Credit: Dan HigginsAfter being eligible for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for more than 20 years, Yes finally will be welcomed into the institution at an April 7 ceremony in Brooklyn, New York. Original Yes frontman Jon Anderson tells ABC Radio that he’s “obviously very excited” about the honor, while revealing that since receiving the happy news, he’s noticed a change in the way people react to him when he’s out in public.
“People wave at me now in the department stores and local stores…and put their thumbs up,” he says. “So, obviously people know who I am, and I didn’t know that…[P]eople are waving at me saying, ‘Well done, Jon. You’re in the Hall of Fame!'”
Yes, of course, has had many lineup changes over the years, and eight different former or current members are being inducted into the Rock Hall. This has fans wondering about how the band’s performance will be presented at the ceremony.
Anderson tells ABC Radio, “We’ll probably do a Yes with [former guitarist] Trevor [Rabin] doing ‘Owner [of a Lonely Heart],’ and then Yes with [longtime guitarist] Steve [Howe] doing ‘Roundabout.’ And then we’ll all get together and play a song together. Something like that.”
Sadly, founding Yes bassist Chris Squire died in 2015, but Anderson insists that his old friend still will be in attendance at the big event.
“I’m actually in touch with Chris Squire quite a lot…And he’s so excited,” Jon maintains. “He’s gonna be there.” He adds that Squire’s widow be on hand to accept a special award on Chris’ behalf.
Before the induction ceremony, Anderson and his current band, ARW, which also features Rabin and ex-Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman, will launch a 2017 tour that begins March 7 in Tel Aviv, Israel, then heads to Europe.
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