(Which Yes? Julie Devereaux)
Yes plans to bring its 50th anniversary to its hometown in a big way next spring.
The recently inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame troupe has announced a weekend of special events as part of a fan convention to accompany its performances on May 24 and 25 in London, where Yes has formed during 1968. Among the festivities will include an exhibition and sale of iconic Yes artwork by Roger Dean as well as a Q&A with the artist, a raffle for charity, a display of Yes memorabilia and performances by Yes tribute bands.
Yes will also be releasing a new version of its 2011 album Fly From Here, replacing former singer David Benoit‘s vocals with Trevor Horn‘s for a “reunion” of the same lineup that made 1980’s Drama; Horn also produced the original Fly From Here album. Yes is also hosting its next Cruise To The Edge early next year and will be touring North America during the summer.
And, guitarist Steve Howe tells us, there may be new Yes music on the way, too:
“We’ve got an interim period where we’re going to be fairly secretive about what we’re up to. Maybe we’re building up repertoire for a future project, but we can’t say. But certainly by June and July we’ll be out wanting to explore as much as we can a very vivid 50th anniversary celebration of Yes music, and we’ve got ideas.”
Gary Graff is an award-winning music journalist who not only covers music but has written books on Bob Seger, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen.