Benoit David, who replaced the legendary Jon Anderson in Yes, will be replaced. But, this time, the band says the change is only temporary.
Yes has already been forced to scuttle the final leg of their on-going European tour in December, as the ailing David recovers. Posting on the band’s official Facebook page, he will not be available for a string of April shows kicking off in New Zealand and Australia, either.
So, in steps another Anderson sound-alike: Jon Davison of Glass Hammer — who has called Yes his “favorite group and greatest musical influence” on his prog-rock band’s Web site. Davison is also a former member of Sky Cries Mary, a Seattle-based psychedelic rock outfit.
[HERE’S A JON DAVISON/YES SAGA UPDATE!: Now that Glass Hammer’s Jon Davison has taken over as lead singer with Yes, will he stay? It’s hard to say.]
“To avoid disappointing their fans on the forthcoming Australian leg of their world tour, they have found a replacement singer,” Yes’ Facebook posting says. “Jon Davison will join Yes as lead vocalist for the upcoming dates in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Indonesia and Hawaii. Yes really appreciate Jon Davison joining them for this leg of the tour and are sure this arrangement will satisfy all Yes fans.”
Yes keyboardist Geoff Downes confirmed the move on Monday night, via Twitter, as he extended “a very warm welcome to new lead vocalist Jon Davison, joining Yes on tour this spring.”
David has fronted Yes since 2008, a period that has included the long-awaited studio release Fly From Here, as well as a live project. No word on when he will return. David replaced co-founding vocalist Jon Anderson, who had himself suffered a series of ailments before the band announced it would continue without him.
Here’s a look back at our recent thoughts on Yes. Click through the titles for complete reviews …
YES – FLY FROM HERE: This album is, in many ways, better than it has any right to be. The band even attempts something it hadn’t in decades — a multi-part thematic suite, and to great effect. As always, bassist Chris Squire and drummer Alan White are compact and versatile, expertly facilitating complicated journeys like “Fly From Here Part III: Madman at the Screens,” which switches back and forth from a crunchy stomp to soaring ambiance. And the new singer acquits himself well.
[SOMETHING ELSE! INTERVIEW: Alan White talks about starting over with new vocalist Benoit David, his initial dates with Yes, and favorite moments from working with David Torn, Tony Levin and John Lennon.]
YES – IN THE PRESENT: LIVE FROM LYON: There was at least one benefit to the departure of Jon Anderson from Yes in 2008: The presence of new lead singer Benoit David immediately opened the door for a rewrite of what had become a very rote setlist. David handles things as well as can be expected on the big Anderson-sung hits here — and that’s really all Chris Squire and Co. were looking for, I suppose. You get a broader sense of what he brings to Yes as it stands today, however, on a churning, metallic fever dream like “Machine Messiah.”
SOMETHING ELSE! FEATURED ARTIST: YES: We dig back into deep cuts and favorites from Fragile, Relayer, Drama, and 90125 — including “South Side of the Sky,” highlighted by “Chris Squire’s gurgling bassline. Listen closely: Bill Bruford is also mesmerizing behind the drums. It seems simple but it gathers steam as the song wears on, packing in more twists and turns than seems necessary and yet seems perfectly sensible. Rick Wakeman compliments all of this with organ and, in the breakdown, a beautifully elegant piano line. On top of it all, Jon Anderson’s airy vocals narrate a polar expedition gone tragically wrong.”
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