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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.

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Tags: Aerosmith, American Music Awards, Chris Squire, DVD, Paul Stanley Interview, Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, Rush, Yes

Jon Anderson’s Physical And Emotional Wounds on The Mend

Judging by some recent comments from Yes frontman Jon Anderson, it seems that he is making progress in his recovery from a serious respiratory ailment that prevented him from taking part in the Yes 40th Anniversary tour that was scheduled for the summer.

In addition to his struggles with his physical ailments, Anderson was also dealt an emotional blow when the remaining members of the group decided to go ahead and tour without him. A singer named Benoit David from Yes tribute band Close To The Edge, will stand in for Anderson, and is being referred to as an “understudy,” which was likely an effort to make Anderson feel less like he has been replaced permanently.

Although Anderson’s initial reaction to the situation was very disappointing for him, according to his comments on his personal website, he now sounds like he may be prepared to forgive and forget.

Anderson favors taking a break for a while to give the group time to rest up, and to scale back on the time spent touring. He would also like to tone down the  type of performances they had previously been showcasing while on tour, and feels that the lack of new music, in addition to a lack of passion for the music and for each other was having an adverse effect on the group.

Anderson’s comments seem to indicate that he believes that the band has lost it’s way, and needs time to rethink who they are and where they are going. Unfortunately for both Anderson and Rick Wakeman – who was apparently in agreement with Anderson, and has since left the group — the other members did not agree.

In the end, however, Anderson sounds optimistic and closes by saying: “Hopefully we will get back together and perform in the coming years, I truly hope so. The fans deserve it, and so do we.”

See Classic Rock Forever for all of Jon Anderson’s comments.

Tags: Jon Anderson, tour, Yes

Chris Squire Leaves Door Open For Ailing Yes Frontman

In an apparent attempt to quell some of the unrest among some Yes fans and probably try to help patch things up with Yes lead singer, Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire has spoken out publicly about the group’s decision to continue with their plans to go on tour with a replacement singer who will be standing in for Anderson, and has been referred to as an “understudy.”

As readers may recall, Jon Anderson seemed quite upset with the group’s decision to go on tour without him, and wrote about his feelings openly on his personal website. Anderson stated that he felt very disrespected, and was also disappointed that no other members of the group has been in touch with him since he fell ill, with the exception of drummer Alan White.

Anderson does not consider this upcoming tour a true Yes tour, something that fans will have to decide for themselves if the show comes to a venue in their area.

Squire’s most recent comments appear to extend an olive branch in Anderson’s direction, by stating publicly that: “Unfortunately Jon has had these health problems for the last few years. We’ve had to be very respectful of the fact he’s not been well and he’s been in and out of the hospital having quite a few major procedures. If Jon is well again next year, he’ll be back.”

As a Yes fan myself, I do hope that Anderson can patch things up with the rest of the group, and join back up with them in the near future. It’s kind if hard to imagine Yes without Jon out front, but I suppose as classic rockers start getting into the 50’s and 60’s, health problems are more likely to keep them from the grueling ordeal that life on the road can sometimes be.

Tags: Chris Squire, Health, Jon Anderson, tour, Yes

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.

Tags: Chris Squire, Jon Anderson, tour, Understudy, Yes

Jon Anderson Upset About Being Replaced For ‘Yes’ Tour

A short time ago, it was announced that the 40th anniversary Yes tour will go ahead as planned despite the absence of singer Jon Anderson. Anderson, who suffered a serious respiratory attack earlier this year, was instructed by doctors to rest for six months or risk serious health complications.

After canceling the tour due to Anderson’s illness, the other members of the group have since decided to embark on the tour with another singer standing in for Anderson. Benoit David was discovered via YouTube by bassist Chris Squire, and was subsequently invited to join the group for the tour.

Not surprisingly, Jon Anderson is disappointed with this turn of events. He addressed this issue recently by writing about it on his personal website. Among other things, Anderson says: "…I feel very disrespected, having spent most of this year creating songs and constant ideas for the band, spending time with Roger Dean creating a stage design, also working with VH1 and Sirius and XM Radio to help promote the welfare of YES."

He also mentions that most of the group has not bothered to be in touch with him since he fell ill, except for one: "…with the exception of one phone call from Alan [White], none of the guys have been in touch since my illness, just to find out how I am doing, and how we will foresee the future for YES. And [I am] disappointed that they were not willing to wait till 2009 when I’m fully recovered."

Putting on my editorial hat for a moment, I think Anderson has every right to feel the way he does. Is Six months too long to wait for the artist that was so instrumental in the creation of Yes? Anderson has been the voice of the group from the start, and all through the history of the group that I am familiar with.

Personally, if I had planned to attend one of those shows, I would be canceling my plans. I don’t know how other Yes fans feel about these developments, but I suppose tickets sales for these shows will be a good indication.

Six months is not a long time to delay the tour in order to have Anderson present. I think he is exactly right. The group that will be touring soon and using the name "Yes" is not Yes without Anderson, and I hope the other members of the group have not put an end to the possibility of a genuine with Anderson out in front where he belongs.

Tags: Jon Anderson, Replaced, tour, Yes