Jon Anderson On How Yes Got Its Name | The Big Interview

[@tommack9395]

Jon Anderson spent the sixties trying to be the Beatles, Other musicians including myself spent the seventies and onward trying to be Yes. :-)

[@KanakarisGeorge]

Yes.

[@Apophis-lw6bz]

I was looking for the cassette of Fragile in the '70's. The store clerk held it up and asked, "Yes?" Pause, then we both laughed.

[@randlerobbertson8792]

There is still something totally remarkable about his voice right now, given his age. I have loved his work since I first heard yes, aged 14 in 1972.

[@davebloombeat]

You and I are the same age. I too first discovered Yes in 1972 - must have worn out three copies each of The Yes Album, Fragile and Close To The Edge from over playing the records repeatedly, making compilations with my little dinky cassette recorder. Great memories!

[@randlerobbertson8792]

@@davebloombeat ditto.

[@johnhayward7173]

What's remarkable is that his Accy (Accrington) Accent Still shines through his adopted U.S. twang.😊

[@davebloombeat]

@@johnhayward7173 Very true, John. I saw a clip of an interview with him in the early 70’s when his accent was more pronounced, but his unmistakable accent is still noticeable after 50 years. What a real treasure he is and I just hope he’ll be with us for a long time to come.

[@rolandoproambiente5989]

Same thing here. I was still 13 when I heard Your Move and I fell in love with it. And then came Roundabout, and that's when I became a Yes fan.

[@jedidrummerjake]

Jon Anderson and YES changed my life and countless other musicians. ❤

[@serenitypeaceandcomfort3669]

Same for me

[@andrewlaitres9080]

I met Jon and his wife at a tiny airport in San Luis Obispo CA about 7 years ago. He was very friendly and approachable.

[@ChuckSchickx]

Love Jon Anderson. He has such a sweet, gentle spirit. The kind this world desperately needs more of. Thank you Jon for all the great music. ❤️

[@michaelzeuch7634]

DITTO!!!

[@davewebbtheauthor]

I got to meet Jon before a show once and asked him if he ever got to meet one of his idols from the Beatles. He said once he was at a concert and saw Paul McCartney coming down the stairs and he was speechless -- too speechless to go up and talk to him, though.

[@gerf1023]

One of my bucket list items before I depart this realm is to meet Jon, shake his hand, and thank him for all the wonderful music he and his bands created over the years. And yeah, I might be speechless too if I ever met Paul McCartney. 😂

[@ricobowen312]

I met Paul McCartney and Chris Squire.

[@nonsuch]

I love this. I never thought Jon Anderson would ever get enough mainstream appeal to be interviewed by Dan Rather. 🤟✌

[@eliecanetti]

I never thought Dan Rather was a prog rock fan, but with him also interviewing Ian Anderson, I now have my answer.

[@christopherwright8811]

Also did a great interview with a certain Geddy Lee a few years back

[@nonsuch]

@@christopherwright8811 Yep.

[@reliantncc1864]

From my perspective, Jon Anderson is a much bigger name than Dan Rather.

[@johnurban7333]

Alice Cooper also. I did notice Dan will repeat a question because he didn’t listen to the answer the first time. Did it with Alice Cooper

[@dwj6503]

I got into YES back in 72 and never stopped loving their music.

[@atticusfinch3931]

I first heard them in 77 and really didn’t like them then as I got older truly appreciated all the talent and music

[@birchsongsltd.6831]

I was 2 years old when Jon was playing in the Cavern. Years later I would see YES perform three times and it was always an extremely emotional experience.

[@MrDuneedon]

79 years old, and Jon looks amazing (he's also sounding terrific these days on stage). He's a timeless classic!

[@damienthorne861]

I know! I can't believe how good he looks!

[@cjmacq-vg8um]

yes, pink floyd, elp, elo, genesis, king crimson, nektar, hawkwind and a dozen other "progressive" bands is what we cool kids listened to in the early 70s. we were fans of other rock subgenres as well. the music at this time offered a wide variety of types and tastes. it was one of the joys of growing up in that era.

[@gfriedman99]

Exactly. There was also a crossover interest in fusion as well with Mahavisnu, Billy Cobham, and Jeff Beck.

[@margaretbarnes4626]

100% right on !!!

[@jeffschielka7845]

Jon Anderson THE VOICE. THE MASTER. FOREVER YES❗️❗️❗️🎤🎤🎤 LOVE AND LIGHT ❤🌅

[@teresacapone7984]

Went to 9 Yes concerts from 1973 and the last in 1989. I also saw Rick Waksman Journey to the Center of the Earth ❤❤❤ Those were the days! 😂

[@custom55]

I still have my t-shirt from the Journey Tour 1974 at MSG. Obviously it no longer fits 😃

[@ianstuart5660]

Amazing, you got to see the Trevor Rabin version of Yes!

