My oldest daughter just turned 41.  She was conceived in a Chevy van with the mural from the Relayer album on the side.  I still can’t get her to enjoy Yes.

Al Jones

Covington, LA

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Glad you got to see Jon with the Band Geeks. Check out “perpetual change” which is their live album.  It’s remarkable and the best interpretation of Yes music since the early 70’s.   Gates of Delerium is unreal….wish they’d play that again live.

Lee Abrams

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LOVE this!
I am a diehard YES fan going back over 50 years.
Last weekend we had my high school 50th reunion, class of 76.

I looked at the yearbook and my senior quote was “I’ve seen all good people turn their heads each day so satisfied, I’m on my way”

Steve Gerardi

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Over the years, Yes seemed to slow down the pace of the music.

The Band Geeks play the music with energy!

Great decision by Jon Anderson.

Gary Berlak

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I have not had the pleasure of seeing Jon with the Band Geeks, but a few years ago I caught him in concert with kids from the Paul Green School of Rock. It was magical watching these young teens gathered around him playing classic Yes songs. They sounded really great, and through it all, Jon had this look on his face of unbridled joy. When they finished playing “Heart of the Sunrise” I looked at my friend next to me and he was tearing  up.

I’ve seen many incarnations of Yes over the years, but Jon and these kids was one of the best.

Regards,
Rod Henry

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YES! Jon’s band is MUCH better than the Steve Howe tribute that is currently on the road

Larry Shockley

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Well put, Bob.

The work that Jon has been doing with The Band Geeks only goes to show that Yes needs Jon Anderson more than Jon Anderson needs Yes.

While it’s nice to see Yes making new albums without Anderson, they lack his unique qualities that made Yes music sound like ‘Yes’. Even during the Trevor Rabin era, Jon’s presence kept that incarantion of the band valid.

The irony is the new Yes line-up continues to record new songs but then go and tour with sets that are almost entirely full of classic songs that Jon Anderson was a significant part of creating.

I doubt we’ll see Anderson’s return to Yes, given Steve Howe is cleaarly happy with calling all the shots with Chris and Jon out of the way.

In the meantime, Jon is still making great music and The Band Geeks are a perfect fit for him to continue to make new music and deliver the the kind of performances that the current Yes is lacking.

Lee Elliott

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So glad you went to see them.  Yes was always music that had to be experienced and not explained.  The music is grand and majestic, and I believe that, as a group, they were one of the “classical” composers of our time.  Jon was the center of it, so even though he lost the name due to political and business issues, he is still the soul of Yes music.  His voice is still distinct and angelic, and his beautiful abstract lyrics evoke imagery and spiritual messages that transcend rock and roll.  The Band Geeks have rejuvenated him and at this point are stronger players than what passes for the “official” branded Yes band.  Although they do not have the presence and  flair of Chris Squire or Rick Wakeman (who does?), they bring the energy and musicianship of the originals.

I’m looking forward to seeing them as they make their way up the coast this week.  I always go as often as I can.  As with all from that era, you never know when it will be the last.

Best regards,

Andrew Mehlman

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Yes changed the way I thought about music and what a “rock” band was capable of.

I was 14 when Close to the Edge came out and, as has been noted, that’s the key age to really fall in love with music that seems to be directly transmitted to you, you are like a sponge letting it seep into you, your persona, your dreams, your emotions.

They remain my favourite band all these years later, I suppose they are my “Beatles”, comparing the impact that the fab 4 had on people just a bit older.

The fact that Anderson still goes for (and hits!) those high notes is remarkable – I saw this tour in Troy NY last month. The Band Geeks can play that stuff in the correct keys and at the correct tempos, something the Steve Howe version struggles with.

Glad you felt it too Bob, I am not ashamed to say that “Awaken” moved me to tears, not many songs can do that.

Mark Hudson

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Love Yes. I was there for the world premiere of ClTTE in London, Sept 1972. Many years later I was at Armoury Studios in Vancouver working with Yes on The Ladder, hearing the story of Yes almost falling apart during that performance of CTTE. It was the first time they made it through the whole song!

Jon is a wonder. Thx for remembering..

Cheers,
Drew Arnott

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Prog is on the rise, you must know that. The kids are getting involved and my guess is that the young musicians want more.

