Jon Anderson
Encyclopedia
Jon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock
band Yes
. He is also an accomplished solo artist and has collaborated with artists such as the Greek musician Vangelis
, among others.
, Lancashire, England, to Albert and Kathleen Anderson. His father was from Scotland
whilst his mother was of Irish ancestry. Anderson dropped the "h" from his first name in 1970.
Anderson attended St. John's Infants School in Baxenden
, Accrington. There he made a tentative start to a musical career playing the washboard
in "Little John's Skiffle
Group", which played songs by Lonnie Donegan
, among others. Anderson left school at the age of fifteen and went through a series of jobs including farm hand, lorry
driver and milkman
. Anderson tried to pursue a football career at Accrington Stanley F.C.
but five foot five inch Jon was turned down because of his frail constitution. He remains a fan of the club.
(also known as The Electric Warriors), where he and his brother Tony shared the role of lead vocalist. He quit this band in 1967, released two solo singles in 1968 under the pseudonym Hans Christian, and then briefly sang for the bands The Gun
and The Open Mind
. One of Anderson's first producers at EMI was songwriter Paul Korda
.
In March 1968 Anderson met bassist Chris Squire
and joined him in a group called Mabel Greer's Toyshop
, which had previously included guitarist Peter Banks
. Anderson fronted this band but ended up leaving again before the summer was over. He remarks on his website that his time with the band consisted of "too many drugs, not enough fun!".
with drummer Bill Bruford
and keyboardist Tony Kaye
. Their debut album was released in 1969. He stayed with the group until 1980. This is known as the classic period of Yes. Jon was a major creative force and band leader throughout this period. He has described himself as the 'team captain' and was nicknamed by his bandmates "Napoleon" for his diminutive stature and leadership of the band. He is also recognised as the main instigator of a series of epic works produced by Yes at the time. He played an indispensable role in creating such complex pieces as "Close to the Edge
", "Awaken
" and especially "The Gates of Delirium
", in spite of his limited instrumental abilities.
He rejoined a reformed Yes in 1983 which produced their most commercially successful album 90125
with newcomer Trevor Rabin
. He departed again in 1988 over creative differences relating to the band's continued pursuit of major commercial success and mainstream
radio play. In 1989 Anderson and other former Yes members formed the group Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe (ABWH), augmented by bassist Tony Levin
, who had played with drummer Bill Bruford in King Crimson
. After the successful first ABWH album, a series of business deals caused ABWH to reunite with the then-current members of Yes, who had been out of the public eye while searching for a new lead singer. The resulting eight-man band assumed the name Yes, and the album Union (1991) was assembled from various pieces of an in-progress second ABWH album, as well as recordings that the "Yes proper" band had been working on without Anderson. A successful tour followed, but the eight-man line-up of Yes never recorded a complete album together before splintering in 1992. Many more personnel changes followed, but Anderson stayed in the band until 2008. He appears on all Yes albums except for their 1980 album Drama
, and their 2011 album Fly From Here
.
Anderson was fond of experimenting within the band and in so doing contributed to occasionally conflicted relationships within the band and with management. He originally wanted to record the album Tales from Topographic Oceans
in the middle of the woods, and instead decided to put hay and animal cut-outs all over the recording studio. In another incident Anderson had tiles installed in the studio to simulate the echo effect of one's vocals in a bathroom
.
Anderson last performed with Yes in 2004. A tour planned for summer 2008 with Anderson was cancelled when he suffered acute respiratory failure
. The band have since announced a tour without him and he has been replaced by Benoît David
, the lead vocalist in Yes tribute act Close to the Edge.
As of mid-2011, Anderson is collaborating with Rabin and Wakeman on a new Anderson-Wakeman-Rabin album, and likely some concerts in 2012. They're writing music, and Wakeman said he hopes the album is completed by the end of 2011. On tour, the group plans to perform Yes songs and new music. The group has unsuccessfully attempted to recruit Bruford to drum on the album.
, a vocal technique which artificially produces high, airy notes by using only the ligament
ous edges of the vocal cords; however, Jon Anderson does not sing falsetto. His normal singing (and speaking) voice is naturally above the tenor
range. In a 2008 interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
, Jon stated, "I'm an alto tenor and I can sing certain high notes, but I could never sing falsetto, so I go and hit them high." He is also noted for singing in his original Lancashire accent.
Anderson is also responsible for most of the mystically-themed lyrics
and concepts which are part of many Yes releases. These have occasionally alienated some members of the band (most notably Bruford and Rick Wakeman
), contributing to their leaving the group. The lyrics are frequently inspired by various books Anderson has enjoyed, from Tolstoy
's War and Peace
to Hermann Hesse
's Siddhartha
. A footnote in Paramahansa Yogananda
's Autobiography of a Yogi inspired an entire double album Tales from Topographic Oceans
(1973). Recurring themes include environmentalism, pacifism
and sun-worship.
album, on the track "Prince Rupert Awakes". The tune was outside the range of the group's then-vocalist, Gordon Haskell
. He also co-wrote the song "Pearly Gates", which appears on Iron Butterfly
's January 1975 album Scorching Beauty
. In September 1975 he appeared on the Vangelis
album Heaven and Hell
and in the following year released his first solo album Olias of Sunhillow
. In 1979 he composed the score for a ballet, Ursprung
which was part of a grouping of three dance works, collectively entitled Underground Rumours, commissioned and performed by The Scottish Ballet. The choreographer was Royston Maldoom
, the theatrical set and costume design
er was Graham Bowers, and the lighting designer
was David Hersey
. The principal dancer
s were Andrea Durant and Paul Russell
.
, followed in November by Jon's solo album Song of Seven and a major British tour with The New Life Band. In 1981 he appeared on Rick Wakeman's concept album
1984
. In 1982, he released Animation
and in 1983 he appeared on Mike Oldfield
's "In High Places" from the album Crises
as well as another song called "Shine". In the same year he also appeared with Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
. During this year, he tried to form a trio
with Rick Wakeman
and Keith Emerson
, but it did not come to fruition.
In 1984 Anderson appeared on the song "Cage Of Freedom" from the 1984 soundtrack for a re-release of the Fritz Lang
silent film
Metropolis
. In 1985 his song "This Time it Was Really Right" was featured on the soundtrack for the movie St. Elmo's Fire
. He also sang "Silver Train" and "Christie" on the film soundtrack Scream for Help
. Along with Tangerine Dream
, he appeared on the song "Loved by the Sun" for the 1985 film Legend
directed by Ridley Scott
. The 1986 film Biggles: Adventures in Time
features a song sung by Anderson. During this year, he recorded some demo tracks that would later be reworked. He and Vangelis also started writing and demo'ing new songs for another album. Though the album was not made, they performed live together on 6 November 1986.
The last three years of the eighties saw him singing (and briefly appearing in the music video) on "Moonlight Desires" on Gowan
's album Great Dirty World in 1987. He recorded the album In the City of Angels
and also sang on "Stop Loving You" on the Toto
album The Seventh One
in 1988, and in 1989 he recorded an album that would later be released as The Lost Tapes of Opio. He also sang on the song "Far, Far Cry" for the Jonathan Elias
album Requiem for the Americas.
Although the supporting world tour was a commercial and critical success, praised by fans and band as one of Yes' best ever, the album was not as well-received, resulting in sales figures equivalent to those of the ABWH album (750,000 copies worldwide). Union would turn out to be Yes' last studio album to have significant sales, though it didn't match the popularity of 1987's Big Generator. One of Unions singles, "Lift Me Up
", became Yes' biggest hit on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks chart, reaching the top spot and remaining there for six weeks in early 1991.
In 1992 Anderson appeared on Kitaro
's album Dream, adding both lyrics and vocals to three songs: "Lady of Dreams", "Island of Life" and "Agreement". He planned to release an Ancient America-influenced solo album called The Power of Silence in 1993, but it was not released due to issues with Geffen Records
. He also toured South America with a band that included his daughters, Deborah and Jade. He appeared on the song "Along The Amazon" which he co-wrote for guitarist Charlie Bisharat
's album of the same name. He also recorded an orchestral solo album called Change We Must in 1993; it was released the following year.
In 1994 Anderson released a solo album of Latino-influenced music called Deseo. There were plans to release a live album called The Best of South America, but it was not released due to management issues though some copies were already released by Yes Magazine. Anderson sang on the 7th Level
children's video game Tuneland
. Also, his son Damion released a single called Close 2 the Hype, which featured him and Jon on vocals. The next year he released a solo album called Angels Embrace and spoke of a plan to tour and record in China, but this idea was soon abandoned in favour of focusing on work with Yes. In 1996 The Power of Silence was released under the title Toltec. This release included sound effects that were not on the original recording. Jon also played a Mother's Day
concert in San Luis Obispo.
The year 1997 saw Anderson recording and releasing a Celtic
-influenced solo album called The Promise Ring, around the time he married Jane Luttenberger. During their honeymoon, Earthmotherearth was recorded and later released, followed in 1998 by an album called The More You Know that Jon and Jane recorded in Paris, France, with Francis Jocky
. Anderson appeared on the song "The Only Thing I Need" by act 4Him
in 1999; it was recorded for a multi-group album called "Streams". Steve Howe
's tribute
album Portraits of Bob Dylan
also featured a cover of the Bob Dylan song, "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands", with Jon's vocals. He also recorded with a band called The Fellowship.
worked on an album called True You, True Me. A tour was to commence in 2001, but due to Khoroshev's sexual assault charges during Yes's 2000 Masterworks Tour, the project was shelved. In 2002, Anderson started recording songs for a project called The Big If, which has not been released (as of 2010). In 2004 he appeared with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra
of Cleveland. The concert was recorded but only released to the orchestra members. He also recorded live on XM Satellite Radio
in Washington D.C. on 1 April. This show was released on a DVD called Tour of the Universe in 2005, which incorporated visual effects
. This release coincided with the release of Jon Anderson's single, "State of Independence".
