Set aside your negative bias toward Yes—and while you're at it, lose your knee-jerk hatred of prog rock. Yes fuckin' rock—albeit in a long-winded, redonkulously complex manner. And Chris Squire's bass playing? Completely slaughters Les Claypool's. Ask Squarepusher. He'll vouch for me.
As those SoCal badboys the Mars Volta know, prog rock can be damned exhilarating, when done with just the right amount of excess, killer chops, trippy album artwork and a keenly rococo melodic sense—all of which Yes possess in spades. These artful Brits had a (mostly) strong run of albums from 1969-1983, somehow going platinum and playing arenas with LPs bearing 20+-minute suites with titles like “Gates of Delirium.” And don't lie: you turn up the radio when “Owner of a Lonely Heart” comes on. Even hip-hop heads have to give it up for that tune.
So, Yes. You should take out a loan and check 'em out at Anaheim's Honda Center Aug. 20 as they celebrate 40 years of bandhood (tix go on sale April 13). Founding members Jon Anderson (vocals) and Squire will be joined by guitarist Steve Howe and drummer Alan White, while keyboardist Rick Wakeman's son Oliver will replace his pop in the lineup. Full press release after the jump.
“Close to the Edge Pt. 1” live
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YES, THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PROGRESSIVE ROCK GROUP OF ALL TIME RETURNS TO THE CONCERT STAGE TO CELEBRATE THEIR 40th ANNIVERSARY WITH A NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
Tickets for the “Close To The Edge and Back Tour” on Sale April 13
“VH1 Classic Presents: Your Move with Yes” — An Online Search To Find Talented Aspiring Rock Performers To Join YES On Stage During An
Upcoming Tour Date
NEW YORK, NY, MARCH 20th, 2008 — With a remarkable 40 year career that has time and again redefined the boundaries of rock, musical pioneers YES have announced 2008 tour dates to take place this summer. Marking the first national tour for the band in over five years, the 26 date jaunt will bring the iconic band’s virtuosic musicianship and exhilarating live shows to amphitheatres and arenas across North America. The tour will kick off July 12th in Quebec City and wrap-up on August 22nd in Los Angeles.
Produced by Live Nation, tickets for the “Close to the Edge and Back” tour go on sale beginning April 13 and are available on www.livenation.com
A dominant force in rock music for more than four decades, YES has created some of rock’s most enduring and compelling hits and has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. The group has defined music history with their dynamic instrumental contrasts, extended song lengths and abstract lyrics. Their symphonic use of sound and innovative musical styles continues to make them the most successful progressive rock band in history. Their celebrated discography includes hits like “Owner of A Lonely Heart”, “I’ve Seen All Good People” and “Roundabout.” Now 40 years later their career continues to defy many of their rock counterparts.
“It feels incredible to gear up and get ready for the road,” says YES frontman Jon Anderson, “It’s been five years since our last tour. We’re all very excited to play to all of our fans, a lot of which have been with us for almost 40 years. A lot of marriages don’t even last that long.”
Bassist Chris Squire shares the same sentiment, “After having spent the last few years writing new music at home and time in the studio recording, I am really looking forward to getting back to playing to live audiences as thiat is where the real magic of music takes place.”
“VH1 Classic Presents: Your Move with Yes” in conjunction with the 40th Anniversary Yes tour. Launching in early April on VH1Classic.com
Founded in 1968, the impressively extensive and always evolving career of YES has cemented their standing as the most successful and longest lasting progressive rock group of all time. From the 1969 release of their ground-breaking self-titled album, YES, to their critically acclaimed 2001 release Magnification, YES have created visionary music derived from futuristic thinking and musicianship of the highest caliber. YES’ music has defied logic on many levels and survived many incarnations. For the uninitiated they have folk, rock and symphonic levels of music in their collective approach. There is a spiritual energy to their world derived from the lyrics and musical outlook of singer-song writer Jon Anderson.
Jon Anderson says, “One of the biggest thrills I get on stage is when I hear the audience singing along with me.” So join the celebration, and be part of the experience.
The line up for this tour includes founding members Jon Anderson and Chris Squire joined by Steve Howe, Alan White and Oliver Wakeman, son of former YES keyboardist Rick Wakeman. Chris Squire is not only one of the great bass players of modern times, but has a wonderful sense of musical timing that stands strong within the musical magic known as “Yes Music.” The same has to be said for the guitarist Steve Howe, who has folk, classical and rock music at his fingertips. Alan White, who played with the celebrated John Lennon, is the truly gifted heart beat of the group on drums. All are revered by musicians around the world.
According to Chris Squire, “1968 feels like yesterday to me, and its only right for our fans to give them a good 40th anniversary show.”
The dates of YES’ North American tour are as follows:
DATE CITY VENUE
July 12 Quebec City Quebec City Festival
July 13 Toronto, ON Molson Amphitheatre
July 15 Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
July 16 Hershey, PA Hersheypark Stadium N Star Pavilion
July 18 Chicago, IL Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island
July 19 Detroit, MI Freedom Hill
July 22 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
July 23 Boston, MA Bank of America Pavilion
July 25 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Event Center
July 26 Wantagh, NY Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
July 28 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
July 29 Baltimore, MD Pier 6 Pavilion
July 31 Tampa, FL Ford Amphitheatre
Aug 1 Miami, FL Hard Rock Live Arena
Aug 2 Orlando, FL Hard Rock Live
Aug 4 Atlanta, GA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park
Aug 6 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theatre
Aug 8 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Aug 9 Dallas, TX Superpages.com Center
Aug 11 Denver, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Aug 14 Vancouver, BC General Motors Place
Aug 15 Seattle, WA WaMu Theater at Qwest Field Events Center
Aug 19 Mountain View,CA Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View
Aug 20 Anaheim, CA Honda Center
Aug 22 Universal City, CA Gibson Amphitheatre
Launched in May 2000, VH1 Classic is a 24-hour network that present videos, concerts and music specials all day long, featuring the best of rock, soul and pop artists from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, including The Beatles, The Stones, Tina Turner, Led Zeppelin, Marvin Gaye, The Who, Stevie Wonder, The Police and many more. Learn more at http://www.vh1classic.com
