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The news that prog-rock heroes Yes would be touring with a replacement frontman in the wake of lead singer Jon Anderson’s illness is not sitting well with the singer for multiple reasons, according to a post on Anderson’s blog. Not only does this bit of understudying violate the spirit of what he calls “a precious musical band,” it just twists the knife that was placed in Anderson’s back by his only receiving one phone call from his mates since suffering from “acute respiratory failure” in June. Anderson’s full blog post after the jump!
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, spending time with Roger Dean creating a stage design, also working with VH1 and Sirius and XM Radio to help promote the welfare of YES.
Getting sick was not “on my radar”, and I thank my own angel Janeee and my family for helping me through this difficult time, and the many well wishers, friends and fans alike, for understanding that ”things happen”.
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…
I send best wishes to one and all,
Jon
No response yet from (former?) bandmate Chris Squire, but “version 2.0″ of his site is set to launch in about two weeks, so maybe we’ll hear it then.
News [Jon Anderson Online]
Anderson Minus Bruford, Wakeman and Howe.
Didn’t I read this story back in 1999? Except instead of Jon Anderson, it was Dennis deYoung? Styx – Yes, they’re the same band, right? Seriously, have you ever seen them together in the same room? Huh? Huh?
Has anybody else noticed that the theme song for “Fringe” (new show on Fox) is pretty much the end bit of “Starship Trooper?”
Maybe it’s just me.
@almostred: Also, didn’t Steve Perry’s illness lead to his dismissal from Journey?
@MikePo: I haven’t watched but now I will!
@Mike P.:
What, you mean Styx-Yes is Journey too?
Actually, if you think about it, there probably is only one classic rock band currently touring behind a revolving line-up of new lead singers. I will call them:
“The YesJourneyStyxBostonCarsDoorsForeignerGenesisQueen Band”
or, if they decided to become an emo band: “Yes, we must Journey ‘cross the Styx to Boston in Cars, closing our Doors when the Foreigner approaches, leaving no Genesis for a Queen…At The Disco!”
And then I would kiss a boy. Or some such thing.
@almostred:
You’ve almost written the chorus for a song by former Frank Zappa guitarist Ike Willis, called “The Foreigner From Boston”. I can’t find the lyrics at the moment, though.
So is it time for the Drama Don’t Look Back show?
poor jon anderson. i interviewed him once, he was like the sweetest man ever. i felt like i was getting a pep talk from a hippie uncle.
@Chris Barrus: If only – Trevor Horn’s involvement with Yes was the best thing that’s happened to them in 30 years.
I can understand Jon Anderson’s disappointment. I have always enjoyed his performance, and being the singer for Yes has, I’m sure, been a solid life identity for him. But I also wish him well, and hope he can recover in time.
I saw the group on Mike Huckabee’s show last week. it sounded vaguely familiar. But I have to say that the Anderson/Squire/Howe/Wakeman/White combination from Close to the Edge and Fragile era was by far the best. I hope they can get back together after his recovery. But if they can’t, I have an a cappella group that would love to have a voice like his….
Of course, we sing Barbershop music, so it is probably not exactly the type of thing he’d be interested in….
Jon ANDERSONdoesn't need Yes if they don't want him. People forget he went pretty well with Vangelis and by himself. I wish him all the best as his songs have inspired my relationship over the years. We all get old but his songs do not. All the best Jon.