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Ailing Jon Anderson Slams Yes' 40th Anniversary Tour

Yes frontman Jon Anderson says his bandmates royally dissed him by announcing they will tour with a replacement singer. Anderson, who is on doctor-ordered bedrest for the rest of the year after suffering acute respiratory failure in June, states he is "disappointed and very disrespected."

Anderson explains via his official website that he is "disappointed that, with the exception of one phone call from Alan [White], none of the guys have been in touch since my illness, just to find out how I am doing, and how we will foresee the future for Yes. And disappointed that they were not willing to wait till 2009 when I'm fully recovered."

Recently, Yes announced a 40th anniversary tour and supplanted Anderson with Benoit David, a singer they found in a Yes cover band on YouTube. If that methodology sounds familiar, Journey also used the site to find its latest singer, Arnel Pineda. In a similar move, Boston 's new singer, Tommy DeCarlo, was plucked from MySpace.

"I feel very disrespected, having spent most of this year creating songs and constant ideas for the band, spending time with Roger Dean creating a stage design, also working with VH1 and Sirius and XM Radio to help promote the welfare of Yes," Anderson continues. "Getting sick was not 'on my radar.'"

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14 Comments

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Bob

While I'm glad Jon's made a full recovery and Yes without him isn't truly Yes, him being "dissed" by Yes is most likely a case of what comes around goes around.

October 02 2011 at 12:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ed

Hoe Jon recovers quickly and can tour again

September 23 2011 at 10:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Thomas

I just saw the new yes band perform last night in san diego and have been a fan for over 35 yrs.The show was excellent and it was the very best yes consert i have seen since the union/reunion 25 yr tour some years back.The new lead singer is excellent and has a very good voice,very similair to jons voice,indeed.What most of you idiots on this site need to realize is that the band must go on and they need to earn money in this poor economy and stay employed.I am sorry for jons illness,however,because one man gets ill and almost dies,does not mean you wait it out and go broke.The music business is like anything else and must continue,or go broke.By the way older musicians and older bands are continually going out of style and their popularity as they age,and they really are not as rich as you may think,money goes fast in that industry and there are a lot exspenses involved in making albums and touring,just like any other businesses,and they the musicians really enjoy doing what they do,perform.Also I was very dissapointed the last 12 yrs or so with yes concerts that i attended and spent good money for,when front man Anderson would only play all his new material,which was slow and boring stuff,as a friend that attended with me said they are not the old band that I knew and they are going in the wrong direction,as we could tell as the place was half empty,sorry jon,your new stuff is not very good and it showed.should have stayed with the stuff you were famous for and not the newer slow junk.As the saying goes in show business the show must go on,and jon your out,sorry bud.

July 12 2010 at 7:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David Gerth

I saw yes last night in Clearwater, Florida with Peter Frampton. The last time I saw them was in 1975 at RFK stadium in DC with Peter Frampton and Gary Wright. Peter Frampton was great. The musical masters of YES still have it and it was great to see the young Mr. Wakeman on keyboards. Mr. David is good on vocals but as I mentioned to my wife there is nothing like hearing YES with Jon Anderson performing the vocals.

June 10 2010 at 11:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
William Lambert

Well I Agree with you guys. I was at the Feb show HOB"s IN Chicago> Yes band NOW sucks without Jon Anderson! What's up with THAT? These guys didn't even have the desiny to have any volume, and that new guy, well he's trying too hard. Fake-counterfeit!

May 19 2010 at 4:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brian Gourley

I happened to see Yes last night in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast and they were superb. It was the best concert that I have ever been to. There new lead singer is very good, was sad to hear about Jon Anderson. I myself have Asthma since 2006 but it does not prevent me from walking, working and enjoying sport.
My favourite songs are from the 70's including Close to the edge, Yours is no disgrace and long distance runaround.
They were brilliant last night and hopefully I will see them if God spares me in the future.
Well done and it was a good night out!

Brian
N.Ireland

November 26 2009 at 12:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Brian Gourley's comment
Alvaro

Call them as you want they will always be superb, but they're not Yes without Jon!

December 06 2010 at 2:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
trebor1184

Hey Jon did you ever think the rest of the band didn't want to get the H1N1 flu? Get over it! (and get well, quick they need you) I wish I could get a doctor to give me a note to take the YEAR off! Wouldn't that be super?...

November 05 2009 at 10:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Linda Llew

HOW can the Band possibly consider doing a tour without the main guy who made them famous? What back-stabbing, inconsiderate S.O.B.'s ! ! !

August 22 2009 at 7:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Stu

Yes was one of my favorite bands during the 70s. I loved their music, bought their albums. I'm very disappointed that the band members didn't wait until Jon Anderson recovered from his illness so he could join them for another tour. I hope Jon will be healthy again soon and the others will realize the mistake they made.

August 02 2009 at 12:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ken

I agree. I saw clips of the show and they were, well... Let's just say I'm glad I didn't waste my money on tickets for this one.

May 08 2009 at 3:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply