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Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Joefromrandb (talk | contribs) at 04:15, 8 November 2017 (Reverted good faith edits by 185.55.132.10: "original" is the word used in the quote (It would be "founder members anyway, not "founding" - Yes are a British band). (TW)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

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 2016. Left to right: Trevor Rabin, Lou Molino III, Jon Anderson, Lee Pomeroy, Rick Wakeman.
ARW performing in 2016.
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
Years active2010–present
MembersJon Anderson
Trevor Rabin
Rick Wakeman
Websiteyesfeaturingarw.com

Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman are a rock band formed in 2010 by singer Jon Anderson, guitarist and singer Trevor Rabin, and keyboardist Rick Wakeman, three former members of Yes. The three had previously worked together in Yes for the 1991–1992 Union Tour.

After working on new music since 2011, the band officially announced activity in January 2016 as Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman (ARW). The album was put on hold to concentrate on touring; their debut worldwide tour, An Evening of Yes Music and More, began in October 2016 and will continue through 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,[1] the band announced their new name,[2] which they had already been using in European touring.

History

Formation

Singer Jon Anderson, singer and guitarist Trevor Rabin, and keyboardist Rick Wakeman were all former members of Yes. Anderson had co-founded Yes with bassist Chris Squire in 1968, and had been a member in two stints until 2008;[3] Wakeman had been a member in five stints between 1971 and 2004;[4] Rabin had been a member from 1983 to 1995.[5] The only time the three had performed together in Yes was the 1991–92 Union Tour during the band's short time as an eight-member formation.[6] Plans to have Wakeman play with Anderson and Rabin on the Yes studio album Talk (1994) never materialised.[7] For Wakeman, not playing on a Yes studio album with Rabin became one of his regrets.[6] Away from Yes, each pair (Anderson and Rabin, Anderson and Wakeman, and Wakeman and Rabin) had worked together in various capacities.

Trevor Rabin performing "Owner of a Lonely Heart" in 2016 with Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman

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.[8] 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.[9][10] 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.[11] Developments on the project then progressed slowly, mainly due to the remaining three members' commitments to their solo projects and conflicting schedules.[12][13] 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.[14]

Squire's death in June 2015 became a catalyst for the three to get the band underway, record new music together, and play Yes' music "as we feel it should be performed", according to Wakeman.[15] Development progressed in December 2015 when 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 wished to take a break from his film scoring career, and Wakeman felt prepared to devote time out of his schedule to take part.[16][15]

News of the band's formation was officially announced on 9 January 2016, after Rabin revealed their plans to tour later in the year on a Facebook update. Two days later, Anderson issued an update revealing the group's name as Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman (ARW for short).[17] Later that month, Wakeman confirmed Lane as the band's manager.[15] Rabin stressed the group do not intend to be a rival of Yes and maintains there are no negative feelings towards them.[18] News of the band's formation was welcomed by current Yes keyboardist Geoff Downes,[17] and guitarist Steve Howe wished them good luck.[19] Lane has since argued that the Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman line-up is a more legitimate version of Yes compared to the official one, which, at the time, had no original members.[20]

An Evening of Yes Music and More Tour and name change

In June 2016, the band agreed to make their tour a priority, thereby putting their album "on the back burner"[21] and scrapping plans to have it finished and released by the end of the year.[22] Anderson reasoned the decision down to the little amount of time available for the group to tour and exchange music, but aim to resume recording in January or February 2017, adding: "We're not quite sure how or what we're going to record ... The most important thing is to establish ourselves."[23][24] Anderson revealed one idea which involved releasing the music in three phases as some of it may contain pieces of extended length.[25]

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

Preparations for the band's debut tour began in mid-2016 in Los Angeles,[26] which involved Anderson, Rabin and the band's two supporting musicians: English bassist Lee Pomeroy and American drummer Lou Molino III, longtime band mates of Wakeman and Rabin, respectively.[27][28] Wakeman joined them in early August for a week's rehearsals.[26] The five were to be joined by American multi-instrumentalist Gary Cambra, but his involvement was soon withdrawn.[27] 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.[29] The tour, named An Evening of Yes Music and More, began with a US leg that lasted from October to December 2016[30] with a setlist formed of Yes songs released across a 20-year span, from The Yes Album (1971) to Union (1991).[31] Shows in Israel, across Europe, and Japan were completed through April 2017,[30] and a second US leg is scheduled from August to October 2017.[32] Multiple shows have been recorded for a potential live album release.[24]

On 9 April 2017, the band issued a press release which announced their name change to Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman,[2] a name that had been used on various promotional materials for the prior European leg of touring.

