Jon Anderson Is Ready For A Reunion With Former YES Bandmates

Jon Anderson expressed his willingness to reunite with his former Yes bandmates, Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman. In a recent interview with Mojo, the singer shared that he still considers himself a part of his old band, despite departing in 2008.

During the conversation, Anderson mentioned a desire for his touring band, the Band Geeks, to play in London, with hopes that Steve and possibly Rick would join them for a couple of songs. He emphasized that the idea revolves around communication, stating:

“When I’m out there singing on my own, I still think I’m part of Yes. They still feel like my songs.”

Occasional Collaborations Over the Years

The last time Anderson performed with his former bandmates was in 2017 when Yes was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This marked his first time on stage with the band since 2004. While Anderson and Wakeman toured together in 2010 and 2017, their collaboration has been limited, aside from the Rock Hall event. The singer and guitarist haven’t worked together since the band’s 35th-anniversary tour in 2004.

Despite maintaining a friendship, Anderson acknowledged a lack of connection. He shared a poignant moment about realizing the disconnection, recounting an attempt to collaborate by suggesting sending MP3s to each other but receiving no response from Steve and the late Chris Squire.

Reflecting on the past, Anderson mentioned a dream about Squire and emphasized the deep bond they shared. He recounted seeing Chris in a dream, heading towards the light of heaven, a memory he cherished as a powerful and emotional moment.

In terms of Anderson’s departure from Yes, he last contributed to the band’s record on 2001’s Magnification. After touring until 2004, he left to focus on his solo career. Yes’ subsequent albums featured different members, with the latest being 2021’s The Quest. Despite lineup changes, the band continued touring, including dates in late 2023.

A Look at Their 2016 Group

Before splitting in 2020, Anderson, Wakeman, and former Yes guitarist Trevor Rabin created a new group in 2016. They went on two concerts but never put out a studio album. After touring with the Band Geeks in 2023, Anderson is presently working on new projects. His last solo record was released in 2019.

While Rick Wakeman announced his final solo tour featuring new Yes-based music, Steve Howe expressed reluctance toward a reunion, describing the 2017 Rock Hall performance as “hellish.” Nevertheless, Jon Anderson remains open to the idea of working with his classic-era Yes bandmates again, despite acknowledging the challenges that may arise.