Yes was formed in 1968 by vocalist Jon Anderson and bassist Chris Squire.  Anderson and Squire were both involved in other bands at the time, and they used the connections that come from that to recruit additional members for Yes.  The band had its first performance opportunity at East Merseas Youth Camp in London.

Yes

I love what we've done and what we've achieved musically. So it's a great feeling to get to a state of mind where you realize that what you've done is being listened to by young people as well as the fans that still love the music.

The Beginning

Yes was formed in 1968 by vocalist Jon Anderson and bassist Chris Squire.  Anderson and Squire were both involved in other bands at the time, and they used the connections that come from that to recruit additional members for Yes.  The band had its first performance opportunity at East Merseas Youth Camp in London.  Soon after, and possibly more significantly, they began a tour with Cream.  Yes continued to find venues and interested parties where they could take the opportunity to perform.

The work paid off.  By the time they released their first recording, Yes, was released.  While the album did not make any huge leaps at the US or Canadian record charts, it did drum up a following, on which the band can build as time goes on.  The second album, Time and a Word, was recorded with a 30-piece orchestra.  The band received the publicity it needed, when the album received a favorable review in the Rolling Stone.

Success

From 1970 to 1994, Yes released seven albums, each of them climbing up the charts as albums, and with singles released from the albums.  Among these, was Yessongs, a three disc set consisting of live recordings taken during their tours.  The band was amassing a following, receiving great reviews from area critics.

The band toured extensively through 1975 and 1976 to promote the Relayer album.  Upon the  return, the chose to split up for  certain amount of time, allowing everyone to work on solo or endeavors or spend time with their families.

Continuing to Make the Grade

Yes reconvened in late 1976 to start work on the album, Going for the One, closely followed by Tomato.  However, the band began to experience unrest, then upheaval.  Band members were walking out and roster changes were being made.  When the dust cleared, Trevor Horn was the new lead vocalist and Geoffrey Downes was the new keyboardist.  The two had been the Buggles, made famous by their single, Video Killed the Radio Star.

As time went on, Yes continued to release albums to various degrees of reception from fans.  When the 1980s were in full swing, with MTV and all the trappings that came with the time period, Yes found that they must find a way to adjust to the changes in music and what fans want in order to stay alive.  The album, 90125, did exactly that.  Singles such Owner of a Lonely Heart appealed to the masses, and the video was eye catching and memorable.  Over the next twenty years, Yes would continue to perform, record, and make roster change throughout the next twenty years, but overall, Yes would remain intact.

Did you know . . .

1. 1980s hit Owner of a Lonely Heart was #1 on the pop charts, but it also showed up on the R&B and disco charts.

2. Yes is currently back together and touring Europe.  There have been rumors that a new album is in the works.

3. The 1999 tour resulted in live dvd being shot in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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