Jon Anderson-Steven Kelso Boston Interview 2011

[LeivaNico1]

I LOVE this guy, but I don't like his solo acoustic performances, he's not that good at guitar and that makes it kinda boring.

[arcturusvmoon]

Jon is truly wonderful

[gabrieldaigle]

Jon's voice still sounds amazing. I hear him singing and I'm reminded of all the love and joy that has stayed with me, passed through me, as a result of his beautiful voice. So many wonderful memories with YES. So happy to see him looking and sounding so well.

[eennymo]

I love Jon! His voice can never be replaced. I miss him in YES and I miss the other guys not with him. IMO he needs YES with him, he shouldn't do it alone. He and Rick are better together, and the others are good together, BUT nothing can beat them all together as YES. I am hoping that SOMEDAY they will all get together for at least one last performance. I will be sure to be there - I can dream, can't I?

[CarlloLombardo]

I really don´t care about the YES line up. After all the line up always change in YES history. Come on´people. WE can love RELAYER album as much as we can love DRAMA, FRAGILE and FLY FROM HERE, as long as the band can bring to us good music.

[krondor01]

Jon, I just wanted to say Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. I saw YES when you were in SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) back in the 80's when I was a teen. It was the best concert I ever attended! I am looking forward to hearing your solo stuff! ;)P

[sponsler]

I'm inspired by Jon, and enjoy the band. As a whole they can do some powerful thing, but the whole has to have a focal point, like a heart, to keep the rhythm going (vs. drums). It might be an allusion (I could be dellusional), but I've always had the impression that without Jon...there is an element missing. Granted, some great songs have come out not in his presence, but in those songs I intuitively feel as if there is a missing element. Like it is not fully, wholly complete. Spiritual Rock.

[allanjamesmusic]

Yeah Jon. Great!

[69torus]

And since Jon brought up the issue of corruption running rampant in the world, well, it still doesn't make me want to "fly from here" , if you know what I mean. It's amazing how this band called "yes" sustains a caricature of Jon via the voice of the new singer. Not that he's a bad singer, but Jon is more than just his voice that you "sample". Haste makes waste, and YES would have waited for Jon.

[69torus]

Nice interview, she's cool. Good to see you Jon.

[VolodyaVolodenka1981]

after being close to death several times, one Jon looks more alive vs. those four old men on a tour they look ashamed of doing and one stiff man who doesn't know what he's singing about, taken together. YES:FLY BACK TO JON AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

[TerryKozak2010]

Pity that while we can see a classy gentleman like Jon in this interview, we have to see a lack of class diplayed on the posts. To each their own...

[westenjp1]

I thought that my comment needed an amendment: There is a recent clip of Anderson in Bratislava which I would like to paste here but can't. Very nice to see, happy hunting.

[westenjp1]

@clitdoris - really amazing to read just how worked up we can get about Rick Wakeman. You're right, his lineup is out of wack but we probably should have seen that coming with that Jules Verne/Heimskringla mashup. That said, I haven't been able to stand Jon Anderson's solo work since Olias of Sunhillow (forgive me, I was 12) and this little bit of warbling is just a bit sad all around....

[tet1963]

He had really bad athsma and nearly died, glad he left Yes or whatever as Magnification was crap, the Ladder was ok but they were a spent force after the 1970's the Rabin stuff was good but not Yes, they were at their peak between 1972-1977.

[uriahheep108]

@tet1963 Alexandre Dumas pere was born near Paris in 1802 and 'coincidentally' in 1902 The Society of Jesus(Jesuits) were expelled from France for the third and last time. This passage is from The Companions of Jehu which was written by Alexandre Dumas pere. The chapter is entitled family matters and it is a conversation between Bonaparte and Roland. Roland is asking Bonaparte--"So there is a question of Italy?" "There is always a question of Italy".

[uriahheep108]

@tet1963 Thomas Jefferson: "I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."

[LordRassy]

@tet1963 What are you talking about you dippy cunt? Magnification was the best album they ever made. Fuck off & listen to bieber you silly spastic.

[sigil60]

Good health? Oh dear. Jon looking badly haggard, or at least too thin - hints of Jon Glover... and I can definitely hear the shadow of something in his breath. I think he may have damaged his voice.

[samueladams7]

Is that a man in drag doing the interview?

[yocuzz100]

Even when Jon's talking he's still singing.

[jenniferlam90]

ahh jon for hall of fame!

[jorgealbertotub]

Espero que venga a la argentina este año, sinceramente desde que no esta mas en yes, a yes no los escucho nunca mas.Jon es uno de los 5 mejores cantantes de rock de nuestra historia.

[Javiercosmos35]

@jorgealbertotub Hola!, Soy de Chile, coincido contigo, que gusto sería ver a Jon Anderson por nuestras latitudes, hace muchos años vino solo, tengo esa presentación en un VHS...asi de antiguo, he visto su trabajo acústico, y me llena de emoción escuchar su voz...Debemos hacer fuerzas entre todos para que venga a Sudamérica, un abrazo hermano!!!

