CALIFORNIA ROCK NEWS

By Alex Kluft

Yes has had many lineup changes in 55 years and two hiatuses and as of this year it is Steve Howe who became the group’s seconds guitarist in 1970 and has been with the group a combined 37 years and is the only remaining member from their classic lineup. Geoff Downes was the keyboardist from 1980-81 then formed supergroup Asia with Carl Palmer, John Wetton, and Howe and joined Yes again in 2011. Before Yes Downes was in the Buggles with Trevor Horn who would also become a member of Yes in 1980.  Lead vocalist Jon Davison became the group’s fourth lead vocalist in 2012. Billy Sherwood was first a touring member (94) then a member from 1997-2000 as a guitarist/keyboardist. With the passing of co-founder Chris Squire in 2015, Sherwood became the bassist. Drummer Jay Schellen filled in for Alan White on and off since 2016 and also played duel drums with White who had been the band’s drummer since 1972. Upon White’s passing last year, Schellen became a full-time member. 

Yes was inducted into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. Since 1969, Yes has released 23 albums with the most recent being Mirror to Sky released this year. This is the band’s first release with Schellen. Their 2021 release The Quest was the first to feature Sherwood as bassist. Of those albums, 10 have been certified between Gold and 3x-Platinum. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, The band’s 2020 tour which revolved around Relayer and various hits was postponed to 2021 then again to 2022 and certain dates in Europe have been held to 2024. Last year the band celebrated the 50th anniversary of Close to the Edge with a tour as well as a tribute to White following his passing. Yes has returned with the “Classic Tales of Yes” tour.
The Classic Tales of Yes tour is a mix of hits and rarities. Yes & Asia album cover artist Roger Dean had various pieces for sale and also spoke onstage before the show. Following “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra” (Benjamin Britten) the band took the stage and began their musical journey with “Going for the One.” Yes also performed hits like “I’ve Seen All Good People” Simon & Garfunkels “America” (Instrumental). With the 50th anniversary of Tales from the Topographic Oceans coming up in December, a medley of all four songs from the album is played. This was the first album to solely feature White on drums and the band was also Jon Anderson, Howe, Squire, and Rick Wakeman which would be their classic 70’s lineup. Yes closed the show with “Roundabout” and “Starship Trooper.”