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Yes (band)

From Alfawiki
Yes
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1968 in London, England
Headquarters
London
,
England
ProductsMusic albums, live performances

Yes is a progressive rock band originating from London, England, established in 1968. Throughout their extensive career, the group has featured 20 official members, with prominent figures including lead vocalist Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire, guitarists Steve Howe and Trevor Rabin, drummers Bill Bruford and Alan White, alongside keyboardists Tony Kaye and Rick Wakeman. Recognized as trailblazers in the progressive rock genre, the current lineup as of February 2023 comprises Howe, keyboardist Geoff Downes, bassist Billy Sherwood, vocalist Jon Davison, and drummer Jay Schellen.

The band was originally formed by Anderson, Squire, Bruford, Kaye, and guitarist Peter Banks. Their early performances combined original compositions with cover songs, a blend evident in their initial two albums: Yes (1969) and Time and a Word (1970). The arrival of Howe in 1970, replacing Banks, marked a definitive move toward progressive rock. This era produced four consecutive albums that achieved platinum or multi-platinum status in the United States: The Yes Album (1971); Fragile (1971), which included the hit track "Roundabout"; Close to the Edge (1972); and the live recording Yessongs (1973). Further commercially successful releases followed with Tales from Topographic Oceans (1973), Relayer (1974), Going for the One (1977), and Tormato (1978). The band became known for their intricate stage productions featuring elaborate lighting and Roger Dean’s distinctive album artwork. Lineup changes during this period included Wakeman taking over keyboards from Kaye, White replacing Bruford on drums, and keyboardist Patrick Moraz joining for the Relayer album. In 1980, due to creative disagreements, Anderson and Wakeman left the group; subsequently, Yes brought in Downes and vocalist Trevor Horn to record Drama (1980) before disbanding in 1981.

In 1983, Yes reassembled with Squire, White, Anderson, and Kaye reuniting and adding Rabin. Rabin’s influence shifted the band’s sound toward a more pop-rock direction, culminating in their best-selling record 90125 (1983), which featured their sole US number-one hit "Owner of a Lonely Heart". This success was followed by Big Generator (1987). Meanwhile, the side project Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe released a self-titled album in 1989. Encouraged by their record label, both ensembles combined to form an eight-member lineup for the album Union (1991) and its supporting tour. Between 1994 and 2001, Yes released several studio albums with mixed commercial results before entering a second hiatus in 2004. After a planned world tour was cancelled in 2008, Benoît David became lead vocalist before being replaced by Davison in 2012. Following Squire’s passing in 2015—the last remaining founding member—White held the position of longest-serving member until his death in 2022. From 2016 to 2018, former members Anderson, Rabin, and Wakeman toured together. The band’s most recent studio effort is Mirror to the Sky, issued in 2023.

Yes ranks among the most influential and commercially successful progressive rock acts globally. Their catalog includes 23 studio albums with certified sales of 13.5 million units by the RIAA within the United States alone and over 30 million copies sold worldwide. They earned the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 1985 for "Cinema" and were placed at number 94 on VH1’s list of the 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. In April 2017, Yes received induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

1968–1970: Origins, debut album, and Time and a Word

Towards the end of 1967, bassist Chris Squire and guitarist Peter Banks, both previously members of the Syn, became part of the psychedelic group Mabel Greer's Toyshop, which Clive Bayley and Robert Hagger had established in 1966. Their performances at London's Marquee Club led to Jack Barrie introducing Squire to vocalist Jon Anderson. Anderson joined as lead singer after co-writing "Sweetness" with Squire. Between June and July 1968, rehearsals took place in the basement of The Lucky Horseshoe café on Shaftesbury Avenue. In June, drummer Bill Bruford replaced Hagger after responding to an advertisement in Melody Maker. July saw the addition of classically trained keyboardist Tony Kaye. Banks briefly departed to join Neat Change but was soon dismissed and recalled by Squire, taking over Bayley's position.

The group settled on the name "Yes," reportedly suggested by Banks during discussions where Anderson had proposed "Life" and Squire suggested "World." Their debut performance as Yes occurred on 3 August 1968 at a youth camp in Essex. Their early repertoire included covers from bands such as the Beatles and Traffic. On 16 September, they filled in for Sly and the Family Stone at Blaise's club in London, impressing host Roy Flynn, who subsequently became their manager. Bruford temporarily left to attend Leeds University but returned to support Yes's opening slot at Cream's farewell concert in November.

