JON ANDERSON and THE BAND GEEKS Announce First Two Legs of 2024 North American “YES EPICS, CLASSICS, AND MORE” Tour

Following the overwhelming success of their 2023 tour, Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks today announce the first 22 shows of the 2024 “YES Epics, Classics, and More” tour. The tour begins on May 30th at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, NJ.  Like the 2023 tour, the set list will contain numerous YES songs from all stages of the band’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame career that feature Jon as their lead vocalist and songwriter. The tour also promises the introduction of new material created by Jon and The Band Geeks.

Jon and the Band Geeks are currently putting the finishing touches on a brand new nine track cd set for release in late summer with a first single and video targeted for release in late June. Tour dates below

 

Tour dates:
5/30/2024 - Thursday - New Brunswick, NJ - State Theatre
6/1/2024 - Saturday - Englewood, NJ - Bergen PAC
6/3/2024 - Monday - Rochester, NY - Kodak Center Theatre
6/6/2024 - Thursday - Albany, NY - Hart Theatre
6/8/2024 - Saturday - Hammondsport, NY - Point of The Bluff Concert Pavilion
6/13/2024 - Thursday - Chicago, IL - Copernicus
6/15/2024 - Saturday - St. Louis, MO
6/18/2024 - Tuesday - Greensburg, PA - Palace Theater
6/20/2024 - Thursday - Hershey, PA - Hershey Theatre
6/22/2024 - Saturday - Concord, NH - Capitol Center for the Arts
6/25/2024 - Tuesday - Boston, MA - Shubert Theatre
6/27/2024 - Thursday - Ridgefield, CT - Ridgefield Playhouse
7/21/2024 - Sunday - Patchogue, NY - Great South Bay Music Festival
7/24/2024 - Wednesday - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium*
7/27/2024 - Saturday - Peachtree City, GA - Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheatre
7/30/2024 - Tuesday - Camdenton, MO - Ozarks Amphitheater*
8/2/2024 - Friday - Bonner Springs, KS - Azura Amphitheater*
8/4/2024 - Sunday - La Vista, NE - The Astro Outdoors*
8/7/2024 - Wednesday - Waite Park, MN - The Ledge Amphitheater*
8/10/2024 - Saturday - Denver, CO - Paramount
8/14/2024 - Wednesday - Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theatre
8/16/2024 - Friday - Thousand Oaks, CA - Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center
*w/Special Guests The Return of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

For more information:
Jon Anderson’s official website: www.JonAnderson.com
Band Geek official website: https://richiecastellano.com/bandgeek/

Jon Anderson YES Epics and Classics:
Website -  http://jonandersonyesepicsandclassics.com/

Facebook -JonAnderson YES Epics & Classics - https://www.facebook.com/jonandersonyesepicsandclassics/

Twitter -  @JonYesEpic
Instagram - @jonandersonyesepicsandclassics
TikTok - @JonAndersonYESEpic
YouTube -  Jon Anderson YES Epics & Classics - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIvSkw_3SAs1Yy2Ro68GzLw

YES Keyboard Legend Tony Kaye Celebrates the Anniversary of His First Solo Album 'End Of Innocence'

Twelve months on from the release of this hauntingly beautiful album, another event is changing our world.

The music is poignant for another host of reasons, showing that Kaye, writing from the heart, speaks for us all when words just cannot express the emotions we all feel when tragedy strikes.

An album 20 years in the making, the first solo work from former YES member Tony Kaye.

Conceived to commemorate the events and the journey that followed the world changing moments of 9/11, End Of Innocence is designed to be listened to in its entirety and to take us on a journey.

Featuring Dani Torchia who Kaye met in the wake of 9/11 has written and performed on the album. Tony Kaye retired from Yes in 1996, and came out of retirement the week following the events of 9/11 and began to write this album, the power of music helped Tony to process the day that became the End Of Innocence.

The album takes you on a journey from the peace of the night before, to the emerging hopeful looking to the future. This album has been interwoven with the growth of their relationship. Today the album throws light and solace following the death of Queen Elizabeth, which changes the landscape of the world for every person whose lives she touched in her 70 year Reign.

