Main Menu
Classic Rock News And Views
Browse: Classic Rock Gear Classic Rock Ringtones Classic Rock Posters
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.
September 18, 2009
Yes Announces U.K. Tour Plans With No Mention of Jon Anderson
Yes has announced that they are planning a U.K. tour in November. The tour is reported to consist of six dates with venues that include Birmingham Symphony Hall, London Hammersmith Apollo, Edinburgh Usher Hall, Newcastle City Hall, Manchester Apollo and Bristol Colston Hall.
Such an announcement is bound to start fans wondering about the status of Jon Anderson. It’s well known that Anderson and the rest of the group have had their problems, and although the door seemed to be open for Anderson to rejoin them, this brief U.K. tour will continue with the current lineup, which includes lead singer Benoit David who has been filling in for Anderson since health issued sidelined him before the 40th anniversary tour.
Anderson did a bit of touring himself during the summer, which could be viewed as indication that he’s well enough to perform, but perhaps other issues stand in the way of his reunion with Yes. Perhaps there are even some contractual issues that need to be satisfied where Benoit David is concerned before Anderson can reclaim his position.
Whether or not personal issues standing in the way of Anderson’s return to Yes, or other complications, there is no word from either side regarding the issue. A check of Jon Anderson’s website and Facebook page do not offer any clues about his desires or intentions where the group is concerned.
One Facebook entry from June included the following quote from Anderson: “…realize YES music needs a voice….I’m ready…”
One might read between the lines a bit and come to the conclusion that Anderson was suggesting that Yes was lacking a voice, or in other words, the group that was out touring as Yes was not actually Yes. Pure speculation on my part, of course, but on returning to Anderson’s Facebook page, I am unable to locate that entry again. Perhaps there’s a hint there as well, but maybe it’s best to just wait and see what develops.
July 5, 2009
Yes And Jon Anderson Perform On Separate Stages
A recent phone interview with Yes guitarist Steve Howe has shed some additional light on the troubles that have kept himself and the current incarnation of Yes separate from the group’s most recognizable frontman, Jon Anderson, who is currently on his “Have Guitar Will Travel” tour in Europe.
Until now, it may have appeared that the rift between Anderson and the rest of the group was minor, but Howe was more open with his thoughts and feelings about it when he talked recently with the Orange County Register.
Howe, even at the age of 62 is pulling double duty on this current tour, since he is a member of both Yes and the group that is opening for them, Asia. He describes the experience as “taxing” and perhaps it has had an influence on his mood and resulted in him making some statements regarding Anderson that are either more vengeful or more truthful.
While the only true mainstay of the group, Chris Squire has painted a decidedly more rosy picture of the relationship between the group and Anderson, Howe sounds like a man who has taken advantage of a chance to open up and tell the story the way he sees it. Howe begins by saying that he felt that himself and the rest of the group were “made to look like the bad guys” when they decided to carry on with their tour plans without Anderson.
“But I can tell you that three, four years of waiting for Jon to decide to come back and tour – and yet he was doing solo tours – influenced my thinking about the way in which Jon loves Yes music. Because if he was fit enough to tour on his own, I thought maybe he was fit enough to tour with us. But he still turned us down,” Howe says.
He goes on to say that there was a period of years when Anderson refused to tour as part of Yes, and although some of the reasons were health-related, he is quick to point out that Anderson was doing solo tours during that time and performing Yes material in the process.
Howe’s comments surely make it clear that he has endured his share of frustrations while waiting for Anderson to re-join the group, but he does seem to leave the door open for Anderson’s return.
“People can see that there’s always been a difficulty in Yes. There’s been so much back-forward-back-forward with Jon that we just decided this is what we’re doing, and let’s get on with it for a while. Nobody’s saying never again with Jon. We’re just saying that until the circumstances are right, then it’s just wrong. There’s a balance to strike – and we can’t strike it at the moment,” he says.
Whether or not we can expect to see a response to Howe’s comments from Jon Anderson like we did a while back when the tour began without him remains to be seen. So far I do not see anything on his personal website, Facebook page or Twitter comments, but those spaces may be worth watching.
For the full interview with Steve Howe, see the Orange County Register.
