One of those bands that deserves more than one post, YES is a British band founded in 1968, undoubtedly one of the leading exponents of Progressive Rock in its symphonic rock incarnation.
Founded by singer Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Peter Banks, keyboardist Tony Kaye, and drummer Bill Bruford, they have released some of the genre's finest albums, including one that contends for the top spot, Close to the Edge, an immense masterpiece.
The lineups have changed often, but two stand out as having had the greatest impact, in my opinion, on defining different styles.
The first, active in the 1970s, with a progressive rock feel, was composed of
Jon Anderson, who was the leader,
Chris Squire
Bill Bruford or his successor, Alan White,
Steve Howe
Rick Wakeman
The second, with a sound closer to pop rock or rock, in the 1980s and 1990s, was composed of
Jon Anderson
Chris Squire
Tony Kaye
Alan White
Trevor Rabin, who was the leader.
The band enjoyed enormous successes in both phases, particularly structurally complex and multifaceted albums such as The Yes Album, Fragile, Close to the Edge, Relayer, Going for the One, the much-discussed and divisive Tales from Topographic Oceans, and a global hit with 90125.
A sophisticated sound, symphonic and romantic rock based on the best of the era's musical technology. The ARP Odyssey, the Moog, and the Mellotron, which established them as undisputed masters of the genre.
The band is stellar. Some members, in addition to their seminal experience with YES, have gone on to brilliant solo careers, played in other bands, or participated in separate projects. To name a few:
Steve Howe, a child prodigy, guitar collector, and virtuoso of every guitar genre (electric, Spanish, classical, steel guitar, mandolin, etc.), is also the author or co-author of many of YES's most famous songs. He is also a founding member of Asia and has an extensive solo discography, as well as countless guest appearances on works by other artists, from Lou Reed to Queen, and even projects such as Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe. Gibson, the manufacturer of his first guitar, said that Howe "elevated rock guitar to the rank of an art form" and "helped define the new musical style known as art rock." The Gibson ES-175 is his favorite instrument.
John Roy Anderson, known as Jon, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, the legendary vocalist of YES, is gifted with a unique vocal timbre, with a range at least equal to a mezzo-soprano, while maintaining a masculine character in his singing, never using falsetto. A master lyricist, he has influenced every project he's worked on. He has collaborated actively with numerous other artists, including Vangelis, Jean-Luc Ponty, Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, Jon Anderson & Roine Stolt (a sort of attempt to recreate a parallel YES group). He has a wonderful solo career, with his latest album, True, released in 2024 with The Band Geeks.
Christopher Russell Edward Squire, a great bassist and singer, was the only member to appear on all of YES's studio albums until his death (June 27, 2015). He released only one true solo album, 1975's Fish Out of Water, which is one of the most beloved solo albums by any YES member. Chris Squire & Steve Hackett's Squackett is noteworthy.
William Scott Bruford, known as Bill, the immense drummer, played in numerous bands besides YES, including King Crimson, Genesis, Brand X, and Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe. Bruford revolutionized drumming technique with his innovative use of electronic drums and his combination of a strong sense of melody and complex polyrhythmic solutions.
Richard Christopher Wakeman, known as Rick Wakeman, an immense keyboard player and composer, a great improviser, a master of ambitious and magniloquent symphonic progressive rock who makes extensive use of the keyboard, an instrument of which he is one of the most virtuosos, trained as a classical pianist, later moving on to keyboards and synthesizers, with a long and prolific solo career, characterized by some successes especially in the mid-seventies: the instrumental album The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1973, over six million copies sold), The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (1975) and Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1974, over twelve million copies sold). He has often played as a guest or session musician for artists as diverse as David Bowie, Elton John, Cat Stevens, Lou Reed, Black Sabbath, John Williams, Al Stewart, and the Brotherhood of Man. His latest album, Yessonata, released in 2024, is beautiful, in which he retraces the most important themes of YES and his solo career on the piano. Seen live in Rome on March 4, 2025, it was a fantastic concert.
This is the long list of YES members.
Current Lineup
Jon Davison – vocals (2012–present)
Steve Howe – electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals (1970–1981, 1990–1992, 1996–2004, 2009–present)
Geoff Downes – keyboards (1980–1981, 2011–present)
Billy Sherwood – bass, backing vocals (until 2000: guitars and keyboards) (1997–2000, 2015–present)
Jay Schellen – drums, percussion (2023–present)
Former Members
Jon Anderson – vocals, backing vocals, percussion, guitar, harp (1968–1980, 1982–1987, 1990-2004)
Chris Squire – bass, backing vocals (1968-1981, 1983-2004, 2009-2015)
Tony Kaye – keyboards (1968-1972, 1982-1983, 1985-1995)
Peter Banks – electric guitar, backing vocals (1968-1970)
Bill Bruford – drums, percussion (1968-1972, 1990-1992)
Tony O'Reilly – drums, percussion (1968)
Rick Wakeman – keyboards, Hammond organ, piano, mellotron (1971-1974, 1976-1980, 1990-1992, 1996-1997, 2002-2004)
Alan White – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1973-1981, 1982-2004, 2009-2022)
Patrick Moraz – keyboards (1974-1975)
Trevor Horn – vocals (1980-1981)
Trevor Rabin – vocals, electric guitar, backing vocals, keyboards (1982-1995)
Eddie Jobson – keyboards (1983)
Igor Khoroshev – keyboards (1998-2000)
Benoît David – vocals (2009-2011)
Oliver Wakeman – keyboards (2009-2011)
The (main) works of YES
Yes - 1969
Time And A Word - 1970
Fragile - 1971
The Yes Album - 1971
Close To The Edge - 1972
Tales From Topographic Oceans - 1973
Relayer - 1974
Going for the One - 1977
Tormato - 1978
Drama - 1980
90125 - 1983
Big Generator - 1987
Union - 1991
Talk - 1994
Open Your Eyes - 1997
The Ladder - 1999
Magnification - 2001
Fly from Here - 2011
Heaven & Earth - 2014
Fly from Here- Return Trip - 2018
The Quest - 2021
Mirror to the Sky - 2023
.jpeg "Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (ABWH) self-titled album")