Observing competition from groups like King Crimson, Yes increased their rehearsal intensity and secured a deal with Atlantic Records. Their self-titled debut album Yes was released in August 1969, featuring mostly original compositions alongside covers such as the Beatles' "Every Little Thing". Although it did not chart in the UK, critic Lester Bangs commended its stylistic nuance. Melody Maker identified Yes as one of two bands with strong potential for success.

After touring Scandinavia with Faces, Yes performed at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on 21 March 1970, presenting selections from their second album Time and a Word accompanied by a 20-piece youth orchestra. Guitarist Banks departed on 18 April 1970 due to dissatisfaction with orchestral arrangements and management changes; he later claimed that Anderson and Squire dismissed him without informing Kaye or Bruford. The album combined original material with covers of Buffalo Springfield's "Everydays" and Richie Havens' "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed," reaching number 45 on UK charts. Banks was succeeded by Tomorrow guitarist Steve Howe, who appeared on the American album cover despite not contributing to the recordings.

1970–1974: The Yes Album, Fragile, Close to the Edge, and Tales from Topographic Oceans

The band relocated to a rented farmhouse in Devon to compose and rehearse new material. Howe quickly became central to their sound through his use of a Gibson ES-175 and various acoustic guitars. Producer Eddy Offord engineered sessions that sometimes extended up to 12 hours, assembling tracks from smaller segments before the band learned them post-mix. Released in February 1971, The Yes Album reached number 4 in the UK charts and number 40 on the US Billboard 200.

In January 1971, Yes toured Europe alongside Iron Butterfly, acquiring their PA system to improve live sound quality. Their North American debut occurred on 24 June in Edmonton, supporting Jethro Tull. Tensions between Howe and keyboardist Tony Kaye—who favored piano and Hammond organ over Mellotron and Minimoog—resulted in Kaye's dismissal during summer 1971. The band sought Rick Wakeman, a classically trained musician with studio experience working with artists such as T. Rex, David Bowie, and Elton John. Squire praised Wakeman's precise command of piano, Mellotron, and Moog synthesizer, which enriched Yes's orchestral soundscapes.

Released on 12 November 1971, Fragile showcased increased classical influences, often opening concerts with Stravinsky's The Firebird. Each member contributed solo pieces. This album introduced long-term collaborator Roger Dean, who designed the band's logo, album covers, and stage visuals. Fragile climbed to number 7 in the UK and number 4 in the US charts, marking their first top ten entry in North America. The single "Roundabout" reached number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In February 1972, Yes recorded a version of Simon & Garfunkel's "America," released in July; it peaked at number 46 on US charts. This track was included on Atlantic Records compilations released in both 1972 and 1975.

September 1972 saw the release of Close to the Edge, their most ambitious work featuring a title track lasting nineteen minutes that fused classical music with psychedelic rock, pop, and jazz elements. The album reached number 3 in the US and number 4 in UK charts. The single "And You and I" peaked at number 42 on US charts. Despite this success, drummer Bill Bruford departed during summer 1972 to join King Crimson. After considering Aynsley Dunbar, Yes selected Alan White—formerly of Plastic Ono Band and a friend of Anderson and Offord—who mastered their repertoire within three days prior to touring.

By this stage, Yes had achieved global commercial acclaim. Early tours featuring White were captured on Yessongs, a triple live album released in May 1973 that attained number 7 UK and number 12 US chart positions. A concert film documenting performances at London's Rainbow Theatre premiered in 1975.

Released on 7 December 1973, Tales from Topographic Oceans represented a significant shift that divided fans and critics alike. The double album drew inspiration from Anderson's interpretation of Shastric scriptures found in Paramahansa Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi. It became the first UK LP to be certified gold prior to its release, topped UK charts for two weeks, reached number 6 in the US, and secured their fourth consecutive gold certification. Wakeman criticized its excessive lengthiness and departed following the supporting tour; his solo project Journey to the Centre of the Earth topped UK charts in May 1974. The tour featured five consecutive sold-out shows at Rainbow Theatre—the first rock band ever to accomplish this feat.

1974–1980: Relayer, Going for the One, Tormato and the Paris sessions

Following the departure of Wakeman, Yes evaluated several keyboardists including Vangelis Papathanassiou, Eddie Jobson, and Jean Roussel before ultimately selecting Swiss musician Patrick Moraz from Refugee in August 1974 during the production of Relayer at Chris Squire's residence in Surrey. Released in November, Relayer embraced a jazz fusion style, highlighted by the 22-minute composition "The Gates of Delirium", which drew inspiration from Tolstoy's War and Peace. The album achieved a peak position of No. 4 on UK charts and No. 5 in the US. The band embarked on a supporting tour throughout 1974 and 1975. Additionally, the 1975 compilation Yesterdays featured earlier tracks alongside rare versions.

