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Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman

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This article is about the band that adopted this name in 2017, composed of a reunion of former members of Yes. For the full history of Yes, see Yes (band).

Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman
ARW performing in 2017, from left to right: Trevor Rabin, Lou Molino III, Jon Anderson, Lee Pomeroy, Rick Wakeman.
ARW performing in 2017, from left to right: Trevor Rabin, Lou Molino III, Jon Anderson, Lee Pomeroy, Rick Wakeman.
Background information
Also known asAnderson, Rabin and Wakeman (2010–2017)
GenresProgressive rock, pop rock
Years active2010–2018[1]
LabelsEagle
Past membersJon Anderson
Trevor Rabin
Rick Wakeman
Lee Pomeroy
Lou Molino III
Iain Hornal

Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman, also known as Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman (ARW), were a progressive rock band founded by former Yes members Jon Anderson (vocals, acoustic guitar), Trevor Rabin (guitar, vocals), and Rick Wakeman (keyboards) in an offshoot of the band. The three had previously worked together in Yes for the 1991–1992 Union Tour. The trio were first announced as working together in 2010.

After working on new music since 2011, the band announced activity in January 2016 as Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman. Plans for a possible studio album were put on hold to concentrate on touring; their debut worldwide tour, An Evening of Yes Music and More, began in October 2016 and continued through to 2017, with bassist Lee Pomeroy and drummer Lou Molino III. In April 2017, following the three members being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of Yes,[2] the band announced their new name,[3] which they had already been using in European touring.

After the conclusion of a 50th anniversary tour in 2018, there was no further public activity and the group confirmed by 2020 that the split was permanent.[4]

History

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Formation

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Singer Jon Anderson, singer and guitarist Trevor Rabin, and keyboardist Rick Wakeman were former members of the progressive rock band Yes. Anderson had co-founded Yes with bassist Chris Squire in 1968, and had been a member in three stints until 2008;[5] Wakeman had been a member in five stints between 1971 and 2004;[6] Rabin had been a member from 1983 to 1995.[7] The only time the three had performed together in Yes was the 1991–1992 Union Tour during the band's short time as an eight-member formation.[8] Plans to have Wakeman play with Anderson and Rabin on Talk (1994) never materialised.[9] For Wakeman, not playing on a Yes studio album with Rabin became one of his regrets.[8] Away from Yes, each pair had worked together in various capacities.

The first announcement of activity between the three came on the 6 February 2010 episode of Wakeman's radio show on Planet Rock, when he mentioned a recent discussion among himself, Rabin, "and a couple of other ex-members of Yes who will remain nameless" about the idea of recording a new album.[10] This was later revealed to include Anderson. Rumours that former Yes drummer Bill Bruford was to be a participant caught some momentum after they were reported in rock music magazines.[11][12] After several weeks of speculation about the rumour, Bruford wrote a blog entry on his website in May 2010 stressing his retirement from performance in 2009, and denied any involvement in such plans with the claim that he was not invited by either member.[13] Developments on the project then progressed slowly, mainly because of the remaining three members' commitments to their solo projects and conflicting schedules.[14][15] In October 2010, Rabin said that the group had yet to formally begin work on the project, but noted Anderson and himself were "really itching" to proceed.[16] There was writing and development work from 2011.[17]

Squire's death in June 2015 became a catalyst for the three to, as Wakeman said, progress with plans, record new music, and play Yes music on stage "as we feel it should be performed".[18] In December 2015, Brian Lane, manager of Wakeman for the past three years and the manager of Yes in the 1970s, encouraged the three to formally launch the band. Rabin felt it was the right time as he wished to take a break from scoring films, and Wakeman was prepared to devote time to take part.[19][18] On 9 January 2016, Rabin announced via his Facebook page that the three plan to tour later in the year. Two days later, Anderson posted an update revealing the group's name as Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman (ARW for short).[20] Later that month, Wakeman confirmed Lane as the band's manager.[18] Rabin stressed the group do not intend to be a rival of Yes and maintains there are no negative feelings towards them.[21] News of the band's formation was welcomed by current Yes keyboardist Geoff Downes,[20] and guitarist Steve Howe wished them good luck, but immediately followed this with approval of "cover bands."[22]

