----------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 15, 1999 ----------------------------------------------------- Source: CD Now http://www.cdnow.com/~mserver/SID=498752841/pagename=/RP/ALLSTAR/article.html/fid=20375 Yes' Chris Squire Talks About Upcoming Tour By Troy J. Augusto Veteran English progressive rock band Yes begins a U.S. club and theatre tour -- club shows by big bands are all the rage these days -- Friday (Oct. 15) night at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, S.C. promoting their new album The Ladder, which the band recorded in Vancouver with Bruce Fairbairn just before the legendary producer's death in May. "We're learning again how to play on a small stage," says bassist Chris Squire, the one and only musician to appear on each of the 30-plus albums the group has released since 1969. "It's going to be good for people because we're all going to be close. In South America we recently did a few small places, and it was fun. It took some time to get use to the different monitor levels and such, but it was very good." Considering the many obstacles that stand between rock musicians and career longevity, it's difficult to fully appreciate the band's accomplishment of remaining a viable recording and touring outfit for parts of what soon will be five different decades. "I can't believe it," says Squire, speaking on the phone with allstar from his Myrtle Beach hotel room. "When we started in 1968, the Beatles were just about to break up, and it was a six year career that they had, so I always thought that if we could stay together for five or six years that would be amazing. And here it is 31. I'm the one who's always paid all the bills." On the other hand, the list of accomplished musicians who've passed through the Yes doors over the years (Rick Wakeman, Trevor Rabin, Bill Bruford, to name a few) means that Squire and his mates have all played with some of the best rock musicians around. "Yeah, that is the best side of the band," says Squire. "And every time we get a new injection of talent into the band it changes the parameters, and they all bring in their different ideas." The Yes line-up now includes singer Jon Anderson, who left the group in the late '70s but returned for their big 1984 comeback; long-time guitarist Steve Howe, who's left the fold a few times himself; drummer Alan White, who's been on board for some 20 years; and the two newer members, second guitarist Billy Sherwood and Russian keyboardist extraordinaire Igor Khoroshev. Yes had the honor of making what would be the last album produced by Fairbairn, who the band members only just met before they recorded The Ladder but with whom they developed a keen working relationship. "It was really great," recalls Squire. "He brought a sense of discipline to the band, and sometimes he was like a good referee, because everyone in the band has produced stuff on their own, so it was good to have a guy who could ever see all of that. His passing was of course a sad note at the end, but I'm glad we got to work with him before that happened." Yes plans to mount a full U.S. tour of larger venues next year; the band is also planning a still-unannounced East Coast New Year's Eve show. Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact YesinthePress@aol.com