Yes
Progressive |
Yes were one of the most definitive prog bands of the 70s. They were formed in 1968 by vocalist/lyricist Jon Anderson and legendary pick bassist Chris Squire in London, England. They began with interests to mix R&B songs, or songs of artists like The Beatles, and wildly expand them with influence of blues and jazz, making them one of the first 'proto-prog' bands. By the time the 70s came around, Yes had already began becoming more ambitious, firing guitarist Peter Banks, replaced by virtuoso guitarist Steve Howe. With albums like Fragile and Close to the Edge, they had pefected t ...read more
Yes were one of the most definitive prog bands of the 70s. They were formed in 1968 by vocalist/lyricist Jon Anderson and legendary pick bassist Chris Squire in London, England. They began with interests to mix R&B songs, or songs of artists like The Beatles, and wildly expand them with influence of blues and jazz, making them one of the first 'proto-prog' bands. By the time the 70s came around, Yes had already began becoming more ambitious, firing guitarist Peter Banks, replaced by virtuoso guitarist Steve Howe. With albums like Fragile and Close to the Edge, they had pefected their virtuoso sound with keyboardist Rick Wakeman (had been in the band 5 separate times, the previous keyboardist had left because he could not keep up with Steve Howe's playing) and famous prog drummer Bill Bruford (who left Yes in 1972 for King Crimson).
In 1974 they released their most controversial album, Tales of Topographic Oceans. With its over-the-top compositions, and Anderson's self-indulgent lyrics based on Eastern mysticism, fans and critics alike were split on the album. It helped give progressive rock notoriety for being overly prententious. Rick Wakeman wasn't happy with the album, and protested its release at the album tour's concerts, he would not play and would eat meat on stage (the others were all vegetarians). He quit at the end of the tour. Yes released the well-received Relayer soon after without Wakeman.
After Relayer the band's line-up pretty much imploded. Every album in the late 70s throughout the 80s featured a change in line up (Howe, White, and Wakeman left pretty much for the decade), including one album without Anderson. Squire was the only one who never left the band in its history. This also included several bands that were former members of Yes but weren't in the band at the time. Yes' sound varied greatly in the 80s, having a pop influence (the band scored a big pop hit with 'Owner of a Lonely Heart') and dividing the fans between the new and old.
Eventually Anderson's tensions with Squire and the new line-up made him want to return to the old Yes. Throughout many phone calls, contract workings, nearly every member of Yes united for 1991's Union. The results were somewhat disastrous. After the ultra-reunion Yes returned to the classic line-up of Anderson-Howe-Squire-Wakeman-White making albums and touring regularly, but rarely garnering much attention outside their fanbase. « hide |