[tranceofdances]

He is Yes, his voice is the fiber in which Yes becomes brilliant...he sounds just as amazing as he always has. He should be with Yes.....such a shame.

[Kruegerisgod]

"I get up, I get down" chills!!!!!!!!!!!

[MrJohnETaylor]

How great to see Jon looking healthy and his old self again ... I have seen him so many times live with YES and his voice is unique and crystal clear. Let's hope that we see him back in the YES line up soon.

[Planetoxo]

Jon seems a very calm man. Almost as if he's a monk. But is that his real hair? Looks a bit wiggy. And I don't recall him having prominent top teeth when he was younger.

Good interview!! Thanks for uploading. :)

[unholyimage]

@Planetoxo I wouldn't doubt either the hairpiece or the dental implants one bit, considering he's obviously wearing makeup, not to mention that his beard is full of gray. He is pushing 70 after all, and he wants to keep a fresh stage appearance. Old farts like me probably wouldn't care, but my guess would be he's trying to reach out to kids. Very tastefully done though.

[Planetoxo]

@unholyimage He didn't have hair that thick 30 years ago.

[unholyimage]

@unholyimage Yes. An even more pronounced case would be Elton John. He's got more hair now than he had in 1972. ROTFL!

[Tippersnore]

Jon - Yes needs you badly! Come back soon - next year at least at the latest!

[yestopographic73]

The Voice of YES. Time is Now. It's right for us. To All Peace Maker.

[zepgen8]

Love Jon, lovely man..great voice still going, which is sooooooo good.

[zkxv]

Tsk tsk ... all this hostility. All I want to say is that I like to eat cheese. *munch munch munch*

[openjob21]

Since 1969 I listen to Yes' songs with this famous Jon Anderson's voice, so angelical.. And after all those years I notice how much I really love this guy, his music and his personality. All my life has been guided by peace and love each time there were a song from Yes associated with it.

Obviously Jon Anderson is and will stay forever THE VOICE of YES. An angel in disguise.

[biotonk]

I love you Jon !!!

[Jessehond]

i dont know how old he is but still looks good AND HIS VOICE AMAZING

[rolx1]

@Jessehond He was born in 25 October, 1944. So, he has 66 years of age to 67 now. For me, he is one of the best rock singers in all time definitely,

[deepsussex]

All these idiots saying Jon got screwed know nothing about YES and the history of YES - Jon was spending all their money in the 70's taking his nanny and whole family on vacations and was the biggest tyrant of the band and prentending to be all Peace & Love . I put up Drama up against any YES album after it . Geoff Downes is a great keyboard player and whenever Jon is not in the band they rock harder . I

[uk6strings]

@deepsussex I do enjoy the post-Drama Yes but no Yes album released after "Drama" has been as great.

[saarnoldbhm]

@deepsussex Nothing in your quote about Squires huge home or two Rolls Royces in the 70's or Howe's amazing and very expensive collection of guitars -- or Wakeman's extravagant spending. Dis John all you want but he was the voice of my favorite band: Benoit is okay for a tribute band I suppose and seems a nice guy. But the way the band treated Oliver was atrocious! Downes is not nearly as good on boards as Oliver. Chris and Steve just treat people like shit. End of story.

[ChordCluster]

Yes is making a living putting on damn fine shows-- its true-- I have seen them and I am grateful for the longevity of this fine band.

But Jon, you remain ever the beating heart of Yes Music. That Transformative Power that is YES music has been greatly reduced in your absence. 

I will always treasure what you shared with me and the millions by way of Yes.

Thank You Sir!

[drewper73]

Keep it up Jon! We love you man!!

[rjdinardo]

From the moment you doubt Jon...YES!!!

[mcouzijn]

It is obvious: there is just one keeper of the Yes flame. And it's not Yes.

There is more dignity, love and sincerity in one song sung by Jon than by a whole concert of the guys who call themselves 'Yes' today. It's a shame the Yes legend has to end this way. I think this break can not be repaired.

[framedrone]

It kinda makes me glad I passed on seeing ASIA after all.

[dwilmer7]

Geoff Downes is awesome and so is Trevor Horn and Benoit David also...

But Yes sux balls without Jon.

[davidjspuria]

Jon rules. Yes is a mess without him.

[saarnoldbhm]

Just saw Yes in Nashville. They aren't the same without Jon, and Geoff Downes sounded like he was playing from the Big Note Yes songbook. It is a shame how they treat people. What they did to Oliver Wakeman (a keyboardist with much more finesse than Downes) was a damn shame, and just another painful reminder of how they treated Jon. God bless you Jon--just as you have blessed us!

[ClitDoris]

@saarnoldbhm Your comment concerning the DESPICABLE manner in which Steve Howe and Chris Squire treat their fellow musicians is of course spot-on correct. However, it is a point to observe one fundamental fact: Music is in fact a reflection of the artist who create it. As such, it should be clear to anyone who has a pair of ears and a brain, that the music of this pseudo Yes band reflects the fact that the so called "artist" who created it are nothing more than a load of HIDEOUS BULLSHIT ARTIST!