Anderson's earlier albums Olias of Sunhillow and Song of Seven were re-issued in 2006. Animation was tardily released on CD to complaints about the professionalism of the sound. To some ears, a later pressing used a better master
, although the label "Voiceprint" denies any differences between the pressings. In Elven Lands, an album containing Jon's recordings with The Fellowship, was also released as were the first seven volumes of a box set called The Lost Tapes. Also in 2006, Anderson appeared with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra
(East Coast Troupe) during two 16 December shows in Philadelphia, PA
to play "Roundabout".
In 2007, Anderson contributed vocals to an album Culture of Ascent by American progressive rock
group Glass Hammer
; and appeared as part of a vocal ensemble on the track "Repentance" from the Dream Theater
album Systematic Chaos. During that year, Anderson also toured both the USA and England with The Paul Green School of Rock Music. Anderson's 1985 Christmas album 3 Ships
was also released on CD with bonus tracks.
The year 2008 saw an ambient album using Anderson's voice and bird song
called From Me to You added to The Lost Tapes. Anderson appeared on the song "Sadness of Flowing" which he co-wrote for Peter Machajdik
's album Namah and he made similar contributions to a re-mastering of Tommy Zvoncheck
's album "ZKG".
In 2009 Anderson played on a European tour called "Have Guitar, Will Travel". Later that year, his 1997 album EarthMotherEarth was re-released with bonus tracks. Rather than just have Jon Anderson's name, it was released under "Jon and Jane Anderson". In The City of Angels and Change We Must were also reprinted during this year.
began an autumn tour of the UK at the Cambridge Corn Exchange
, on 9 October. A sample of Anderson's vocals from Mike Oldfield
's "In High Places" is prominently featured in Kanye West
's 2010 album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in the opening track "Dark Fantasy."
Anderson releases a single track album entitled Open
, featuring orchestration by Stefan Podell.
(b. 1970), son Damion Anderson (b. 1972), and daughter Jade Anderson
(b. 1980). He married Jane Luttenberger in 1997.
Deborah Anderson
sang on her father's solo album Song of Seven, and more recently has sung for the French electronica
band Télépopmusik
on the album Angel Milk (released 2005); she also works as a photographer. Damion Anderson spoke the final lines in the Yes song "Circus of Heaven" which appeared on Tormato
, and is also a musician; he realise the EP Close To The Hype ("C2T Hype") in 1994 with his father (remixes). Jade Anderson
's birth is celebrated in her father's song "Animation" on the album of the same name, and she sang back-up vocals on many of his later albums. She has released a solo album in Japan.
In March 2009, after 25 years of living in the United States, Jon announced in a statement via his Facebook page that he had become an American citizen. The statement made no mention as to whether he had retained or renounced his UK citizenship.
in the 1960s and 70s, but now prides himself on a much healthier lifestyle. In the mid 70s, Anderson became a vegetarian, as did most members of Yes; however in a recent interview he stated, "I was a veggie for a while, but again I grew out of that. But I do eat very healthy." In an 16 August 2006 interview on The Howard Stern Show Jon said he eats meat, mostly fish, on occasion. In the interview, he also stated he had a spiritual adviser that "helped him see into the fourth dimension". To this day, before live performances, he often meditates in a tent with crystal
s and dreamcatcher
s, a practice he started in the 1980s. Anderson's religious belief
s are syncretic
and varied, including respect for the Divine Mother
Audrey Kitagawa. He has worked with the Contemporary Christian music
band 4HIM
: in 1999, his vocal was featured on the song "The Only Thing I Need", which appeared on a 'various artists' CD entitled Streams.
One of Anderson's passions is painting, and he uses his art as another channel for his creativity and self-expression. His artwork is available to view on his official website. He lived in France with Jennifer Baker at a farm in Saint-Paul de Vence for over five years from the very late 1970s, becoming friend of painters Marc Chagall
and André Verdet, nearest neighbours (inspiring some of his songs and musical themes). In 1990 he returned in France to record demos between Le Domaine de Miraval
still in Provence
at Le Val
and Paris, this time with ABWH for the perspective of an hypothetical second album.
On 13 May 2008, Anderson suffered a severe asthma
attack which required a stay in hospital. According to Yes' website, he was later "at home and resting comfortably." Yes' planned summer 2008 tour was subsequently cancelled, with the press release saying, "Jon Anderson was admitted to the hospital last month after suffering a severe asthma attack. He was diagnosed with acute respiratory failure and was told by doctors to rest and not work for a period of at least six months or suffer further health complications." In September 2008 Jon wrote that he's "so much better...so grateful and so blessed...I look forward to 2009 for the "Great Work" to come." In 2009 he returned to touring (solo) and continued touring in 2010 and the autumn of 2011, with Rick Wakeman
for a UK tour (2010) and the eastern US (2011).
(nb: LP Reason To Live (24 June 2008), from Jon Anderson, is just a strange homonymity)
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With Johnny Harris
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With King Crimson
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With Iron Butterfly
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With Vangelis
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With Alan White
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With Mike Oldfield
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With Rick Wakeman Album "1984" (released 1980):
On Movies:
With Tangerine Dream
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With Lawrence Gowan
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With Toto
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With Jonathan Elias
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With Kitaro
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With London Philharmonic Orchestra
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With Charlie Bisharat
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With 7th Level
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With Milton Nascimento
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With Steve Howe:
With Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
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With 4 Him:
With The Fellowship
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With Dream Theater
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With Tommy Zvoncheck:
With Peter Machajdik
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US singles chart (Billboard)
Jon Anderson online
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
. He is also an accomplished solo artist and has collaborated with artists such as the Greek musician Vangelis
Vangelis
Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou is a Greek composer of electronic, progressive, ambient, jazz, pop rock and orchestral music, under the artist name Vangelis...
, among others.
Early life and childhood
Jon Anderson was born John Roy Anderson in AccringtonAccrington
Accrington is a town in Lancashire, within the borough of Hyndburn. It lies about east of Blackburn, west of Burnley, north of Manchester city centre and is situated on the mostly culverted River Hyndburn...
, Lancashire, England, to Albert and Kathleen Anderson. His father was from Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
whilst his mother was of Irish ancestry. Anderson dropped the "h" from his first name in 1970.
Anderson attended St. John's Infants School in Baxenden
Baxenden
Baxenden is a village and ward located in the Borough of Hyndburn in Lancashire, North-West England. Baxenden is sometimes known to the locals as ‘Bash’.- History :...
, Accrington. There he made a tentative start to a musical career playing the washboard
Washboard
A washboard is a tool designed for hand washing clothing. With mechanized cleaning of clothing becoming more common by the end of the 20th century, the washboard has become better known for its originally subsidiary use as a musical instrument....
in "Little John's Skiffle
Skiffle
Skiffle is a type of popular music with jazz, blues, folk, roots and country influences, usually using homemade or improvised instruments. Originating as a term in the United States in the first half of the twentieth century, it became popular again in the UK in the 1950s, where it was mainly...
Group", which played songs by Lonnie Donegan
Lonnie Donegan
Anthony James "Lonnie" Donegan MBE was a skiffle musician, with more than 20 UK Top 30 hits to his name. He is known as the "King of Skiffle" and is often cited as a large influence on the generation of British musicians who became famous in the 1960s...
, among others. Anderson left school at the age of fifteen and went through a series of jobs including farm hand, lorry
Lorry
-Transport:* Lorry or truck, a large motor vehicle* Lorry, or a Mine car in USA: an open gondola with a tipping trough* Lorry , a horse-drawn low-loading trolley-In fiction:...
driver and milkman
Milkman
A milkman is a person, traditionally male, who delivers milk in milk bottles or cartons. Milk deliveries frequently occur in the morning and it is not uncommon for milkmen to deliver products other than milk such as eggs, cream, cheese, butter, yogurt or soft drinks...
. Anderson tried to pursue a football career at Accrington Stanley F.C.
Accrington Stanley F.C.
Accrington Stanley is an English association football club from Accrington in Lancashire, in the North West of England, who play in Football League Two, the fourth-highest division in the English football league system....
but five foot five inch Jon was turned down because of his frail constitution. He remains a fan of the club.
Early career
In 1962 Anderson joined The WarriorsThe Warriors (British band)
The Warriors, also known as The Electric Warriors, were a British rock'n'roll, Beatles-inspired band of the early 1960s. While the band recorded a few singles with Decca Records, it is mostly remembered because many of its members later became successful musicians in the British progressive rock...
(also known as The Electric Warriors), where he and his brother Tony shared the role of lead vocalist. He quit this band in 1967, released two solo singles in 1968 under the pseudonym Hans Christian, and then briefly sang for the bands The Gun
The Gun (band)
The Gun was a late 1960s British rock guitar trio who had a single British Top Ten hit, "Race With The Devil" and recorded two albums before disbanding...
and The Open Mind
The Open Mind
The Open Mind were a London-based psychedelic rock band active in the 1960s and 1970s.-Overview:The band was formed in the mid 1960s by four musicians from Putney, South London. Initially named The Apaches formed by Tim du Feu, Mike Brancaccio and Philip Fox and their friend Ray Nye. Nye left in...
. One of Anderson's first producers at EMI was songwriter Paul Korda
Paul Korda
Paul Korda is an English songwriter, singer, musician, and actor. He has been writing and performing music since the 1960s...
.
