------------------------------------------------------- SEPTEMBER 9, 2004 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: Fort Collins Coloradoan http://www.coloradoan.com/entertainment/stories/20040909/entertainment/1203233.html Contributed by Donna Hayes Prog Rock? Yes! Classic lineup reunites for Bud Center concert By Anna Maria Basquez The classic lineup of Yes is hitting the stage at the Budweiser Events Center on Saturday. Yes, known for hits like "Owner of a Lonely Heart," "Starship Trooper," and "Make It Easy," is regarded by most critics as the prodigy band that went all out to do something serious with rock music. They're dedicated to detail with credits like making 18 slightly different versions of the video "Leave It" for early 80s MTV and having the distinction as the first band to involve a conductor in writing, arranging and producing a rock album in 2001. Yes is hailed as the band with rhythmic structure, soaring harmonies and virtuoso instrumentals. Today's technology only makes the Yes sound cooler, drummer Alan White said. "It completes the sound like it used to be in the '70s, yet it still makes it a modern version of the band," White said during a phone call from Niagara Falls last week. "Yes has always been on the cutting edge of technology." "We're not making a comeback, we're moving forward," says vocalist Jon Anderson. "It's the right place and the right time and the music sounds better than it ever did." White and Anderson join bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Steve Howe and returning band member Rick Wakeman onstage this weekend. Yes has been called the longest lasting and most successful of the '70s progressive rock groups. They'll be finishing up their current tour this year. On a doctor's advice to Anderson, the band is taking a hiatus until next year when they'll rejoin for a DVD project. Yes was one of the last super groups to break out of London's Marquee Club following in the footsteps of The Who and The Rolling Stones. The group has 32 albums to its credit and celebrated its 35th anniversary last year. English musicians Anderson and Squire formed Yes in 1968 when they met at La Chasse Club in Soho, London. They wanted to form new group that would emphasize melody, lyrics and vocal harmonies and would be backed by top-notch musicians that could play like an orchestra. The United States caught wind of Yes in 1972. They released "Fragile (1972)," "Close To The Edge (1972)," and "Tales From Topographic Oceans (1973)." When punk rock emerged, Yes didn't change its tune. Instead it emerged with one of its most successful albums "Going For The One (1977)." Anderson and Wakeman left the band in the early 80s to pursue solo projects and were replaced by Trevor Horn on vocals and Geoff Downes on keyboards. The new Yes released "Drama (1980)." Guitarist Trevor Rabin co-wrote one of the band's biggest hits "Owner of a Lonely Heart," on the 1983 album "90125." The lineup of Rabin, Anderson, Squire, White and Kaye then produced "Big Generator" (1987). The 1990s saw members splitting off into different influences. By 1991, nostalgia had set in and Anderson wanted to bring as many ex-members of Yes as possible together for the "Union" album and tour. Anderson, Howe, Wakeman, Squire and White teamed up again to work on a new series of recordings including their CD sets "Keys to Ascension" in two volumes. Wakeman came back again three years ago to make the classic lineup complete. -------------------------------------------------------- On Stage YES is performing at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Budweiser Events Center, Interstate 25 and Crossroads Blvd. Tickets are $40, $50 and $60 and available at the Bud Center box office, at Fort Fun in Fort Collins, Ikon Center in Cheyenne, Wyo., Woody's Newsstand and Cafe in Greeley, City News Newsstand in Longmont, at the Great Colorado Marketplace, by calling (877) 544-TIXX (8499) or accessing comcasttix .com. Bio Box Alan White Age: 54 Profession: Drummer for Yes Marital Status: Married 22 years Children: one son, 22 and daughter, 20 Home: Seattle Born: Pelton County, Durham, in Northern England Claim to fame: Before he joined Yes, White performed with John Lennon as the drummer on Lennon's album "Imagine." How Lennon discovered him: "I was working with my own band and he saw me in a club in London. He called me up after and asked me to come to play in Toronto with him. I played music with him for the next couple of years." What it was like to perform with Lennon: "He was very much a leader and he definitely had a lot to say to the world musically and lyrically. He had definite strong feelings about a lot of different issues. Whenever you were in a room with him or George (Harrison) or a couple of the other Beatles, the whole room tended to revolve around them." Songs Yes will play Saturday: "Close To The Edge," "Make It Easy," "Owner of a Lonely Heart" Longest trip for one song: "They're flying us all back to London just to play one song for Prince Charles- 'Owner of a Lonely Heart.'" A Quote He Would Echo: Led Zeppelin -- "The song remains the same." Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, inquiries, corrections, or additions, contact yitp@yesservices.com