Yes

Yes are a British progressive rock band formed in London in 1968. They remain active and are widely regarded as one of the most influential progressive rock groups. Their music combines progressive rock with elements of rock, pop, jazz and classical music, and they are also associated with art rock, classic rock, aor, electronic, disco and garage rock.

Formation and early line-up

The band is founded by vocalist Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire, drummer Bill Bruford, keyboardist Tony Kaye and guitarist Peter Banks. Their early performances mix original songs with covers by artists including The Beatles, The 5th Dimension and Traffic. The first two albums, Yes and Time and a Word, reflect that transitional period.

Classic period and key albums

After Peter Banks is replaced by Steve Howe in 1970, Yes develop a more distinctive progressive rock sound. This leads to a series of major albums including The Yes Album, Fragile, Close to the Edge and the live release Yessongs. The group also issues Tales from Topographic Oceans, Relayer, Going for the One and Tormato, and becomes known for elaborate stage productions and Roger Dean artwork.

Line-up changes and later periods

Internal disagreements bring several personnel changes in the late 1970s and early 1980s. After Drama, the band initially disbands in 1981. A new line-up forms in 1983 with Chris Squire, Alan White, Jon Anderson, Tony Kaye and Trevor Rabin, moving towards a more radio-friendly sound. That period produces 90125, which includes the single “Owner of a Lonely Heart”, followed by Big Generator.

Jon Anderson later leaves and forms Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe with former members, and a merger of that project with Yes leads to Union. Through the 1990s the band releases Talk, Keys to Ascension, Keys to Ascension 2, Open Your Eyes and The Ladder, with frequent membership changes. In the early 2000s, Magnification features a full orchestra rather than a permanent keyboard player.

Current activity and membership

From 2009 onward, Yes continue with a changing line-up. The group records and releases Fly from Here, Heaven & Earth, From a Page, The Quest and Mirror to the Sky. The band’s later line-up includes Steve Howe, Geoff Downes, Billy Sherwood, Jon Davison and Jay Schellen. Over its career, Yes includes more than twenty full-time members, among them Patrick Moraz, Trevor Horn, Trevor Rabin, Igor Khoroshev, Oliver Wakeman, Benoît David and others.

Recognition

Yes release 23 studio albums, sell over 30 million records worldwide, and receive approximately 13.5 million certified sales in the United States. They win a Grammy Award in 1985 for “Cinema” and are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. Chris Squire dies in 2015 and Alan White dies in 2022, but touring and recording continue with newer members and guest musicians.