Touring and name change

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In June 2016, the band agreed to put their album "on the back burner" and make their debut tour a priority.[23][24] Anderson reasoned the decision down to the little amount of time available for the group to tour and exchange music, in addition to the fact that the group were unsure how or what to record. He also said that the "important thing is to establish ourselves."[25][26] Preparations for the tour began in mid-2016 in Los Angeles,[27] which involved Anderson, Rabin, and two supporting musicians: English bassist Lee Pomeroy and American drummer Lou Molino III, both longtime bandmates of Wakeman and Rabin, respectively.[28][29] Wakeman joined them in early August for a week's rehearsals.[27] The five were to be joined by American multi-instrumentalist Gary Cambra, but his involvement was soon withdrawn.[28] Larry Magid was appointed as the tour's director after Lane contacted him with the offer; Magid, who first worked with Yes in 1971 and kept good relations with the members, agreed as the project seemed interesting and fun. Jonathan Smeeton became involved to manage the stage production and lighting.[30]

In early 2017, the band started calling itself "Yes featuring Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman". (Ticket for the London performance shown.)

The An Evening of Yes Music and More tour began in October 2016 and finished one year later, covering North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.[31] The group performed a setlist of Yes songs that cover various eras of Yes's career, from The Yes Album (1971) to Union (1991), as well as Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe's only studio album.[32][31][33]

On 9 April 2017, the band issued a press release which announced their name change to Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman,[3] a name that had been used on the prior European leg of touring.

The band's Quintessential Yes: The 50th Anniversary Tour was held to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of Yes from June to September 2018. The initial plan was for the group to perform 100 dates worldwide,[34] but Rabin resisted the idea and has implied otherwise.[35] At around this time, the wives of both Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman were diagnosed with breast cancer, with a resultant impact on touring (the latter causing the last tour leg to be cut short).[36][37]

On 7 September 2018, the band released a recording of their March 25, 2017, show at the Manchester Apollo on a live album and DVD/Blu-ray titled Live at the Apollo from Eagle Records.[38][39][40][41]

Cancelled studio album and disbandment

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A studio album was in progress from April 2011, which began when Anderson and Rabin exchanged musical ideas online by sharing music files recorded at their home studios,[42] to which Wakeman then incorporated his own later.[43] Anderson described their new songs as "unique";[20] Wakeman said they sound "Very fresh, full of life, energy and melody".[18] Development on the material halted in March 2012 when Rabin needed time with his family and his career in film scoring, and Wakeman had become too busy with other commitments.[44] Activity resumed six months later with Wakeman submitting additional ideas to Anderson.[45] Music was worked on progressively thereafter. In June 2016, Rabin said that the group had assembled just "bits and pieces of song ideas", and that offers had been made by record labels, but all were declined so the trio could maintain control over the album's musical direction.[23] Three months later, they decided not to play their new music on their debut tour because of the likelihood that audience recordings of the new songs would surface online while they were still being worked on.[46] The album was expected for release in late 2018 or early 2019,[47][48] but was never given a specific release date or even a title. Anderson revealed one idea which involved releasing the music in three phases as some of it may contain pieces of extended length.[49]

In July 2018, the first original song by the band, "Fragile", had its debut broadcast on Steve Jones' radio show Jonesy's Jukebox on KLOS-FM in Los Angeles.[50] It is based on a piece by Rabin that initially appeared in 2015 over the end credits of an episode of the American television drama series Agent X, for which Rabin contributed to its score.[51]

In March 2019, lead singer Jon Anderson announced that the band had no plans for further touring or recording, citing "mismanagement" of the band and a failure to agree on whether to release new music or perform existing Yes material exclusively.[1][52][53][54][55] In July 2019, Wakeman said that the band would regroup for a tour in 2020, after which they planned to "close the lid on it". However, he did not rule out releasing new music, stating that it depended on the quality: "I would like to think we can leave one final burst of music that we can be proud of and, perhaps, we'd like to think that Yes fans have been waiting for."[56]

However, the reunion would not come to pass, as Rabin stated in 2020 that the group had split. Wakeman said one reason was him living in the UK and the other two in different parts of California, having to share ideas online. Earlier in 2020, Brian Lane was dismissed as manager but will still manage Wakeman's solo career.[4][57]

In a 2023 interview with Innerviews, Rabin cast new light on the band's relatively short lifespan and why it had never released any recorded material, affectionately describing Yes as "a whale. When it’s in the water, it swims fantastically great, but as a producer, getting it in the ocean is a bloody pain in the ass. [laughs] I just couldn’t see myself doing that... The shows were very natural and enjoyable. It seemed like the audience was having fun. Once it came to an end, it wasn’t like a classic breakup or anything. It was more like, "Well, we did it, and it was fun."... In the end, I felt no band has the right to impose its problems and nonsense on the people who just want to hear the music... there have been a number of times where I thought the politics of Yes were too much. And to be honest, it’s why I wouldn’t consider doing Anderson, Rabin, Wakeman again."[58]

