Yes members Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman have reformed as ARW.
This definitive lineup – comprised of vocalist Anderson, guitarist Rabin and keyboardist Wakeman – have not performed together since 1990 when they did the Yes ‘Union Tour’.
However, after a 25-year hiatus they will embark on a UK reunion tour under the name ARW – taken from the first initial of each of their surnames – kicking off on March 12 at Cardiff Arena and wrapping up at Manchester Apollo on March 25.
Speaking about the reunion, Anderson, 71, said: "To be able to sing and perform with Rick and Trevor at this time in my life is a treasure beyond words. I’m so excited to create new music and revisit some of the classic work we created many years ago, it’s going to be a musical adventure on so many new levels."
Wakeman says it is his "dream come true" to have Anderson back on vocals.
He said: "Trevor and I have wanted to play Yes music together since the ‘Union Tour’. And as for so many of us, there is no Yes music without Jon [Anderson]. The ‘Holy Trinity of Yes’ is for me, very much a dream come true."
And Rabin agreed, adding: "After 18 years of immersing myself in film scoring, I couldn’t be happier to be going out on tour with Jon and Rick. After we worked together for the first time on the ‘Union Tour’ in the 90’s, we were determined to play together again. It’s a dream to be going out with Jon and Rick after so many years. We are all completely dedicated to this project."
Meanwhile, the trio are busy in the studio working on new songs, which will be ready in time for their live debut in North America in October and November followed by the ‘Rest of the World Tour’ in 2017.
Yes was co-founded by Jon Anderson and the late Chris Squire – who sadly passed away from a rare form of leukaemia in June 2015 –
in 1968 and featured several musicians including Steve Howe, Alan White, Geoff Downes, Billy Sherwood and Jon Davison.
Yes’ 2017 UK tour dates:
March 12, Cardiff Arena
March 13, Birmingham Symphony Hall
March 15, Brighton Dome
March 16, Bournemouth International Centre
March 19, London Hammersmith Apollo
March 21, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
March 22, Edinburgh Usher Hall
March 24, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
March 25, Manchester Apollo