The artwork is painted by Roger Dean, the artist best known for his work with YES and Asia. It was created after Roger had heard the music and the images reflect the journey the music takes.

“On the 21st Anniversary of 911, a reminder to our leaders to stay vigilant. NEVER FORGET!” - Tony Kaye

Tony Kaye, Spirit of Unicorn Music and Cherry Red Records are donating 10% of all profits from End of Innocence to https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/ The charity supports veterans, defenders and first responders in times of hardship.

About Tony Kaye
Tony Kaye is best known as the original keyboard player with prog legends YES, his Hammond organ giving their groundbreaking The YES Album its most distinctive sound within the YES catalogue. Following his departure from YES in 1971 Kaye was involved with a number of other bands including David Bowie, Badger, Flash and Badfinger before returning to YES for their greatest commercial success 90125 in 1983. Kaye remained with YES for several albums and tours before retiring from the music business in 1996. Following the re-awakening of his musical inspiration in 2001, Kaye accepted an invitation from current YES bassist Billy Sherwood to work on projects which led to the formation of CIRCA, in 2007, and has yielded four albums to date.

Order Tony Kaye End of Innocence here                                                                                                                     yesworld.com

 

 

YES Original Founding Guitarist Peter Banks Showcased in Two Separate Compilations – The Best of Empire and The Best of Harmony in Diversity. OUT NOW!

Two very different aspects to the career accomplishments of original YES guitarist Peter Banks are being celebrated in the release of two separate compilations. Peter Banks passed away in 2013 but his repertoire has been carefully curated so it can be appreciated for generations to come.

 

 

 

The Best of Empire

Peter Banks co-founded Empire with co-writer and lead vocalist, Sydney Foxx, and the band recorded three albums of material in the 1970s, however, it all remained unreleased until the 1990s.

This hard-to-find material was collected together into a 3 disc set, The Complete Recordings in 2017, and The Best of Empire draws on that material. These recordings showcase Peter in a rock band setting and include their best-known song, “Sky at Night”.

Empire was very much a collaborative band between Banks and Foxx and this compilation was overseen by Foxx who recalls, “Working with Peter was a wonderful experience. Although he was the 'leader of the band' and the 'producer', he allowed me total freedom to write the melodies and lyrics that I wanted to. We never had any disagreements about the music we worked on. We split everything 50/50 and got on with it. He was inspiring, fun, and always creative. Never running out of ideas! I enjoyed the long rehearsals getting everything perfect, and our many 'all night' mixing sessions in the studio. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him. And so proud of the work we did together.”

The Best of Empire is available on CD here: https://geni.us/BestEmpCD

Empire’s The Complete Recordings 3 CD set is still available here: https://geni.us/PBME1

The Best of Harmony in Diversity

Peter Banks co-founded Harmony in Diversity in 2004 with the band also featuring Andrew Booker and Nick Cottam. The musical style of this trio significantly differed from Empire with a repertoire of improvised instrumentals.

The music of Harmony in Diversity was collected together into a 6 disc set, also called The Complete Recordings, so this compilation gives fans a selective taster.

Andrew Booker said, “This is a terrific selection of HiD pieces that pushed the needle uppermost on our 'ooooh, I really like that bit' detectors. It’s a surprisingly multi-directional mixture too, from bare-faced live improvisations, to the highly structured latter-day arrangements, with some oddball fun here and there, and Peter’s sublime and searing guitar coursing through the whole lot.”

Nick Cottam added, "It is great that the eclectic elements of HiD will now be available on a more easily digestible one CD format."

The Best of Harmony in Diversity is available on CD here: https://geni.us/BestHiDCD

Harmony in Diversity’s The Complete Recordings 6 CD set is still available here: https://geni.us/PBME4

 

YES Keyboard Legend Tony Kaye To Release Solo Album “End Of Innocence” - Out September 10, 2021

Keyboard legend Tony Kaye announces the release of his debut solo album “End Of Innocence,” on 10th September 2021 on Spirit Of Unicorn Music (distributed via Cherry Red Records) to mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11.   