[@custom55]

@@ianstuart5660 The ARW tour was fantastic !

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

Jon has been my music idol since the early 1970s. Always glad to hear him talk. What a musical force.

[@madcyril4135]

Hello fro u.k. Could YES be the greatest band of all time? Individual skills from any line up! Different planet compared with anyone else!

[@gaelsebastiani2198]

Greatest prog singer ever existed. And mostr probably, greatest singer ever. I'm Jon fan since I'm kid. No Jon Anderson, no Yes. Point.

[@madcyril4135]

@@gaelsebastiani2198 Hello from u.k. You have to be careful with this shout, but we both know you are right! No Anderson no YES! I’m a massive MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA FAN. Like YES music on a different level, but looking at the individual musicians in YES. Composing, writing lyrics,and taking it on the road! MIND BLOWING! Total dedication to their craft! YES best band of all time! Take care, our numbers are dwindling!

[@ianstuart5660]

@madcyril4135 Yes, they could be perceived as the best, but it's all very subjective. I liked the Trevor Rabin version of Yes the best!

[@brandonbelongstocharlottef1798]

He's been doing it a long time ...I loved them in the 80's when in highschool but I had no idea he began in the 60's 😮

[@samdemic3373]

I always thought the Olias of Sunhillow album was hugely underrated. I love it.

[@louismonnichii7619]

I just bought the vinyl in Houston Heights. OMG it is GORGEOUS inside n out!

[@ian38018a]

Who ever underrated Olias??

[@evanwalters63]

The album Friends of Mr. Cairo he did with Vangelis is incredible.

[@ianstuart5660]

Definitely is, and not very well known!

[@bookhouseboy280]

@@ianstuart5660 Depends where you live. It was very popular in Canada and a considerable success in Europe.

[@ianstuart5660]

@@bookhouseboy280 I'm in Canada, so good 👉 point!

[@calogeromonistero4803]

YES changed my life in better way since i was 16 y.o. and i can't stop to thank Jon A., Chris S., Steve H., Bill B., Tony K, Alan W., Rick W. and Patrick M. for the incredible music they composed all these years. God bless you.

[@IBWHUTID]

The Yes Album was my first ever album. Still my favorite all time album after all these years.

[@johnurban7333]

Mine too

[@johnurban7333]

The opening cords draw you in for the ride of your life

[@Mike-bp2hh]

Awesome album. The perfect choice when you're zipping around winding country roads.

[@ianstuart5660]

It's an amazing album!

[@MrTonaluv]

Ok. 'The Yes Album'? So they had one album? 'The' album? What about 90125? Wtf?

[@cameronlewis1218]

Very kind of Jon Anderson to credit the late Peter Banks with naming Yes…

[@dislikesquare8749]

Indeed, the late GREAT Peter Banks, a guitarist like no other---Wes Montgomery meets Pete Townshend. When Yes lost Peter Banks they lost their muscle & testosterone. When they lost Tony Kaye they lost that glorious Hammond COLOR that was never regained. Listen to Banks and Kaye on Time and a Word... progressive rock at its most dynamic.

[@shirleymental4189]

@@dislikesquare8749 Oh yeah and it was all downhill after then, wasn't it?

[@KlausSgroi]

But then again, if that is the truth he is merely being honest...

[@TheGenreman]

Jon never forgets to credit Pete with coming up with the name.

[@pauldavies1710]

Those Flash albums! Must go dig them out.

[@richardmendoza4389]

His singing is still as sharp and clear & powerful as it was since their first album. I don't know of any other rock singer from that era who can make that claim.

[@andersondavies3589]

Peter Hammill of VDGG still hasnt lost his touch - still able to offer you a perfect "Still Life"

[@cristianrodrigomedinacarra2356]

I love Jon , he is the voice of yes. It is very moving knowing how one of the greatest rock band of all time got its name, especially told by Jon. Cristian from Chile.

[@iluvj50]

Jon answered the question in a roundabout way and you and I know it's true.

[@werners5191]

And you and I Climb over the sea to the valley

[@markjacobsen8335]

I see what you did there. 😅

[@pattyayers]

@@markjacobsen8335A bit hard to miss 😊

[@gaden002]

What a wonderous story.

[@abrarahmed1888]

I thought some of the answers were a bit close to the edge

[@simonsalamon8178]

In my opinion Jon Anderson is the best vocalist in history

[@PeterJVogel]

Hard to argue with you. He has some stiff competition, but I don't disagree.

[@mwalker3547]

I saw Yes in 1978 at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, one of the most awesome live productions ever.

[@brad5621]

I was there at that show -- on floor seating! "Awaken gentle mass, Touch!" Angels from heaven are YES! they transform consciousness into sound & light

[@MarkArnold-ue6ok]

It was the first time they toured in the round

[@DRUmBEaTTS]

Who knew Dan Rather was such a fan of Progressive Rock music! Never would’a thought that in a million years!

[@mikereiss4216]

No not necessarily. Just a Yes fan.

[@shelbyhunkler9259]

Great singer and a lovely person!

[@BaconTomatoCheese]

The one and only Jon Anderson… Love his music, voice, SPIRIT…

[@LJ-gn2un]

I have every Yes album or CD in my collect and listen to them frequently. No doubt one of the greatest bands of all time!

[@SteveInskip]

Always great to see a Jon interview. Loved Yes in their Bill Bruford/Rick Wakeman years. Saw them many times. Happy days!

[@petern3363]

What a lovely bloke. Legend.

[@iBringTheRain24]

"Let's call ourselves Yes." "Is it The Yes?" "No, no. Yes."

[@painparty7937]

In 1980 a friend loaned me the Fragile album, needless to say, he never got it back. Love Yes!!!

[@michelelaraia7358]

You'd have to buy yourself and eventually give his.

[@markhaus5441]

Theif!

[@michelelaraia7358]

@@markhaus5441 Thief!

[@markhaus5441]

@@michelelaraia7358 Right, that was meant for @painparty.

[@mikereiss4216]

@@michelelaraia7358 You'd have to buy it yourself.

[@philthomas8351]

Great interview - minus the drugs. So lucky to buy tickets for five friends. We saw Yes in '75 and Jon was twenty feet away. Made an impression to this day.

[@PeterJVogel]

It's the word I often utter when I hear their beautiful music: "Yes!" 🙏

[@markjackson8261]

Love that he still has the old Lancashire accent, my old geography teacher went to school with Jon .

[@volpeverde6441]

first albums I -had- (permanently borrowed from my sister/brother in law) was 'the yes album'....'fragile'....'close to the edge'.... I brought 'tales from topographic oceans'....and 'relayer'....myself.... .....along with yes....I 'borrowed'.... 'welcome back, my friends'....E.L.P. I was 10 years old and had never heard a song longer than 3 minutes before....

[@jeffschielka7845]

YES❗️The greatest band on this or any other planet❗️😎

[@NelsonMontana1234]

Well...70's YES. : )

[@barsouk]

I agree although I put King Crimson, Genesis 1969 - 1980, and Rush on the same rank.

[@koshersalaami]

@@barsouk I wouldn’t agree as to Genesis at the beginning , but I guess the same is true of Yes. Time and a Word is mostly a waste of time. The Yes Album is a masterpiece. Genesis kept coming out with these albums where I’d think “almost, not quite there” until Selling England By The Pound, at which point they’d finally produced a great album. Both Yes and King Crimson were at their best with Bill Bruford. Come to think of it, he played with Genesis too, but I’ve got nothing bad to say about Phil Collins’ drumming.

[@barsouk]

bs: tresspass: a diamond in the rough. nursery cryme. powerful and beautifl. Lamb Lies Down on Broadway - the greatest album of all times for thousands of years. first two Yes albums are fantastic... bruford and squire make is so with a help from tony kaye (but not as good as Tony Banks of course)@@koshersalaami

[@barsouk]

ahhh! Time and a Word and Yes kick arse!!! Squire and Bruford dominate and Kaye's organ works. Trespass is an uncanny masterpiece@@koshersalaami

[@yes_head]

Peter Banks was a major Who fan (as was Chris,) and because of that he'd seen how short band names were useful because they could be huge on a poster. Clever guy, Peter (RIP).

[@jamesfetherston1190]

Banks was a hell of a guitar player. I listen to that first Yes album frequently.I love his style, and it is interesting in that some areas are very similar to Howe.

[@mikereiss4216]

Yeah, something like that.

[@BDizDaBest]

Jon Anderson is a treasure. His happy and positive vibes, and a lifetime spent doing what he loves, clearly contributes to the youthful look and overall aura that he still has today.

[@PhilUKNet]

Very interesting, Jon, but what about Accrington Stanley? Do they really play Tales From Topographic Oceans during the half-time interval at the Wham Stadium?

