Sometimes it’s not always evil record labels who behave badly towards others. Fans of Yes know how singer Benoit David stepped aside due to voice problems, and his temporary replacement Jon Davidson of Glass Hammer became permanent.
Benoit David’s press release does give the impression he’s been treated rather shabbily.
I was then pleased to learn that Jon Davison would be my replacement as he is an accomplished musician with a fine voice.
I subsequently learnt, from a band member’s interview, that I had officially left Yes and that my departure was permanent.
Now, I did like “Fly From Here”, and even gave it a favourable review. But now they’re giving every impression that they’re in it solely for the money.
I nearly went to see them at the Hammersmith Odeon last November. But the date clashed with The Heather Findlay Band at The Brook in Southampton the same night. Despite having tickets for two other dates of Heather’s tour, I decided I’d rather see a band playing for the love of music than a bunch of has-beens who were only interesting in topping up their pension funds.
I think I made the right decision. When it comes to art vs. commerce, Chris Squire is on the same side as Simon Cowell.
Wow, I didn’t know he was gone-gone. Yeesh.
Neither did he, until he read Chris Squire’s interview.
Yes were one of the greats, and it’s sad how they’ve turned into a bad soap opera. It was a similar story when they got rid of Jon Anderson. And Rick Wakeman before that.
I will be very interested to hear the Jon Anderson/Rick Wakeman/Trevor Rabin project – They’ll have as much a claim of being the “real Yes” as the Squire/Howe/White version. Which won’t be the first time two rival Yesses have existed. Remember AWBH?
I’d love to see one final tour with Anderson/Wakeman/Howe/Squire/White, after which the Yes name is laid to rest for good. Can’t see it happening, though.