Pioneering British guitarist Peter Banks has died. Best known for his work as the original guitarist in the seminal progressive rock band Yes, the musician was a trailblazer in the progressive rock movement of the '70s that also spawned Genesis, Pink Floyd, ELP and Jethro Tull. He passed away last Friday (March 8) at his home in London at the age of 65.
The ever-shifting members of Yes took a full decade between their last two studio albums -- and lost lead singer Jon Anderson along the way -- but it sounds like they might be thinking about following up 2011's 'Fly from Here' sooner than later.
Looking at the chameleonic nature of the ever-changing lineup of Yes over the last four decades, it would seem understandable that Jon Davison, the band’s latest singer, might approach the gig with a degree or three of hesitation. But with a number of shows under his belt, Davison is already feeling pretty comfortable.
After a few difficult years, original Yes vocalist Jon Anderson is back touring and has booked a trip to South America for shows in September. In addition, when he goes, he’ll be bringing a special new song that he’s penned for perhaps the world’s biggest sporting event.
Although he’s currently busy performing as a solo artist, former Yes vocalist Jon Anderson can still see the possibility that he might reunite once again with his former group someday.
Having racked up over four decades in the music business, Rick Wakeman’s resume illustrates at loud volume an impressive list of accomplishments. The former Yes keyboard maestro will jump back to recall the early part of the aughts with the release of a new archival live album.
Here’s a riddle, of sorts. What’s a “Squackett?” No, it’s not some hybrid bird created in a lab, unless you want to get metaphorical and consider music a bird and a studio a lab. It’s what you get when you cross Yes bassist Chris Squire (who has played on every one of said band’s records) and onetime Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett. The duo will release ‘A Life Within a Day’ on May 29 via Esoteric Antenna.
