YES
7/2/18
PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave, Cincinnati, OH
7:30pm, Buy Tickets
YES, one of the biggest bands in prog rock history and true pioneers of the genre, are hitting the road this summer on their 50th Anniversary North American tour titled #YES50: Celebrating 50 Years of YES. The 35-date outing will be stopping locally in CINCINNATI on MONDAY, JULY 2 at the PNC PAVILION AT RIVERBEND MUSIC CENTER. Tickets are on sale now; ticketing info available at www.yesworld.com.
“Much has changed since I joined Yes in 1970, but the core elements of the band have remained consistent,” shares guitarist Steve Howe. “We want to mark this anniversary with a tour that encompasses some of our best-loved work and revisit a few classic pieces that have been lost for a while. We look forward to sharing the 50th anniversary with the fanbase, playing classic songs that celebrate the broad musical style of Yes.”
“I have been blessed to be a member of this amazing band’s rhythm section for the past 46 years, mostly in the company of my great friend Chris Squire, and latterly alongside Chris’ chosen successor, Billy Sherwood, who is receiving recognition for stepping into Chris’ pre-eminent bass and vocals,” says drummer Alan White. “Each night we are pausing to reflect on Chris’ importance to Yes, his desire that we should continue to share Yes music on stages worldwide, and the specific dedication of ‘Onward’ to his huge memory. I’m so grateful to continue to be performing on stages for our dedicated fans and look forward to celebrating our 50th Anniversary in America. It has been a great ride!”
“Being a member of the band during its 50th anniversary is a privilege and honor,” adds Geoff Downes (keys). “It is awe-inspiring to reflect on the caliber and invention of the musicians who have forged the legacy of Yes since 1968, always pushing the boundaries. Playing on stage with founder member Tony Kaye to launch the 50th anniversary [on this year’s Cruise to the Edge] was a wonderful experience for the band and our fans, to whom we dedicate this special tour.”
During this summer’s “Evening with YES” shows, YES—Steve Howe (guitar since 1970), Alan White (drums since 1972), Geoff Downes (keyboards; first joined in 1980), Jon Davison (vocals since 2011) and Billy Sherwood (guitar/keyboards in the 1990s and the late Chris Squire’s choice to take over bass/vocals in 2015)—will perform a special classic hits concert to commemorate the landmark occasion. It has also been announced that founding member/Grammy winner/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Tony Kaye (keyboards; 1968-1971 and 1983-1995) will join the entire tour as a special guest. In addition, famed artist Roger Dean, who has designed countless album covers and logos licensed exclusively for YES, will be appearing at select dates throughout the tour, showcasing special tour prints at the merch table. Among the prints on sale during the tour will be the remaining few of a special limited edition of “Relayer,” plus other classic YES designs and logos.
The cross-country Golden Anniversary trek will take the 2017 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees across the United States stopping in Kansas City, Denver, Los Angeles (June 19 at the Ford Theater), San Jose, Detroit, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Boston, Staten Island, Philadelphia, Washington, DC and Orlando, among many other cities, before wrapping July 28 in Atlanta. While the band is in Philadelphia for back-to-back shows at The Fillmore, the YesFanFest – 50 True Summers U.S. fan convention is set to take place Saturday, July 21 at The Foundry. Various YES alumni, including Patrick Moraz and Tom Brislin, will be performing at the event, which will also include a Q&A with YES, among other activities.
In other news, on June 29, Warner Music will release YES: The Steven Wilson Remixes, a five-album vinyl set featuring Steven Wilson’s remixes of five classic YES studio albums: The Yes Album (1971), Fragile (1971), Close To The Edge (1972), the double album Tales From Topographic Oceans (1973) and Relayer (1974). Each album features remixed audio by Steven Wilson, released on vinyl for the first time, and artwork created specifically for the set by Roger Dean, with new cover art for Close To The Edge and Tales From Topographic Oceans and reworked art by Dean for the remaining three covers. Additionally, YES recently issued Fly From Here – Return Trip, a new version of their 2011 album Fly From Herefeaturing the Drama lineup and new lead vocals by Trevor Horn. Released March 25, Fly From Here – Return Trip—available from Pledge Music (here)—contains a previously unreleased song, “Don’t Take No For An Answer,” recorded in 2011 featuring Steve Howe on lead vocals, and the full-length version of “Hour of Need,” previously only available as a Japanese bonus track. Fly From Here – Return Trip is a long-awaited treat for all YES fans and, following Chris Squire’s passing in 2015, represents the last chance for fans to hear a follow-up to the classic YES release Drama.
