Steve Howe, the guitarist of Yes, recently discussed his relationship with Jon Anderson and the possibility of reuniting with Yes in the new issue of Classic Rock magazine. In the issue, Howe, recalling a ‘fiasco’ of one of their tours, told:
“It’s something I’m absolutely resistant to, because I remember the fiasco of the Union tour. It was very, very difficult and out of control. Sometimes I might have thought, ‘Well, one day maybe’, and one never wants to say never, but basically I can’t see it.”
The guitarist revealed the one condition he would work with Anderson:
“I love Jon [Anderson]. I’m a lot older now, and so is he, and the only terms I work on is that I’m happy working on this. I’m not going to take a sudden load on my back that I either don’t need or want. My music’s always guided me, and it’s not telling me to do those things. It’s telling me to go forwards. If it keeps steering me where it is now, then it’s great to have this live and vibrant Yes.”
Anderson also shared his thoughts on the band’s reunion a few months ago. He said:
“There’s a phrase for that: Imitation is the most sincere most form of flattery. [Laughs.] Well, it’s not going to happen, as far as I know. I’ve mentioned a couple of times over the years that I’m very open to giving it a whirl. In these days, though, you never know what will happen.”
In the same interview, Anderson was asked about his thoughts on Yes having Benoit David to replace him, to which he replied with the following:
“I didn’t ask them to do anything. They just decided they wanted to get on the road. As you know, they hired a Canadian singer, a really nice guy. People just need to get on with life, no matter what.
In some ways, I thought, ‘Forget it. I’m just going to go on the road myself and tell stories and play small clubs.’ In a way, it was a breakthrough for me. I was emotionally still able to enjoy performing the songs that I wrote for the band. You have to let go of things and just get on with life.”
After suffering from acute respiratory failure in 2008, Anderson was advised not to tour for six months. Although the illness forced the band to cancel their 40th-anniversary tour, the remaining members still toured under the name of ‘Steve Howe, Chris Squire and Alan White of Yes’, leading him to slam the band members afterward.
From what we know, a reunion seems unlikely for now. Anderson has been working on his solo projects, and Yes is still touring with Howe, keyboardist Geoff Downes, bassist Billy Sherwood, singer Jon Davison, and drummer Jay Schellen. You can hear the band’s latest studio album, ‘Mirror To The Sky’ below.
https://open.spotify.com/album/260tAYjC3uOU9Xdrslckje?si=KrcVXkvtSTmaaMYn5v_tmA
