Jon Anderson On How Yes Got Its Name | The Big Interview
Вставка
- Опубліковано 22 тра 2024
- Jon Anderson, lead singer of the beloved progressive rock group @yesofficial, talks about his early forays into music, how seeing The Beatles changed his life, and how Yes ultimately got its name.
Watch the full conversation now on The Big Interview: www.axs.tv/channel/the-big-in...
Subscribe to AXS TV for more great music content:
ua-cam.com/users/axstv?sub_c...
Sign up for AXS TV's Newsletters: www.axs.tv/newsletters/
More from AXS TV:
What Are Loverboy's Mike Reno's 5 Albums? | Stranded: • What Are Loverboy's Mi...
Twisted Sister's Dee Snider on Working With Celine Dion | The Power Hour: • Twisted Sister's Dee S...
James Durbin Unboxes Elton John's "Honky Château" | Vinyl Obsession: • James Durbin Unboxes E...
Jon Anderson spent the sixties trying to be the Beatles, Other musicians including myself spent the seventies and onward trying to be Yes. :-)
Very kind of Jon Anderson to credit the late Peter Banks with naming Yes…
Indeed, the late GREAT Peter Banks, a guitarist like no other---Wes Montgomery meets Pete Townshend. When Yes lost Peter Banks they lost their muscle & testosterone. When they lost Tony Kaye they lost that glorious Hammond COLOR that was never regained. Listen to Banks and Kaye on Time and a Word... progressive rock at its most dynamic.
@@dislikesquare8749 Oh yeah and it was all downhill after then, wasn't it?
Jon Anderson and YES changed my life and countless other musicians. ❤
There is still something totally remarkable about his voice right now, given his age. I have loved his work since I first heard yes, aged 14 in 1972.
You and I are the same age. I too first discovered Yes in 1972 - must have worn out three copies each of The Yes Album, Fragile and Close To The Edge from over playing the records repeatedly, making compilations with my little dinky cassette recorder. Great memories!
@@davebloombeat ditto.
What's remarkable is that his Accy (Accrington) Accent Still shines through his adopted U.S. twang.😊
@@johnhayward7173 Very true, John. I saw a clip of an interview with him in the early 70’s when his accent was more pronounced, but his unmistakable accent is still noticeable after 50 years. What a real treasure he is and I just hope he’ll be with us for a long time to come.
Same thing here. I was still 13 when I heard Your Move and I fell in love with it. And then came Roundabout, and that's when I became a Yes fan.
Jon Anderson THE VOICE. THE MASTER. FOREVER YES❗️❗️❗️🎤🎤🎤
LOVE AND LIGHT ❤🌅
I got to meet Jon before a show once and asked him if he ever got to meet one of his idols from the Beatles. He said once he was at a concert and saw Paul McCartney coming down the stairs and he was speechless -- too speechless to go up and talk to him, though.
One of my bucket list items before I depart this realm is to meet Jon, shake his hand, and thank him for all the wonderful music he and his bands created over the years. And yeah, I might be speechless too if I ever met Paul McCartney. 😂
I met Paul McCartney and Chris Squire.
I met Jon and his wife at a tiny airport in San Luis Obispo CA about 7 years ago. He was very friendly and approachable.
I always thought the Olias of Sunhillow album was hugely underrated. I love it.
I just bought the vinyl in Houston Heights. OMG it is GORGEOUS inside n out!
I got into YES back in 72 and never stopped loving their music.
I first heard them in 77 and really didn’t like them then as I got older truly appreciated all the talent and music
yes, pink floyd, elp, elo, genesis, king crimson, nektar, hawkwind and a dozen other "progressive" bands is what we cool kids listened to in the early 70s. we were fans of other rock subgenres as well. the music at this time offered a wide variety of types and tastes. it was one of the joys of growing up in that era.
Exactly. There was also a crossover interest in fusion as well with Mahavisnu, Billy Cobham, and Jeff Beck.
100% right on !!!
I was 2 years old when Jon was playing in the Cavern. Years later I would see YES perform three times and it was always an extremely emotional experience.
The album Friends of Mr. Cairo he did with Vangelis is incredible.
Definitely is, and not very well known!
@@ianstuart5660 Depends where you live. It was very popular in Canada and a considerable success in Europe.
@@bookhouseboy280
I'm in Canada, so good 👉 point!
Jon has been my music idol since the early 1970s. Always glad to hear him talk. What a musical force.
Hello fro u.k.
Could YES be the greatest band of all time?
Individual skills from any line up!
Different planet compared with anyone else!
Greatest prog singer ever existed. And mostr probably, greatest singer ever. I'm Jon fan since I'm kid. No Jon Anderson, no Yes. Point.
@@gaelsebastiani2198
Hello from u.k.
You have to be careful with this shout, but we both know you are right!
No Anderson no YES!
I’m a massive MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA FAN.
Like YES music on a different level, but looking
at the individual musicians in YES.
Composing, writing lyrics,and taking it on the road!
MIND BLOWING!
Total dedication to their craft!
YES best band of all time!
Take care, our numbers are
dwindling!
@madcyril4135 Yes, they could be perceived as the best, but it's all very subjective. I liked the Trevor Rabin version of Yes the best!
He's been doing it a long time ...I loved them in the 80's when in highschool but I had no idea he began in the 60's 😮
I love this. I never thought Jon Anderson would ever get enough mainstream appeal to be interviewed by Dan Rather. 🤟✌
I never thought Dan Rather was a prog rock fan, but with him also interviewing Ian Anderson, I now have my answer.
Also did a great interview with a certain Geddy Lee a few years back
@@christopherwright8811 Yep.
From my perspective, Jon Anderson is a much bigger name than Dan Rather.
Alice Cooper also. I did notice Dan will repeat a question because he didn’t listen to the answer the first time. Did it with Alice Cooper
It's the word I often utter when I hear their beautiful music: "Yes!" 🙏
Went to 9 Yes concerts from 1973 and the last in 1989. I also saw Rick Waksman Journey to the Center of the Earth ❤❤❤ Those were the days! 😂
I still have my t-shirt from the Journey Tour 1974 at MSG. Obviously it no longer fits 😃
Amazing, you got to see the Trevor Rabin version of Yes!
@@ianstuart5660 The ARW tour was fantastic !
Jon answered the question in a roundabout way and you and I know it's true.
And you and I
Climb over the sea to the valley
I see what you did there. 😅
@@markjacobsen8335A bit hard to miss 😊
What a wonderous story.
I thought some of the answers were a bit close to the edge
His singing is still as sharp and clear & powerful as it was since their first album. I don't know of any other rock singer from that era who can make that claim.
Peter Hammill of VDGG still hasnt lost his touch - still able to offer you a perfect "Still Life"
"Let's call ourselves Yes."
"Is it The Yes?"
"No, no. Yes."
Love Jon Anderson. He has such a sweet, gentle spirit.
The kind this world desperately needs more of.
Thank you Jon for all the great music. ❤️
DITTO!!!
The Yes Album was my first ever album. Still my favorite all time album after all these years.
Mine too
The opening cords draw you in for the ride of your life
Awesome album. The perfect choice when you're zipping around winding country roads.
It's an amazing album!
Ok. 'The Yes Album'? So they had one album? 'The' album? What about 90125? Wtf?
I saw Yes in 1978 at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, one of the most awesome live productions ever.
I was there at that show -- on floor seating! "Awaken gentle mass, Touch!" Angels from heaven are YES! they transform consciousness into sound & light
*I was a kid when I saw the video for **_Owner of a Lonely Heart._* It was awesome. Years later, someone gave their old records and one of these was _The Yes Album._ I realized that they weren't a new band, they've been around for a minute. Anyways, they proved that one could listen to a 10 minute long song more than once.
Great singer and a lovely person!
I was too young to happen upon Yes until I was about 11 years old in 1979, found Fragile, been an important sound of my life ever since.