During 1975–1976, each band member pursued solo projects. Their North American tour in 1976, co-headlined with Peter Frampton, attracted substantial audiences, notably a June performance at Philadelphia's John F. Kennedy Stadium attended by over 100,000 fans. The tour’s stage design included an elaborate "Crab Nebula" setup crafted by Martyn Dean, brother of artist Roger Dean.

Recording sessions for Going for the One commenced in late 1976 at Mountain Studios in Montreux. Early demos were sent by Anderson to Wakeman, who rejoined the group full-time following Moraz’s exit. Released in July 1977, the album secured the top spot on UK charts for two weeks and reached No. 8 in the US. Singles such as "Wonderous Stories" and "Going for the One" charted at No. 7 and No. 25 respectively in the UK. While Hipgnosis designed the cover art, it maintained Roger Dean’s signature "bubble" logo. The accompanying tour spanned six months throughout 1977.

Released in September 1978 amid punk rock’s surge, Tormato marked a shift toward more concise compositions, with no track exceeding eight minutes. Wakeman introduced the Birotron tape replay keyboard, while Squire experimented with harmonizers and Mu-tron pedals. Though production was collaborative, disagreements arose during mixing sessions. The album reached No. 8 on UK charts and No. 10 in the US, earning RIAA platinum certification despite mixed critical responses. Their subsequent 1978–1979 tour proved commercially successful, featuring a £50,000 revolving stage and a surround sound system delivering 360-degree audio. Performances at Madison Square Garden grossed over $1 million and garnered a Golden Ticket Award.

In October 1979, Yes gathered in Paris to work with producer Roy Thomas Baker. Anderson and Wakeman favored a softer musical approach, contrasting with Howe, Squire, and White’s preference for heavier rock sounds. Sessions were cut short in December when White suffered a broken foot roller-skating. Upon resuming in February without Wakeman—who was committed solely to overdubs—musical differences intensified. By late March, Howe, Squire, and White recorded demos as an instrumental trio amid uncertainty regarding Anderson’s involvement. Financial disagreements led to Anderson’s exit from Yes; Wakeman departed shortly thereafter.

1980–1981: Drama and split

In 1980, pop duo The Buggles—Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes—who had been managed by Brian Lane since 1970, joined Yes after Anderson and Wakeman left quietly. Known for their hit "Video Killed the Radio Star" (1979), Horn and Downes became full members contributing to the Drama album released in August of that year. Featuring a heavier sound with an opening hard rock track "Machine Messiah," the album peaked at No. 2 in the UK and No. 18 in the US but was Yes’s first release since 1971 not to achieve RIAA Gold certification. The supporting tour across North America and the UK received mixed reviews but included a record-setting run of sixteen consecutive sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden.

Following the Drama tour, Lane and Horn were dismissed as they pursued careers in music production. White and Squire also departed, leaving Downes and Howe as remaining members; both exited by December 1980. Meanwhile, Yesshows, a live compilation from performances between 1976 and 1978, was issued in November 1980 reaching No. 22 on UK charts and No. 43 in the US.

Management announced Yes had disbanded in March 1981. Downes and Howe went on to form Asia alongside John Wetton and Carl Palmer. Squire and White collaborated with Jimmy Page on a project named XYZ, producing demos that influenced later works but dissolved after Robert Plant withdrew involvement. Later that year, Squire and White released the seasonal single "Run with the Fox", which received recurring holiday airplay through subsequent years. A second compilation album titled Classic Yes was released in November 1981.

1982–1988: Initial reformation, 90125 and Big Generator

In early 1982, Phil Carson of Atlantic Records facilitated an introduction between Chris Squire, Alan White, and guitarist-vocalist Trevor Rabin, previously part of the South African band Rabbitt. Together they established a new group named Cinema, which included original Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye. Trevor Horn was later engaged as producer after being briefly considered for lead vocals. During the recording sessions, disagreements caused Kaye to depart temporarily, though he rejoined by the album’s release.

In April 1983, Squire invited former Yes frontman Jon Anderson to assume lead vocal duties, finalizing the ensemble. At Atlantic’s recommendation, Cinema rebranded as Yes in June 1983 to capitalize on the established name, despite Rabin’s initial hesitations. This incarnation—often called "Yes-West" due to its Los Angeles base—adopted a more pop-rock-oriented style.