In March 1968 Anderson met bassist Chris Squire
Chris Squire
Christopher Russell Edward "Chris" Squire , is an English musician, known as the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock group Yes. He is the only member of the group to appear on every album.-Before Yes:...
and joined him in a group called Mabel Greer's Toyshop
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
, which had previously included guitarist Peter Banks
Peter Banks
Peter Banks is an English guitarist. He was the original guitarist of the progressive rock band Yes.-Early career:When Banks was a young boy, his father bought him an acoustic guitar...
. Anderson fronted this band but ended up leaving again before the summer was over. He remarks on his website that his time with the band consisted of "too many drugs, not enough fun!".
Yes
Anderson, Squire and Banks went on to form YesYes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
with drummer Bill Bruford
Bill Bruford
William Scott "Bill" Bruford is an English drummer, percussionist, composer, producer, and record label owner. He was the original drummer for the progressive rock group Yes, from 1968-1972. Bruford has performed for numerous popular acts since the early 1970s, including a stint as touring...
and keyboardist Tony Kaye
Tony Kaye (musician)
Tony Kaye is a British musician.Kaye was the original keyboard player for the progressive rock group Yes from 1968 to 1971, and rejoined Yes from 1983 to 1995...
. Their debut album was released in 1969. He stayed with the group until 1980. This is known as the classic period of Yes. Jon was a major creative force and band leader throughout this period. He has described himself as the 'team captain' and was nicknamed by his bandmates "Napoleon" for his diminutive stature and leadership of the band. He is also recognised as the main instigator of a series of epic works produced by Yes at the time. He played an indispensable role in creating such complex pieces as "Close to the Edge
Close to the Edge (song)
"Close to the Edge" is the title track to progressive rock band Yes's album of the same name. The song is over 18 minutes in length and takes up the entire first side of the album. It consists of four movements.- Movements :-I...
", "Awaken
Awaken (song)
Awaken is a song by the British progressive rock band Yes released on their acclaimed 1977 album Going for the One. At 15 minutes and 31 seconds it is the longest track on the album, occupying most of the second side of the LP....
" and especially "The Gates of Delirium
The Gates of Delirium
"The Gates of Delirium" is the first track on Yes’s 1974 album, Relayer. Based on Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace, the song begins with a prelude, which leads into a lengthy instrumental section representing the battle...
", in spite of his limited instrumental abilities.
90125
-Yes:*Jon Anderson – lead vocals*Tony Kaye – keyboards*Trevor Rabin – guitars, additional keyboards, backing vocals*Chris Squire – bass, backing vocals*Alan White – drums, percussion, backing vocals- Studio personnel :...
with newcomer Trevor Rabin
Trevor Rabin
Trevor Charles Rabin is a South African born musician, best known as a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the British progressive rock band Yes from 1983–1994, and since then, as a film composer.- Early years :...
. He departed again in 1988 over creative differences relating to the band's continued pursuit of major commercial success and mainstream
Mainstream
Mainstream is, generally, the common current thought of the majority. However, the mainstream is far from cohesive; rather the concept is often considered a cultural construct....
radio play. In 1989 Anderson and other former Yes members formed the group Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe (ABWH), augmented by bassist Tony Levin
Tony Levin
Tony Levin is an American progressive rock musician, specializing in bass guitar, Chapman stick and upright bass ....
, who had played with drummer Bill Bruford in King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
. After the successful first ABWH album, a series of business deals caused ABWH to reunite with the then-current members of Yes, who had been out of the public eye while searching for a new lead singer. The resulting eight-man band assumed the name Yes, and the album Union (1991) was assembled from various pieces of an in-progress second ABWH album, as well as recordings that the "Yes proper" band had been working on without Anderson. A successful tour followed, but the eight-man line-up of Yes never recorded a complete album together before splintering in 1992. Many more personnel changes followed, but Anderson stayed in the band until 2008. He appears on all Yes albums except for their 1980 album Drama
Drama (Yes album)
Drama is the tenth studio album by British progressive rock group Yes. It is the first of two Yes albums without vocalist Jon Anderson. In early 1980, after rehearsing music for the follow-up to the tepidly-received Tormato, both Anderson and Rick Wakeman departed the band over creative and...
, and their 2011 album Fly From Here
Fly from Here
-Reaction from Anderson:In an interview with Rolling Stone, Anderson stated that on hearing the single "We Can Fly" he felt it sounded "a bit dated" and that Horn's production "wasn't as good as I expected"...
.
Anderson was fond of experimenting within the band and in so doing contributed to occasionally conflicted relationships within the band and with management. He originally wanted to record the album Tales from Topographic Oceans
Tales from Topographic Oceans
-2003 CD re-issue:A remastered edition was released in 2003, which restored a two-minute ambient section at the beginning of the album's first song. This section was deleted at the last minute before the album was originally pressed...
in the middle of the woods, and instead decided to put hay and animal cut-outs all over the recording studio. In another incident Anderson had tiles installed in the studio to simulate the echo effect of one's vocals in a bathroom
Bathroom singing
Bathroom singing, also known as singing in the bathroom, singing in the bath, or singing in the shower is a widespread phenomenon....
.
Anderson last performed with Yes in 2004. A tour planned for summer 2008 with Anderson was cancelled when he suffered acute respiratory failure
Respiratory failure
The term respiratory failure, in medicine, is used to describe inadequate gas exchange by the respiratory system, with the result that arterial oxygen and/or carbon dioxide levels cannot be maintained within their normal ranges. A drop in blood oxygenation is known as hypoxemia; a rise in arterial...
. The band have since announced a tour without him and he has been replaced by Benoît David
Benoît David
Benoît David is a Canadian singer who is the lead vocalist of the English progressive rock band Yes and Canadian band Mystery. He was selected by Yes in 2008 to stand in for long-time vocalist Jon Anderson, who left the band due to ill health...
, the lead vocalist in Yes tribute act Close to the Edge.
As of mid-2011, Anderson is collaborating with Rabin and Wakeman on a new Anderson-Wakeman-Rabin album, and likely some concerts in 2012. They're writing music, and Wakeman said he hopes the album is completed by the end of 2011. On tour, the group plans to perform Yes songs and new music. The group has unsuccessfully attempted to recruit Bruford to drum on the album.
Vocal and lyrical style
It is a commonly-held misconception that Jon Anderson sings falsettoFalsetto
Falsetto is the vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octave. It is produced by the vibration of the ligamentous edges of the vocal folds, in whole or in part...
, a vocal technique which artificially produces high, airy notes by using only the ligament
Ligament
In anatomy, the term ligament is used to denote any of three types of structures. Most commonly, it refers to fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones and is also known as articular ligament, articular larua, fibrous ligament, or true ligament.Ligament can also refer to:* Peritoneal...
ous edges of the vocal cords; however, Jon Anderson does not sing falsetto. His normal singing (and speaking) voice is naturally above the tenor
Tenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
range. In a 2008 interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, also known simply as the "PG," is the largest daily newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.-Early history:...
, Jon stated, "I'm an alto tenor and I can sing certain high notes, but I could never sing falsetto, so I go and hit them high." He is also noted for singing in his original Lancashire accent.
Anderson is also responsible for most of the mystically-themed lyrics
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
and concepts which are part of many Yes releases. These have occasionally alienated some members of the band (most notably Bruford and Rick Wakeman
Rick Wakeman
Richard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
), contributing to their leaving the group. The lyrics are frequently inspired by various books Anderson has enjoyed, from Tolstoy
Leo Tolstoy
Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy was a Russian writer who primarily wrote novels and short stories. Later in life, he also wrote plays and essays. His two most famous works, the novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, are acknowledged as two of the greatest novels of all time and a pinnacle of realist...
's War and Peace
War and Peace
War and Peace is a novel by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, first published in 1869. The work is epic in scale and is regarded as one of the most important works of world literature...
to Hermann Hesse
Hermann Hesse
Hermann Hesse was a German-Swiss poet, novelist, and painter. In 1946, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature...
's Siddhartha
Siddhartha (novel)
Siddhartha is a novel by Hermann Hesse that deals with the spiritual journey of an Indian man named Siddhartha during the time of the Buddha.The book, Hesse's ninth novel , was written in German, in a simple, powerful, and lyrical style. It was published in the U.S. in 1951 and became influential...
. A footnote in Paramahansa Yogananda
Paramahansa Yogananda
Paramahansa Yogananda , born Mukunda Lal Ghosh , was an Indian yogi and guru who introduced many westerners to the teachings of meditation and Kriya Yoga through his book, Autobiography of a...
's Autobiography of a Yogi inspired an entire double album Tales from Topographic Oceans
Tales from Topographic Oceans
-2003 CD re-issue:A remastered edition was released in 2003, which restored a two-minute ambient section at the beginning of the album's first song. This section was deleted at the last minute before the album was originally pressed...
(1973). Recurring themes include environmentalism, pacifism
Pacifism
Pacifism is the opposition to war and violence. The term "pacifism" was coined by the French peace campaignerÉmile Arnaud and adopted by other peace activists at the tenth Universal Peace Congress inGlasgow in 1901.- Definition :...
and sun-worship.
1970s
In 1970 Anderson appeared as a featured guest singer on King Crimson's LizardLizard (album)
Lizard is the third album by the British band King Crimson, released in 1970. It was the second recorded by a transitional line-up of the group that never had the opportunity to perform live, following In the Wake of Poseidon...
album, on the track "Prince Rupert Awakes". The tune was outside the range of the group's then-vocalist, Gordon Haskell
Gordon Haskell
Gordon Haskell is a Pop, Rock & Blues music vocalist, songwriter, and bassist. He first gained recognition as a member of the British band Les Fleur de Lys. He sang on one of the songs of King Crimson's second album, then played bass and sang on their third album...
