“Yes”…who are they? Certainly they are - Chris Squire, with his classic-sounding bass (which never existed prior to him), as well as his command of chord theory, which explains his lyrical, and very powerful style of playing all over the chords as they change throughout the dynamics of every song.
They are, of course Steve Howe. A classical/blues/rock/country-i nfluenced guitarist who infused the group’s energy with riffs and themes in parts of Yes’s songs that seem to have come from the great beyond, i.e. the beautiful playing in “Yours is no Disgrace” during the third run of Tony Kaye’s Moog part following the intial rising of 4th changes in the intro. Those notes were magical, musically.
Tony Kaye…a great keyboardist who was an equal force with Steve and Chris on The Yes Album.
Rick…what can you say about this keyboard wizzard? Fragile and Close To The Edge couldn’t have happened without his creative ideas and his ability at intricate, lightning fast part playing.
Bill and Alan…both great drummers…Bill (my favorite) being the smoothest and Alan a strong rock player.
And then, there is the voice of Jon Anderson…in and of itself a sound so different that it left early listeners wondering…is this a 12 year old singing this. But, more than anything else, it was Jon’s songwriting that established Yes into being what they eventually became…the greatist composition band in rock and roll. There’s been nothing like Yes since Stravinski or Dvorak. They will take their place among the level of the great ones of music and their music will live forever.
That being said, it’s perhaps, important that new singers come along who can sing like Jon and play like the others. In so doing, the sound of Yes can possibly live on in live performances after the original members are walking with canes and have trouble remembering what day it is. That can happen to us all…and probably will. God bless Yes.

What’s the matter with Yes in whatever form touring this year w/out Jon, then again next year with him? I don’t get it. And I am slightly disappointed in Jon making the negative comments about the whole issue. If nobody’s calling him with “get well” wishes, that’s a different issue, and that’s a shame, but is frankly TMI for me. The music is what I care about.

The time will come when none of them can do the road, and then I for one will be as content as possible with tribute bands, cover bands, even jukeboxes that play this amazing timeless music. I’m sure Mozart fans would love to travel back in time to hear the “original,” but I never hear them complaining too much that they have to hear modern musicians playing that music.

Now look, all we ask is that you do NOT waste your money on this pseudo YES band, are we asking for too much??? . .what part of this, don’t you understand you freakin morons, this is NOT YES, without JON, so get with the program now, & support us at the shows, where we will all be picketing! Coffee & free Crispy Creme Dous, will be served from our Van, you cannot miss us in our tie dyed shirts, and we will be playing YES CD’s all nite!

I stopped listening to YES when Steve Howe was replaced, I didn’t like them. But let’s get serious: Steve, Jon and Rick are the only ones who are YES, the rest can be replaced without changing the chemistry.

For bands like Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel-Genesis and Yes I hope everybody would agree that the music is much bigger than the individual performers as indicated by all the tribute support. I saw Supertramp a few years back with this guy Mark Hart. I was skeptical but went with an open mind. I actually loved the youthful energy and talent he brought to that performance. Everything I have seen on Youtube with Benoit David would lead me to believe this version YES is worth every penny. He just nails that sound and I think with that level of competence why wait! YES has always been about different players cycling in and out of the band. I think the players at any given time just want to play and perform. Bring it on.

i attended the show in hamilton ont. and thought that the show was very good. not the same without all the originals. the singer benoit david did an excellent job as did the young wakeman. it kind of reminded me of back in the 70s when i went to see them every time they came ,there was youth along with all my favorites.

I am just upset that the show was promoted as ‘Howe, Squire, and White of Yes’ AFTER i bought my ticket.

i think the show will still be pretty good but would much rather have anderson singing

No Jon Anderson ? No Party

No Jon Anderson ? No Party

JOn is my my man! . . .Now look, I’ve absolutely had it with all the negative criticism you people are showing for John!! You all need to wait for his complete recovery, as do those bad apples in YES.
I will boycott this show, and at many of the venues, you will see me & other “Jon Supporters”, with Picket signs. you cannot miss us, it will be the big YES logo, with a cross going through it from left to right, and I’ve got a long beard, just like the gentlemen from ZZ Top.
I am thanking everyone in advance, for saying NO to this current lineup of YES. See you all in the parking lot, the nite of the various shows!
Jon McHugley

Hello, - I am offended by all the criticism of this wonderful band.
I got Jon’s autograph at a show 2 years ago, and he is a wonderful man!