The band unveiled 90125 in November 1983, which became their highest-selling album and achieved triple-platinum status in the United States. Its lead track, "Owner of a Lonely Heart," reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for two consecutive weeks, marking Yes’s sole chart-topping single. Keyboardist Eddie Jobson temporarily stood in for Kaye during promotional videos but was dismissed once Kaye returned.

Additional singles such as "Leave It" and "It Can Happen" attained moderate chart positions. Yes secured a Grammy Award in 1985 for Best Rock Instrumental Performance with "Cinema," along with nominations for Best Pop Performance and Best Rock Performance for "Owner of a Lonely Heart" and the album 90125. Their 1984–85 tour proved their most financially successful to date, supporting the live video 9012Live, directed by Steven Soderbergh on a $1 million budget. The companion live album 9012Live: The Solos received a Grammy nod for Squire’s instrumental version of "Amazing Grace."

Work on their twelfth studio album, Big Generator, commenced in 1985 with Horn returning as producer. Recording took place across multiple studios and was hindered by interpersonal tensions; Horn exited midway and Rabin completed production duties. Released in September 1987, the album peaked at number 17 in the UK and number 15 in the US charts. It earned RIAA platinum certification and garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Singles from Big Generator achieved strong placements on rock charts: "Love Will Find a Way" topped the Mainstream Rock chart; "Rhythm of Love" reached number two; and "Shoot High Aim Low" climbed to number eleven. The subsequent 1987–88 tour culminated with a Madison Square Garden show celebrating Atlantic Records’ 40th anniversary.

1988–1995: Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, Union and Talk

By late 1988, Jon Anderson felt creatively constrained by Rabin and Squire’s direction and departed Yes to pursue a solo project in Montserrat, collaborating with Rick Wakeman, Steve Howe, and Bill Bruford. This alliance led to the formation of Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (ABWH), which also included bassist Tony Levin. Their self-titled 1989 release featured the MTV hit "Brother of Mine" and achieved gold certification in the US. The album was recorded with members working separately; Howe expressed dissatisfaction with his guitar mix. ABWH toured during 1989–1990 under the banner "An Evening of Yes Music," supported by Levin, keyboardist Julian Colbeck, and guitarist Milton McDonald. A live album and video titled An Evening of Yes Music Plus were issued in 1993.

Following this tour, ABWH began work on a follow-up album initially named Dialogue. However, Arista Records rejected these mixes and encouraged collaboration with external songwriters to enhance commercial appeal. Anderson reached out to Rabin, who shared demos that prompted Arista to suggest merging both factions’ recordings into a single project.

Simultaneously, the "Yes-West" lineup searched for a new vocalist, auditioning candidates such as Roger Hodgson and Steve Walsh, but eventually collaborated with songwriter Billy Sherwood, who did not officially join. At Arista’s behest, Rabin’s demos were combined with ABWH tracks under the Yes brand.

The resulting album, Union, released in April 1991 as Yes’s thirteenth studio effort, featured contributions from both groups but lacked instances where all eight members performed together simultaneously. The instrumental single "Masquerade" received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 1992. Globally selling approximately 1.5 million copies, Union reached number 7 on UK charts and number 15 in the US. Singles like "Lift Me Up" and "Saving My Heart" enjoyed notable chart success. Despite commercial achievements, many members expressed dissatisfaction with Union: Bruford disavowed it entirely while Wakeman criticized his keyboard parts. Co-producer Jonathan Elias disclosed that Anderson was aware of—and initiated—the use of session musicians to resolve internal conflicts. The extensive 1991–1992 Union tour featured all eight musicians performing on a revolving stage. Afterward, Bruford left to concentrate on jazz projects; Howe also exited. During this period, Atlantic released the four-CD box set Yesyears alongside two video compilations.

In 1993, an orchestral reinterpretation entitled Symphonic Music of Yes, arranged by Dee Palmer, showcased performances by Howe, Bruford, Anderson, and several esteemed ensembles. This marked Bruford’s final appearance under the Yes name before retiring from live performance.

Victory Music approached Rabin to produce another album featuring the 90125 lineup; however, Rabin requested Wakeman's involvement but legal complications prevented his participation. Rabin developed much of this material at his home studio utilizing early digital recording technology.

Their fourteenth studio album, Talk, released in March 1994 with cover art by pop artist Peter Max, was primarily composed and performed by Rabin with other members contributing instrumentation. It combined accessible rock elements with progressive features such as the fifteen-minute track "Endless Dream." The album reached number 20 on UK charts and number 33 in the US. Singles like "The Calling" and "Walls" performed well on rock radio; notably, "Walls" was co-written by Rabin alongside former Supertramp member Roger Hodgson. The band promoted this single with an appearance on Late Show with David Letterman in June 1994.