Having retired from music in 1996, Kaye was moved, by the events of 11th September 2001, to commit his thoughts and feelings to a heartfelt personal musical interpretation.

“End Of Innocence” is a requiem for those who lost their lives and all those touched by the horrific events of 9/11. Primarily orchestral, “End Of Innocence” is a powerful and emotional suite that is both beautiful and sinister, reflecting the dark forces at work that day. It guides the listener through the day and touches on the response, to reach a hope that peace and calm may prevail.

As did many millions, Kaye watched the horrors of 9/11 unfold on his TV screen. “The next day I unpacked my keyboards for the first time in a long time,” Kaye recalls. “I didn’t know what I was going to do. It was one of those things that happened, inspiration on a musical level.”

The suite begins the night before 9/11 but, as Kaye’s wife Dani Torchia sings an innocent lullaby, menacing storms are gathering. The beautiful “9/11 Overture” was the first piece Kaye composed, the following day. “I had no recording equipment, just an 8-track cassette recorder and some of those recordings became what you hear now.”

Kaye continues to create vivid images of New York City life and a vibrancy around The World Trade Centre (285 Fulton Street) before the terror begins and captures the fears of those on the planes, “Flight 11” depicting the conversations stewardesses had with the tower. The track includes a powerful drum solo by Kaye’s friend Jay Schellen (CIRCA, YES) reflecting the struggles onboard.

Following the collapse of the towers, Dani Torchia sings her lament “Sweetest Dreams” and the album looks at the “Aftermath” and the “Heroes” before focusing on the response. “I wanted it, musically, to be about that day,” Kaye says, “but I felt compelled to extend it to deal with the repercussions of what happened. Musically, it was quite challenging to do the battle scene and then the 'Hope And Triumph,' a patriotic anthem and the consequences of war. 'Ground Zero' is the hope for the future, the rebuilding.”

The artwork for the album has been created by Roger Dean, known for his work with YES and ASIA, powerful imagery reflecting the journey the music takes.

“End Of Innocence” Track Listing:
1. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star/Twilight Time
2. 911 Overture
3. NYC Blues
4. Battle Cry
5. 285 Fulton Street
6. Let’s Roll
7. Tug of War
8. Flight 11
9. Towers Fall
10. Sweetest Dreams
11. Aftermath
12. Heroes
13. The Battle
14. Hope and Triumph
15. Homecoming
16. Ground Zero

Produced by Tony Kaye

All tracks composed by Tony Kaye except “Sweetest Dreams” by Dani Torchia.

Tony Kaye, Spirit of Unicorn Music and Cherry Red Records are donating 10% of all profits from “End of Innocence” to https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/ The charity supports veterans, defenders and first responders in times of hardship.

About Tony Kaye
Tony Kaye is best known as the original keyboard player with prog legends YES, his Hammond organ giving their groundbreaking “The YES Album” it’s most distinctive sound within the YES catalogue. Following his departure from YES in 1971 Kaye was involved with a number of other bands including David Bowie, Badger, Flash and Badfinger before returning to YES for their greatest commercial success “90125” in 1983. Kaye remained with YES for several albums and tours before retiring from the music business in 1996.  

Following the re-awakening of his musical inspiration in 2001, Kaye accepted an invitation from current YES bassist Billy Sherwood to work on projects which led to the formation of CIRCA, in 2007, and has yielded four albums to date.

Tony Kaye – “End of Innocence”
Released on 10th September  through Spirit of Unicorn Music Formats: Standard CD Jewel case

Pre-order here: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/tony-kaye-end-of-innocence/

www.yesworld.com

YES Legend Jon Anderson’s SONG OF SEVEN Remastered & Expanded Edition Promotional Video Posted

Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce Jon Anderson’s classic 1980 solo album SONG OF SEVEN is getting a new lease of life as a Remastered and Expanded release. Jon recently sat down with Esoteric Recordings’ Mark Powell to talk about recording SONG OF SEVEN and what it meant at the time.

