Jon Anderson’s lengthy tenure fronting Yes gives him a unique perspective on many of the performers who’ve passed through its ranks — in particular the group’s two best-known guitarists. In fact, he’s the connective element between the largely discreet tenures of Steve Howe and Trevor Rabin.
Steve Howe and Anderson collaborated on 11 different Yes studio projects, beginning with seven in the 1970s (beginning with 1971’s The Yes Album and continuing through 1978’s Tormato) and another five between 1996’s Keys to Ascension and 2001’s Magnification. That included shared credits on some of Yes’ most memorable individual songs, as well — including “Starship Trooper,” “Awaken” and others.
“Steve Howe is truly an extraordinary guitar player,” Anderson tells Kiss 102. 1 FM, “and we were very, very close in the ’70s — very close. We wrote some beautiful songs together. ‘Close to the Edge,’ ‘And You and I,’ all of these great songs. We wrote together like brothers. He had classical training, so when I worked with him, it opened my eyes and my ears.”
Jon Anderson’s time with Rabin happened in between Howe’s stints with Yes, over a four-album period from 1983’s smash 90125 and 1994’s Talk. (In fact, Anderson only chance to play with both Trevor Rabin and Steve Howe on the same stage came during the early-1990s tour in support of Union.) His relationship with Rabin relationship didn’t get off to the best start, however, since Anderson arrived very late into sessions for their initial album together. Still, by the time they completed their collaborative years, Anderson and Rabin had hit it off.
They worked together on Yes’ charttopping “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” “City of Love,” “Shoot High Aim Low,” “Rhythm of Love” and “State of Play,” among others. There have even been discussions, more recently, of writing and recording together again. “Trevor Rabin was more like a very powerful, modernistic guitar player,” Jon Anderson adds. “He’s become my very good friend.”
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