Who knew Dan Rather was such a fan of Progressive Rock music! Never would’a thought that in a million years!
No not necessarily. Just a Yes fan.
The one and only Jon Anderson… Love his music, voice, SPIRIT…
In my opinion Jon Anderson is the best vocalist in history
Hard to argue with you. He has some stiff competition, but I don't disagree.
I love Jon , he is the voice of yes. It is very moving knowing how one of the greatest rock band of all time got its name, especially told by Jon.
Cristian from Chile.
YES changed my life in better way since i was 16 y.o. and i can't stop to thank Jon A., Chris S., Steve H., Bill B., Tony K, Alan W., Rick W. and Patrick M. for the incredible music they composed all these years. God bless you.
first albums I -had- (permanently borrowed from my sister/brother in law) was 'the yes album'....'fragile'....'close to the edge'....
I brought 'tales from topographic oceans'....and 'relayer'....myself....
.....along with yes....I 'borrowed'....
'welcome back, my friends'....E.L.P.
I was 10 years old and had never heard a song longer than 3 minutes before....
In 1980 a friend loaned me the Fragile album, needless to say, he never got it back. Love Yes!!!
You'd have to buy yourself and eventually give his.
Theif!
@@markhaus5441 Thief!
@@michelelaraia7358 Right, that was meant for @painparty.
@@michelelaraia7358 You'd have to buy it yourself.
Peter Banks was a major Who fan (as was Chris,) and because of that he'd seen how short band names were useful because they could be huge on a poster. Clever guy, Peter (RIP).
Banks was a hell of a guitar player. I listen to that first Yes album frequently.I love his style, and it is interesting in that some areas are very similar to Howe.
Yeah, something like that.
I have every Yes album or CD in my collect and listen to them frequently. No doubt one of the greatest bands of all time!
Always great to see a Jon interview. Loved Yes in their Bill Bruford/Rick Wakeman years. Saw them many times. Happy days!
I'm really looking forward in seeing the whole thing! . . .
But this reflection is for the layman and those not "in the know" of this subgenre of Rock called "Progressive Rock" that was born in England, yet _still_ THRIVES today.
I was LATE getting into Yes. My 1st real experience was as a kid 1st hearing tracks off The Beatles "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" and Procol Harem with their single "Whiter Shade of Pale". But I was a kid that grew-up with "Pop" Hits of the mid-1960's and 70's. I had always loved guitar-driven music . . .
But it was 3 Hit singles in 1977 that started the spark to start finding more of this music that opened my awareness what music could be, and that was with the American band *Kansas* and the album "Point of Know Return", which also made me realize these bands would create an _entire_ album's worth of music, and I began to discover the _Deeper Cut._
In my search, it brought me to *Yes* (VERY late with their "Hits" on AOR FM Radio), but my 1st 2 FULL experiences were "Drama" in 1980, and in 1981 with "90125" as my 1st purchases of the band. Yes fans will scoff at this, but Drama made a HUGE impact on me, even though it wasn't Jon Anderson on vocals, but that "vocalist" Trevor Horn would Produce Yes's BIGGEST selling album . . . which made me _go backwards_ into their catalogue, and that is where I found their heart and soul that got them in the place and time to discover them. I bought every album (LP's) and listened to every note, but it was "Close to the Edge" that broadened my horizons on what music could be, much like Kansas did, only Yes did it before a few years before.
Their musicianship was incredible, their compositions, their "Covers" (especially those by "Roger Dean", as I have been an artist since I was a pea, and he greatly inspired my Logo work) were part and parcel with each other. But "Jon Anderson's "Angelic Voice" gave the lyrics gravitas, gave it spirit, no matter the subject. Yes would be in my BIG 5 of favorite bands.
King Crimson, Gentle Giant, Kansas, Genesis (with Peter Gabriel & Steve Hackett), Emerson Lake & Palmer, Rush and Yes would start me off on that LONG journey and search for more. It has led me to the present day where bands are coming from all over the world.