The album was recorded during Jon’s first hiatus from YES, with whom he had become an internationally known vocalist and songwriter and followed on from his 1976 solo album OLIAS OF SUNHILLOW. Working with keyboard player RONNIE LEAHY, Anderson created an optimistic album of varying influences and he gathered together a fine ensemble of musicians to assist him such as celebrated bass players JACK BRUCE and JOHN GIBLIN, guitarists CLEM CLEMPSON and IAN BAIRNSON, saxophonist JOHNNY DANKWORTH and percussionists MORRIS PERT and SIMON PHILLIPS.

SONG OF SEVEN was a UK top forty hit upon its release by Atlantic Records in November 1980 and spawned a solo tour which established Jon Anderson as a regarded artist in his own right. This Esoteric Recordings edition has been newly remastered from the original Atlantic Records master tapes and is expanded to include two rare US single edits previously unreleased on CD and restores the original album artwork in a digipak. The booklet also features a new essay with an exclusive interview with Jon Anderson.

So great to listen again to where I was musically 40 years ago…still dreaming the same dreams, and in my early years of orchestration ideas…very gentle reminders to stay cool…don’t hurry, all will be well, ‘take your time’…wonderful bass work, and all the wonderful friends and musicians just came into my life for a couple of months…Jack Bruce even!!! Everybody Loves you, but I love you a little bit more…sweet lyric, and then the wild and crazy SONG OF SEVEN lyric..most of it was spontaneous and feeling very open about life…and the mystery of it all…still do….

As always I’m here in my studio still juggling lyrics and music and songs..I’m excited that this can be heard again..

Best wishes to everyone…be well be safe…Love and ‘Light’…Jon Anderson

Track List:
1. FOR YOU, FOR ME
2. SOME ARE BORN
3. DON’T FORGET (NOSTALIGIA)
4. HEART OF THE MATTER
5. HEAR IT
6. EVERYBODY LOVES YOU
7. TAKE YOUR TIME
8. DAYS
9. SONG OF SEVEN

BONUS TRACKS
10.SOME ARE BORN (US SINGLE PROMO EDITED VERSION)
11.HEART OF THE MATTER (SHORT VERSION)

To purchase Jon Anderson’s SONG OF SEVEN: http://cherryred.co/JonAndersonSongof7

Keyboard Legend Rick Wakeman's Emporium Now Open!

Rick Wakeman is pleased to announce a new partnership with Music Glue as the new home of his online store, The Rick Wakeman Emporium! Featuring Signed Special Items, Signed CDs, DVDs and LPs, Signed Memorabilia & Artwork, CDs, DVDs and LPs, T-Shirts, Mugs and Tote Bags!

Visit Rick Wakeman's Emporium: https://www.musicglue.com/rick-wakeman-emporium

Born in Perivale, Middlesex, England, Rick Wakeman's interest in music manifested itself very early, and from the age of seven on he studied classical piano. At the age of 14, he joined a local band, Atlantic Blues, the same year he left school to enroll in the Royal College of Music. He had his eye on a career as a concert pianist, but Wakeman was dismissed from the college after it became clear that he preferred playing in clubs to studying technique.

By his late teens, he was an established session man, playing on records by such diverse acts as Black Sabbath, Brotherhood of Man, and Edison Lighthouse. At the end of the '60s, his name also began appearing on the credits of albums by such artists as Al Stewart and David Bowie, and one set of sessions with a folk-rock band called the Strawbs led to his joining the group in 1970. After two albums with the Strawbs, Wakeman joined Yes, a post-psychedelic hard rock band that had attracted considerable attention with their first three albums. Wakeman played a key role in the final shape of the group's fourth record, Fragile, creating a fierce, swirling sound on an array of electric and acoustic pianos, synthesizers, and Mellotrons. Fragile was a hit, driven by the chart success of the single "Roundabout," and Wakeman was suddenly elevated to star status.

