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Classic Rock News And Views
October 2, 2008
Chris Squire Reacts To Comments By Jon Anderson Regarding Yes Tour
We learned recently that Yes frontman Jon Anderson was not feeling too happy about the news that the Yes 40th Anniversary tour will hit the road without him. The group has brought in a stand in for Anderson, who they are referring to as an “understudy.”
In response to recent comments from Anderson, in which he said that he felt “disrespected,” fellow founding member and Yes bass player Chris Squire has responded to Anderson’s comments, and sounds like he wants to be sure that Anderson knows he is still considered a part of the group and hopes that he will be able to join them on a tour next year.
Squire, saying that he is “sad” to hear that Anderson is feeling badly about the turn of events and added, "We’ve been together longer than most marriages. Jon will always be a member of Yes. I hope he has a full recovery and that he can come back.”
Although Squire admits that he has not spoken with Anderson since he learned how Anderson was feeling about the situation, Squire did say he has been sending flowers and get well cards, and assumes that Anderson will be back in touch with his band mates when he is fully recovered.
Squire goes on to say that the communication between the group and Anderson regarding their plans to tour without him were conducted through their manager, which he felt was the best option at the time.
Another reason that the group decided to proceed without Anderson is the apparent uncertainty that he will ever recover enough to re-join the group.
“The Yes fan base in general has been very frustrated that Yes hasn’t been doing shows for four years," Squire says. "Of course I wish [Jon] a full recovery, and I hope he’ll be well enough to come back at a later date. On the other hand, this might not happen. So we decided to look into, in my own words, getting an understudy for him to fill in.”
Squire, the only member who has never left the group in its 40-year history, had some final words regarding the longevity of the band’s success, and summed it up by saying: "The thought of being in a band that would still be performing shows and making new music 40 years later was just not on the radar at all. But here we still are.”
The understudy, a singer with a Yes Tribute band from Canada called Close To The Edge, named Benoit David will join the group on tour starting on November 4th in Ontario.
For the full story, check out Spinner.