The accompanying tour incorporated Billy Sherwood as a support musician and featured Rabin’s Concertsonics sound system that allowed attendees to listen via portable FM receivers.

By early 1995, internal tensions resurfaced. Manager Jon Brewer noted Chris Squire’s displeasure with Talk’’’s digital production approach that diverged from Yes's traditional sound profile. Rabin felt he had reached his creative zenith with this project but was disappointed by its reception; he departed following the tour to focus on film scoring work. Keyboardist Tony Kaye also exited to pursue other endeavors.

1995–2000: Keys to Ascension, Open Your Eyes and The Ladder

In November 1995, Anderson, Squire, and White reunited the iconic 1970s Yes lineup by welcoming back Wakeman and Howe, resulting in the recording of two fresh tracks, "Be the One" and "That, That Is". In March 1996, Yes delivered three concerts at the Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo, California. These live performances, combined with the newly recorded studio tracks, were released in October on CMC International Records as the album Keys to Ascension, which achieved a peak position of number 48 on the UK charts and number 99 in the US. A live concert video from these shows was also issued that same year.

The band proceeded with studio sessions incorporating material partially derived from the earlier XYZ project. Although originally planned as a purely studio album, commercial considerations led to mixing new songs with live recordings from San Luis Obispo for the November 1997 release of Keys to Ascension 2. This follow-up reached number 62 in the UK but failed to enter the US charts. Frustrated by the shelving of a complete studio album and his limited role in tour arrangements, Wakeman exited once more. The studio tracks from both albums were eventually gathered into the 2001 compilation Keystudio.

During ongoing band changes, Squire brought in engineer Billy Sherwood for additional support. Sherwood and Squire adapted demos from their Conspiracy side project into Yes material and collaborated with Anderson and White on new compositions. Howe’s participation was minimal throughout this period. Sherwood’s significant contributions across writing, production, and performance earned him an official role as harmony vocalist, keyboardist, and secondary guitarist.

These efforts culminated in November 1997 with Yes’s seventeenth studio album, Open Your Eyes, released under Beyond Music—a label providing the band greater autonomy over packaging and titling. The album sought to fuse Yes’s classic 1970s progressive rock style with elements from their 1980s era. Despite these intentions, Open Your Eyes only reached number 151 on the Billboard 200 and did not chart in the UK; its title track managed to secure number 33 on the mainstream rock chart.

For the accompanying 1997/1998 tour supporting Open Your Eyes, Yes incorporated Russian keyboardist Igor Khoroshev, who contributed to several album tracks. The setlist predominantly featured older material rather than new songs. Both Anderson and Howe later voiced dissatisfaction regarding their restricted involvement in the album’s writing and production process.

By the time of their eighteenth studio release, The Ladder, produced by Bruce Fairbairn, Khoroshev had become a full-fledged member while Sherwood concentrated on songwriting, vocal arrangements, and guitar duties. The album balanced Yes’s diverse progressive rock roots from the 1970s with a refined pop sound reminiscent of their previous record. It also integrated Latin and world music influences primarily introduced by Alan White and multi-instrumentalist Randy Raine-Reusch. Of particular note is "Homeworld (The Ladder)", composed as the credits theme for Relic Entertainment’s real-time strategy game Homeworld. Although plans were underway to continue collaborating with Fairbairn, he unexpectedly passed away during final mixing stages.

Released in September 1999, The Ladder attained number 36 on UK charts and number 99 in the US. Supporting this release during their 1999–2000 tour, Yes recorded a show at Las Vegas’s House of Blues on October 31, 1999; this performance was later issued in September 2000 as House of Yes: Live from House of Blues. Sherwood amicably left at tour’s conclusion to focus on creating new music while other members prioritized performing classic repertoire.

In summer 2000, Yes embarked on a three-month Masterworks tour across the United States featuring exclusively material from their early peak years (1970–1974). During this run, Khoroshev was involved in a backstage sexual assault incident at Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, Virginia (July 23), which led to his departure following completion of the tour.

2001–2008: Magnification, Anniversary Tours, and Anderson's Exit

Following the departures of Sherwood and Khoroshev and the passing of Fairbairn, Yes transformed their musical approach by recording without a traditional keyboardist. Instead, they incorporated a 60-piece orchestra under the direction of Larry Groupé, marking their first orchestral collaboration since the 1970 release of Time and a Word. This innovative direction produced their nineteenth studio album, Magnification, released in 2001. The album reached number 71 on the UK charts and peaked at 186 in the United States. The Yes Symphonic Tour ran from July to December 2001, featuring orchestral performances alongside American keyboardist Tom Brislin. Two concerts in Amsterdam were recorded and later issued as the 2002 DVD and 2009 CD titled Symphonic Live. Wakeman was invited to participate but was engaged in his solo tour at the time.