I went to a concert by The Musical Box, the outstanding Genesis tribute band ( endorsed by the original members) and it was encouraging how many youngsters under 30, sh*t, under 20 were at the show.

Fritz Doddy

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Completely agree. Yes morphed multiple times but Jon was almost always the constant.  This was a great show. We may be old AKs but we know good music (and today’s drivel sure isn’t)  regards-Doc Blues

Mark Gresser

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This reminded me that during the 70’s heyday, it was not unusual for local bands to play these songs. During my freshman week in Bloomington, I saw a band play a Yes medley followed by a Jethro Tull medley. As a fan of both, I knew the tracks inside out and these guys were good. It blew my mind. I also saw a local Nashville band called Sweetwater, including Adrian Belew, play a faithful but high energy version of “Getting Better”. Amazing! Hearing great young musicians play this music live with live energy was thrilling.

Robert Bond

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In about 1976 or 77, I taped a live Yes concert off the radio (on cassette) . For an encore they did “Every Little Thing” and it was fantastic. Listened to that tape many times.

Perry Resnick

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It was one of THE best concerts period. Doesn’t matter who or what music is liked past or present.  The point he makes about not bs dancers or light show or madonna/gaga set changes, it was pure pure pure music and the best of it.  The Band Geeks IS YES, not Howe’s cover band.  Jon hasn’t changed since I first saw him in their first show in LA 1971!  He’s no less an angel if one believes and even if one doesn’t like most of us.

The crowd was NOT all grey haired oldsters, no idea why he said that.  Even my kids and grands know YES.  Rick and Trevor are always missed but we got their soul and even more…rock and amazing solos were jaw dropping.  And his mention of a few new songs??? OMG, TRUE is a magnificent album and everyone knew those songs as well.  He waved a peace symbol rainbow flag, because we did see All Good People…and it’s PRIDE month!!!!!!!

Anyway, other than the YES show in the Round at the Forum, this was at least equal in talent, music, fans, love,  The FOH sucked which is weird for this theater but sound guys….  yet, other than a few mishaps by them, sound at Kavli is great.

Jon is a Treasure in the Music World and we were blessed to once again be with him.

Robin Rose

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I am so glad you got to see this show. It’s been touring for a couple of years now and I’ve been blown away. I couldn’t put my finger on it, how it was different from other old acts out on tour, and you’ve done a great job describing how and why it is. I am/was a casual Yes fan. Although I was all in during the Trevor Rabin era. But this collaboration with the Band Geeks really show what a genius Anderson is. He really does have the pipes. It’s crazy. And the backstory of how they got together is just as good as the Journey/Arnel story.

Much credit should be given to bassist Richie Castellano who has been in Blue Oyster Cult for 20 years or something like that.

The album of new songs that was released last year has some great stuff on it too.

Happy you discovered the secret of Anderson/BandGeeks.

Quint Randle

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Howe and Squire made a grave error removing Anderson from the band. I’m sure Davison comes much cheaper, so there’s less money to split up.

But this is not a Journey situation. We all know that Anderson can still bring it In fact, these days, Pineda is having trouble doing so at age 58. So when you see “Yes” these days, every syllable of the singing is wrong, and everyone in the band is old and slow.

Not these guys.

So dumb. Someone needs to tell Howe that:

Time is running out. We want to hear that guitar and Anderson’s voice while we still can.

There are two numbers: 1) the percentage he gets – obviously higher these days without a Squire, White, Wakeman, or an OG Anderson to split it up with and, 2) the total revenue from the shows that his percentage is multiplied against.

Let’s say he’s generous and gives the rest of the current “Yes” 40%. Great. He’s making 60% of the revenue instead of 30%, of two-three times as much, while disappointing and/or pissing off fans and ruining his legacy as a resullt. I have to think that they’d be playing, at a minimum, 3,000-seaters instead of these tiny theaters they play in now.

You nailed it – we go to Jon and the Geeks to see a real Yes, played energetically with the vocal vibrations that nail the lyrics and the tunes. Basically, the guy who still has his pipes is playing with younger people who nail all the instrumental parts with all of their chops. That the greed of Howe allows him to think anyone is fooled by plastering the logo on the current line-up is pretty galling, as much as we love him too.

BTW, that’s a great observation – there are no bathroom songs on a Yes setlist. There has never have any.

Gary Lang

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The show was indeed tremendous, incredible, excellent, one of the best concerts I’ve seen in many a moon and I love going to concerts!

