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Yes |
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Formed:
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1968, London, U. K.
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Disbanded:
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Members:
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Alan White (drums, Percussion); Benoît David (guitar, Vocals); Bill Bruford (drums, Percussion); Billy Sherwood (bass, guitar, Vocals); Chris Squire (bass); Geoff Downes (keyboards); Igor Khoroshev (keyboards); Jon Anderson (Vocals); Patrick Moraz (keyboards, organ, piano); Peter Banks (guitar, keyboards); Rick Wakeman (keyboards, piano); Steve Howe (guitar); Tony Kaye (keyboards, organ, piano); Trevor Horn (bass, Vocals); Trevor Rabin (guitar, piano, Vocals)
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Genres:
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Progressive Rock, Symphonic Rock
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Note & Curiosity:
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Yes played their first show in England at East Mersea Youth Camp, on August 4, 1968. |
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References:
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Profile:
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Yes are one of the finest bands from the golden age of Rock. Their music is often described as "challenging".
But that doesn't mean inaccessible that touch the heart and mind. The founding members, Jon Anderson
and Chris Squire, had their first met back in '68, they come together with the object of creating a team expert enough to play the songs the way Jon and Chris heard them in their heads. In the early days
they were happy to play covers of songs by favourite artists like The Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel as well as original material. The next step was to take those songs, rehearse them, expand them and create something almost orchestral in scope. There were always strong elements of jazz and the classics in what became known simply as 'Yes music. But there was also a love of pure pop. Even at their most intense and celebral,
the band respected the need for emotively lyrics, strong vocal harmonies and a powerful beat.
Chris and Jon had served their apprenticeship in touring groups including The Warriors and Syn, singing
and playing soul standards and hit tunes. It was their melting pop of influences, from Frank Sinatra to Vanilla Fudge and the Fifth Dimension, that inspired the debut Atlantic album "Yes" in 1969. The original line up comprised Jon (vocals), Chris (bass guitar and vocals), Peter Banks (guitar),
Tony Kaye (keyboards) and Bill Bruford (drums). Together they created numbers like "Survival". The next album "Time and a Word" (1970), yielded "Then" which epitomised the sound of early Yes
complete with its own string orchestra.
As Yes entered the Seventies and headed in search of America, they underwent radical changes.
New guitarist Steve Howe revolutionised the band's sound, bringing extra clarity and technical perfection
as well as the ability to contribute to their rapidly expanding material. Then came blond haired virtuoso
Rick Wakeman whose skill on synthesisers and a range of electronic keyboards meant they could
achieve an orchestral sweep of sounds in the studio and on stage. Alan White came in from his work with John Lennon
to replace Bill Bruford and provide a rock solid force on drums. "The Yes Album" in 1972 introduced guitar virtuoso Steve Howe and unveiled such wonderful performances as "Yours is no Disgrace", "Starship Trooper" and
"I've seen all good People".It was a huge success and paved the way for acceptance on a massive scale particulary with American audiences. Then Rick Wakeman arrived on the even more popular "Fragile" which included the hit track "Roundabout" and "Heart of the Sunrise". "Roundabout" shot to number 13 in the U.S. Billboard top 40 in March 1972 and became the band's theme tune. While none of these performances were what you might call three minute pop hits, with "Heart of the Sunrise" clocking in at 10 minutes and 31 seconds, there was still a core of strong melody to all their work. Each song seemed like a miniature concert as the band tore through a gamut of musical moods and emotions. Yes certainly expected audiences to listen and were ready to take them on a journey. The guitar and the keyboard
solos, the vocal harmonies, the thundering bass and drum patterns all served a purpose - to take the song to the next level and the listener to another plain of consciousness. The early seventies were happy times for Yes. But as the years
rolled by the musical environment changed. Just as Yes were becoming even more experimental with albums like "Close to the Edge" (1972) and "Tales from topographic Oceans" (1973) so the pop scene demanded more
simplistic and down to earth ideas. Punk superseded progressive rock and a formerly supportive record industry and media turned hostile. During these unsettling times the band underwent drastic changes of personnel. Rick
Wakeman came and went and was replaced for a while by the gifted Patrick Moraz. There was even a period at the beginning of the eighties when it seemed like the band had split up. Steve Howe formed supergroup Asia and Jon Anderson
went solo. Then came fresh blood and new ideas. The arrival of master producer Trevor Horn, a long term Yes fan who also sang
and played guitar, had a galvanising effect although he came during a period of crisis. There were more settled times ahead when the talented all-rounder Trevor Rabin re-energised the band and ensured a tidal wave of popular success with Jon
and Chris once again at the helm. The tumultuous "second age" of Yes starts with "Siberian Khatru", "And You and I" and "Long Distance Runaround" which are from "Close to the Edge" and "Fragile". We move into the era of "Going for the One"
(1977) with "Wondrous Stories" which shows how Yes were still making fine music in the teeth of rock's new dark age.
"Don't kill the Whale" was a highlight of their 1978's "Tormato".
A period of great change followed. When the dust settled the superb "90125" (1983) saw Yes make a stunning return to form. Trevor Horn's production and Trevor Rabin's songs and dynamic guitar work saw Yes reach another creative peak, climaxing with their biggest hit single "Owner of a Lonely Heart". It took them to number one in the American charts and was a world wide hit.
"Leave It" another hit from "90125", and "Big Generator" from the eponymous 1987 album showed just how Yes had remained a powerhouse in the vanguard of new ideas. |
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References:
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Chris Welch, London, July 2003 - Welch Is The Author Of: "close To The Edge: The Story Of Yes" (omnibus Press) |
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Official Site:
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Yes Official Site;
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Related Artists:
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Steve Porcaro; Tom Brislin; Oliver Wakeman |
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Related Groups:
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Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe; Asia; Jon & Vangelis |
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Complete Discography:
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| Year |
Type |
Title |
Reviews |
Ratings |
Lists |
Overall |
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Album Reviews:
The Coma Cluster: Observation
by Ian Abrahams
"Observation is one of the most intricate and absorbing albums that I’ve been sent for review since t... "
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