After Wakeman rejoined in April 2002, Yes embarked on the Full Circle Tour spanning 2002 to 2003, which included their first concerts in Australia since 1973. Their performance at Montreux was released as the live album Live at Montreux 2003 in 2007. In 2002, Rhino Records issued the comprehensive five-CD compilation In a Word: Yes, encompassing classic hits, rare tracks, and previously unreleased material. The following anthology, The Ultimate Yes: 35th Anniversary Collection, achieved number 10 on the UK charts—the band's highest position since 1991—and reached number 131 in the US. Between 2003 and 2004, Rhino remastered all studio albums up to 90125, adding bonus content; these remastered works were later compiled into the The Studio Albums 1969–1987 box set released in 2013.

On January 26, 2004, the documentary film Yesspeak debuted alongside a closed-circuit acoustic session titled Yes Acoustic: Guaranteed No Hiss, both of which were subsequently made available on DVD that year. The ensuing 35th anniversary tour was captured on the DVD release Songs from Tsongas (2005). Following this tour, Yes entered a period of inactivity.

During this hiatus, individual members pursued separate projects: Squire, Howe, and White reunited with Trevor Horn, Trevor Rabin, and Geoff Downes for Horn’s career tribute (issued as Trevor Horn and Friends: Slaves to the Rhythm); Anderson toured alongside Wakeman focusing on Yes repertoire; White became part of Circa with Tony Kaye and Billy Sherwood; Howe reunited with Downes in Asia.

In May 2008, plans for a fortieth-anniversary Close to the Edge and Back Tour featuring Oliver Wakeman were announced, with Anderson preparing four new multi-part compositions. Nevertheless, he expressed reluctance toward producing new studio albums following the disappointing sales of Magnification. The tour was ultimately canceled before rehearsals commenced due to Anderson suffering acute respiratory failure.

By September 2008, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, and Alan White revealed the In the Present Tour, introducing Canadian vocalist Benoît David and Oliver Wakeman on keyboards. Anderson stated he was ousted against his wishes and initially contested the use of the Yes name. As a co-owner of the trademark, Anderson’s absence led the remaining members to agree not to officially use "Yes" for this lineup’s tours at that time.

2009–2015: Renewed Line-up, Fly from Here, Heaven & Earth, and the Passing of Squire

In October 2009, Chris Squire proclaimed that the ensemble touring for the In the Present Tour "is now Yes," with performances extending into 2010. The recording sessions held that year resulted in tracks later compiled as From a Page.

By August 2010, the band revealed plans for new compositions destined for their twentieth studio album, Fly from Here. Yes inked a deal with Frontiers Records and commenced recording in Los Angeles under the guidance of producer Trevor Horn. Keyboardist Geoff Downes rejoined, taking over from Oliver Wakeman, while much of the album's content originated from material Horn and Downes had co-written during their prior tenure with the group. Steve Howe stressed that only current members contributed to the recording, dismissing speculation about Jon Anderson’s participation; Anderson instead embarked on a separate venture alongside former members Wakeman and Rabin.

Finished by March 2011, Fly from Here was globally released in July, reaching number 30 on UK charts and number 36 in the US. To support the album, Yes embarked on the Rite of Spring and Fly from Here tours (2011–2012), occasionally sharing stages with Styx and Procol Harum. That year also saw the release of a live album and DVD titled In the Present – Live from Lyon.

In February 2012, illness forced lead vocalist Benoît David to be succeeded by Jon Davison from Glass Hammer. Recommended by Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters, Davison completed Yes’s remaining dates for the year. Although Anderson showed interest in rejoining, he was ultimately not reinstated; Howe expressed a preference for maintaining the existing lineup.

Founding guitarist Peter Banks passed away due to heart failure on 7 March 2013.

Between March 2013 and June 2014, Yes undertook the Three Album Tour, delivering full performances of The Yes Album, Close to the Edge, and Going for the One. They also took part in progressive rock cruises named "Cruise to the Edge" during 2013 and 2014. The concert held in Bristol in May 2014 was issued as Like It Is: Yes at the Bristol Hippodrome.