Studio album

A studio album has been in progress since April 2011, when Anderson and Rabin began to exchange ideas online by sharing music files recorded at their home studios,[33] to which Wakeman then incorporated his ideas. Before the process began, Anderson revealed the band's initial plan to write new music with the aim of performing it on stage with a selection of Yes songs.[34] Anderson described their new songs as "unique";[17] Wakeman said they sound "Very fresh, full of life, energy and melody".[15] Development on the material halted in March 2012 when Rabin needed time to be with his family and his career in film scoring, and Wakeman became too busy with other commitments.[35] Activity resumed six months later when Wakeman was in the process of submitting further ideas to Anderson.[36] Music was worked on progressively thereafter. In June 2016, Rabin indicated that recording was still at an early stage, still consisting of just "bits and pieces of song ideas". The band had received offers for recording deals from several labels, but each were declined so the trio could maintain control over the album's musical direction.[21] Three months later, they decided not to play their new music on their upcoming tour, as the band did not wish for audience recordings of compositions that were still being revised to be shared online.[37]

The album is now expected in 2018.[38]

Tours

Members

Additional musicians
  • Lee Pomeroy – bass, backing vocals
  • Lou Molino III – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Iain Hornal – bass, backing vocals (Japanese tour leg, 2017)

References

Citations
  1. ^ http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/03/2017_rock_hall_profiles_yes_in.html
  2. ^ a b http://ultimateclassicrock.com/yes-featuring-jon-anderson-trevor-rabin-rick-wakeman-band-name/
  3. ^ Welch 2008, p. 2, 3.
  4. ^ Welch 2008, p. 109, 110, 289.
  5. ^ Welch 2008, p. 202, 239.
  6. ^ a b Welch 2008, p. 232.
  7. ^ Welch 2008, p. 236.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Dome, Malcolm (March 2010). "Trevor Rabin Interview". Classic Rock Presents... Prog (14).
  10. ^ Mettler, Mike (Fall 2016). "Saying Yes to Seizing the Moment". Progression (70).
  11. ^ Bruford, Bill (18 May 2010). "BillBruford.com". Archived from the original on 23 May 2010. Retrieved 20 January 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Composer Trevor Rabin & Rockers The Golden Ghosts". emPOWERme.tv. 26 May 2012. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ Prasad, Anil (2011). "Innerviews: Rick Wakeman – Different routes". Innerviews. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  14. ^ 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. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ a b c d Munro, Scott (19 January 2016). "Rabin, Anderson, Wakeman taking a 'fresh' approach". Team Rock. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  16. ^ "Jon Anderson Interview July 2016". IMDJ Radio. July 2016. Event occurs at 17:25–18:02. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ Tady, Scott (1 October 2016). "Trevor Rabin talks Heinz Hall concert with fellow Yes-men". The Times Online. Retrieved 27 January 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ Kielty, Martin (22 August 2016). "Steve Howe: Good luck to Anderson Rabin Wakeman". Team Rock. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  20. ^ {{cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/yes-band-name-confusion/?trackback=tsmclip%7Ctitle=Yes (Anderson, Rabin, Wakeman) manager challenges "The Other Yes Band" to identify their key members|work=Ultimate Classic Rock|accessdate=4 November 2017
  21. ^ a b Hoffman, Chris (15 June 2016). "Trevor Rabin talks about reuniting with former Yes bandmates". News for San Antonio. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  22. ^ Ousley, Jim (22 April 2016). "Jon Anderson – Infinite Beings in the 21st Century". PlaybackSTL. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ a b 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.
  25. ^ Podcast Episode 170: Jon Anderson (Media notes). Inside MusicCast. 15 May 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  26. ^ a b Kielty, Martin (17 August 2016). "Anderson Rabin Wakeman are 5-piece says Rick". Team Rock. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  27. ^ a b Kielty, Martin (8 July 2016). "Anderson, Rabin & Wakeman name their band". Team Rock. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  28. ^ "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.
  29. ^ Smith, Jay (18 August 2016). "All About Anderson, Rabin & Wakeman". Pollstar. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  30. ^ a b "ARW: An Evening of Yes Music & More". Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  31. ^ Fullmer, Bradley (18 November 2016). "Review: Can Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman still dazzle? Yes, indeed!". The Daily Herald. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  32. ^ "Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman Announce Additional North American Tour Dates". Rock Cellar Magazine. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  33. ^ 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.
  34. ^ Koolen, Martien (March 2011). "BACKGROUND MAGAZINE Interview: Jon Anderson". Background Magazine. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  35. ^ 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.
  36. ^ Ives, Brian (6 September 2012). "Jon Anderson Talks Rick Wakeman, Trevor Rabin, Football". WZLX - CBS Local. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  37. ^ Coleman, Danny (30 September 2016). "Anderson, Rabin, Wakeman Hit the Road as ARW". Concert Blogger. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  38. ^ Prog, July 2017 issue
Sources
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