The problem here is that blown out ego named Chris Squire, if anybody needs to be replaced, it is Chris.
He is the ringleader here, who plotted against Jon.How desperate is this guy, playing the smaller venues for $38.00 per ticket!-that’s chump change for any REAL ROCKER dude!
Let’s all scope out YOUTUBE for a Chris Squire replacement, or maybe get some dude off of American Idol.
Chris -hang it up brother, we are all tired of your shennanigans both onstage and off!- put that in your pipe and smoke it, down by the water!

As for my opinion as a musician, you need to take every opportunity to play that presents itself, particularly at this age.
I’ve seen YES without Anderson before, and it worked. Of course, it wasn’t as good. There is only one John Anderson.
I’ve seen YES with a replacement for everyone in the band. So, why stop now?
I think this article is dumb, and I’m not even sure if I believe Anderson said these things. Everyone in the UK is still mad about the summer tour being planned over here. Now, when Anderson gets well, they can tour over there.
Do yourself a favor. Don’t worry about how the band is getting along. Just go get a ticket! Peace.

you cant expect steve and chris to just sit around and wait for jon to get better(though jons voice is yes) benoit dont sound bad lets give him a chance. none of these guys are gettind any younger. if i could play like steve i would not want to wait for a singer to play.lets face it im going to see yes 11/7 if they play gates of delirium i wouldnt care if they had a singer. get well soon jon see you in 2009 steve jon pick up the phone and wish jon well. peace

Though they were recorded before I was born, I’ve great admiration for the musical inventiveness that Yes displayed in their first five records. For that reason, I’ve investigated the band’s history and have learnt about the remarkable drive, determination, and sheer musical genius of the band’s chief architect and founder, Jon Anderson.

So it is very sad to learn how, as the band approached its 40th anniversary, and Jon developed health problems that prevented him form touring to celebrate that anniversary, Msrs. Squire, Howe and Allen made the decision not to wait for Jon to recover from his illness but, instead, engaged a karaoke-singing-croissant to replace him on tour - all without so much as bothering to inquire about Jon’s health, much less consult with him about their plans to tour without him!

Thus, the sheer disrespect that they have shown towards the man whose creative energy and vision has been the guiding light behind the band’s entire history, perfectly lays out the despicable manner in which Squire and Howe, in particular, put their monetary interests ahead of the band’s musical and personal integrity.

To state it more clearly, their decision to tour without Jon is motivated by sheer greed and stupidity!

Yuuuuuuuuuuuck!!!!

I like YES, but Papa Roach Rulez!!!!

Howdy y’all, first Dolly Parton cancelled on me, and now Jon Anderson is not appearing, some bad Karma here, I remember seeing YES, with Gentle Giant, where are them guys now???, take Omega 3’s and live longer everybody

Man we all love Jon but a singer is a singer. To me it would not be a YES show if Steve or Chris were not there. Jon we will see you in 2009 god bless

Hey everyone listen up, see what the dude from Gemini Lights wrote . . .”this is another attempt for Chris Squire to feed his enormous ego”, I agree 100%, I’m tired of seeing Squire prance around on Starship Trooper, like he’s a “Rock God” (& you all know who that is) This dude has worked with YES,and he knows a bunch of over the hill Primma Donnas, when he sees them.
What’s up for YES (minus Jon) a show at the local Holiday Inn on a Friday Nite, No Cover Charge, just a 2 drink minimum! & b the way, in the New York City area, all 3 shows are billed as “YES” in concert, with their trademark logo.
Get wise everyone, would/could the Stones be the Stones, without Mick, The Police without Sting, etc. etc.
Don’t forget to buy the program, and the $40.00 T-Shirts, for all you suckers attending, I’m going to see the AC/DC Tour instead
Peace Out

I agree that it is hard to consider Yes without Jon Anderson. However, this tour is being promoted as “Howe, Squire, and White of Yes”. I could understand the hard feelings if this was being promoted as a Yes tour. Why must a musician put his career on hold because a bandmate cannot appear? To my understanding, Jon has been appearing solo and performing Yes tunes since the last Yes tour in 2004.

I find it very untimely and unfourtunate that this is happening to Yes, I mean they have meant so much to me.I do hope they will forgive one another regardless if they ever do anything again.They do have an awesom legacy of wonderfull magical music.

Chris Squire would not be Chris Squire without an enormous ego. Neither would Jon. Or any of them, really. The Stone has always hated this band, and prog rock bands in general. Yet, these guys keep on going.

I think one thing some people don’t get is this music is not easy, hard damn work to put out night after night.

