By: Matt Warnock
Photos: Robin Kauffman
There are few singers in rock history that have left their mark on the world as much as YES vocalist Jon Anderson. His career as the lead singer for the progressive rock band, pioneers in their field, is one of the most storied in the genre, and yet it seems like he’s just hitting his creative stride as he reaches his golden years. With a new record out last year, a successful tour with Rick Wakeman under his belt, and embarking on a new solo acoustic tour this spring, the veteran singer shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
Guitar International recently caught up with YES vocalist Jon Anderson to talk about his latest record, his solo acoustic tour and get his thoughts on YES’ new album sans Anderson.
Jon Anderson Photo: Robin Kauffman
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Matt Warnock: You were recently sampled by Kanye West on his track “Dark Fantasy.” How does it feel when another artist samples your work, is it an honor or does it feel like your art has been infringed on in some way?
Jon Anderson: I really feel great about it. It introduces younger people to my voice, and the hope is they will want to hear more. Other than that, Kanye has really good people around him helping to create wonderful music. So it’s good to be part of the creative process.
Matt: You’re on the road right now with your solo acoustic show. How is the tour going so far and how has the crowd responded to the show?
Jon Anderson: It really works on many levels. I love singing the songs I wrote for YES, and enjoy talking about life, and music is always good for the soul, being on my own on stage is like being in my front room, people just love it, and we have fun together. My wife Janee and I travel around in a car, a couple of kids on the road. It’s really a great time to be alive!
Matt: Your most recent album was titled Survival & Other Stories
Jon Anderson: It’s about the past 4 years, getting very sick, being saved n by ‘love’, and my Janee, close to death, being reborn, feeling it’s a new world, and feeling very blessed to be alive and having fun with music, no worries, and still wanting to sing.
Matt: How do you feel that you have developed as a songwriter over the years? What has changed for better and for worse as you’ve matured as a musician?
Jon Anderson: I do think that I’m a better person, more idealistic, but still a dreamer. My songs just seem to dance around me all the time, and the lyrics come out without too much fuss, as though I’m more excited about life and things are clearer.
Matt: Are you currently writing new material for an upcoming record, or are you focusing more on promoting your 2010 release, Survival and Other Stories?
Jon Anderson: I’m writing most every day, new songs new ideas, ranging from Musicals to ancient music, Guitar concerto, and even in the YES style of music, ‘long form ideas’. It’s in my DNA.
Matt: You have recently toured in a duo show with Rick Wakeman. Do you have plans to continue this project in the future and do you have any plans to write and record an album of new material with Rick as a follow up to The Living Tree
Jon Anderson: We just worked out an East Coast tour later this year. It will be great to sing those songs from the Living Tree, and listen to Rick’s jokes, he’s a real comic on and off stage.
Matt: What acoustic guitars are you bringing on the road with you on this tour, and why do you choose to play those brands?
Jon Anderson: I play a Yamaha Nylon cutaway guitar, great tone, amazingly in tune. I have a ‘Strummer’ sort of Mountain Dulcimer, made by Bob McNally who invented the Martin Backpacker, and a Ukulele.
Matt: You recently became an American citizen. Was this an easy choice and did you have to give up your U.K. citizenship in order to become an American citizen?
Jon Anderson: I have dual citizenship. I just want to be part of the American Dream.
Matt: YES is currently in the studio recording an album, well YES as the group stands today. How does it feel when you hear that your former band is recording an album that you aren’t a part of?
Jon Anderson: They’ve done it before, many years ago. I wish them well, as always. It won’t be the YES that I know.
Matt: Will there ever be a point in the future where you reunite with YES, or have those days come and gone for you?
Jon Anderson: I laughingly say “I will be in Yes when they wake up,” or when we get into the hall of fame, but you never know really.
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Jon Anderson Photo: Robin Kauffman
Rick Nelson (12 years ago)
YES may need Jon, but he doesn’t need them. his recent solo stuff and Ric Wakeman album AMAZING!