Since the band started, was there ever a time John Anderson was not with “Yes”? Also, did he ever leave and come back at any point in the band’s career?
He didn’t sing on the Drama album (1980).
Wow, that is some story! What a find of hidden talent! And, little did I know when I thought (related band) Asia was just a passing fad-type band. What Asia lacked in quantity of albums, they packed-in and cranked-out in quality!
For that matter, it appears that he’s no longer with the band as of 2009.
Anderson also left the band in 1989 to form Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe–essentially a rival Yes. (The Chris Squire/Trevor Rabin/Alan White/Tony Kaye faction, plus a couple of temporary members, was nicknamed “Yes West.”) Two years later the two Yesses joined forces for the Union album and tour.
Into the Lens “I am a camera, camera, camera.”
Question’s been answered already, but just wanted to add… went with my sisters to the 90125 show in… 1984? Sounds about right. Being conniving little minxes, my sisters managed to finagle their way backstage to meet the band. I remember quite clearly being somewhat freaked out that Jon Anderson was exactly as tall as I was. 
I should add that they were all very nice.
Other than John Anderson himself, I was aware that various band members came in and out of the band. However, in this instance, I simply saw this as a side-interest of these gentlemen. I mean, it did not mean the end of “Yes”. I see nothing wrong with a musician working on various projects around the same time. I’m not sure where to draw the line between “leaving the band” and taking on other projects.
Maybe someone can enlighten me on how they see it?
I’m not sure exactly what you’re saying here, except that you seem skeptical that Anderson had actually left the band at the time. He did, and was replaced in the U.S.-based “Yes West” by Billy Sherwood, who later rejoined the band as a sixth touring member. Certainly it didn’t “mean the end of Yes” any more than it did the other two times that Anderson was replaced (first by Trevor Horn and recently by David Benoit).
Very confusing to me. Perhaps the only way to define leaving a band is on legal terms, like he was no longer on their payroll. I thought band members (esp ones so artistics as these) could come and go as they please to take on different projects (esp. when And-Bru-Wake-Howe was so bloody similar to a Yes project).
Well, I’m sure that Jon Anderson wanted very much for ABWH to be called Yes, but he couldn’t do it because the name rested legally with the other band.
Given the group, how could it not be a Yes project?
Anderson is out right now, probably due to health. While he’s doing solo shows, it is a much easier schedule than a committed Yes tour. I was planning to see them in 2008 when they cancelled due to his health. His age (65) and the miles are catching up to him.
He has made it known he’s ready to return to the band, but they have turned him down. Apparently they plan to make an album in 2010 with the new singer (whose name I wrote backwards above–it’s Benoit David, not David Benoit :smack:).
As a long-time Yes fan, I can’t say I blame them. It’s now been nine years since they’ve released an album, and as I understand it the only reason it’s been so long is Anderson’s refusal to enter the studio.