. He also co-wrote the song "Pearly Gates", which appears on Iron Butterfly
Iron Butterfly
Iron Butterfly is a US psychedelic rock band best known for the 1968 hit "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida".Their heyday was the late 1960s, but the band has been reincarnated with various members. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is the 31st best-selling album in the world, selling more than 25 million copies.-History:The...
's January 1975 album Scorching Beauty
Scorching Beauty
Scorching Beauty is the fifth album released by Iron Butterfly. Released four years after their original breakup, it was recorded by a reformed lineup with only one member remaining from their previous album. In addition to Bushy, this lineup includes Erik Brann, Phil Kramer, and Howard Reitzes....
. In September 1975 he appeared on the Vangelis
Vangelis
Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou is a Greek composer of electronic, progressive, ambient, jazz, pop rock and orchestral music, under the artist name Vangelis...
album Heaven and Hell
Heaven and Hell (Vangelis album)
Heaven and Hell, released in 1975, is the fifth solo album by Greek electronic composer and artist Vangelis. It got worldwide recognition through the use of "Movement 3" as the theme for the television documentary series Cosmos....
and in the following year released his first solo album Olias of Sunhillow
Olias of Sunhillow
Olias of Sunhillow is a progressive rock concept album by Jon Anderson, the lead singer of the band Yes. Released in 1976, it was his first solo album and the most successful of Yes band member solo efforts to that date, reaching No...
. In 1979 he composed the score for a ballet, Ursprung
Ursprung
Ursprung is a settlement in the municipality of Dunkelsteinerwald in Melk District, Lower Austria in northeastern Austria....
which was part of a grouping of three dance works, collectively entitled Underground Rumours, commissioned and performed by The Scottish Ballet. The choreographer was Royston Maldoom
Royston Maldoom
Royston Maldoom, OBE is a British choreographer whose works, including Adagietto and Ursprung, have been performed for various dance companies, such as The Jefferson Dancers and Dance Theatre of Harlem....
, the theatrical set and costume design
Costume design
Costume design is the fabrication of apparel for the overall appearance of a character or performer. This usually involves researching, designing and building the actual items from conception. Costumes may be for a theater or cinema performance but may not be limited to such...
er was Graham Bowers, and the lighting designer
Lighting designer
The role of the lighting designer within theatre is to work with the director, choreographer, set designer, costume designer, and sound designer to create an overall 'look' for the show in response to the text, while keeping in mind issues of visibility, safety and cost...
was David Hersey
David Hersey
David Hersey is a lighting designer who has designed the lighting for over 250 plays, musicals, operas, and ballets. His work has been seen in most corners of the globe and his many awards include the Tony Award for Best Lighting Design for Evita, Cats, and Les Misérables, the Drama Desk Award for...
. The principal dancer
Principal dancer
A principal dancer is a dancer at the highest rank within a professional dance company, particularly a ballet company....
s were Andrea Durant and Paul Russell
Paul Russell
Paul Russell may refer to:* Paul Russell , at the University of British Columbia* Rusty Russell , Australian Linux kernel hacker, whose real name is Paul Russell* Paul Russell , Major League Baseball player...
.
1980s
In early 1980, when Anderson and Wakeman left Yes, Anderson started recording again with Vangelis and by summer 1980 Jon & Vangelis had released Short StoriesShort Stories (Jon & Vangelis album)
Short Stories is the debut album by Jon and Vangelis, the collaborative effort between Jon Anderson of the prog rock band Yes and electronic music pioneer Evangelos Papathanassiou. Although this was not the first time that the two had worked together; Vangelis had auditioned to be Rick Wakeman's...
, followed in November by Jon's solo album Song of Seven and a major British tour with The New Life Band. In 1981 he appeared on Rick Wakeman's concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
1984
1984 (Rick Wakeman album)
-Personnel:* Rick Wakeman – keyboards* Steve Barnacle – Fender bass* Tim Stone – Guitar* Gary Barnacle – Selmer saxophone* Frank Ricotti – Ludwig drums* Vocals: Chaka Khan, Kenny Lynch, Steve Harley, Tim Rice, Jon Anderson-Equipment:...
. In 1982, he released Animation
Animation (album)
Animation is a 1982 album by progressive rock singer Jon Anderson . It is the third release in Anderson's solo discography....
and in 1983 he appeared on Mike Oldfield
Mike Oldfield
Michael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
's "In High Places" from the album Crises
Crises
Crises is the eighth record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1983. Oldfield's well known hit "Moonlight Shadow" appears on the album.- Album analysis :...
as well as another song called "Shine". In the same year he also appeared with Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones is a primarily instrumental group from the United States, that draws equally on bluegrass, fusion and jazz, sometimes dubbed "blu-bop". The band formed in 1988, initially to perform once on the PBS series Lonesome Pine Specials. The Flecktones have toured extensively...
. During this year, he tried to form a trio
Trio (music)
Trio is generally used in any of the following ways:* A group of three musicians playing the same or different musical instrument.* The performance of a piece of music by three people.* The contrasting section of a piece in ternary form...
with Rick Wakeman
Rick Wakeman
Richard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
and Keith Emerson
Keith Emerson
Keith Noel Emerson is an English keyboard player and composer. Formerly a member of the Keith Emerson Trio, John Brown's Bodies, The T-Bones, V.I.P.s, P.P. Arnold's backing band, and The Nice , he was a founder of Emerson, Lake & Palmer , one of the early supergroups, in 1970...
, but it did not come to fruition.
In 1984 Anderson appeared on the song "Cage Of Freedom" from the 1984 soundtrack for a re-release of the Fritz Lang
Fritz Lang
Friedrich Christian Anton "Fritz" Lang was an Austrian-American filmmaker, screenwriter, and occasional film producer and actor. One of the best known émigrés from Germany's school of Expressionism, he was dubbed the "Master of Darkness" by the British Film Institute...
silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
Metropolis
Metropolis (film)
Metropolis is a 1927 German expressionist film in the science-fiction genre directed by Fritz Lang. Produced in Germany during a stable period of the Weimar Republic, Metropolis is set in a futuristic urban dystopia and makes use of this context to explore the social crisis between workers and...
. In 1985 his song "This Time it Was Really Right" was featured on the soundtrack for the movie St. Elmo's Fire
St. Elmo's Fire (film)
St. Elmo's Fire is a 1985 American coming-of-age film directed by Joel Schumacher. The film, starring Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy and Mare Winningham, is a prominent movie of the Brat Pack genre, and revolves around a group of friends that have...
. He also sang "Silver Train" and "Christie" on the film soundtrack Scream for Help
Scream for Help (album)
2000 Compact disc editionSame track listing and order as the vinyl release.- Personnel :* John Paul Jones - Keyboards, synthesizer, bass guitar, guitars, backing vocals, producer* Jimmy Page - Electric guitars...
. Along with Tangerine Dream
Tangerine Dream
Tangerine Dream is a German electronic music group founded in 1967 by Edgar Froese. The band has undergone many personnel changes over the years, with Froese being the only continuous member...
, he appeared on the song "Loved by the Sun" for the 1985 film Legend
Legend (film)
Legend is a 1985 fantasy film released by Universal Pictures, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, and Tim Curry. Though not a very notable success when first released, it received a single Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup, and since its initial release, has developed...
directed by Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott
Sir Ridley Scott is an English film director and producer. His most famous films include The Duellists , Alien , Blade Runner , Legend , Thelma & Louise , G. I...
. The 1986 film Biggles: Adventures in Time
Biggles: Adventures in Time
Biggles: Adventures in Time is a 1986 adventure film based on the character of Biggles from the series of novels written by Captain W.E. Johns...
features a song sung by Anderson. During this year, he recorded some demo tracks that would later be reworked. He and Vangelis also started writing and demo'ing new songs for another album. Though the album was not made, they performed live together on 6 November 1986.
The last three years of the eighties saw him singing (and briefly appearing in the music video) on "Moonlight Desires" on Gowan
Lawrence Gowan
Lawrence Gowan is a Scottish-born Canadian musician. Gowan has been both a solo artist and the current keyboardist and vocalist of the band Styx. His musical style is usually classified in the category of progressive rock.-Career:...
's album Great Dirty World in 1987. He recorded the album In the City of Angels
In the City of Angels
In the City of Angels is a solo album by Jon Anderson of progressive rock band Yes.This album unlike most of Anderson's works in that he invited outside songwriters to write for him, rather than creating an album wholly of his own material...
and also sang on "Stop Loving You" on the Toto
Toto (band)
Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The group currently consists of Joseph Williams , David Paich , Steve Porcaro , Steve Lukather , Mike Porcaro , and Simon Phillips . Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard...
album The Seventh One
The Seventh One
The Seventh One is Toto's seventh studio album. It was released in 1988, and became the best-received Toto album since Toto IV. This is the second and last album to feature Joseph Williams on lead vocals. He was fired after the Seventh One world tour due to loss of voice attributed to drug abuse....
in 1988, and in 1989 he recorded an album that would later be released as The Lost Tapes of Opio. He also sang on the song "Far, Far Cry" for the Jonathan Elias
Jonathan Elias
Jonathan Elias is a U.S. composer and record producer, known for his movie soundtracks, production for several pop and rock acts, and his award-winning advertising music including the PBS logo instrumental from October 1, 1984 to October 1, 1989....
album Requiem for the Americas.