[@ZippyThePinhead]

Gotta love Jon, he seems like such a down to earth likable gentleman. Someone you could sit & have a pint with, and talk to for hours.

[@mikeg3439]

I was too young to happen upon Yes until I was about 11 years old in 1979, found Fragile, been an important sound of my life ever since.

[@Oliias]

I had just turned 13 when I saw yes for the first time. It was at Newcastle City Hall & because of a mix-up with ticket sales me and my pal ended up with front row seats. We sat right in front of Chris Squire who kept looking down at us & although I didn't realise it at the time he was probably thinking along the lines of "bloody hell, they're just children." We were definitely the youngest there that I could see & it was a bit odd to be so heavily into Yes at that age. Treasured memories of that night & Jon has always been and always will be, me musical hero.

[@dbc7772011]

Awesome interview. One of my heroes in music. How interesting hearing about his childhood and the formation of Yes!

[@markcooper6042]

Yes! What a sweet interview; he's still got a kind of innocence and wonder. I had no idea Jon saw the Beatles and played at the original Cavern Club. I'm only commenting today because his band and their music has meant so much to me throughout my life.

[@custom55]

Much love for Jon.

[@smithpm81]

the best vocalist and songwriter ever, been a fan since the 70s

[@pookiepookie8669]

Yes was my first concert in Philly, 1974, it was awesome! They were great! I was a freshman in high school.

[@Laurasiana]

I’ll bet a stoned Peter Banks saw the Yellow Submarine movie in ‘68, and when the giant, magical YES appeared on screen, he had the revelation.

[@kevhead1525]

That's what I always thought. Ever hear their rollicking version of Elinor Rigby?

[@briangallagher2236]

Near the beginning of the film, there’s a giant YES but the flying glove smashes it.

[@franklinden3497]

Johnny you finally Made it!...lol I sing in my Church Band and His influence has carried me well in and far. Love You!

[@wadetyler5056]

And I have been listening and enjoying their music ever since! Their music transcends most rock and roll and steers closer to classical elements. Genius!

[@Joel_Powell]

Goosebumps - I can hear all of those Yes vocals when the man speaks. God given talent. Goosebumps.....

[@Patricia2Paris1]

Close to the edge was the best Yes album

[@ianstuart5660]

BIG GENERATOR!!

[@CharlesRBiggs]

Close to the Edge Fragile The Yes Album Tales from Topographic Oceans

[@ListenToManicAntenna]

Relayer

[@MarbleyeRecords]

Aside from extraordinary talent he is just so positive

[@samspade8612]

I like hearing the Wonderous Stories.

[@gfriedman99]

I must have seen Yes 25 times over the years. My favorite was the 35th anniversary tour with Rick Wakeman. They played Tales from Topographic Oceans so wonderfully that the audience gave them the longest standing ovation I ever saw.

[@ianstuart5660]

Did you see the Trevor Rabin version of Yes?

[@gfriedman99]

@@ianstuart5660 I did just once. Probably around '90 in MSG NYC if I recall. It was torture.

[@ianstuart5660]

@@gfriedman99 Thanks, that's not what I'd have expected to hear. I really loved that version of Yes!

[@wittggestein]

YESSSS, The best years of my life with YES music as background music.

[@petergedd9330]

Back in the day when I heard Yes playing in some cafe, room, it would always take me on a journey back to myself, like a sign post thats says 'You Are Here'

[@kpec3]

Really interesting to hear from a legend. Gotta love Dan Rather....😂

[@tomcaron9113]

Yes was always out there but I was never interested. Caught up with them recently and can’t get enough. This guy is a gem, lovely man and a perfect voice for Yes.

[@mauriceholder1386]

I loved "Yes Songs" double 8 track. I played it to death.

[@tracezachdaniels4264]

GREAT JOB ALL...THANX 4 MAKING Tee with LIONS NAMED LEO the music worldwide. LOVE YOU ALL...!!!

[@rioborzeli147]

A Spirit that just Shines bright. Nice to see you again John

[@stevenichols2538]

Quite agree with all comments. NOW; we maybe should inquire about what influential books he reads or reveres!❤

[@thefool2007]

This was awesome! Jon is a legend in his own time. Love YES.

[@RevMikeBlack]

What a very very talented man! May God bless the memory of Chris Squire!

[@russs7574]

If you are a fan (I fell in love with Yes' music with The Yes Album.) of the band and you found this interview interesting, I would recommend you pick up two books by keyboard man Rick Wakeman....Grumpy Old Rock Star, and Further Adventures of a Grumpy Old Rock Star. Many of his stories will have you in stitches. (Especially the one about how the band drank an airliner dry not once, but twice on a flight from London to Tokyo.)