Most think it started to die in 1983-85 as Punk & New Wave ruled, but bands and musicians like; Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett, Supertramp, Caravan, Kayak, Van der Graaf Generator, Starcastle, Electric Light Orchestra, Saga, FM, Frank Zappa, Kate Bush, Eloy, Camel, Jethro Tull, Brand X, Dixie Dregs, Premiata Forneria Marconi, Crack the Sky, Asia, Happy The Man, Uriah Heep, Pink Floyd, ELP (be it "3" and including Emerson Lake & Powell) along with Rush, Genesis, Kansas, King Crimson, Yes, and others, were still continuing on, some with a more commercial sound or were influenced by New Wave and other contemporary music of the time.
And these would influence the next wave; IQ, Pallas, Marillion, Magnum, It Bites, and more would pick-up the torch in 1983 and as many of these bands continued, the EXPLOSION of Progressive Rock bands emerged in 2000, and some under the influences of Jazz/Fusion, Classical (as did their predecessors), subgenres of Metal and _Prog Rock,_ came "Prog Metal". Though it would be a sometimes _contentious_ genre with many _Proggers,_ I engulfed myself in the old and new, and International bands that fell through the cracks or were underground.
YES was a HUGE influence on many, including those that came-up with them. So many musicians of today have cited them as gigantic influences on their music, or inspired them to pick-up an instrument. It's UNBELIEVABLE that Jon still has that voice, that heart and soul that we have grown-up with. No matter what incarnation he is singing for, he pours that heart and soul into each piece created. And on top of that, he always seemed like a lovely bloke, down to earth and humble. Probably easy to talk to like an old friend. But as most of us know, he could be demanding in-studio, but with the others with the same passion for music creation, it brought out the best they had . . . and that is yet another element that gives their music longevity.
Thank you Jon and your partners in crime, you helped a genre grow and expand. And showed the world that music could push the envelope and touch peoples intellect as-well as their heart, even if you were not a musician, it expanded our world to a more exciting place.
- To those gone that helped the genre, and to Peter Banks, Chris Squire & Allan White, Rest in Peace.
Have you heard “La Poderosa Muerte” by Los Jaivas
@@RemisRamos I actually heard them for the 1st time maybe a year ago after friends who do Reaction Videos played them by request :). See "NickNLex Reacts" (husband is from Germany, wife from Mexico and they both met when in school in Mexico City).
YES❗️The greatest band on this or any other planet❗️😎
Well...70's YES. : )
I agree although I put King Crimson, Genesis 1969 - 1980, and Rush on the same rank.
@@barsouk I wouldn’t agree as to Genesis at the beginning , but I guess the same is true of Yes. Time and a Word is mostly a waste of time. The Yes Album is a masterpiece. Genesis kept coming out with these albums where I’d think “almost, not quite there” until Selling England By The Pound, at which point they’d finally produced a great album. Both Yes and King Crimson were at their best with Bill Bruford. Come to think of it, he played with Genesis too, but I’ve got nothing bad to say about Phil Collins’ drumming.
bs: tresspass: a diamond in the rough. nursery cryme. powerful and beautifl. Lamb Lies Down on Broadway - the greatest album of all times for thousands of years. first two Yes albums are fantastic... bruford and squire make is so with a help from tony kaye (but not as good as Tony Banks of course)@@koshersalaami
ahhh! Time and a Word and Yes kick arse!!! Squire and Bruford dominate and Kaye's organ works. Trespass is an uncanny masterpiece@@koshersalaami
Great interview - minus the drugs. So lucky to buy tickets for five friends. We saw Yes in '75 and Jon was twenty feet away. Made an impression to this day.
Very interesting, Jon, but what about Accrington Stanley? Do they really play Tales From Topographic Oceans during the half-time interval at the Wham Stadium?
the best vocalist and songwriter ever, been a fan since the 70s
Close to the edge was the best Yes album
BIG GENERATOR!!
