Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman
| Company type | Musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Predecessor | Yes (members previously part of) |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman |
| Defunct | 2020 |
| Fate | Disbanded |
| Successor | None |
Area served | Worldwide (tours in North America, Europe, Asia, Middle East) |
Key people | Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman, Brian Lane (manager) |
| Products | Live performances, live album "Live at the Apollo" |
Number of employees | 3 (core members) |
| Parent | None |
Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman, also referred to as Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman (ARW), was a progressive rock ensemble composed of former Yes members: vocalist and acoustic guitarist Jon Anderson, guitarist and vocalist Trevor Rabin, and keyboardist Rick Wakeman. The trio initially collaborated during Yes's 1991–1992 Union Tour before officially announcing their alliance in 2010.
Following the creation of new compositions from 2011 onward, the group reappeared in January 2016 under the name Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman. They focused primarily on live performances rather than studio recordings. Their inaugural global tour, titled An Evening of Yes Music and More, commenced in October 2016 and continued through 2017, featuring bassist Lee Pomeroy and drummer Lou Molino III. After their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as members of Yes in 2017, they adopted the moniker Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman, a name previously used during European tours.
The band wrapped up a 50th anniversary tour in 2018 but ceased all public engagements thereafter, confirming by 2020 that their disbandment was final.
Formation
Vocalist Jon Anderson, guitarist Trevor Rabin, and keyboardist Rick Wakeman all previously belonged to the progressive rock group Yes. Anderson was a founding member in 1968 and participated in three separate periods until 2008; Wakeman contributed during five different tenures between 1971 and 2004; Rabin was part of the band from 1983 to 1995. The three musicians only performed together during the eight-member lineup on the 1991–1992 Union Tour. Although there were intentions for Wakeman to contribute to Anderson and Rabin’s Talk (1994) album, this did not come to pass. Outside of Yes, various pairings among them had engaged in collaborative efforts.
The initial public indication of their partnership surfaced on 6 February 2010 during Wakeman’s Planet Rock radio broadcast, where he mentioned ongoing discussions with Rabin and other former Yes members about recording new material, including Anderson. Speculation about ex-Yes drummer Bill Bruford joining circulated but was dismissed by Bruford himself; having retired in 2009, he was not approached. Progress moved slowly due to individual solo projects and conflicting schedules. By October 2010, Rabin stated that although formal work had yet to begin, he and Anderson were enthusiastic about moving forward. Writing and development proceeded throughout 2011.
The passing of bassist Chris Squire in June 2015 accelerated the trio’s decision to pursue recording new songs and performing Yes classics according to their vision. In December 2015, manager Brian Lane—who had managed Wakeman since 2012 and Yes during the 1970s—urged them to officially establish the band. Rabin sought a hiatus from composing film scores, while Wakeman was prepared to dedicate time. On 9 January 2016, Rabin announced intentions for a tour later that year; two days afterward, Anderson disclosed the band’s name as Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman (ARW). Lane was soon confirmed as their manager.
Rabin stressed that ARW did not aim to compete with Yes nor harbored any ill will toward them. The formation received approval from current Yes keyboardist Geoff Downes, whereas guitarist Steve Howe expressed well wishes but preferred "cover bands."
Touring and rebranding
By June 2016, the ensemble chose to focus on launching their first tour rather than finalizing their album, citing limited opportunities for live performances and uncertainty surrounding the recording process. Anderson highlighted the necessity of solidifying the band’s presence before moving forward. Rehearsals commenced mid-2016 in Los Angeles, featuring Anderson, Rabin, and longtime collaborators of Wakeman and Rabin: English bassist Lee Pomeroy and American drummer Lou Molino III. Wakeman joined the sessions in early August. Initially, American multi-instrumentalist Gary Cambra participated but withdrew shortly thereafter. Larry Magid, who had a longstanding association with Yes since 1971, was appointed as tour director, while Jonathan Smeeton took charge of stage production and lighting design.