Great Bog Almighty, I was 12 when I discovered this band, and they’re still at it? (go figure, the guitar players and drummer are the survivors).

Better than being disappointed and disrespected by your mother

Having done lighting for YES shows on their early tours and lasers for tours with YES and Anderson,Bruford, Wakemen Howe, and a few solo shows with Jon Anderson. This is not YES it is another attempt for Chris Squire to feed his enormus ego. Legendery lead singers are not interchangeable. I wish JON all the best health and hope to see him perform soon.

People gotta eat, musicians gotta play.
I’m watching Keys To Ascension (’96, did I read that right?), Close to The Edge never more stately. The band able to get Rick to smile once in a while.

But as for Steve, Chris and Alan, if they can fill arenas, they need to go for it. Got grandkids to feed,y’know?

And Jon, bless you, I send positive vibes for your health.

Sorry, I gave up on YES when Trevor Rabin gave up on YES. He was the mastermind behind their greatest records. Trevor makes Steve Howe look like he’s playing a banjo.

I have purchased my $38.50 plus service charge ticket to go see Howe, Squire, and White of Yes at Myrtle Beach HOB in December. Who knows? Jon might be there by then, you never know. I am sure if he isn’t that Steve, Chris and Alan will put on a great show, they are not amateurs at this sort of thing so give them a break since Jon can’t be there. I am a big Jon fan but during his convalescence you have got to take what you can get. I am sure the show will be great. I will soon be on the road to the “Gates of Delirium”.

some of the folks on this blog, have it right, -the band members treated Jon Anderson, in a cruel & inhumane way, after all those years!- I am just disgusted, and advise everyone to stop hanging on to YES, as it relates to this lineup. These guys have other creative outlets,to play their music, (and make some money) rather than coming up with a fake YES band. It aint YES without Mr. Anderson!

some of the folks on this blog, have it right, -the band members treated Jon Anderson, in a cruel & inhumane way, after all those years!- I am just disgusted, and advise everyone to stop hanging on to YES, as it relates to this lineup. These guys have other creative outlets,to play their music, (nd make some money) rather than coming up with a fake YES band. It aint YES without Mr. Anderson!

I just bought tickets to see the faux Yes, in - a ballroom venue. That was sad enough, but when I read the great Jon Anderson’s comments on his site, my stomach nearly turned. For the band to not reach out to him and let him know their intentions is unconscionable. I wonder if they realize what their fortunes would be if Jon never came back in 84′, or without his contributions in the seventies for that matter. Shame on you Chris, Steve and Alan.

To those who love YES music-the band long said that they hoped YES music would survuve in some fasioin even after they were GONE-well this is it. They are old but they are all great musicians. And there was a reat Yes without Jon-it was called Drama/and to most of us true fans that was an awesome album that was always missing frome the set. Let’s see some of that and less Roundabout this tour. To those who post against all this stuff-well to bad/having seen YES/CIRCA/ASIA/ABBH-yhe musianship and songs are NEVER a disapointment.

Chris wait on Jon take the time and take your fat ass to the gym. There is no Yes without Jon. He is the only one in that worn out bunch with any star power anyway. I will save my cash for a jon Anderson Tour I saw Tom Petty he is still cool and the band looks great. Chris and Steve look like death. Now at the Holiday inn bar Yes. What a joke

All props to Mr. Moderator! -he knows his stuff!

Mr. starship trooper, we can dig what you are saying, unfortunately, no one cares. tons of people are saying no to yes, due to the fact they BLOW, whether the lead singer is anderson, God, Frank sinatra, or an infant.

hey mr. moderator, leave my comments here alone, who the hell are you to ban free speech here, that has no obsenities you creep!
Now getting back to YES, them 4 other characters did a hatchet job on John Anderson, after all them years, not even a phone call to see how the guy is doing? Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end for YES, I aint goin out to see some Impostor, singing songs that don’t belong to him. I can live without ever hearing “Roundabout” again, and the same old rehash of the other dated material.
Stop living in the Past everyone, these guys gave up on being creative again, years ago. they are just in it now for the money, -YOUR MONEY, so say NO to YES!!!