Yes' next album, Close to the Edge, expanded his audience and his appeal, for his instruments were heard almost continually on the record. During the making of Close to the Edge in 1972, Wakeman also recorded his first solo album, an instrumental work entitled The Six Wives of Henry VIII, which consisted of his musical interpretations of the lives and personalities of the said six royal spouses. Released early in 1973 on A&M Records, it performed respectably on the charts. Public reception of Yes' 1974 album, Tales From Topographic Oceans, was mixed, and the critics were merciless in their attacks upon the record. Wakeman exited the group before the album's supporting tour. His new solo album, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, adapted from the writings of Jules Verne and featuring a rock band, narrator (David Hemmings), and full orchestral and choral accompaniment, was released to tremendous public response in both America and England, where it topped the charts. In 1975, his next album, The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, was given a grand-scale premiere at Wembley's Empire Pool, although it also cost Wakeman a fortune to stage the event on ice. During this same period, Wakeman began working on film scores with the music for Ken Russell's Lisztomania, which was a modest hit.

In 1977, Wakeman returned to Yes, with which he has continued recording and touring. His solo career continued on A&M into the end of the '70s, with Criminal Record and Rhapsodies, which were modestly successful. Wakeman's biggest media splash during this period, however, came through his alleged role in getting the Sex Pistols dropped by A&M Records soon after being signed. None of this bothered his fans, which rapidly expanded to encompass those he picked up through his work with lyricist Tim Rice on a musical adaptation of George Orwell's 1984, and his burgeoning film work, which included the music to movies about the 1976 Winter Olympics and the 1982 soccer World Cup competition. Additionally, he became a regular on Britain's Channel 4. Wakeman's audience and reputation survived the 1980s better than almost any progressive rock star of his era, as he continued releasing albums on his own label. He also remained associated with Yes into the '90s.

In January 2016, Trevor Rabin announced he plans to perform with Wakeman and Jon Anderson as Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman (ARW), later in the year. Anderson revealed the three wrote "some unique songs together". Also in January, following requests from fans, Wakeman recorded piano versions of "Life on Mars?", "Space Oddity", and "Always Together" as a tribute to David Bowie following his death with proceeds from the songs donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Rick Wakeman's official website: https://www.rwcc.com

YES Guitar Legend Peter Banks's Anthology Be Well, Be Safe, Be Lucky... 2CD & The Self-Contained Trilogy 3CD – OUT NOW!

YES and Flash guitar legend Peter Banks's Be Well, Be Safe, Be Lucky...The Anthology 2CD 

&  

The Self-Contained Trilogy 3CD are now available!

Peter Banks was one of the original members of YES and an accomplished guitarist, but sadly passed away in 2013. Be Well, Be Safe, Be Lucky...The Anthology is the FIRST EVER compilation of his solo career.

This set is being released in his memory, by his Estate via Cherry Red worldwide, during the 5th anniversary of his passing and the 50th Anniversary of YES. The 2CD set includes “Knights (Reprise)” which features Phil Collins, Steve Hackett and the late John Wetton. Also included is the first release of the short instrumental “Knights (Revisited)” which features Billy Sherwood, Jay Schellen and Tony Kaye of YES.

The second disc features numerous rarities, (including two previously unreleased extended tracks) collected together from 7 different compilations… a “catch all” of Peter Banks tracks that fans may not have heard before. The second disc includes the astonishing guitar led instrumental re-record of YES’s “Astral Traveller.”

The booklet features an original poem by Bill Ward of Black Sabbath, included with kind permission. The set also features new artwork and the audio has received a 2018 remaster.

The Self-Contained Trilogy 3CD set includes all three of Peter Banks’s solo studio albums from the 1990's in one place: Instinct (1994), Self-Contained (1995) and Reduction (1997).

The booklet features the original album artwork, liner notes and credits. The set also features new artwork and the audio has received a 2018 remaster.

Facebook.com/Remembering-Peter-Banks

Be Well Be Safe Be Lucky: Anthology
Self-Contained Trilogy