1990s
After Big Generator in 1987, Jon Anderson teamed up with ex-Yes members Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman and Bill Bruford. The result was Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, released in 1989 and supported by a successful tour. Because of the separate existence of Yes (part of the band's name still being owned by Anderson), this alternate incarnation were forced to use their surnames as the band's name (after Chris Squire threatened legal action). Meanwhile, Yes began composing and recording material for their follow-up, while Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe did the same, beginning production at Miraval Studios in the South of France in April 1990. Bowing to record company pressure to resurrect the Yes banner, Squire and Anderson came up with the idea of merging both projects, which resulted in the 1991 album Union.Although the supporting world tour was a commercial and critical success, praised by fans and band as one of Yes' best ever, the album was not as well-received, resulting in sales figures equivalent to those of the ABWH album (750,000 copies worldwide). Union would turn out to be Yes' last studio album to have significant sales, though it didn't match the popularity of 1987's Big Generator. One of Unions singles, "Lift Me Up
Lift Me Up (Yes song)
"Lift Me Up" is a song by the progressive rock band Yes. It was the first single released from their 1991 "reunion" album Union. It reached the number-one spot on Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in May 1991, and stayed at the top for six weeks...
", became Yes' biggest hit on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks chart, reaching the top spot and remaining there for six weeks in early 1991.
In 1992 Anderson appeared on Kitaro
Kitaro
, better known as , is an award winning Japanese musician, composer and multi-instrumentalist who is regarded as one of the pioneers of new age music.-Early life:...
's album Dream, adding both lyrics and vocals to three songs: "Lady of Dreams", "Island of Life" and "Agreement". He planned to release an Ancient America-influenced solo album called The Power of Silence in 1993, but it was not released due to issues with Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
. He also toured South America with a band that included his daughters, Deborah and Jade. He appeared on the song "Along The Amazon" which he co-wrote for guitarist Charlie Bisharat
Charlie Bisharat
Charlie Bisharat is a Grammy-winning violinistwho has extensively toured and/or recorded with numerous artists. He was a member of Shadowfax who won a Grammy in 1988 for Best New Age Performance for Folksongs for a Nuclear Village...
's album of the same name. He also recorded an orchestral solo album called Change We Must in 1993; it was released the following year.
In 1994 Anderson released a solo album of Latino-influenced music called Deseo. There were plans to release a live album called The Best of South America, but it was not released due to management issues though some copies were already released by Yes Magazine. Anderson sang on the 7th Level
7th Level
7th Level was a video games development company based in Dallas, Texas and founded in 1993. The company was most famous for developing the three Monty Python games , G-Nome — a MechWarrior-style game, for publishing Helicops — an anime-inspired arcade-style aerial combat game, and for Tracer — a...
children's video game Tuneland
Tuneland
Tuneland is a musical children's computer game, produced in 1993 by a division of 7th Level, Kids' World Entertainment. The cartoon video game follows the character Little Howie, who is voiced by the television personality Howie Mandel on an adventure around Old McDonald's Farm.Tuneland was...
. Also, his son Damion released a single called Close 2 the Hype, which featured him and Jon on vocals. The next year he released a solo album called Angels Embrace and spoke of a plan to tour and record in China, but this idea was soon abandoned in favour of focusing on work with Yes. In 1996 The Power of Silence was released under the title Toltec. This release included sound effects that were not on the original recording. Jon also played a Mother's Day
Mother's Day
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, yet most commonly in March, April, or May...
concert in San Luis Obispo.
The year 1997 saw Anderson recording and releasing a Celtic
Celtic music
Celtic music is a term utilised by artists, record companies, music stores and music magazines to describe a broad grouping of musical genres that evolved out of the folk musical traditions of the Celtic people of Western Europe...
-influenced solo album called The Promise Ring, around the time he married Jane Luttenberger. During their honeymoon, Earthmotherearth was recorded and later released, followed in 1998 by an album called The More You Know that Jon and Jane recorded in Paris, France, with Francis Jocky
Francis Jocky
Francis Jocky is a singer, songwriter and producer, born in Cameroon and moved to France at age of 15.He learned to play the guitar at age of 9 and by age 12 he played piano and started composing his first songs. After moving to France he received his PhD in International Relations from Sorbonne...
. Anderson appeared on the song "The Only Thing I Need" by act 4Him
4Him
4Him was a Contemporary Christian group founded in 1990 in Alabama, USA. The group has a Grammy nomination, seven Dove awards and an album certified gold to their credit. The group was inducted into Alabama's Music Hall of Fame, following the awarding of The Governor’s Achievement Award...
in 1999; it was recorded for a multi-group album called "Streams". Steve Howe
Steve Howe (guitarist)
Stephen James "Steve" Howe is an English guitarist, known for his work with the progressive rock group Yes...
's tribute
Tribute
A tribute is wealth, often in kind, that one party gives to another as a sign of respect or, as was often the case in historical contexts, of submission or allegiance. Various ancient states, which could be called suzerains, exacted tribute from areas they had conquered or threatened to conquer...
album Portraits of Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
also featured a cover of the Bob Dylan song, "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands", with Jon's vocals. He also recorded with a band called The Fellowship.
2000s
In 2000, Anderson and then Yes keyboardist Igor KhoroshevIgor Khoroshev
Igor Petrovich Khoroshev is a Russian keyboard player living in the USA, best known for his work with Yes between 1997 and 2001. Khoroshev appeared on their studio albums Open Your Eyes and The Ladder and the live album House of Yes: Live from House of Blues.-Biography:Igor Khoroshev was born in...
worked on an album called True You, True Me. A tour was to commence in 2001, but due to Khoroshev's sexual assault charges during Yes's 2000 Masterworks Tour, the project was shelved. In 2002, Anderson started recording songs for a project called The Big If, which has not been released (as of 2010). In 2004 he appeared with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra
Contemporary Youth Orchestra
Founded in 1995, the award winning Contemporary Youth Orchestra is the first and only youth orchestra in the country dedicated to the study and performance of contemporary orchestral literature...
of Cleveland. The concert was recorded but only released to the orchestra members. He also recorded live on XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio is one of two satellite radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM Radio. It provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to cable television. Its service includes 73 different music channels, 39 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, 21 regional...
in Washington D.C. on 1 April. This show was released on a DVD called Tour of the Universe in 2005, which incorporated visual effects
Visual effects
Visual effects are the various processes by which imagery is created and/or manipulated outside the context of a live action shoot. Visual effects involve the integration of live-action footage and generated imagery to create environments which look realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or...
. This release coincided with the release of Jon Anderson's single, "State of Independence".
Master recording
A multitrack recording master tape, disk or computer files on which productions are developed for later mixing, is known as the multi-track master, while the tape, disk or computer files holding a mix is called a mixed master.It is standard practice to make a copy of a master recording, known as...
, although the label "Voiceprint" denies any differences between the pressings. In Elven Lands, an album containing Jon's recordings with The Fellowship, was also released as were the first seven volumes of a box set called The Lost Tapes. Also in 2006, Anderson appeared with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra is an American progressive metal band founded in 1993 by producer, composer, and lyricist Paul O'Neill, who brought together Jon Oliva and Al Pitrelli and keyboardist and co-producer Robert Kinkel to form the core of the creative team. Since then, TSO sold nearly 8...
(East Coast Troupe) during two 16 December shows in Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
to play "Roundabout".
In 2007, Anderson contributed vocals to an album Culture of Ascent by American progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
group Glass Hammer
Glass Hammer
Glass Hammer is a progressive rock band from Chattanooga, Tennessee. They formed in 1992 when multi-instrumentalists Steve Babb and Fred Schendel began to write and record Journey of the Dunadan, a concept album based on the story of Aragorn from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings...
; and appeared as part of a vocal ensemble on the track "Repentance" from the Dream Theater
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
album Systematic Chaos. During that year, Anderson also toured both the USA and England with The Paul Green School of Rock Music. Anderson's 1985 Christmas album 3 Ships
3 Ships
So, are the three ships some mystical reference to three lengthy footnotes in a topographic poem? Has the musically complex mind of Mr. Anderson come up with another new concept which we shall struggle to get inside of to understand the real message of?...
was also released on CD with bonus tracks.
The year 2008 saw an ambient album using Anderson's voice and bird song
Bird song
Bird vocalization includes both bird calls and bird songs. In non-technical use, bird songs are the bird sounds that are melodious to the human ear. In ornithology and birding, songs are distinguished by function from calls.-Definition:The distinction between songs and calls is based upon...
called From Me to You added to The Lost Tapes. Anderson appeared on the song "Sadness of Flowing" which he co-wrote for Peter Machajdik
Peter Machajdik
Peter Machajdík is a contemporary Slovak composer and sound artist. He grew up in Bratislava, Slovakia and lives in Berlin, Germany....
's album Namah and he made similar contributions to a re-mastering of Tommy Zvoncheck
Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult, often abbreviated BÖC, is an American rock band, most of whose members first came together in Long Island, NY in 1967 as the band Soft White Underbelly...
's album "ZKG".
In 2009 Anderson played on a European tour called "Have Guitar, Will Travel". Later that year, his 1997 album EarthMotherEarth was re-released with bonus tracks. Rather than just have Jon Anderson's name, it was released under "Jon and Jane Anderson". In The City of Angels and Change We Must were also reprinted during this year.
2010
Anderson played a series of shows in Canada and the United States in 2010. He and Rick WakemanRick Wakeman
Richard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
began an autumn tour of the UK at the Cambridge Corn Exchange
Cambridge Corn Exchange
The Cambridge Corn Exchange is a concert venue in Cambridge, England. It is also used as an examination hall for students at Cambridge University.-Building the venue:...
, on 9 October. A sample of Anderson's vocals from Mike Oldfield
Mike Oldfield
Michael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
's "In High Places" is prominently featured in Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
's 2010 album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in the opening track "Dark Fantasy."
