Jon Anderson, bringing Wondrous Stories to a city near you! Photo courtesy of Glass Onyon
There has been much speculation regarding the lead vocalist position with the band YES. Let’s get the story straight. In case you had not heard, original replacement singer Benoit David has left the group. Before the official announcement that Glass Hammer vocalist Jon Daivison would replace original replacement David, rumors were circulating that founding vocalist Jon Anderson was asked by founding bassist Chris Squire to rejoin. As stated in the pres release below issued by Anderson’s publicity company Glass Onyon, these rumors were completely unfounded. Here is the press release:
For immediate Release
A Statement To The Press By Original YES Vocalist / Songwriter Jon Anderson
2/8/2012 – Asheville, NC – In response to recent rumors circulating about music legend and original YES vocalist / songwriter Jon Anderson being asked to re-join YES – these rumors are unfounded and false. Jon Anderson is busy with his solo career; he is currently on tour performing solo (tour dates and venues listed below), as well as recording new music. Jon also had this response to recent quotes in the news by Chris Squire that he is in regular communication with Jon: “I haven’t spoken with Chris in four years, and the only e-mail I have received from him in the last 3 years was him asking for free tickets to my show in Mesa, AZ last week – very sad, but true.”
Jon Anderson, who has one of the most recognizable voices in music, and is best known for his work with YES, Vangelis and Kitaro, as well as his innovative solo efforts, recently completed a successful tour of the east coast in the US with fellow YES member Rick Wakeman and a solo tour of South America. Jon’s solo tour promises to deliver an exciting mixture of material from his prolific solo career, collaborations with Vangelis and classic YES songs, along with new compositions from his new CD ‘Survival & Other Stories‘.
Jon Anderson US 2012 Tour Dates:
2/02/2012 – Mesa Arts Center – Piper Theater – Mesa, AZ – www.mesaartscenter.com
2/04/2012 – Wheeler Opera House – Aspen, CO – www.wheeleroperahouse.com
2/17/2012 – American Music Theater – Lancaster, PA – www.amtshows.com
2/19/2012 – Newton Theatre – Newton, NJ – www.thenewtontheatre.com
2/22/2012 – Anthology – San Diego, CA – www.anthologysd.com/welcome.html
2/24/2012 – Ovation Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa – Henderson, NV – www.greenvalleyranchresort.com/entertainment/ovation.php
2/26/2012 – One World Theatre – Austin, TX – www.oneworldtheatre.org/home.html
2/28/2012 – Kessler Theater – Dallas, TX – www.thekessler.org
3/01/2012 – Carolina Theatre – Durham, NC – www.carolinatheatre.org
3/03/2012 – Parrish Auditorium Miami University Hamilton – Hamilton, OH
3/05/2012 – World Cafe Live – Wilmington – Wilmington, DE – www.worldcafelive.com
3/07/2012 – Theatre of Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA – www.philadelphia-theater.com/theaters/theater-of-living-arts/theater.php
3/08/2012 – Baltimore Sound Stage – Baltimore, MD – www.baltimoresoundstage.com
3/10/2012 – B.B. King Blues Club & Grill – New York, NY – www.bbkingblues.com
3/14/2012 – Infinity Hall – Norfolk, CT – www.infinityhall.com
3/15/2012 – Wilbur Theatre – Boston, MA – www.thewilburtheatre.com
3/17/2012 – Narrows Center For The Arts – Fall River, MA – www.ncfta.org
3/19/2012 – Bergen Performing Arts Center – Englewood, NJ – www.bergenpac.org
Jon recently released an epic musical work entitled OPEN. A return to the long-form composition that Jon Anderson is best known for, (“Close To The Edge”, “Gates of Delirium”, “Revealing” and “Awaken”), OPEN is a 21-minute exhilarating musical journey; a pioneering effort that weaves intricate melodic and harmonic themes within a classical music framework whilst showcasing Anderson’s iconic vocals and timeless melodies throughout. In many ways OPEN is a return to Jon Anderson’s musical roots, as YES music continually flows through his veins, making it only natural to revisit now and again. Coupled with wonderful orchestration by his neighbor and good friend Stefan Podell, messages of peace, love, light and freedom are further explored within OPEN, making listening an uplifting and joyous experience!
“‘Forever taken to that place of understanding,’ are the first lyrics of ‘OPEN’, as though I am always remembering my true musical journey. To create this work, I sat with my 19th Century guitar and strummed ideas last spring 2010. Songs just poured out of me that week, and before I knew it I had created a long form musical idea, and with the help of Stefan Podell’s powerful orchestration, we put together what is now ‘OPEN.’
It has 4 movements all intertwined, and seems to have a life of its own. For those who love this kind of music, I feel so happy to present it as one of many I hope to create over the coming years. My love ‘Janee’ has helped in production with her unique musical observations and her angel voice. I am so happy and thankful… Many Blessings.” Jon Anderson – October 2011
Jon Anderson’s OPEN is available as a digital download and can be obtained at:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/open-single/id474552662?ls=1
In other news, Jon Anderson and fellow former YES member Rick Wakeman have released Anderson/Wakeman – The Living Tree In Concert Part One CD on Gonzo MultiMedia. The legendary duo performed a series of successful concerts in the UK in 2010 in support of their critically acclaimed CD release The Living Tree and recorded several of the performances.
For more information on Jon Anderson’s upcoming tour go to www.jonanderson.com/tour.html
Jon Anderson Survival & Other Stories available through Voiceprint Records.
End release
Now from my insider grapevine, I hear that Open will be released in some form of CD this Spring/Summer. For those of you who can’t wait, yes, there is a link to the iTunes store, but I am a purist. I have two opinions about this, first, wait for the CD release as there may be more tracks on it, second, buy any of the above-mentioned products at your local INDIE music store. Those of you in NJ, you know you recently lost a landmark CD store to a fire, so spread the support to the existing indie CD stores. We aren’t out of this recession yet (although by economist definition, it can be qualified as a depression), so keep indie stores alive, buy local!!!
Thanks to Billy James and Jon Anderson, and all at Glass Onyon, get your tickets to this show A.S.A.P., and if you are unsure, go back and read my review of the Jon Anderson/Rick Wakeman show at the Sherman Theater in the Poconos. I highly recommend this awesome evening of entertainment and QUALITY music.
We now return you to regularly scheduled music…