Their twenty-first studio album, Heaven & Earth, marking Jon Davison’s first record with Yes, was produced between January and March 2014 at Neptune Studios in Los Angeles. Roy Thomas Baker served as producer while former member Billy Sherwood handled engineering and mixing duties. Squire praised Baker as a "force in the studio," though Howe later voiced dissatisfaction with Baker's unpredictable conduct and the final mixes. To promote Heaven & Earth, Yes toured across North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan from July through November 2014. The performance at Mesa, Arizona was released as Like It Is: Yes at the Mesa Arts Center.

In May 2015, Chris Squire revealed he had been diagnosed with acute erythroid leukemia. Billy Sherwood stepped in to replace him during Yes’s summer North American tour co-headlining with Toto (August–September) and on their November Cruise to the Edge while Squire received treatment. As his health declined, Squire died on 27 June at his Phoenix, Arizona residence; Geoff Downes confirmed his passing via Twitter. Before his death, Squire encouraged White and Sherwood to uphold Yes’s legacy—a commitment Sherwood affirmed as his priority. On 7 August 2015, Yes performed without Squire for the first time in their nearly five-decade history during a show in Mashantucket, Connecticut. They concluded their annual Cruise to the Edge journey in November 2015.

2016–2023: 50th Anniversary, Rock Hall Induction, The Quest, and Alan White's Passing

Following the passing of Chris Squire, ex-Yes members Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, and Rick Wakeman established the group "Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman" (ARW) in January 2016, embarking on creating new compositions. They toured under the banner An Evening of Yes Music and More between 2016 and 2017, accompanied by drummer Lou Molino III and bassist Lee Pomeroy. Concurrently, the primary Yes lineup continued their touring schedule, delivering complete performances of Fragile and Drama during their 2016 European trek. Alan White took a hiatus from touring to undergo back surgery; Jay Schellen temporarily filled in on drums until February 2017. The live album Topographic Drama – Live Across America, documenting the 2016 tour and marking Yes’s first release without Squire, was issued. Unfortunately, touring in 2017 was curtailed following the sudden death of Steve Howe’s son Virgil.

After being eligible since 1994, Yes was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2017. The inducted members comprised Anderson, Howe, Rabin, Squire, Wakeman, Kaye, Bruford, and White—the ensemble from the Union period. During the ceremony, Anderson, Howe, Rabin, Wakeman, and White performed with Geddy Lee handling bass duties; Bruford attended but did not perform; Tony Kaye was absent. Subsequently, Anderson, Rabin & Wakeman adopted the name Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman with authorization from Squire’s estate. Both this group and the main Yes band toured throughout Yes’s fiftieth anniversary year in 2018, which caused some confusion among fans. Jay Schellen continued as a secondary drummer supporting White amid his struggle with a bacterial joint infection. After two years of activity, Yes Featuring ARW disbanded.

From 2018 through 2020, Yes remained active on the touring front. Their fiftieth anniversary concerts in London coincided with the release of Fly from Here – Return Trip, a remixed edition featuring new vocals by Trevor Horn. The tour included guest appearances by Dylan Howe, Trevor Horn himself, Tony Kaye, Tom Brislin, and Patrick Moraz. In 2019, the live album Yes 50 Live was released. That same year featured the Royal Affair Tour alongside Asia, John Lodge, Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy, and Arthur Brown; a live recording from this tour was released as The Royal Affair Tour: Live from Las Vegas. Additionally, the mini-box set From a Page, containing mostly previously unreleased tracks by Oliver Wakeman, was made available. Planned tours for 2020 were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later that year saw Davison and Sherwood form Arc of Life with Schellen and keyboardist Dave Kerzner.

Recording sessions for Yes’s twenty-second studio album The Quest took place from late 2019 through 2021 under pandemic constraints; members recorded their parts separately before Steve Howe and engineer Curtis Schwartz completed final mixing. Released on 1 October 2021, the album reached number 20 on the UK charts. Preceding its launch were singles "The Ice Bridge" and "Dare to Know". The band also revealed intentions to produce a subsequent album.

On 22 May 2022, Yes announced that Alan White would retire from touring due to health complications; he passed away four days later on 26 May. A tribute concert celebrating White’s legacy was held in Seattle on 2 October featuring special guests including former guitarist Trevor Rabin.

In January 2023, Warner Music Group acquired rights to Yes’s catalog encompassing twelve studio albums released between 1969 and 1987 along with various live and compilation records. The following month Jay Schellen officially became Yes’s permanent drummer after White’s death.

