----------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 31, 2002 ----------------------------------------------------- Source: Portsmouth Herald Just say Yes to the whit By Jamie Perkins Don't be the owner of a lonely heart: Revisit musical history, Nov. 7, when progressive rock icons Yes take the stage at the Whittemore Center. The band, subject to extensive personnel changes over the last three decades, is returning with its most heralded lineup, including vocalist Jon Anderson, guitarist Steve Howe, bassist Chris Squire and keyboard virtuoso Rick Wakeman. I spoke with drummer Alan White recently to discuss Yes' new tour, the ever-changing lineup and the band's plans for the future. S: Yes is part of a now legendary, and some could say incestuous, line of progressive rock outfits; you've sold millions of your albums worldwide, and you're still releasing new material. Do you feel that you're still trying to push yourselves musically, or do you think that you've settled into more of a groove? AW: Oh, I think we always try to push ourselves musically. Yes has always been a band that has tried to achieve something different, to move forward in our musical careers, you know? I also think it's the kind of a band where we try to tell ourselves to look at the horizon and up over it, to try and see the other side of it. Musically, we always drive ourselves into other areas, and it keeps it fresh for us. S: So it was a conscious goal of Yes to push musical boundaries? AW: Oh, absolutely. Not, I suppose, within the framework of the band, but I think, individually, everyone tries to achieve something different all the time and move forward with their instrument and with the band, as well. S: Yes has had a bit of a revolving-door lineup over the years ... AW: That's right. I think that what has kept us fresh, to a certain degree, is the change of personnel. At the same time, I think Chris (Squire, bassist) and myself have pretty much been there the whole time, at least since I've been in the band, which is since '72, and people have kept coming and going to do other projects, and we've kind of kept Yes alive. S: With such a constant fluctuation and such intricate, involved music, is it difficult to regain the chemistry and interplay between members? AW: No, not really, because the people that have entered the framework of the band and enjoyed the band, have pretty much known what the band and music are about and have been able to set themselves up and learn before being in the band to adapt to something like that — and were very in tune with what was going on. It wasn't like an alien coming, who had never heard the music before. S: This particular tour marks the return of Rick Wakeman to the band. AW: Right ... which has been exceptionally different in a way, because this lineup, which we have right now, is like the classic lineup that was together through most of the '70s, the longest lineup that has been together consistently. Rick has come and formed a little bit of a catalyst that makes the music sound like it did when it was created at that time. It just feels really good on stage and, quite honestly, we finished touring this summer, and we got spectacular reviews everywhere, because I think the band is playing as good as it ever did. That's what makes us feel good at the end of the tour, and we're ready to start the next leg. S: It must be a nice feeling, to be able to step back and have it come together again like that. AW: It just feels right. You know, when that organ solo comes up, no one can really make that organ solo sound the way it does on record the way Rick can. S: There have been so many offshoots, side projects and solo albums from the various members of Yes over the years; has this ever led to any resentment or friction among the various band members? AW: No, not really. If people have a build-up of music and need to go in another direction for a while, well, people do that. No, no friction at all. If people say they want to do that, then that's fine, we'll just get someone to take their place for a while and just keep the Yes thing rolling. S: So it's almost a mission statement of the band to keep going, regardless of who may or may not want to leave. AW: Right, exactly. S: So it never feels like you're in Spinal Tap and the keyboard player keeps exploding. AW: Most of all drummers, right? (Laughs.) No, I still own the seat. S: What have you been listening to lately? Is there any new music that excites or repels you? AW: You know what really excites me, is we're going to have an opening band on the next leg of the tour, which is unusual for us. We're used to playing the whole night, and the last set was running two-and-a-half to three hours long. But the band from England, called the Porcupine Tree, who are a very, very good band, is kind of a combination of Led Zeppelin meets Yes meets Pink Floyd, but with great vocals, great harmonies, and everybody in the band really likes the sound of them, and I hear they're very good on stage, too. It's nice to have another opening act; it's kind of like what we might be leaning towards doing this summer, doing this thing called YesFest. We're going to try and do one of these package shows where there are four or five more progressive type bands at the show. (Discussion deteriorates to talk of drum equipment . . . sorry!) S: In addition to drumming for Yes, you've had an impressive career drumming for other artists over the years, most notably John Lennon and George Harrison. What was it like to work with two of the most seminal figures in popular music? AW: It's part of my life that was obviously a great steppingstone for my career, and it had an amazing effect on me, just being in the same room as those people. Only years later, down the line, did I go, 'Did I really do that?' I was so young at the time, I was only 20 years old. It was something that just kind of flashed by, and I just thought that was part of what being a rock 'n' roll drummer was. But then you realize that you've sat with John Lennon and played on songs like "Imagine" and "Instant Karma," and I hear them today, and it's a great reflection on that time. It's sad that they've both passed away, but they left a lot of great stuff that will be remembered forever. And that's something that reflects on Yes music as well, and I feel very in-depth about; it's the kind of music that doesn't have a shelf life, and that people will be playing for years to come ... I just feel fortunate being able to play with some of the greatest musicians in the world. Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact YesinthePress@aol.com