Yes is coming to Arnhem for a one-off NL show. Yes, the virtuoso rock prodigy, the British prog rock behemoth, the unintentional pioneer of the punk movement. But also a poisonous hornet's nest of clashing egos.
It is 2017. After two previous nominations, the British rock group Yes is finally inducted into the prestigious Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame . The band that has thrilled its fanatical fan base with virtuoso compositions such as Yours Is No Disgrace , Starship Trooper and Close To The Edge receives the appreciation it deserves. During the induction ceremony, Yes plays two songs: Roundabout and Owner Of A Lonely Heart . On the surface, this happens in supreme harmony, but in reality the band members could not stand each other. It says everything about the turbulent existence of this band.
Guitarist Steve Howe remembers the event well. He chooses his words carefully. “It was an awkward situation. But also an honorable one, so I did what they asked of me: play bass on Owner Of A Lonely Heart , a song that I have nothing to do with.”
Anyone who wants to tell the story of Yes in broad outline will soon get caught in a Gordian knot of countless changes. Yes turns out to be a dovecote in top form. Band members come and go. There are times when musicians pack their bags again after a few weeks. Steve Howe – a band member since '70 and partly responsible for Yes's best work – can imagine the surprise at this continuous stream of mutations.
“It was just crazy, I can't put it any other way. Band members came, left again and then came back again. I myself left Yes twice. There were always reasons for disagreement. Don't forget that Yes is a demanding formation. You have to be a brilliant musician to be able to play in such a brilliant band.”
Howe is quick to add that the current line-up – now active for about ten years and with him as an anchor – is the most consistent. In terms of numbers, there is no arguing with that, but evil tongues claim that this line-up should not claim the band name Yes. And there is something to be said for that too.
Of the original formation that was founded in 1968, no one is left. Two of them, guitarist Peter Banks and bassist Chris Squire, have died. The other three have been out of the picture for years, whether voluntarily or not. Especially Jon Anderson, singer and figurehead of the authentic Yes, is a thorn in the side. A question to Howe about this affair is therefore not well received.
“I’m not going to discuss Jon Anderson with anyone,” the now 77-year-old guitarist answers curtly. “Not even with you.” After that, it remains quiet. But Anderson is one of the founders and the voice of the band, isn’t he? “Of course I respect him. He was at the foundation of Yes, no doubt about that. But Anderson and I have agreed that we won’t make any statements about each other.” Topic closed.
It explains the discomfort of the performance at the Rock 'n Roll Hall Of Fame , where Howe has to share the stage with Anderson, as well as with the disgraced keyboardist Rick Wakeman and Howe's competitor on the guitar Trevor Rabin. The latter plays the leading role in the biggest hit success of Yes, Owner Of The Lonely Heart. A crowd favorite that has been missing from the set list for years due to Howe.
“That’s a track from a different period. A period in which I wasn’t part of Yes. I don’t have a feeling about it. I do have that feeling about the monumental songs from albums like Fragile , Tales From Topographic Oceans. And Close To The Edge , my favorite record. That was great and innovative. But I’m also very happy with our latest album Mirror To The Sky .”
It is clear that Steve Howe wants to steer the conversation into the present. “For the upcoming tour we have put together a challenging setlist with songs that we haven’t played that often. The Revealing Science of God from our sixth album in ’73, for example. It will be a nice cross-section of all periods, including the last. Mirror To The Sky and its predecessor Quest marked the rebirth of Yes, recorded with the current line-up. Unfortunately, drummer Alan White has passed away in the meantime. He was behind the drum kit of Yes for half a century.”
Which brings us to the future of Yes. What if Howe calls it quits, will that mean the end of the band? “For now, that’s not on the cards, but if it does, the curtain doesn’t have to fall for Yes. The current line-up can continue for years to come. I don’t have a crystal ball, but maybe Yes will live forever.”
Yes, The Classic Tales Of Yes Tour: Friday May 17, Musis Sacrum Arnhem
[GOOGLE TRANSLATE from original Dutch to English]:
YES
Musis Sacrum, Arnhem May 17, 2024
There is a Facebook page with the telling title Yes Is Yes No Matter The Lineup. That's exactly how I feel about it too. Of course the period 1971-1979 is also my favorite (although the time with Trevor Rabin may also be there) and I understand the discussion about the legitimization of the current Yes, which no longer has an original band member, but for me it is important that this fantastic music is still being performed, and not by tribute bands but as much as possible by band members or ex-band members (Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks are also doing a great job). Steve Howe lived through that era, and Geoff Downes plus Billy Sherwood also have a long history with the band.
The formation visited Arnhem under the term The Classic Tales Of Yes Tour. Unfortunately, Relayer was not played, which was originally the plan, back then during corona times. After postponement comes adjustment, because now a kind of medley of Tales From Topographic Oceans was heard in which the four parts of that record came together.
Yes did justice to the music, although I missed the legendary Minimoog solo in The Revealing Science Of God. Perhaps Downes skipped it out of self-protection, because Rick Wakeman could play the solo better. Furthermore, there were no epics and they stuck to relatively short songs such as Machine Messiah, It Will Be A Good Day, I've Seen All Good People, Going For The One, Time And A Word, Don't Kill The Whale, Turn Of The Century and Cut From The Stars. Southside Of The Sky was again accompanied by a duet by Howe on guitar and Downes on synthesizer. Howe was in good form, which he proved with an excellent performance of America, which this time featured no singing. He is clearly the leader and conductor of the band these days.
Yes ended with Roundabout and Starship Trooper. Songs from the period with Trevor Rabin were not played. I experienced this as one of the best Yes concerts of the last twenty years. Drummer Jay Schellen is clearly feeling more and more comfortable. Funny that fans with young children also came. "We love the music," they said. I think that's a good sign: the band is rejuvenating, and so are its fans.
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Yes (2024)
05/17/2024 Arnheim, Netherlands
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