2011
Anderson played a memorable rendition of Owner of a Lonely Heart with the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio (YOSA) Philharmonic of San Antonio.Anderson releases a single track album entitled Open
Open
- Philosophy :* Openness, term being used to define the basis of how various groups and organizations operate- Mathematics :* Open problem, a well-defined problem with no known solution in science and mathematics...
, featuring orchestration by Stefan Podell.
Family
Jon Anderson married Jennifer Baker in 1970, and they divorced in 1995. They have three children: daughter Deborah AndersonDeborah Anderson
-Family and early life:Deborah Anderson is the daughter of singer Jon Anderson and Jennifer, and sister to singer Jade Anderson. On the 1983 Jon & Vangelis album Private Collection, Jon wrote the lyrics and sang "Deborah", a song dedicated to his daughter...
(b. 1970), son Damion Anderson (b. 1972), and daughter Jade Anderson
Jade Anderson
Jade Anderson born May 26th 1981 is a singer/songwriter, currently living in Los Angeles.Youngest daughter of singer Jon Anderson and Jennifer, Jade Anderson's earliest musical work is on projects with her father, including appearances on his solo albums 3 Ships , Change We Must , Angels Embrace ,...
(b. 1980). He married Jane Luttenberger in 1997.
Deborah Anderson
Deborah Anderson
-Family and early life:Deborah Anderson is the daughter of singer Jon Anderson and Jennifer, and sister to singer Jade Anderson. On the 1983 Jon & Vangelis album Private Collection, Jon wrote the lyrics and sang "Deborah", a song dedicated to his daughter...
sang on her father's solo album Song of Seven, and more recently has sung for the French electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
band Télépopmusik
Télépopmusik
Télépopmusik is a French electronic music trio, composed of Fabrice Dumont , Stephan Haeri , and Christophe Hetier....
on the album Angel Milk (released 2005); she also works as a photographer. Damion Anderson spoke the final lines in the Yes song "Circus of Heaven" which appeared on Tormato
Tormato
Tormato is the ninth studio album by British progressive rock group Yes. Issued as the follow-up to 1977's acclaimed Going for the One, Tormato received less than charitable reviews upon release and its virtues are still a matter of debate for Yes fans and critics...
, and is also a musician; he realise the EP Close To The Hype ("C2T Hype") in 1994 with his father (remixes). Jade Anderson
Jade Anderson
Jade Anderson born May 26th 1981 is a singer/songwriter, currently living in Los Angeles.Youngest daughter of singer Jon Anderson and Jennifer, Jade Anderson's earliest musical work is on projects with her father, including appearances on his solo albums 3 Ships , Change We Must , Angels Embrace ,...
's birth is celebrated in her father's song "Animation" on the album of the same name, and she sang back-up vocals on many of his later albums. She has released a solo album in Japan.
In March 2009, after 25 years of living in the United States, Jon announced in a statement via his Facebook page that he had become an American citizen. The statement made no mention as to whether he had retained or renounced his UK citizenship.
Health and spirituality
Anderson was a smokerTobacco smoking
Tobacco smoking is the practice where tobacco is burned and the resulting smoke is inhaled. The practice may have begun as early as 5000–3000 BCE. Tobacco was introduced to Eurasia in the late 16th century where it followed common trade routes...
in the 1960s and 70s, but now prides himself on a much healthier lifestyle. In the mid 70s, Anderson became a vegetarian, as did most members of Yes; however in a recent interview he stated, "I was a veggie for a while, but again I grew out of that. But I do eat very healthy." In an 16 August 2006 interview on The Howard Stern Show Jon said he eats meat, mostly fish, on occasion. In the interview, he also stated he had a spiritual adviser that "helped him see into the fourth dimension". To this day, before live performances, he often meditates in a tent with crystal
Crystal gazing
Crystal-gazing is a form of divination or scrying achieved through trance induction by means of gazing at a crystal....
s and dreamcatcher
Dreamcatcher
Dreamcatcher is a Native American cultural object.Dreamcatcher may also refer to:-Entertainment:* Dreamcatcher , a 2001 novel by Stephen King** Dreamcatcher , based on the Stephen King novel...
s, a practice he started in the 1980s. Anderson's religious belief
Religious belief
Religious belief is a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny. Such a state may relate to the existence, characteristics and worship of a deity or deities, divine intervention in the universe and human life, or values and practices centered on the teachings of a...
s are syncretic
Syncretism
Syncretism is the combining of different beliefs, often while melding practices of various schools of thought. The term means "combining", but see below for the origin of the word...
and varied, including respect for the Divine Mother
Divine Mother
Divine Mother or Mother Divine may refer to*Adi parashakti, a goddess of Hindu Mythology*Blessed Virgin Mary, of Roman Catholicism religion*Father Divine, an American religious leader active in the 1930s, and either of his wives:** Edna Rose Ritchings...
Audrey Kitagawa. He has worked with the Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
band 4HIM
4Him
4Him was a Contemporary Christian group founded in 1990 in Alabama, USA. The group has a Grammy nomination, seven Dove awards and an album certified gold to their credit. The group was inducted into Alabama's Music Hall of Fame, following the awarding of The Governor’s Achievement Award...
: in 1999, his vocal was featured on the song "The Only Thing I Need", which appeared on a 'various artists' CD entitled Streams.
One of Anderson's passions is painting, and he uses his art as another channel for his creativity and self-expression. His artwork is available to view on his official website. He lived in France with Jennifer Baker at a farm in Saint-Paul de Vence for over five years from the very late 1970s, becoming friend of painters Marc Chagall
Marc Chagall
Marc Chagall Art critic Robert Hughes referred to Chagall as "the quintessential Jewish artist of the twentieth century."According to art historian Michael J...
and André Verdet, nearest neighbours (inspiring some of his songs and musical themes). In 1990 he returned in France to record demos between Le Domaine de Miraval
Studio Miraval
Studio Miraval is a recording studio in Le Val in southern France, situated in the heart of the department of Var near the French Riviera. Many famous musicians have recorded there, including Rammstein, Sade, AC/DC, and Shirley Bassey. It is a residential studio, much like Château d'Hérouville,...
still in Provence
Provence
Provence ; Provençal: Provença in classical norm or Prouvènço in Mistralian norm) is a region of south eastern France on the Mediterranean adjacent to Italy. It is part of the administrative région of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur...
at Le Val
Le Val
Le Val is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.-References:*...
and Paris, this time with ABWH for the perspective of an hypothetical second album.
On 13 May 2008, Anderson suffered a severe asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
attack which required a stay in hospital. According to Yes' website, he was later "at home and resting comfortably." Yes' planned summer 2008 tour was subsequently cancelled, with the press release saying, "Jon Anderson was admitted to the hospital last month after suffering a severe asthma attack. He was diagnosed with acute respiratory failure and was told by doctors to rest and not work for a period of at least six months or suffer further health complications." In September 2008 Jon wrote that he's "so much better...so grateful and so blessed...I look forward to 2009 for the "Great Work" to come." In 2009 he returned to touring (solo) and continued touring in 2010 and the autumn of 2011, with Rick Wakeman
Rick Wakeman
Richard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
for a UK tour (2010) and the eastern US (2011).
Studio albums
- Olias of SunhillowOlias of SunhillowOlias of Sunhillow is a progressive rock concept album by Jon Anderson, the lead singer of the band Yes. Released in 1976, it was his first solo album and the most successful of Yes band member solo efforts to that date, reaching No...
(1976) - Song of SevenSong of SevenSong of Seven is the second solo album from Yes singer Jon Anderson, and his first to utilize an actual band . It was released during his first hiatus from Yes and supported by his first solo tour...
(1980) - AnimationAnimation (album)Animation is a 1982 album by progressive rock singer Jon Anderson . It is the third release in Anderson's solo discography....
(1982) (re-released on CD in 2006) - 3 Ships3 ShipsSo, are the three ships some mystical reference to three lengthy footnotes in a topographic poem? Has the musically complex mind of Mr. Anderson come up with another new concept which we shall struggle to get inside of to understand the real message of?...
(1985) (re-released on CD in 2007, packed with additional bonus tracks) - In the City of AngelsIn the City of AngelsIn the City of Angels is a solo album by Jon Anderson of progressive rock band Yes.This album unlike most of Anderson's works in that he invited outside songwriters to write for him, rather than creating an album wholly of his own material...
(1988) - DeseoDeseoDeseo is a solo album by Jon Anderson of progressive rock band Yes.-Track listing:#Amor Real 04:17#A-DE-O 03:19#Bridges 03:32#Seasons 03:34#Floresta 03:04#Cafe 03:19#This Child 02:14#Danca Do Ouro 04:29#Midnight Dancing 03:50...
(1994) - Change We MustChange We MustChange We Must is an album by Jon Anderson, released in 1994. The album contains new material and orchestral arrangements of songs from Anderson's past.-Track listing:...
(1994) - Angels EmbraceAngels EmbraceAngels Embrace is a solo album by Jon Anderson, formerly of progressive rock band Yes.-Track listing:# "Myo Maya" 0:50# "New Fire Land" 14:44# "Angels Embrace" 6:40# "Cloudsinging" 5:37# "Prayersong" 4:47# "Naturemusic" 11:44...
(1995) - Lost Tapes of OpioLost Tapes of OpioToltec is a solo album by Jon Anderson of progressive rock band Yes.-About the album:Lost Tapes of Opio was originally a cassette-only release in 1996 of material recorded in the late 1980s and early 1990s...
