Jon Anderson will perform with Yes at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
The former frontman of the progressive rock band hasn’t performed with the group since May 2008 when their 40th anniversary ‘Close to the Edge and Back Tour’ was abruptly cancelled after Jon suffered an asthma attack and was later diagnosed with acute respiratory failure.
The remaining members of the ‘Owner of a Lonely Heart’ hitmakers then reportedly grew tired of waiting for Jon to return to the band, and in September of that year they announced he had been replaced by Benoît David.
Now, the 72-year-old rocker has confirmed the band are to let bygones be bygones as they are set to reunite to perform together when they are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 7.
Jon will join current members Steve Howe and Alan White, as well as Yes alumni Rick Wakeman, Tony Kaye and Bill Bruford, to accept the band’s trophies and also perform.
Speaking about his performance with the band, Jon said: "We’re definitely connected. It’s a family. There’s always animosity. People that you love you don’t always like, and there’s always going to be that. But when you’re celebrating who you truly are, you forget about all that and just get on with meeting each other and seeing each other, and it’s just one of those things. It’s not a problem; We’ll just get together and have fun. Music is a healing force on every level."
Jon also spoke about the passing of founding Yes member Chris Squire, who died in 2015 after suffering from leukemia. He will be represented at the ceremony by his widow, Scotland.
He said of his former band mate: "He always believed that we should have been in the Hall of Fame. It wasn’t high on my agenda. ‘It happens when it happens’ was my mantra. But we know Chris will be there in spirit, in energy. I loved the guy very much. Without him I wouldn’t be here, that’s for sure. And I can’t believe it’s nearly 50 years ago when me and Chris started the band. You think you’re gonna be together two, three years maybe, if you’re lucky, and here we are. Yes’ music is still surviving."
And the star also hinted that Rush’s Geddy Lee – who is set to appear at the ceremony to give the induction speech – would be filling in for the late bassist for their performance of ‘Roundabout’, however the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation later released a statement claiming this is not the case.
They said via Billboard magazine: "Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson were only confirmed to do the induction speech for one of their favourite bands and not perform. They, like all the other Yes fans, look forward to honouring them and watching them perform at the induction ceremony on April 7 and the HBO broadcast on April 29."
Jon Anderson to perform with Yes