Listen up y’all. It’s to bad for Jon Anerson I think he had too many “tokes by the water”, & now he’s got respiratory poblems, hey that shit catches up with you man!
Now for these other tired over the hill has been band members. -they are looking for $150.00 per ticket, on this Nov. 2008 “IMPOSTORS TOUR”, who the hell wants to see Ollie Wakeman, and some new singer from American Idol?
I’m tired of Chris Squire prancing around on stage, - he’s good, but he aint no Eric Clapton, dig what I’m sayin here, and that Dinosaur Steve Howe, doin that same old solo in the middle of the show, -that’s tired man. Rick Wakeman doesn’t know if he’s coming or going with this band, and he’s a big Drama Queen -you never know what’s up with this guy.
Gtting back to $150.00 per ticket, so these dudes want a hard worin guy like me to pay their mortgages, they are probably living large, each with their own Castle in England or something, -i aint payin for that shit, can you all dig what I’m saying here???
If you disgree, then step right up here. and blog on man.
Hey, you all wanna go to a real Rock & Roll Show?? -then go check out the upcoming AC/DC Tour, now them lads know how to RocK!!!
As for poor Johhny Boy & the “fake Yes”, - just say NO!!!!
I’m takin the mony, and takin my kidz to DisneyWorld, I aint spendin it n soem phony Yes Show, get wise son!

Good for you Jonny-Boy. Expose those greedy bastards for who they are! That being said, that imitator sounds better than Jon Anderson has in twenty years.

If tickets were a little cheaper I might just go … since I’ve been a Yes fan as long as they have been around.
I say go for it, and get richer than you already are - that’s what bothers me, how I cannot get rich playing music, too. Guess you have be awesome like Rush and Genesis, and Pink Floyd and others.

if you squint..you all look like assholes.

Go F**K yourselves and listen to OF MONTREAL.
Goddamn kids.

The new singer could be Chris Benoit for all I care. Yes should pay ME to show interest, Anderson or not.

they are playing a local ballroom near me instead of an arena. would this be the case if anderson was with? no, I had tickets to the cancelled arena tour. new singer = stupid

If you squint, he looks a lot like Yoko Ono in that picture.

I watched some of the You Tube video, it takes long to download, and Benoit and his Close To The Edge Band sound great from what I heard. I would like to sing a couple of songs with them in Myrtle Beach: “Sharp Distance how can the wind with its arms all around meeeee I feel lost in the cityyyy.” You do not want to be a Yes fan driving a car and singing along or you will certainly drift off, get swept up and wreck. Even though Jon may not be with them I have got to go to Myrtle Beach and see the show. We love you Jon and get well quickly.

Is the replacement’s name Benoit David or David Benoit? There is a David Benoit musician all over the web but it does not say he is the replacement.

It is not Yes w/out Anderson, and their treatment of him is corporate, not human or humane. I wish him well, and hope the band will rise again from the ashes, as it has so many times before. All that counts with Yes is the ethereal music; so few bands can touch that uplifting tone, and Anderson’s integral to it. The rest is just rock & roll.

Really…. how big of a douche are you to actually purchase a ticket to a show on this tour? Is anyone under the age of 55 actually interested in this band? And from what “illness” is Jon recovering??? alzheimer’s?? PS I have Rick Wakeman in me death pool.

Wah Wah Wah - why didn’t they wait for me to go on tour, waahhhhh. Ahhh shat up. Who knows what could happen by 2009 - the other members could drop dead or McCain could be president and we all could be recovering from a nuclear holocaust. The point is, you’ve got to move on in life and not let obstacles stand in your way. Anderson’s illness is an obstacle to a 40th anniversary tour.

the problem is, steve howe has touring commitments w/ Asia in 2009— John Wetton recently said:

“Asia’s touring plan was decided months/years ago, when everyone’s schedules were put on the table. From when we ended in May, until the end of this year [2008] is the time allocated for those other pursuits. As of April 2009, Asia has first call on all four original members, and this takes us through to 2010. No-one could have predicted Jon’s turn of events, nor mine for that matter, but we all have a general plan, and try to stick to it.”

It’s ridiculous they can’t wait until ‘09 for Anderson to mend.

A singer off youtube??? Yeah, that’s working out great for Journey~

Jon Anderson=Barry Manilow with bad facial hair

YES should change their name to NO.

While I think it is unfortunate that Steve and Chris have not reached out to Jon since his illness, I believe Jon is blowing this out of proportion and showed bad judgement in airing Yes’ dirty laundry.

When Jon toured solo, then with Rick, then with the School of Rock, he played mostly Yes music. Chris and Alan particularly have patiently waited four long years for Jon and I don’t blame them for wanting to get out and play.

The recent passing of Richard Wright hits home, and as much as I’d rather see Jon with Yes, the wait has to end now, *In the Present*!!!