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At the time of Squire's death, the band name "Yes" was co-owned by Anderson, Squire, Howe, and Yes drummer Alan White. During Squire's lifetime, he and Anderson had informally agreed that only Squire's group would use the name "Yes".[59] In 2018, Anderson said that Squire's wife, Scotland, had suggested, in the wake of his death, that both groups could use the name.[60]

Discography

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Live albums

  • Live at the Apollo (2018)

Tours

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Band members

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Live musicians

  • Lee Pomeroy – bass, pedals, backing vocals
  • Lou Molino III – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Iain Hornal – bass, backing vocals (2017 Japanese tour, 2018 European tour)[61]

References

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  1. ^ a b Greene, Andy (19 March 2019). "Jon Anderson on His New Solo Album, Why He's Ready for a Yes Reunion". Rolling Stone.
  2. ^ "2017 Rock Hall profiles: Yes induction an overdue tribute to a prog rock pioneers". 31 March 2017.
  3. ^ a b "ARW Change Name to 'Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman'". Ultimate Classic Rock.
  4. ^ a b "Where are they now? – Yes feat. Anderson Rabin Wakeman". www.bondegezou.co.uk.
  5. ^ Welch 2008, p. 2, 3.
  6. ^ Welch 2008, p. 109, 110, 289.
  7. ^ Welch 2008, p. 202, 239.
  8. ^ a b Welch 2008, p. 232.
  9. ^ Welch 2008, p. 236.
  10. ^ Wakeman, Rick (6 February 2010). Rick's Place. Event occurs at 10:00 a.m.–12:00 a.m. Planet Rock. Just last week, a discussion took place between myself, Trevor and a couple of other ex-members of Yes who will remain nameless ... about doing just that, about doing an album, and I think the odds are extremely high that it will happen this year.
  11. ^ Dome, Malcolm (March 2010). "Trevor Rabin Interview". Classic Rock Presents... Prog (14).
  12. ^ Mettler, Mike (Fall 2016). "Saying Yes to Seizing the Moment". Progression (70).
  13. ^ Bruford, Bill (18 May 2010). "BillBruford.com". Archived from the original on 23 May 2010. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  14. ^ "Composer Trevor Rabin & Rockers The Golden Ghosts". emPOWERme.tv. 26 May 2012. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  15. ^ Prasad, Anil (2011). "Innerviews: Rick Wakeman – Different routes". Innerviews. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  16. ^ Weiss, Arlene R. (21 October 2010). "Trevor Rabin Interview: Guitarist, Composer, Performer". Guitar International. Archived from the original on 20 February 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  17. ^ "Something Else! Interview: Former Yes frontman Jon Anderson – Something Else!". 13 April 2011.
  18. ^ a b c d Munro, Scott (19 January 2016). "Rabin, Anderson, Wakeman taking a 'fresh' approach". Team Rock. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  19. ^ "Jon Anderson Interview July 2016". IMDJ Radio. July 2016. Event occurs at 17:25–18:02. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  20. ^ a b c Giles, Jeff (13 January 2016). "Are Ex-Yes Members Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman and Trevor Rabin Touring Together in 2016?". Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  21. ^ Tady, Scott (1 October 2016). "Trevor Rabin talks Heinz Hall concert with fellow Yes-men". The Times Online. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  22. ^ Kielty, Martin (22 August 2016). "Steve Howe: Good luck to Anderson Rabin Wakeman". Team Rock. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  23. ^ a b Hoffman, Chris (15 June 2016). "Trevor Rabin talks about reuniting with former Yes bandmates". News for San Antonio. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  24. ^ Ousley, Jim (22 April 2016). "Jon Anderson – Infinite Beings in the 21st Century". PlaybackSTL. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  25. ^ Greene, Andy (19 September 2016). "Jon Anderson on New Yes Spinoff Band, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Chances". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  26. ^ Smith, Steve (18 November 2016). "Steve Smith: Former Yes keyboard legend Wakeman opens up about new band, '17 Stagecoach set, and more". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  27. ^ a b Kielty, Martin (17 August 2016). "Anderson Rabin Wakeman are 5-piece says Rick". Team Rock. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  28. ^ a b Kielty, Martin (8 July 2016). "Anderson, Rabin & Wakeman name their band". Team Rock. