YES rocker JON ANDERSON is furious the band is embarking on a new tour without him, insisting he feels “disrespected” by the move.
The prog-rock legends initially axed their road trip plans back in June (08) when singer Jon Anderson was ordered to take six months rest after being hospitalised with acute respiratory failure.
But the remaining bandmates – Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Alan White, Oliver Wakeman – have since decided to press ahead with the tour, with tribute band singer Benoit David in Anderson’s place.
Anderson writes on his website, “(I am) disappointed that, with the exception of one phone call from Alan, 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 disappointed that they were not willing to wait till 2009 when I’m fully recovered. And I feel very disrespected, having spent most of this year creating songs and constant ideas for the band. Of course I wish the guys all the best in their ’solo’ work, but I just wish this could have been done in a more gentlemanly fashion. After all, Yes is a precious musical band. This is not YES on tour…”
WTF! The band has to press on and doesn’t have to wait for 2009. He can take a rest for the and sing with them in 2009. The band doesn’t die because something happened to the lead singer, it has to go on. It is just like Queen died with Mercury. I start to believe now that most frontmen has twisted lead singer ego. Have a rest Jon and sing with them in 2009.
Comment by Anonymous — 23 Sep
WTF! – What a silly comment. Jon Anderson makes Yes what they are. Without Jon Anderson, it is a cover band. They did not even consult him. What a slap in the face. Real Yes fans like me will boycott this tour. I hope the halls they play are half filled.
Comment by Rob P. — 26 Sep
Does no one find it odd that Chris Squire, Alan White, and Steve Howe are playing in what is essentially a tribute band to their own band? And at these prices?
The whole situation is absurd. And it’s not at all like Queen, IN WHICH THE LEAD SINGER IS DEAD. Gimme a break. Anderson is apparently going to be ready to perform soon enough. They should have waited and I bet they know it.
Comment by Will Z — 27 Sep
No way am I going to see the band on this tour! I have seen Yes play over a dozen times since the 70’s…sorry, but this incarnation is NOT Yes…not without Jon Anderson…it truly will be more of a cover band…and not much of one when this Beniot guy tries to sing the high notes…he is actually a decent singer, but can’t hold a candle to Jon Anderson. No Way, No How.
Comment by Mark Roberts — 04 Oct
Well there was a time when Bill, Rick, Steve and Jon were together and they couldn’t name the band YES because Chris won the case at court (That’s what I heard) .There was another time that the band had another singer Trevor Horn, There were 4 guitar players ever join the band 4 keyboard player officially join the band and 2 drummers, I saw this show was great regardless John wasn’t there, I felt lucky they played totally different sets of songs then I saw before, I’m glad they played Astral Traveller, Onward, Machine Messiah, Tempus Fugit , Those last 2 songs Jon never sings that, but still I want to see them back on stage again with Jon and Rick or Patrick
Comment by Nono — 05 Feb