Close to the Edge
Fragile
The Yes Album
Tales from Topographic Oceans
I’ll bet a stoned Peter Banks saw the Yellow Submarine movie in ‘68, and when the giant, magical YES appeared on screen, he had the revelation.
That's what I always thought. Ever hear their rollicking version of Elinor Rigby?
Gotta love Jon, he seems like such a down to earth likable gentleman. Someone you could sit & have a pint with, and talk to for hours.
I had just turned 13 when I saw yes for the first time. It was at Newcastle City Hall & because of a mix-up with ticket sales me and my pal ended up with front row seats. We sat right in front of Chris Squire who kept looking down at us & although I didn't realise it at the time he was probably thinking along the lines of "bloody hell, they're just children." We were definitely the youngest there that I could see & it was a bit odd to be so heavily into Yes at that age. Treasured memories of that night & Jon has always been and always will be, me musical hero.
Back in the day when I heard Yes playing in some cafe, room, it would always take me on a journey back to myself, like a sign post thats says 'You Are Here'
Much love for Jon.
Awesome interview. One of my heroes in music. How interesting hearing about his childhood and the formation of Yes!
Aside from extraordinary talent he is just so positive
Yes was my first concert in Philly, 1974, it was awesome! They were great! I was a freshman in high school.
I like hearing the Wonderous Stories.
What a lovely bloke. Legend.
I loved "Yes Songs" double 8 track. I played it to death.
Really interesting to hear from a legend. Gotta love Dan Rather....😂
I've been a diehard YES fan since I was 8. I'm 62. I've seen the band at least 30 times since I was 17 and in my first band (Sisyphus) when my sister, who at the time was in ticket sales for a 10,000 seat venue got us all front row. Fast forward, I've seen Anderson's solo performances (he and Freddie Mercury have always been my top 2 favorite singers) exactly 12 times since I moved from NE to L.A. In three days, Jon will be 79 years old. Not a month has gone by since I was 8 when I haven't listened to 5:48 angelic Jon.
I guess Love Does Find A Way!!! Thank you, Jon, Yes and Dan Rather for this great interview!!! ❤
Johnny you finally Made it!...lol
I sing in my Church Band and His influence has carried me well in and far. Love You!
Yes! What a sweet interview; he's still got a kind of innocence and wonder. I had no idea Jon saw the Beatles and played at the original Cavern Club. I'm only commenting today because his band and their music has meant so much to me throughout my life.
YESSSS, The best years of my life with YES music as background music.
It’s funny that the band member who came up with the band name was the first one to be fired.
Not strange. Brian Jones was the owner of the name of the Rolling Stones and was fired too. Too much greed around them.
Quite agree with all comments. NOW; we maybe should inquire about what influential books he reads or reveres!❤
A Spirit that just Shines bright. Nice to see you again John
Yes was always out there but I was never interested. Caught up with them recently and can’t get enough. This guy is a gem, lovely man and a perfect voice for Yes.
GREAT JOB ALL...THANX 4 MAKING Tee with LIONS NAMED LEO the music worldwide.
LOVE YOU ALL...!!!
I could listen to Jon all day, with that lovely accent of his.
If you are a fan (I fell in love with Yes' music with The Yes Album.) of the band and you found this interview interesting, I would recommend you pick up two books by keyboard man Rick Wakeman....Grumpy Old Rock Star, and Further Adventures of a Grumpy Old Rock Star. Many of his stories will have you in stitches. (Especially the one about how the band drank an airliner dry not once, but twice on a flight from London to Tokyo.)
My favorite singer. Good to see him get some press.
And I have been listening and enjoying their music ever since! Their music transcends most rock and roll and steers closer to classical elements. Genius!
Jon, thank you for ALL (YES & solo) the lovely music that you have given to the world! You have been a Blessing to the Mother Earth, and GOD bless YOU! 😊
Happy Birthday Jon❤
I must have seen Yes 25 times over the years. My favorite was the 35th anniversary tour with Rick Wakeman. They played Tales from Topographic Oceans so wonderfully that the audience gave them the longest standing ovation I ever saw.