(1996) (album recorded in 1989/90, first issued in 1996 through Jon Anderson's Opio Foundation and re-released on CD as part of The Lost Tapes 20 CD Box-Set) - ToltecToltec (album)Toltec is a solo studio album released in 1996 by Jon Anderson, formerly of progressive rock band Yes.-About the album:A promo album was released by Geffen called The Power of Silence in 1992. A full release never appeared, but Toltec is essentially the same music, with added narration.The 1996...
(1996) - The Promise Ring (1997)
- Earth Mother Earth (1997)
- The More You Know (1998)
- Survival & Other StoriesSurvival & Other StoriesSurvival & Other Stories is a solo studio album released in 2010 by Jon Anderson, formerly of progressive rock band Yes. Anderson openly invited on his Web site anyone to send mp3 samples as a basis for collaboration. Much of this material led to the content of Survival & Other Stories...
(2010) - OpenOpen (Jon Anderson album)Open is an album released in 2011 by Jon Anderson, formerly of progressive rock band Yes.-About the album:Anderson began work on this album in the spring of 2010, when he began to lay down its foundation on his 19th Century guitar. From the start he knew that it would become a long form musical...
(2011)
(nb: LP Reason To Live (24 June 2008), from Jon Anderson, is just a strange homonymity)
Collection
- The Lost Tapes (20 CD Box-Set) (2006–2007) (live performances, unreleased demo albums...)
- Interview (2006) (JAVPBX01CD)
- The Mother's Day Concert (2006) (demos) (JAVPBX02CD)
- Searching For Songs (2006) (demos) (JAVPBX03CD)
- Live In Sheffield 1980 (2006) (JAVPBX04CD)
- Watching The Flags That Fly (2006) (JAVPBX05CD) (Jon Anderson's personal demos, worked on in the south of France in 1990, for the never-officially released second ABWH studio album)
- The Lost Tapes Of Opio (2007) (JAVPBX06CD)
- From Me To You (2008) (with birds songs) (JAVPBX07CD)
Singles
- Flight of the Moorglade / To the Runner (1976)
- Some Are Born / Days (1980)
- Take Your Time / Heart Of The Matter (1980)
- Surrender / Spider (1982)
- All In A Matter Of Time / Spider (1982)
- Cage Of Freedom (1984)
- Easier Said Than Done / Day of Days (1985)
- Easier Said Than Done / Three Ships (1985)
- Easier Said Than Done / Three Ships / Oh Holy Night (1985)
- How it Hits You / Day of Days (1985)
- Hold On To Love / Sundancing (1988)
- Hold On To Love / In a Lifetime / Sundancing (1988)
- Is it Me / Top of the World / For You (1988)
- Island of Life / Lady of Dreams (1992)
- Change We Must / State of Independence (1994)
With Yes
- Yes (1969)
- Time and a WordTime and a WordTime and a Word is the second album by progressive rock band Yes, released in mid-1970 in the UK and November 1970 in the US. This was the last Yes album to feature the group's original line-up, as Peter Banks was fired before the album's release....
(1970) - The Yes AlbumThe Yes AlbumThe Yes Album is the third studio album from the English progressive rock band Yes, released on Atlantic Records. It is the last record to feature keyboardist Tony Kaye until 1983, and the first to feature guitarist Steve Howe, who replaced Peter Banks in 1970...
(1971) - FragileFragile (Yes album)Fragile is the fourth studio album from the English progressive rock band Yes, released on Atlantic Records. It is the first to feature keyboardist Rick Wakeman, who replaced Tony Kaye in 1971, and the first to feature cover art by Roger Dean, who would design many of the band's records.Upon its...
(1971) - Close to the Edge (1972)
- Tales from Topographic OceansTales from Topographic Oceans-2003 CD re-issue:A remastered edition was released in 2003, which restored a two-minute ambient section at the beginning of the album's first song. This section was deleted at the last minute before the album was originally pressed...
(1973) - RelayerRelayer-Personnel:*Jon Anderson – lead vocals*Steve Howe – acoustic and electric guitars, vocals*Patrick Moraz – keyboards*Chris Squire – bass guitar and vocals*Alan White – drums, percussion-Production:*Produced By Yes & Eddie Offord...
(1974) - Going for the OneGoing for the OneGoing for the One is the eighth studio album from the English progressive rock band Yes, released in 1977 on Atlantic Records. It was produced after an extended break for solo activity from the group, and marks the return of keyboardist Rick Wakeman, who had departed in 1974 after the Tales from...
(1977) - TormatoTormatoTormato is the ninth studio album by British progressive rock group Yes. Issued as the follow-up to 1977's acclaimed Going for the One, Tormato received less than charitable reviews upon release and its virtues are still a matter of debate for Yes fans and critics...
(1978) - 9012590125-Yes:*Jon Anderson – lead vocals*Tony Kaye – keyboards*Trevor Rabin – guitars, additional keyboards, backing vocals*Chris Squire – bass, backing vocals*Alan White – drums, percussion, backing vocals- Studio personnel :...
(1983) - Big GeneratorBig GeneratorBig Generator is the twelfth studio album by progressive rock band Yes. It was released in 1987 on Atlantic Records' Atco subsidiary label and was the follow-up to the massively successful 90125 album.- History :...
(1987) - Union (1991)
- Talk (1994)
- Keys to AscensionKeys to AscensionKeys to Ascension is a double album by the British progressive rock group Yes and was released in 1996. The last time Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman and Alan White had worked together on officially released studio recordings was 1978's Tormato...
(1996) (studio & live double album) - Keys to Ascension 2Keys to Ascension 2Keys to Ascension 2 is a double album by the British progressive rock group Yes and was released in 1997. It is the successor to the critically acclaimed Keys to Ascension 2-CD set from 1996...
(1997) (studio & live double album) - Open Your EyesOpen Your Eyes (Yes album)Open Your Eyes is the seventeenth studio album by progressive rock band Yes, released in 1997. The follow-up to the twin projects Keys to Ascension and Keys to Ascension 2, Open Your Eyes marked Billy Sherwood becoming an official member of Yes, following Rick Wakeman's departure.-History:Sherwood...
(1997) - The LadderThe Ladder* "Top Pop Albums 1955-2001", Joel Whitburn, c. 2002...
(1999) - MagnificationMagnification (album)Magnification is the nineteenth studio album by progressive rock band Yes, released in 2001. It was the band's first album of the new century, and their second with a full orchestra...
(2001)
As Jon and Vangelis
- Heaven and HellHeaven and Hell-Literature:* Heaven and Hell , a book by Allan Kardec* Heaven and Hell , a book by Aldous Huxley, sequel to The Doors of Perception* Heaven and Hell , a 1987 novel by John Jakes...
(1975) (vocals, on the only song So Long Ago, So Clear) - Short StoriesShort Stories (Jon & Vangelis album)Short Stories is the debut album by Jon and Vangelis, the collaborative effort between Jon Anderson of the prog rock band Yes and electronic music pioneer Evangelos Papathanassiou. Although this was not the first time that the two had worked together; Vangelis had auditioned to be Rick Wakeman's...
(1980) - The Friends of Mr. CairoThe Friends of Mr. CairoThe Friends of Mr Cairo is the second album by Jon and Vangelis.There are two editions of this album, with different sleeves. Both versions were released in 1981 within a few weeks of each other. The title track, "The Friends Of Mr Cairo", peaked at #1 for 5 consecutive weeks on the Canadian...
(1981) - Private Collection (1983)
- The Best of Jon & Vangelis (1984)
- Page of LifePage of LifePage of Life is the fourth studio album by Jon and Vangelis. It was released in 1991 by Higher Octave, and is, as of 2011, their last studio collaboration as a duo...
(1991) - ChroniclesChronicles (Jon & Vangelis album)-Track listing:# I Hear You Now # He Is Sailing # Thunder # Beside # Birdsong # Play Within a Play # And When the Night Comes # Deborah # Curious Electric # Friends of Mr...
(1994) - Page Of Life (1998) – alternate version not approved by Vangelis
As Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe
- Anderson Bruford Wakeman HoweAnderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (album)Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe is the self-titled album by four alumni of the progressive rock group Yes: Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman, and Steve Howe.- History :The project began in 1988...
(1989) - An Evening of Yes Music PlusAn Evening of Yes Music PlusAn Evening of Yes Music Plus is a live album by the English progressive rock side project Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe . Released on October 12, 1993, it was recorded at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California on September 9, 1989....
(1993) (double live album)
Collaborations
With The WarriorsThe Warriors (British band)
The Warriors, also known as The Electric Warriors, were a British rock'n'roll, Beatles-inspired band of the early 1960s. While the band recorded a few singles with Decca Records, it is mostly remembered because many of its members later became successful musicians in the British progressive rock...
:
- "You Came Along" b/w "Don't Make Me Blue" (1964)
- "Bolton Club 65" (1965)
With Johnny Harris
Johnny Harris (musician)
Johnny Harris is a Scottish born composer, producer, arranger, conductor and musical director. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland; and a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music in London. He has lived in the US since 1972...
:
- "All To Bring You Morning" (1969; 1973 + Howe et White)
With King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
:
- LizardLizard (album)Lizard is the third album by the British band King Crimson, released in 1970. It was the second recorded by a transitional line-up of the group that never had the opportunity to perform live, following In the Wake of Poseidon...
(1970)
With Iron Butterfly
Iron Butterfly
Iron Butterfly is a US psychedelic rock band best known for the 1968 hit "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida".Their heyday was the late 1960s, but the band has been reincarnated with various members. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is the 31st best-selling album in the world, selling more than 25 million copies.-History:The...
:
- Scorching BeautyScorching BeautyScorching Beauty is the fifth album released by Iron Butterfly. Released four years after their original breakup, it was recorded by a reformed lineup with only one member remaining from their previous album. In addition to Bushy, this lineup includes Erik Brann, Phil Kramer, and Howard Reitzes....