I’ve seen a lot of flack on social about how terrible the sound was- the sound to my ear was incredible and excellent, some of the best I’ve heard in a concert venue stetting- although the mixer did miss MANY sound cues including the first few words out of Jon Anderson’s voice. Near the end of Starship Trooper the guitarist was nearly inaudible for a good chunk of the song, not even close to the level it should have been so there were some odd and puzzling choices if that’s what you could call them… but what I could hear for most of the show was excellently balanced.

Cheers,

Michael Stern C.A.S.
New Toys / New Gear Editor
Music Connection Magazine

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When Jon couldn’t tour due to health reasons, YEs went out and found a singer from a tribute band (then did it again a few years later).  Jon just got a whole tribute band to back him up, which seems much more authentic, given that he wrote and sang most of the songs to start with.

And thanks for the Gentle Giant mention!

Sky Wallace

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I’ve seen every version of Yes since 1979. It’s the music, the people and the live show. The very best players, playing complex music you remember.

Yea I’ve been a fan boy for years. And listen to the catalog all the way thru at least once a year.
Not tired of it yet

Bob Maggio

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I saw Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks in April and—yes—they aren’t Yes—but they are BETTER than the last version of the “real” Yes that I saw play (sans Anderson) a few years ago.  That official Yes was sloppy and disappointing. So hearing Jon? With this crack pot band? Way better.

And Bob— these guys deserve to have their names mentioned: Richie Castellano, Andy Ascolese, Andy Graziano, Rob Schmoll, Christopher Clark, and Robert Kipp. These guys are serious players; and yet another testament to the “new” model of music success, where people play their hearts out on YouTube and then find their way to playing with big name artists….Long live prog!

thanks,

Mark Feldman

Boston

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Both Jon Anderson and Rush prove it every night they’re onstage. I’d venture to say this kind of music *is* actually timeless. Never made for the charts, just for the listeners. Just as vibrant to my ears today as when I bought the original LPs (and CDs — and now LPs again).

Why is their respective reach expanding? Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson said it to me during one of our interviews back in the early ’90s, to the effect of: “Listeners like you championed us and started writing about us once you turned professional.” We didn’t care what the rock-critic cognoscenti said about bands like Rush, Yes, King Crimson, Nektar, Camel, Caravan, etc… we *loved* that music, and it was — and still is — damn good. And now, a generation-plus after mine are finally able to discover this special, mystical kind of music alchemy firsthand.

To springboard from something you semi-rhetorically wondered, I do feel the music made by artists like Jon Anderson and Rush is *our* classical music: Intricate, layered, involving, challenging, and constantly revealing.

I look forward to seeing Rush in August, and I’ll see them as many times as I’m able. Ditto Jon Anderson — and Nektar too, for that matter.

Now get out there and rock… and roll the bones.

Mike Mettler

Analog Planet

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You’re so right about losing interest in a band when they lose a member who may have not been a main cog of the band…When Neal and Jon (or as I call them The Dimmer Twins) fired Ross and Smitty from Journey… I was out… way out… to the point of not even listening anymore…that’s just the way I’m wired…

 

Was always a casual fan of YES but I’m pretty sure I’d love this show… especially knowing Jon Anderson still has the pipes!

Tom Clark

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I also think a lot about the same things you think about Bob.

Why was it so different back then? Why did the music mean so much?

So I believe all of the following.

The music touched my soul. It was earth shaking when I heard something amazing.

I remember exactly where I was the first time I heard Dr. Wu from Steely Dan. It hit so hard it is never forgotten.

Same for Beatles, Procol Harum, The Band, and so many others.

It wasn’t for the money. It was for the creation…for the love of it all.

It had never been done before. New ground, new sounds were being created and boundaries were constantly being broken.

There was integrity. There was hope. There was love. Music brought us together.

It’s much harder now.  Music isn’t even taught in many schools any more. We are totally distracted.

It’s difficult to find the great music. It’s still out there….but I am tired now. It’s a real effort to find anything and get past the cesspool

of advertising that we have devolved into.

But I still look and listen, and often the older bands and songs resonate in a way that was unique to the times in which it was written.

Leigh Goldstein

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From many:

Rick Wakeman was NOT on The Yes Album

He joined at Fragile…

(Of course)

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The 805 will surprise ya!

Michelle Jacobs