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  29. ^ "Rick Wakeman at the Prog Awards 2016". Team Rock on Soundcloud. August 2016. Event occurs at 2:35–2:45, 4:24–4:33. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  30. ^ Smith, Jay (18 August 2016). "All About Anderson, Rabin & Wakeman". Pollstar. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  31. ^ a b "ARW: An Evening of Yes Music & More". Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  32. ^ Fullmer, Bradley (18 November 2016). "Review: Can Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman still dazzle? Yes, indeed!". The Daily Herald. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  33. ^ "Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman Announce Additional North American Tour Dates". Rock Cellar Magazine. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  34. ^ "YES FEATURING JON ANDERSON, TREVOR RABIN, RICK WAKEMAN: 100 SHOW WORLD TOUR". Retrieved 13 April 2018. The 100 show World Tour will commence on June 3rd 2018 in Warsaw, Poland, and feature shows in Scandinavia, Germany, UK (including headlining the Stone Free Festival at the O2 Arena in London) and North America in 2018, going on to South America, Central and Southern Europe, ending in Japan and the Far East in 2019.
  35. ^ "Celluloid Tunes # 57: Trevor Rabin in Oslo (19th International Edition)". 19 June 2018.
  36. ^ Prog, #110, p. 33
  37. ^ Rick Wakeman- (Yes, ARW, Strawbs, ABWH). YouTube. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021.
  38. ^ "YES FEATURING ARW: LIVE CD & DVD".
  39. ^ "Amazon: Live at the Apollo". Amazon.
  40. ^ "Yes – Live At The Apollo | Eagle Rock Entertainment". Eagle Rock Ent.
  41. ^ "Yes featuring ARW / Live at the Apollo". superdeluxeedition.com. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  42. ^ Koob, Ray (3 May 2011). "PODCAST: THE COMPLETE JON ANDERSON INTERVIEW". 102.9 WMGK. Event occurs at 00:53–01:08. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  43. ^ Koolen, Martien (March 2011). "BACKGROUND MAGAZINE Interview: Jon Anderson". Background Magazine. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  44. ^ Wardlaw, Matt (21 March 2012). "Jon Anderson Says Collaboration with Former Yes Members Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman is on Hold". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  45. ^ Ives, Brian (6 September 2012). "Jon Anderson Talks Rick Wakeman, Trevor Rabin, Football". WZLX – CBS Local. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  46. ^ Coleman, Danny (30 September 2016). "Anderson, Rabin, Wakeman Hit the Road as ARW". Concert Blogger. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  47. ^ Prog, July 2017 issue
  48. ^ "Yes Featuring ARW – NEW MUSIC".
  49. ^ Podcast Episode 170: Jon Anderson (Media notes). Inside MusicCast. 15 May 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  50. ^ "First new Yes feat. Anderson Rabin Wakeman music appears online..." 31 July 2018.
  51. ^ "Music News Net". Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  52. ^ "BackStory Presents: Jon Anderson of YES Live from The Cutting Room NYC". YouTube. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  53. ^ "Jon Anderson on Assembling His Prog Dream Team for '1000 Hands' Solo Album". Billboard. 19 March 2019.
  54. ^ "Jon Anderson talks Yes reunion, new solo LP and Jane, his wife". YouTube. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  55. ^ "Jon Anderson Is Writing New Songs In Case There's A YES Reunion". iHeartRadio.
  56. ^ Graff, Gary (31 July 2019). "Yes Members Talk Future of Band's Various Iterations, Share Live 'Roundabout'". Billboard.
  57. ^ "Ex-Yes guitarist Trevor Rabin "working hard" on new solo album; says Yes Featuring ARW is "over"". ABC News Radio. 19 May 2020.
  58. ^ "Trevor Rabin: Consequential Themes" - interview by Anil Prasad in Innerviews, September 2023
  59. ^ DeRiso, Nick. "Yes vs. Yes: Who Actually Owns the Band's Name?". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  60. ^ Smith, Rob. "Double the Yes? Jon Anderson Says No Problem!". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  61. ^ Iain Hornal [@@iainhornal] (20 April 2018). "I will have the honour of depping for my pal Lee Pomeroy, playing Chris Squire's glorious bass parts for @YESfeaturingARW on their 50th Anniversary Tour this June. 17-year-old me wouldn't believe it..." (Tweet). Retrieved 22 July 2023 – via Twitter.

Sources

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