Jon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the
progressive rockProgressive 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
YesYes 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
VangelisEvangelos 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 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
ScotlandScotland 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
BaxendenBaxenden 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
washboardA 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
SkiffleSkiffle 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 DoneganAnthony 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-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
milkmanA 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 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, 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 GunThe 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 MindThe 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 KordaPaul 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 SquireChristopher 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 ToyshopYes 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 BanksPeter 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 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 BrufordWilliam 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 KayeTony 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" 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...
", "
AwakenAwaken 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" 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.
He rejoined a reformed Yes in 1983 which produced their most commercially successful album
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 RabinTrevor 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
mainstreamMainstream 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 LevinTony 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 CrimsonKing 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
DramaDrama 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-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-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 bathroomBathroom 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 failureThe 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 DavidBenoît 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 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
ligamentIn 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
tenorThe 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-GazetteThe 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
lyricsLyrics 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 WakemanRichard 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
TolstoyLev 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 PeaceWar 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 HesseHermann Hesse was a German-Swiss poet, novelist, and painter. In 1946, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature...
's
SiddharthaSiddhartha 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 YoganandaParamahansa 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-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,
pacifismPacifism 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 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 HaskellGordon 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 ButterflyIron 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 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....
. In September 1975 he appeared on the
VangelisEvangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou is a Greek composer of electronic, progressive, ambient, jazz, pop rock and orchestral music, under the artist name Vangelis...
album
Heaven and HellHeaven 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 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...
. In 1979 he composed the score for a ballet,
UrsprungUrsprung 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 MaldoomRoyston 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 designCostume 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 designerThe 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 HerseyDavid 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 dancerA principal dancer is a dancer at the highest rank within a professional dance company, particularly a ballet company....
s were Andrea Durant and
Paul RussellPaul 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 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 albumIn 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-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
AnimationAnimation 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 OldfieldMichael 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
CrisesCrises 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 FlecktonesBéla 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
trioTrio 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 WakemanRichard 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 EmersonKeith 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 LangFriedrich 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 filmA 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...
MetropolisMetropolis 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 FireSt. 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 Help2000 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 DreamTangerine 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
LegendLegend 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 ScottSir 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 TimeBiggles: 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
GowanLawrence 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 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...
and also sang on "Stop Loving You" on the
TotoToto 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 OneThe 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 EliasJonathan 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" 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, 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 RecordsGeffen 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 BisharatCharlie 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 Level7th 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
TunelandTuneland 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 DayMother'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
CelticCeltic 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 JockyFrancis 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
4Him4Him 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 HoweStephen James "Steve" Howe is an English guitarist, known for his work with the progressive rock group Yes...
's
tributeA 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 DylanBob 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 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 OrchestraFounded 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 RadioXM 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 effectsVisual 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".
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
masterA 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 OrchestraTrans-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,
PAThe 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 rockProgressive 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 HammerGlass 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 TheaterDream 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 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?...
was also released on CD with bonus tracks.
The year 2008 saw an ambient album using Anderson's voice and
bird songBird 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 MachajdikPeter 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 ZvoncheckBlue 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 WakemanRichard 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 ExchangeThe 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 OldfieldMichael 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 WestKanye 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- 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 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 AndersonJade 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-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
electronicaElectronica 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
TélépopmusikTélépopmusik 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
TormatoTormato 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 AndersonJade 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 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
crystalCrystal-gazing is a form of divination or scrying achieved through trance induction by means of gazing at a crystal....
s and
dreamcatcherDreamcatcher 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 beliefReligious 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
syncreticSyncretism 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 MotherDivine 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 musicContemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
band
4HIM4Him 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 ChagallMarc 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 MiravalStudio 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
ProvenceProvence ; 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 ValLe 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
asthmaAsthma 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 WakemanRichard 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 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...
(1976)
- Song of Seven
Song 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)
- Animation
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 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?...
(1985) (re-released on CD in 2007, packed with additional bonus tracks)
- 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...
(1988)
- Deseo
Deseo 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 Must
Change 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 Embrace
Angels 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 Opio
Toltec 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)
- Toltec
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 Stories
Survival & 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)
- Open
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 Word
Time 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 Album
The 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)
- Fragile
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 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)
- Relayer
-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 One
Going 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)
- 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...
(1978)
- 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 :...
(1983)
- Big Generator
Big 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 Ascension
Keys 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 2
Keys 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 Eyes
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 Ladder
* "Top Pop Albums 1955-2001", Joel Whitburn, c. 2002...
(1999)
- Magnification
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 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 Stories
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. Cairo
The 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 Life
Page 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)
- Chronicles
-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 Howe
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 Plus
An 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, 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 HarrisJohnny 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 CrimsonKing 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...
:
- Lizard
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 ButterflyIron 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 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....
(1974) on track: "Pearly Gates"
With
VangelisEvangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou is a Greek composer of electronic, progressive, ambient, jazz, pop rock and orchestral music, under the artist name Vangelis...
:
- Heaven and Hell
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 Sauvage
Opéra 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 harpThe 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 Later
See 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 WhiteAlan 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 "Ramshackled
Ramshackled 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 OldfieldMichael 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" 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 CrisesCrises 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 Movies:
- Soundtrack – Metropolis (1984 – with Giorgio Moroder
Hansjörg "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...
):
- Soundtrack – Scream For Help (1985 – with John Paul Jones
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 DreamTangerine 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 Legend
-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 GowanLawrence 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:...
:
With
TotoToto 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 You
Stop 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 EliasJonathan 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, 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 OrchestraThe 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 Yes
Symphonic 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 BisharatCharlie 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...
:
With
7th Level7th 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...
:
- 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...
(1994)
With
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...
:
With Steve Howe:
- Album: "Portraits Of Bob Dylan", on the track "Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands" (1999)
With
Béla Fleck and the FlecktonesBéla 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 chorus
A 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 FellowshipThe 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...
:
With
Dream TheaterDream 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 Chaos
Systematic 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:
With
Peter MachajdikPeter Machajdík is a contemporary Slovak composer and sound artist. He grew up in Bratislava, Slovakia and lives in Berlin, Germany....
:
- Namah
NAMAH 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" |
??? |