2023–present: Mirror to the Sky and Ongoing Touring Activities

The 2022 tour marked the 50th anniversary of Close to the Edge, but following White's passing, the European leg was postponed to 2023 with a modified setlist. Due to complications with COVID-19 insurance, the tour faced a further postponement to 2024; several shows were incorporated into The Classic Tales of Yes Tour 2024, which included prominent UK locations such as London's Royal Albert Hall.

Between 2023 and 2025, Jon Anderson embarked on a North American tour titled "Yes Epics and Classics," featuring material primarily from the early 1970s and supported by The Band Geeks. Although he had expressed a desire for a reunion since 2008, after releasing his 2024 album True, Anderson remarked that he already possesses "the Yes that I wanted," describing his current endeavors as maintaining "the true Yes flag flying."

On 19 May 2023, Yes unveiled their studio album Mirror to the Sky, accompanied by singles "Cut from the Stars" and "All Connected." This release continued the artistic trajectory initiated with The Quest. The band commenced work on a subsequent album and sustained touring under the "Album Series" concept, concentrating on Fragile, which Howe identifies as representative of Yes’s most creatively fertile era.

Musical style and influences

AllMusic critics Jim DeRogatis and Stephen Thomas Erlewine hail Yes as the quintessential English progressive rock ensemble, attributing to them the popularization of the genre in mainstream music. Their initial sound was a fusion of bucolic folk, Baroque classical influences, and robust rock & roll, characterized by unusual time signatures and suite-like song structures. Subsequent albums embraced a polished, album-oriented rock aesthetic. Chris Roberts from Classic Rock acknowledged Yes as trailblazers of 1970s progressive and symphonic rock who later dominated the 1980s stadium pop-rock scene. The band is also identified within art rock circles. Nick Spacek of The Pitch emphasized their evolving lineup and sound while maintaining an emphasis on innovative composition. DeRogatis noted their pronounced rock intensity and memorable riffs amid elaborate solos. Pitchfork's Chris Dahlen commended records such as Fragile and Close to the Edge for their blend of extended instrumental segments with coherent compositional frameworks, highlighting Chris Squire’s bass lines, Bill Bruford’s drumming, and Rick Wakeman’s keyboard work as integral elements.

Jon Anderson, co-founder and original lead singer, described Yes's music as incorporating progressive, symphonic, jazz fusion, and world music elements. He cited classical composers Igor Stravinsky, Jean Sibelius, and Gustav Holst—especially Holst's The Planets—as key inspirations for their longer pieces. Additionally, Anderson mentioned The Beatles, Frank Zappa, and The Beach Boys among their influences. Sean Murphy from PopMatters likened listening to Yes to experiencing opera—prioritizing sonic texture and compositional complexity over lyrical content—highlighting their unique artistic perspective.

Band members

Current

Past Members

Timeline

Discography

Albums in Studio


Tours

See also

Bibliography

References

Further reading

  • Yes: The Authorized Biography, Dan Hedges, Sidgwick and Jackson Limited, 1981
  • Yes: But What Does It Mean?, Thomas Mosbø, Wyndstar Book, 1994
  • Music of Yes: Structure and Vision in Progressive Rock, Bill Martin, Open Court, 1996
  • Beyond and Before: The Formative Years of Yes, Peter Banks & Billy James, Golden Treasure Publishing, 2001
  • Yes: Perpetual Change, David Watkinson and Rick Wakeman, Plexus Publishing, 2001
  • Yes: An Endless Dream Of '70s, '80s And '90s Rock Music, Stuart Chambers, General Store Publishing House, 2002
  • Yes Tales: An Unauthorized Biography of Rock's Most Cosmic Band, Scott Robinson, Writers Club Press, 2002
  • The Extraordinary World of Yes, Alan Farley, 2004
  • Mountains Come Out of the Sky: The Illustrated History of Prog Rock, Will Romano, 2010
  • Yes in Australia, Brian Draper, Centennial, Sydney, 2010
  • Close To The Edge – How Yes's Masterpiece Defined Prog Rock, Will Romano, 2017
  • Yes, Aymeric Leroy, Le Mot et le Reste, 2017
  • Solid Mental Grace: Listening to the Music of Yes, Simon Barrow, Cultured Llama Publishing, 2018

Songbooks

  • Yes Complete Vol. One − Published by Warner Bros. Publications Inc. in 1976
  • Yes Complete Vol. Two − Released by Warner Bros. Publications Inc. in 1977
  • Yes Complete – Deluxe Edition, issued in 1981
  • Yes: Back from the Edge, authored by Mike Mettler, featured in Guitar School 3, no. 5, 1991
  • Classic Yes – Selections from Yesyears, published in 1993

External links

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