(1974) on track: "Pearly Gates"
With Vangelis
Vangelis
Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou is a Greek composer of electronic, progressive, ambient, jazz, pop rock and orchestral music, under the artist name Vangelis...
:
- Heaven and HellHeaven and Hell (Vangelis album)Heaven and Hell, released in 1975, is the fifth solo album by Greek electronic composer and artist Vangelis. It got worldwide recognition through the use of "Movement 3" as the theme for the television documentary series Cosmos....
(1975) – Vangelis album with Anderson vocals on "So Long Ago, So Clear" - Opéra SauvageOpera SauvageOpéra sauvage is a 1979 album, by Greek composer and artist Vangelis, of the score for the nature documentary by the same title by French filmmaker Frédéric Rossif. The album sleeve design is by Vangelis himself....
(1979) – Vangelis album with Anderson playing harpHarpThe harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings...
on "Flamants Roses" - See You LaterSee You LaterSee You Later is a 1980 album by the Greek artist Vangelis. It breaks quite violently with the style he had employed in the late 1970s, relying much more on vocals and being more experimental and returning to his early 1970s work....
(1980) on "Suffocation" and "See You Later"
With Alan White
Alan White (Yes drummer)
Alan White is an English rock drummer known for his work with the progressive rock band Yes. White was also a member of the Plastic Ono Band, playing live in 1969 at the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival, which was recorded and released three months later as Live Peace in Toronto 1969...
:
- on the Album "RamshackledRamshackledRamshackled is the debut solo album by Alan White, drummer for British progressive rock band Yes. It was released in 1975 on Atlantic Records, during a period when all five of the Yes band members released solo albums.-About the album:White had worked with Pete Kirtley and Kenny Craddock in the...
" (1976) on track: "Spring Song Of Innocence"
With Mike Oldfield
Mike Oldfield
Michael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
:
- "In High Places"In High Places (song)"In High Places" is a single by musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1987 . "In High Places" is from the album Crises, "Poison Arrows" is from Discovery and "Jungle Gardenia" is a non-album track....
on the album CrisesCrisesCrises is the eighth record album by Mike Oldfield, released in 1983. Oldfield's well known hit "Moonlight Shadow" appears on the album.- Album analysis :...
(1983) - "Shine" (1986), as well as different and extended Remix of "Shine"
With Rick Wakeman Album "1984" (released 1980):
- on track "The Hymn"
On Movies:
- Soundtrack – Metropolis (1984 – with Giorgio MoroderGiorgio MoroderHansjörg "Giorgio" Moroder is an Italian record producer, songwriter and performer based in Los Angeles. When in Munich in the 1970s, he started his own record label called Oasis Records, which several years later became a subdivision of Casablanca Records...
):- "Cage Of Freedom"
- Soundtrack – Scream For Help (1985 – with John Paul JonesJohn Paul Jones (musician)John Paul Jones is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, arranger and record producer. Best known as the bassist, mandolinist, and keyboardist for English rock band Led Zeppelin, Jones has since developed a solo career and has gained even more respect as both a musician and a...
):- "Silver Train"
- "Christie"
- Soundtrack – St. Elmo’s Fire (1985):
- "This Time It Was Really Right"
- Soundtrack – Biggles (1986):
- "Do You Want To Be A Hero"
- "Chocks Away"
With Tangerine Dream
Tangerine Dream
Tangerine Dream is a German electronic music group founded in 1967 by Edgar Froese. The band has undergone many personnel changes over the years, with Froese being the only continuous member...
:
- Loved By The Sun LegendLegend (Tangerine Dream soundtrack)-Personnel:* Edgar Froese* Christopher Franke* Johannes Schmoelling* Bryan Ferry— "Is Your Love Strong Enough?"* Jon Anderson— vocal version of "Loved by the Sun"...
movie (1986)
With Lawrence Gowan
Lawrence Gowan
Lawrence Gowan is a Scottish-born Canadian musician. Gowan has been both a solo artist and the current keyboardist and vocalist of the band Styx. His musical style is usually classified in the category of progressive rock.-Career:...
:
- Moonlight Desires (1987)
With Toto
Toto (band)
Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The group currently consists of Joseph Williams , David Paich , Steve Porcaro , Steve Lukather , Mike Porcaro , and Simon Phillips . Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard...
:
- Backing vocals on the single version of Stop Loving YouStop Loving YouStop Loving you is a song from the rock band Toto from their album The Seventh One. Initially recorded by Joseph Williams and, during choruses, Jon Anderson on backing vocals, it was passed on to Tony Spinner in 2002. As a single, it peaked at no. 2 on the Dutch charts and no...
(1988) – This was the same year Toto members contributed to Anderson's City of Angels.
With Jonathan Elias
Jonathan Elias
Jonathan Elias is a U.S. composer and record producer, known for his movie soundtracks, production for several pop and rock acts, and his award-winning advertising music including the PBS logo instrumental from October 1, 1984 to October 1, 1989....
:
- Requiem for the Americas: Songs from the Lost World (1990) (first song Within The Lost World (lead vocals), and Far Far Cry (10th and 12th (single) songs)
With Kitaro
Kitaro
, better known as , is an award winning Japanese musician, composer and multi-instrumentalist who is regarded as one of the pioneers of new age music.-Early life:...
:
- on the album: "Dreams" on the tracks: "Lady Of Dreams", "Agreement", "Dream Of Chant", "Island Of Life" (1992)
With London Philharmonic Orchestra
London Philharmonic Orchestra
The London Philharmonic Orchestra , based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom, and is based in the Royal Festival Hall. In addition, the LPO is the main resident orchestra of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera...
:
- Symphonic Music of YesSymphonic Music of YesSymphonic Music of Yes was a 1993 orchestral album covering songs of the progressive rock band Yes. The arrangements were by Dee Palmer . Playing on the album were two then-former Yes members, guitarist Steve Howe and drummer Bill Bruford...
(1993)
With Charlie Bisharat
Charlie Bisharat
Charlie Bisharat is a Grammy-winning violinistwho has extensively toured and/or recorded with numerous artists. He was a member of Shadowfax who won a Grammy in 1988 for Best New Age Performance for Folksongs for a Nuclear Village...
:
- Along the Amazon (1993)
With 7th Level
7th Level
7th Level was a video games development company based in Dallas, Texas and founded in 1993. The company was most famous for developing the three Monty Python games , G-Nome — a MechWarrior-style game, for publishing Helicops — an anime-inspired arcade-style aerial combat game, and for Tracer — a...
:
- TunelandTunelandTuneland is a musical children's computer game, produced in 1993 by a division of 7th Level, Kids' World Entertainment. The cartoon video game follows the character Little Howie, who is voiced by the television personality Howie Mandel on an adventure around Old McDonald's Farm.Tuneland was...
(1994)
With Milton Nascimento
Milton Nascimento
-Biography:Nascimento's mother was the maid Maria Nascimento. As a baby, Milton Nascimento was adopted by his mother's former employers: the couple Josino Brito Campos, a banker employee, mathematics teacher and electronic technician; and Lília Silva Campos, a music teacher and choir singer...
:
- Angelus (1994)
With Steve Howe:
- Album: "Portraits Of Bob Dylan", on the track "Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands" (1999)
With Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones is a primarily instrumental group from the United States, that draws equally on bluegrass, fusion and jazz, sometimes dubbed "blu-bop". The band formed in 1988, initially to perform once on the PBS series Lonesome Pine Specials. The Flecktones have toured extensively...
:
- "A Moment So Close" and "Aimun", on Outbound (2000)
With 4 Him:
- sing the chorusRefrainA refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
of the song "The Only Thing I Need", on the "Streams" various artists album first released on Word Records "Dove Awards Album" (2002)
With The Fellowship
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Fellowship of the Ring is the first of three volumes of the epic novel The Lord of the Rings by the English author J. R. R. Tolkien. It takes place in the fictional universe Middle-earth. It was originally published on July 29, 1954 in the United Kingdom...
:
- In Elven Lands (2006)
With Dream Theater
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
:
- Systematic ChaosSystematic ChaosSystematic Chaos is the ninth studio album by American progressive metal band Dream Theater. Released on June 4, 2007 in the United Kingdom and June 5, 2007 in the United States, Systematic Chaos was the band's first release through Roadrunner Records, which was sold to their previous label...
(2007)
With Tommy Zvoncheck:
- ZKG (2008)
With Peter Machajdik
Peter Machajdik
Peter Machajdík is a contemporary Slovak composer and sound artist. He grew up in Bratislava, Slovakia and lives in Berlin, Germany....
:
- NamahNamahNAMAH is the title of a CD of music by composer Peter Machajdik.CD © 2008 SF 00542131 [Limited Edition]1. She Will Be Picked by Herself...
(2008)
Solo recordings chart positions
US album chart (Billboard)| Year | Album | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Olias Of Sunhillow | Pop Albums | 47 |
| 1981 | Song of Seven | Pop Albums | 143 |
| 1982 | Animation | Pop Albums | 176 |
| 1985 | 3 Ships | The Billboard 200 | 166 |
| 1994 | Change We Must | Top Classical Crossover | 8 |
| 1997 | The Promise Ring | Top World Music Albums | 15 |
US singles chart (Billboard)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | "Some Are Born" | Billboard Hot 100 | 109 |
| 1982 | "Olympia" | Mainstream Rock | 59 |
| 1984 | "Cage of Freedom" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 17 |
| 1986 | "Easier Said Than Done" | Adult Contemporary | 38 |
Music videos
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | "Easier Said Than Done" | ??? |
| 1988 | "Hold On To Love" | ??? |
| 1997 | "O'er" | ??? |