Just say ‘Yes’

The music world was shocked and saddened by the death from leukaemia of Chris last year, but undaunted, the band he co-founded with Jon Anderson in 1968 is carrying on.

For this tour, the band has again decided to perform two classic albums in their entirety: Fragile from 1971 and Drama from 1980.

Billy Sherwood, who has performed and recorded with the band in the past, has taken over bass guitar duties, while lead vocals are handled by Jon Davidson.

“Most of the songs haven’t been performed in some 30 years,” guitarist Steve Howe says, “and these two albums mark two essential chapters of our career.”

And drummer Alan White, who has been ever-present in the band since 1972, says: “Reliving those years will be very emotional, I know Chris would have loved to be here with us for this.”

Drama marked the debut in the band for keyboard player Geoff Downes, who controversially joined the band with Buggles' bandmate Trevor Horn.

“There was antagonism originally, but the album warmed on Yes fans over the years.”

Geoff alludes to the fact that many fans were outraged when he and Trevor replaced Rick Wakeman and Jon Anderson in the band.

“Drama has’'t been performed for 30 years and of course it’s very close to me, and there is still three of the five original members from the album in the band today (himself, Alan and Steve).”

The band has already toured the Fragile album and it is arguably the first classic Yes album.

“Yes, we did Fragile in the States last year but not in Europe,” he states. “In some respects that one featured the original classic line-up (Anderson, Wakeman, Howe, Squire and Bill Bruford) and it gave us four really progressive tracks; Heart of the Sunrise, for instance.

“It’s the one where the band really cut their teeth and that’s one of the reasons we’re doing it.

“Then Drama moved Yes from the 70s era to a different 80s era and they reinvented themselves. The beauty of Yes' music is that it has developed.”

Expanding on his theme, the Sheffield-born keyboard player, who studied at Manchester University, adds. “The band extended themselves with Fragile, there were the five little cameo piece which showed off the fact that they were all excellent musicians, and presented another angle to the music; and of course there was the track Roundabout which has become synonymous with the band.

“When the band recorded Drama they had done all they could with the 70s formula, so it was a new slant.

“I’m quite proud of the album.”

Before joining the band, Geoff knew all about the music.

“When I was at school, I was into Time and a Word (the band’s second album), so the band was part of my musical appreciation, but hand on heart, I’d say that my favourite album is Close to the Edge which I think is as close as can be to the perfect Yes album.”

But it will be strange without the presence of Chris Squire, the one person who has appeared on every Yes album and was known by the fans as The Keeper of the Flame.

Geoff says: “It goes without saying that Chris was irreplaceable, his spirit is very much alive with the legacy he left.

“It was a huge shock when he died, but he had already appointed Billy to take his place. Chris did great vocal arrangements and was the second voice of Yes. Billy has done an amazing job and is as faithful as possible to Chris's part and he is honouring his legacy.”

As well as the two albums, the band plans to perform other tracks from the catalogue, as Geoff explains.

“The albums were quite short, both around 40 minutes, so we hope to do about 40 minutes of other material — maybe some form the recent albums.”

And despite the sadness at the passing of Chris Squire, the band is looking forward to touring the UK.

“Yeah, it’s always great fun. The last time was two years ago and we did some great venues, and of course my old stomping ground of the Apollo in Manchester is good. We’re all very much looking forward to it.”

Yes will be performing the albums Fragile and Drama in their entirety, as well as other choice tracks from the band’s career at The City Hall, Sheffield on Tuesday May 3.

Tickets are priced at £39 (plus booking fee) and are available from the box offices on 0114 278 9789 (Sheffield) and all the usual agencies.