OT - YES scraps 40th Anniversary Tour

[dabstudio]

After announcing earlier this year plans to mount an ambitious North American summer tour, prog-rock icons Yes have called off the outing due to frontman Jon Anderson's recent health problems.

"In the wake of my recent respiratory attack, doctors have advised me to spend the coming months resting and recovering," Anderson said in a prepared statement. "Unfortunately, this means I won't be able to tour with Yes this summer as originally planned.

"I'd like everyone know how deeply disappointed I am by this turn of events. I was looking forward to celebrating our music with the amazing family of Yes fans once again; but as we all know, health must come before anything else."

Added band member Chris Squire: "We were all looking forward to performing for our fans after a prolonged leave of absence from touring. I am especially regretful of the fact that I know many of our fans and friends have probably laid out non-refundable airfares and hotels, etc. in order to enjoy the Yes shows this summer. Please join me in wishing Jon a speedy return to health, which at this point in time is our main concern."

Anderson was admitted to a hospital last month after suffering a "severe asthma attack" and has since been diagnosed with "acute respiratory failure," according to a press release. Over the past weekend, doctors advised him to rest for at least six months to avoid further health complications.

Yes was due to mark its 40th anniversary with a 26-city North American tour that was scheduled to kick off in late July. Ticket refunds will be available at the point of purchase, according to the tour's promoter, Live Nation.

[Ehwmatt]

Wow, sounds pretty serious for a singer...best wishes to Jon and maybe Steve can tour with the other John in his life, John Wetton and the rest of Asia to continue promoting Phoenix which might turn out to be the record of the year for me

[The_Noble_Cause]

Since when does a minor hiccup like an autoimmune virus keep a band off the road?
Andrew, provide this band with Kevin Elson's home phone number immediately.

[jrnyman28]

Go figure, a band cancelling their tour because the lead singer was having health issues! And an ANNIVERSARY TOUR at that...

[SteveForever]

Go figure, a band cancelling their tour because the lead singer was having health issues! And an ANNIVERSARY TOUR at that...

they should have called JSS...

[Liquid_Drummer]

Man this sucks.. Someone said "sounds serious for a singer". Fuck, it seems like it could be life threatening !!! Yes is one of my all time favs and Jon Anderson is an incredible singer and has a huge heart when it comes to humanitarian efforts. Like Perry his is not replaceable. One of a kind for sure. To me this is as shitty as if it happened to Perry for some of you...
My girlfriend happens to work in a respiratory ward of a hospital where almost every paitent is on a treak (spelling?) vent with a damn hole in their throat. Anyway, she says this is VERY serious. Look up "acute respiratory failure". Lets all hope for a recovery. He will probably never tour again because this shit doesnt go away..

[Ehwmatt]

Man this sucks.. Someone said "sounds serious for a singer". Fuck, it seems like it could be life threatening !!! Yes is one of my all time favs and Jon Anderson is an incredible singer and has a huge heart when it comes to humanitarian efforts. Like Perry his is not replaceable. One of a kind for sure. To me this is as shitty as if it happened to Perry for some of you...
My girlfriend happens to work in a respiratory ward of a hospital where almost every paitent is on a treak (spelling?) vent with a damn hole in their throat. Anyway, she says this is VERY serious. Look up "acute respiratory failure". Lets all hope for a recovery. He will probably never tour again because this shit doesnt go away..

It's possible.. I don't want to speculate on the poor guy though. For what it's worth the press release doesn't sound too awful... I sure hope its not. And yes, Jon is a great guy, not just by his visible contributions but I have it on good authority from a girl who played in the Cleveland Youth Orchestra and backed Jon when he came to town that he's just an outstanding guy.

[Liquid_Drummer]

Man this sucks.. Someone said "sounds serious for a singer". Fuck, it seems like it could be life threatening !!! Yes is one of my all time favs and Jon Anderson is an incredible singer and has a huge heart when it comes to humanitarian efforts. Like Perry his is not replaceable. One of a kind for sure. To me this is as shitty as if it happened to Perry for some of you...
My girlfriend happens to work in a respiratory ward of a hospital where almost every paitent is on a treak (spelling?) vent with a damn hole in their throat. Anyway, she says this is VERY serious. Look up "acute respiratory failure". Lets all hope for a recovery. He will probably never tour again because this shit doesnt go away..

It's possible.. I don't want to speculate on the poor guy though. For what it's worth the press release doesn't sound too awful... I sure hope its not. And yes, Jon is a great guy, not just by his visible contributions but I have it on good authority from a girl who played in the Cleveland Youth Orchestra and backed Jon when he came to town that he's just an outstanding guy.