[saarnoldbhm]

I guess I don't share your anger; but I am disappointed in how Chris and Steve, excellent musicians who could've played with anyone in the world, don't seem to care what the fans want. We want Jon and Rick (even if it is one last time). As I age I'd like to bring back some of the joy of my youth through as true a reminder (no Downes, no Benoit) of what Yes was. It is ironic that Steve was asked once what he wanted to be remembered for, and he said "goodness." Ask Oliver or Jon if that's true.

[ClitDoris]

@saarnoldbhm Are you absolutely certain that you're a 50-year-old person? Because your comment, that you're "disappointed" that Chris and Steve "don't seem to care what the fans want," reveals you to be an infantile IDIOT.

Get this through your DOPEY head: Chris and Steve (or any musician, for that matter) should NOT be concerned with "what the fans want"; they should be concerned only with their level of personal and musical integrity - which, in their case, happens to be a BIG, FAT ZERO!!!

[saarnoldbhm]

@ClitDoris You have a point, I suppose --about musical integrity, not necessarily about my being an idiot. Although, my wife might agree with you.

[ClitDoris]

@saarnoldbhm Take note of the following:

First, the next time that you listen to your heroes in the Pseudo-Yes band, bear in mind that their music is nothing if not reflective of the sort of people that they are. So if you enjoy listening to SELF-DELUDED, DESPICABLE, FATUOUS SCUMBAGS, then Howe and Squire and their DOPEY band of cretins are your sort of people.

Second, you should also bear in mind that you're married to a woman who is wise enough to know that she's married to a BIG idiot.

[saarnoldbhm]

@ClitDoris Why are you even watching an Anderson interview since you hate Yes and their following so much?

[ClitDoris]

@saarnoldbhm I'm unable to answer your questions for the very simple reason that it is an IDIOTIC question.

[UKGameMaster]

@ClitDoris then answer mine: What do you have against people with that kind of talent? are you jealous? or do you just hate them because you can?

[ClitDoris]

@UKGameMaster Given the fact that your questions are every bit as nonsensical as the question posed by saarnoldbhm, it is clear that your two IDIOTIC minds think alike.

[sponsler]

@ClitDoris I cannot say from the outside if I truly feel they are ALL scumbags..When Steve was with Jon I know I did not feel the way as described above here. With Jon, the message comes first...then the music which is a reflection of who he is. When the music comes first...all that shines is ego.

[DonTerhune1200cc]

@saarnoldbhm : Jon was the "heart & soul" of Yes of the 70's. Definitely is messed up how they dissed Jon the way they did when he was deathly sick. Sorta like shoveling dirt on him as he was dying (which he didn't, thank God). Hell man, ... I wouldn't even treat my dog like that. I'd at least wait a while after he died b4 getting another dog. I suspect Squire was the main culprit behind this, & the others went along for fear of losing their spot, as he owns the copyrights to the "yes" nametag.

[SeattleLA]

The one and only Jon, my favorite singer of all time.

[rockahead]

Looking Great sounding Great and a fantastic new album out with Survival and Other Stories. Things could not be better for Jon ant the moment !

[jackmioff100]

So nice to see Jon back in good health and performing. He sounds great, doesn't he?

[MsDeandrea]

He's a living GOD to me!! Love him he saved my life...

[TheJapozi]

Justin Bieber of the sixties

[nicothemusicfan]

@TheJapozi yea.... no anderson is the one of the creators of prog rock justin bieber is a pathetic bug compared to this rock legend

[TheJapozi]

@nicothemusicfan Sure...Except jon is the talented one, unlike some fag wannabe singer like bieber but u cant denie that jon sure does sound like queer .

[JDLHJDLH]

<3

[hexenhuisje]

So glad he's in good health again....

[Ancamic3]

I love Jon Anderson!!! His voice and energy is a State of Grace!!!

[itsstillfriday]

:-) I can't wait to catch this tour live... (I do wish he had someone to do some vocal harmonies with ...(even some live looping would be good fun)... But I am really proud of Jon for this... Now..Look at Jon with his beard.. :-) ..and think about how he kinda looks with the beard..vs his voice.. No offense..but he looks like he'd have a lower voice..and say something in a southern (redneck) accent..."I came here to drink beer and kick ass... and now I done run outta beer"!! :-) hehahee

[lionboy9]

Great piece. For those curious, the show is called "Greater Boston" and the host is Emily Rooney, the daughter of CBS legend/crank Andy Rooney. I'm impressed and pleased that she's a Yes fan; she recently had David Crosby and Graham Nash on her show, as well.

[marmas58ink]

Thanks for this. I saw it on wgbh website a while ago and couldn't figure how the heck to download it.

[yesiammark]

He takes a 40 year old song and puts a fresh perspective on it...tks for posting

[ShaneGuitar13]

this is great! i would like to see him with yes again though