Did you see the Trevor Rabin version of Yes?
@@ianstuart5660 I did just once. Probably around '90 in MSG NYC if I recall. It was torture.
@@gfriedman99 Thanks, that's not what I'd have expected to hear. I really loved that version of Yes!
Great voice (in music), great band !
Ageless Wonder,…he’s really blessed with a voice that has a cadence that doesn’t age…..I read somewhere, where, Jon Anderson says he doesn’t sing fallesto….then how does one explain those ridiculous high notes he tackles in his music….I was introduced to yes in 1983 by way of 90125 & I was 15 and blown away by what I thought was a new band called Yes…only to be laugh at by my friends dad who had all the Yes albums of the 70’s & he told me, Son, you haven’t heard shit yet 😂😂😂😂….I listen to his back catalogue of earlier Yes albums & my life in music has changed forever……
And i for one say YES to YES . Since the late 60’s they have been my biggest YES
This was awesome! Jon is a legend in his own time. Love YES.
I got into them in highschool, but I was the only one who knew who they were. Union was my first album (just came out and great album artwork).
I think it was the local classic rock station, WIBA 101.5 Madison that introduced me to them. Union was the soundtrack to my Junior/Senior years.
This band is a lot like classical music. Hard to listen at first, but never gets old.
One of my all time heroes, love you Jon!
What a very very talented man! May God bless the memory of Chris Squire!
Great interview...
YES! YES! YES! and YES!!!
Brilliant. Can’t get enough of Jon ❤
Early Genesis, King Crimson, Pink Floyd and Yes. The originals of progrock.
Close to the Edge down by the river,
Legend
Great musician, composer, songwriter, and of course the band...YES!!!
My four fav albums from this mythical band are The Yes Album, Close to the Edge, Going for the One and Fragile. Those albums are killing ones. Also I have a special love for the two first albums with Peter Banks and also, those with Trevor Rabin as 90125 & Talk.
Yes is the answer.....
And the time is now and the word is love.✌️
and you know that for sure
@@larrymars1703 Yes sir!
Yes is a flower...
*_Hold On_* ! Jon sure did go on and on in a *_Roundabout_* way to tell *_You and I_* how Yes got its name. At least I did not wait around to the end of the video for *_Five Percent of Nothing_* and found out that it was *_All Connected_* .
Unforgettable times, when Ed Sciaky and I would go see Yes in Philly.
A stunning voice IMHO.
"Very cool! He's very smart and still sounds great!"
Yes is the word that made John Lennon fall in love with Yoko. (Long story that relates to an art exhibit where a ladder led to a word pasted onto the ceiling, and the word was “yes”.) That is what I guessed the band name was about. Love Jon Anderson, ever since the mid ‘70s. Saw Yes on the Owner of a Lonely Heart tour at Saratoga Springs, NY. People in the audience were throwing marshmallows at each other. Maybe Jon remembers it.
About the name, I thought exactly the same thing. …all we are saying, is give peace a chance
That exhibit was why a much later album by Yes was called The Ladder.
Love this
I remember seeing Jon at the Marquee carrying crates of Coca-cola around just as Yes were getting going. They were wilder, more raw, more rockier then. Brilliant!
PS: the name-change bit is at 5:22
Hearing Jon say "...listening to Frank Zappa." is awesome!
Arf...!
Love it.
I'm connvinced they got the name after seeing Yellow Submarine and seeing the big block lettered YES.
My school friends cousin was Chris Squire; he would bring in the early yes albums for the "cool" guys; went right over my head at the time 🙄
I've seen all good people.
Great song.
I've listened to "Yes" music in the past.
I'm pretty sure Peter Banks got their first logo off Sgt Pepper, which actually came from Yoko when she first met John at an art exhibition of hers. There's film of it, a ladder you climbed up, and on the ceiling hung a magnifying glass, and you looked through it to see a cartoon ballon that said "YES".