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Yes was probably more popular in the 1970's than the
1980's, but after reading this, we will jog your memory about their
contributions to the 80's. The band Yes formed way back in 1968 in
England, but the roots of the band date further back to a band called
Toyshop. After filling in for Sly and the Family Stone after they
were a no show at a London club, Yes caught the attention of the crowd
and the band's music career began taking off. By 1969, the band
had inked a deal with Atlantic records, and their self-titled debut was
released that year.
Yes' first few albums were a mix of cover tunes and new
material. Their third release, The Yes Album (1971), was
the first to contain all original songs. This album charted at at
4 in the UK and 40 in the USA (Billboard Top 200). The band's
follow up album, Fragile (also 1971), peaked at 7 in the UK and 4 in the
USA (this was the album that featured the song "Roundabout").
The band continued releasing ambitious albums throughout the 1970's that
both charted high and won the band awards. You may remember the
song "Soon" from Relayer (1974) and "Wonderous Stories" from
Going for One (1976).
By 1979, artistic differences between band members began
taking a toll. Some of the members wanted to pursue a heavier rock
sound for the band, while others, including the lead singer (Jon
Anderson) preferred to continue down the same path they had been on for
some time. Tensions came to a head, and Jon Anderson left the
band. The remaining members of Yes invited members Geoff Downes
and Trevor Horn of the band The Buggles ("Video Killed the Radio Star")
to join Yes and Drama was released in 1980. The album
featured a heavier rock sound than previous Yes releases. You may
remember the song "Machine Messiah" form this album. Yes broke up
after this album, and Downes and Horn went on to form the band Asia.
Other members went on to solo projects are to join other bands.
One band formed from the break up of Yes by bassist Chris Squire and
drummer Alan White, was called Cinema. Jon Anderson was invited to
sing for the band, and it was recommended that Cinema change their name
to Yes.
Now that Yes was back in business, the progressive sound
of the old days was replaced by a more polished rock sound that was
typical for the time. The band even moved to Los Angeles.
90125 was released in 1983 and became the band's best selling album.
You may remember the chart topping hit song "Owner of a Lonely Heart"
from this album. Big Generator followed in 1987 and
featured the hit songs "Rhythm of Love", "Love Will Find a Way" and
"Shoot High, Aim Low". After this album, Anderson once again left
the band. He went on to join a band of Yes and Asia veterans
called Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe. You may remember the hit
song "Brother of Mine" from this group (1989).
By 1991, Anderson was back singing for Yes for their
release of Union. The three singles released on this album
all charted: "Lift Me Up", "Saving My Heart", and "Make It Easy".
This was their last album to reach Gold status. As the years have
rolled on, Yes has continued producing and touring, although their
heyday appears to be long since past. At the time of this writing
(2012), they were working on a new studio album with a new singer (Jon
Davison). The current Yes Discography is as follows:
1969: Yes
1970: Time and a Word
1971: The Yes Album
1971: Fragile
1972: Close to the Edge
1973: Tales from Topographic Oceans
1973: Yessongs Live
1974: Relayer
1975: Yesterdays
1977: Going for the One
1978: Tormato
1980: Drama
1980: Yesshows Live
1981: Classic Yes
1983: 90125
1985: 9012Live: The Solos
1987: Big Generator
1991: Union
1991: Yesyears
1992: Yesstory
1993: Symphonic Music of Yes
1993: Affirmative: The Yes Solo Family Album
1993: Highlights: The Very Best of Yes
1994: Talk
1996: Keys to Ascension
1997: Keys to Ascension 2
1997: Open Your Eyes
1997: Something's Coming: The BBC Recordings 1969-1970
1998: Yes, Friends and Relatives
1999: The Ladder
1999: Astral Traveler
2000: House of Yes: Live from the House of Blues
2000: The Best of Yes
2000: Yes Friends and Relatives Volume 2
2001: Magnification
2001: Keystudio
2002: Extended Versions
2002: Yestoday
2002: In a Word: Yes (1969-)
2002: Yes, Friends and Relatives: The Ultimate Collection
2003: The Ultimate Yes: 35th Anniversary Collection
2003: Yes Remixes
2003: Yes & Friends
2003: Essential Elements
2004: (Re)Union
2004: Topography
2004: Owner of a Lonely Heart
2005: The World is Live
2005: The Solid Gold Collection
2007: Live at Montreux 2003
2007: The Definitive Rock Collection
2007: Greatest Hits Live
2007: Roundabout & Other Hits
2009: Symphonic Live
2009: Introducing Yes
2011: Fly from Here
2011: Union Live
2011: In the Present - Live from Lyon
2011: Wonderous Stories: The Best of Yes |