The tour entitled An Evening of Yes Music and More kicked off in October 2016 and wrapped up a year later, covering North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The setlist encompassed songs spanning Yes’s catalog from The Yes Album (1971) through to Union (1991), also including selections from Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe's only studio release. On April 9, 2017, the band formally adopted the name Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman, aligning with the moniker used during their previous European tour leg.
From June to September 2018, the group embarked on the Quintessential Yes: The 50th Anniversary Tour to commemorate fifty years of Yes. Although initially envisioned as a 100-date global itinerary—spanning Scandinavia, Germany, the UK (highlighted by a headline appearance at London’s Stone Free Festival), North and South America, Europe, Japan, and the Far East—Rabin expressed concerns about the demanding schedule. Additionally, health issues affecting Anderson’s and Wakeman’s families impacted their ability to continue touring as planned, resulting in an earlier-than-expected conclusion of the final segment.
On September 7, 2018, the band issued a live album alongside DVD/Blu-ray titled Live at the Apollo via Eagle Records, capturing their March 25, 2017 concert at Manchester Apollo.
Unreleased studio project and dissolution
Work on a studio album began in April 2011 when Anderson and Rabin exchanged musical ideas remotely from their respective home studios; Wakeman subsequently contributed his parts. Anderson described these new compositions as "distinctive," with Wakeman praising them as "fresh, energetic, melodic." Progress halted in March 2012 due to Rabin’s family commitments and film scoring projects alongside Wakeman’s other obligations. Activity resumed six months later when Wakeman provided additional material; development continued gradually thereafter. By June 2016, Rabin acknowledged they possessed only "fragments of song ideas" and declined offers from record labels to maintain creative control over the album's direction. Three months later, they opted not to perform any new material during their debut tour to avoid premature audience recordings. Although initially targeted for late 2018 or early 2019 release, the album never received an official title or release date. Anderson hinted at a staggered release approach due to some tracks’ extended durations.
In July 2018, their first original track titled "Fragile" premiered on Steve Jones’ Los Angeles radio show. This song evolved from a Rabin composition originally featured in the 2015 television drama Agent X, for which Rabin contributed to the score.
In March 2019, Jon Anderson announced he had no intentions of continuing with further tours or recordings, attributing this decision to "mismanagement" and conflicts regarding whether to release new material or focus solely on performing classic Yes songs. By July 2019, Wakeman indicated plans to reunite for a tour in 2020 before "closing the lid," leaving open the possibility of issuing new music contingent upon its quality.
Ultimately, this reunion did not come to fruition; in 2020 Rabin confirmed that the band had disbanded. Wakeman cited logistical difficulties stemming from geographic separation—him residing in the UK while others were based in California—and reliance on online collaboration. Earlier that year, manager Brian Lane was dismissed but continued overseeing Wakeman’s solo endeavors.
Reflecting in a 2023 interview on the band’s brief existence and limited recorded output, Rabin described Yes as "a whale," challenging to manage as a producer despite delivering exceptional live shows. He stressed that internal politics discouraged him from pursuing another project with Anderson and Wakeman together out of respect for fans who simply wish to enjoy the music.
Legal ownership of the name "Yes"
Following Squire's passing, the rights to the band name "Yes" were jointly held by Anderson, Squire, Howe, and drummer Alan White. While Squire was alive, he and Anderson had an informal understanding that only Squire's ensemble would operate under the "Yes" name. In 2018, Anderson mentioned that Squire's widow proposed that both factions might be permitted to use the "Yes" name after his death.
Members
- Jon Anderson – lead and harmony vocals, acoustic guitar, harp, percussion
- Trevor Rabin – guitar, lead and backing vocals
- Rick Wakeman – keyboards
Touring musicians
- Lee Pomeroy – bass guitar, pedalboard, backing vocals
- Lou Molino III – drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Iain Hornal – bass guitar, backing vocals (2017 Japan tour, 2018 Europe tour)
Albums
Live recordings
- Live at the Apollo (2018)
Concert tours
- An Evening of Yes Music and More Tour (October 2016–October 2017)
- Quintessential Yes: The 50th Anniversary Tour (June–September 2018)