Appear At American Music Awards
This Sunday marks the date for the 36th annual American Music Awards, which will be hosted this year by Jimmy Kimmel, and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry are scheduled to make a special appearance at the event.
Fans who want to catch Tyler and Perry should tune in or set their DVRs for 8:00 PM (ET) Sunday night on the ABC television network which will be broadcasting the event live from the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. Full Story.