I have heard he is just a warm caring soul from people that have had a chance to have dinner with him on a couple of occasions. I was told he tells the most awesome stories over wine after dinner when in the right company. Would have loved to have been there.

It was some local crew for hire guys when they played my town. I run in to these cats from time to time and more recently with the Floyd Tribute. Yes came up because me and the bass player were playing around with Heart of the sunrise (if you have not heard it do so... now) Talk about emotion.. WOW.. You have to excuse the progressive noodle fest for the 1st few minutes if thats not your thing. Once you get to the song... Woooo... Anyway they had dinner with him and had some great stories... These are gritty muscle dudes that look the part of " I tune my harley twice a week" and they seemed as if they were facinated with him as if he told them the secret to ever lasting tranquility or something... Must be a special guy !!

I mean here are two guys that I used to hearing "Wow look at that ass" and they were discussing wondering what it felt like to be able to clear your mind like in meditation... Welll.......

[ProgRocker53]

Dude this sucks. Was gonna go see YES this summer, more than likely.. would've been my first YES show.

Best of luck and all prayers to Jon Anderson. Great vocalist and songwriter. A bit out there, but a great guy nonetheless. Definitely on top of the list of people I'd invite over for a drink and some poker.

[conversationpc]

Dude this sucks. Was gonna go see YES this summer, more than likely.. would've been my first YES show.

Best of luck and all prayers to Jon Anderson. Great vocalist and songwriter. A bit out there, but a great guy nonetheless. Definitely on top of the list of people I'd invite over for a drink and some poker.

The last I saw Yes was on their Masterworks tour...I think that was 2002 or something like that. Great, epic tunes on that tour.

That being said, I was disappointed by their performance on the 35th anniversary DVD. Howe really seemed to have gotten old and was slowing down, at least that's how it looks. Wakeman was outstanding, though. Anyway, since then I haven't had much interest in going to seem them live anymore.

[ProgRocker53]

Dude this sucks. Was gonna go see YES this summer, more than likely.. would've been my first YES show.

Best of luck and all prayers to Jon Anderson. Great vocalist and songwriter. A bit out there, but a great guy nonetheless. Definitely on top of the list of people I'd invite over for a drink and some poker.

The last I saw Yes was on their Masterworks tour...I think that was 2002 or something like that. Great, epic tunes on that tour.

That being said, I was disappointed by their performance on the 35th anniversary DVD. Howe really seemed to have gotten old and was slowing down, at least that's how it looks. Wakeman was outstanding, though. Anyway, since then I haven't had much interest in going to seem them live anymore.

I'd rather see a slower and less interesting YES in their late years, than never see YES at all.

Howe looks ancient these days. One of the top rock guitarists of all time though, by my measure. Love his playing.

[Ehwmatt]

Dude this sucks. Was gonna go see YES this summer, more than likely.. would've been my first YES show.

Best of luck and all prayers to Jon Anderson. Great vocalist and songwriter. A bit out there, but a great guy nonetheless. Definitely on top of the list of people I'd invite over for a drink and some poker.

The last I saw Yes was on their Masterworks tour...I think that was 2002 or something like that. Great, epic tunes on that tour.

That being said, I was disappointed by their performance on the 35th anniversary DVD. Howe really seemed to have gotten old and was slowing down, at least that's how it looks. Wakeman was outstanding, though. Anyway, since then I haven't had much interest in going to seem them live anymore.

Yeah, I caught them in 04 I think in Cuyahoga Falls and it was pretty bad. Dream Theater blew them away. They were doing all these weird arrangements of their most popular songs and such... Howe can still burn, just check out the latest Asia DVD for proof... it's funny you mention Wakeman because I think he's the big part of the reason they do all the weird arrangements and stuff like that more than anything else... I was definitely disappointed when I saw them.

[Playitloudforme]

YES was my first concert (1976) and I was in awe ever since. Jon's voice blew me away, concert after concert (I've seen them 12 times, methinks....).

Hopefully a quick and full recovery, and KUDOS to the band for putting health first.

I played this constantly.. CONSTANTLY!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ncAk15x0l8Y&feature=related

What a voice!

[Glenn]

Since when does a minor hiccup like an autoimmune virus keep a band off the road?
Andrew, provide this band with Kevin Elson's home phone number immediately.

Now that's some funny shit right there .... LOL

[Gordon from Edinburgh]

Dude this sucks. Was gonna go see YES this summer, more than likely.. would've been my first YES show.

Best of luck and all prayers to Jon Anderson. Great vocalist and songwriter. A bit out there, but a great guy nonetheless. Definitely on top of the list of people I'd invite over for a drink and some poker.

Anderson is a great guy but - i wonder, are they maybe postponing in the hope that Rick Wakeman will join them? Cos they were gonna go out with Oliver Wakeman in his place.