------------------------------------------------------- MAY 4, 2004 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: Toronto Sun http://jam.canoe.ca/JamMusicArtistsY/yes.html Prog-rock band Yes still going strong By Jason MacNeil After 35 years in the business, British prog-rock band Yes are celebrating the fact that, yes, they're still going. "It's strange," bassist Chris Squire says from his Florida hotel room. "When we started, the Beatles had a six-year career. I thought that any band that lasted that long was doing a great job. When we formed Yes in 1968, it was not on the cards to still be working together in 2004, but here we are." The band, who make a stop Friday night at the Air Canada Centre, are perhaps known for early albums such as The Yes Album and Closer To The Edge as they are for a series of lineup changes that would make even Spinal Tap envious. The one constant has been Squire, the only member never to have left the band. "I think it's probably good judgment and a lot of luck," Squire says about being the group's lone mainstay. "We've had down time periods when we've not done a lot and then we're regenerated. and then slowed down again and then got going again. We've had an interesting career and it's good that we probably had those periods of time when the band thought it might be over." As for Yes's success, Squire says not having a blueprint definitely helped. "We haven't really followed any rules," he says. "We've always meandered around in the whirlpool of the music business. We've chosen our own path, sometimes in an artsy way and sometimes in a commercial way." In 1991, after legal wrangling regarding usage of the band's name was settled, a Yes "super group" of eight went on tour. Nowadays, the group consists of Squire, lead singer Jon Anderson, guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White and keyboardist Rick Wakeman. Squire says Wakeman's return to the band was quite welcome. "It's great to have him back," Squire says. "He's like a kindred spirit even though everyone in this band has got a different character. But for some odd reason, when we get together, it works." Yes have seen much of their back catalogue rereleased to coincide with the anniversary, including Rhino Records re-mastering early albums with bonus tracks. Squire is looking ahead though, hoping for a new studio album. "It's been planned for quite a while and it really is something that I want to do," he says. "It's just a matter of getting in the right head space." Although no definitive release date has been set, Squire says that the lineup will be the same for the new album. "No, I'm firing everyone else. Getting a completely new set of people," he deadpans before a hearty laugh. "No, it will be the same lineup." The group's biggest commercial single was 1983's Owner Of A Lonely Heart, but don't count on hearing it this time around. Instead Yes are going back to their early albums for favourites, rarely performed tunes, and some revamped versions of hits. Squire also mentions an elaborate stage design from longtime collaborator Roger Dean, responsible for most of the band's album covers. Yes plan to return to Europe this summer before making another jaunt across the pond in the fall with another progressive rock group, unnamed so far. For now though, Squire seems quite happy. "The shows are great," he says. "We have a very faithful fan base and we try to figure out ways of making them feel as if it was worth investing in the concert ticket. Maybe later in the year we'll be doing a slightly different show. "And soon we'll know the songs, so that'll help!" Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, inquiries, corrections, or additions, contact yitp@yesservices.com