[@edwardquirk8393]

Loved yes back in the day saw them in concert 3 times were awesome

[@popnfresh2928]

Ageless Wonder,…he’s really blessed with a voice that has a cadence that doesn’t age…..I read somewhere, where, Jon Anderson says he doesn’t sing fallesto….then how does one explain those ridiculous high notes he tackles in his music….I was introduced to yes in 1983 by way of 90125 & I was 15 and blown away by what I thought was a new band called Yes…only to be laugh at by my friends dad who had all the Yes albums of the 70’s & he told me, Son, you haven’t heard shit yet 😂😂😂😂….I listen to his back catalogue of earlier Yes albums & my life in music has changed forever……

[@benjaminhawthorne1969]

Jon, thank you for ALL (YES & solo) the lovely music that you have given to the world! You have been a Blessing to the Mother Earth, and GOD bless YOU! 😊

[@drea4195]

I could listen to Jon all day, with that lovely accent of his.

[@johnwolf3294]

My favorite singer. Good to see him get some press.

[@ciscoponch67]

I guess Love Does Find A Way!!! Thank you, Jon, Yes and Dan Rather for this great interview!!! ❤

[@Mynamesalexa]

Saw him as a solo act pushing the Cairo LP Opened up for King Crimson August 1982 Mann Music Center Philadelphia Saw Peter Banks with his own band FLASH Sounded like Yes! August 1973

[@dugdoll3295]

And i for one say YES to YES . Since the late 60’s they have been my biggest YES

[@barsouk]

It’s funny that the band member who came up with the band name was the first one to be fired.

[@centinela24542]

Not strange. Brian Jones was the owner of the name of the Rolling Stones and was fired too. Too much greed around them.

[@KlausSgroi]

More or less what happened in Pink Floyd: Syd Barrett was the creator of the name and also the first to go.

[@dmntuba]

Great musician, composer, songwriter, and of course the band...YES!!!

[@jdsalinger73]

I got into them in highschool, but I was the only one who knew who they were. Union was my first album (just came out and great album artwork). I think it was the local classic rock station, WIBA 101.5 Madison that introduced me to them. Union was the soundtrack to my Junior/Senior years. This band is a lot like classical music. Hard to listen at first, but never gets old.

[@privatemale2147]

In the 70's there were so many different and original sounds. You would hear Roundabout on the top 40 and then another song would come along. The YES harmonies were similar to CSNY, but harmony and great melody were everywhere. I think we just kind of took it for granted. In hindsight, I'm so glad to have lived through that period of music making. Jon and YES were cool then. Jon has definitely circled back to let his talent truly Shine On. He seems to be such a great guy. More importantly, he IS definitely an ICON.

[@PlanetRockJesus]

Interesting how Dan Rather, of all people, ends up this great interviewer of huge rock legends.

[@fpostolache]

Great voice (in music), great band !

[@mattleppard1970]

Brilliant. Can’t get enough of Jon ❤

[@drylakes]

One of my all time heroes, love you Jon!

[@gaelsebastiani2198]

My four fav albums from this mythical band are The Yes Album, Close to the Edge, Going for the One and Fragile. Those albums are killing ones. Also I have a special love for the two first albums with Peter Banks and also, those with Trevor Rabin as 90125 & Talk.

[@FishHeadSalad]

*_Hold On_* ! Jon sure did go on and on in a *_Roundabout_* way to tell *_You and I_* how Yes got its name. At least I did not wait around to the end of the video for *_Five Percent of Nothing_* and found out that it was *_All Connected_* .

[@morganfisherart]

I remember seeing Jon at the Marquee carrying crates of Coca-cola around just as Yes were getting going. They were wilder, more raw, more rockier then. Brilliant! PS: the name-change bit is at 5:22

[@stretch753]

Tony and me We had our band We had areal good time back in '63.

[@werners5191]

Yes is the word that made John Lennon fall in love with Yoko. (Long story that relates to an art exhibit where a ladder led to a word pasted onto the ceiling, and the word was “yes”.) That is what I guessed the band name was about. Love Jon Anderson, ever since the mid ‘70s. Saw Yes on the Owner of a Lonely Heart tour at Saratoga Springs, NY. People in the audience were throwing marshmallows at each other. Maybe Jon remembers it.

[@stevedotwood]

About the name, I thought exactly the same thing. …all we are saying, is give peace a chance

[@polbecca]

That exhibit was why a much later album by Yes was called The Ladder.

[@guyschmitt2600]

Happy Birthday Jon❤

[@chipusas1161]

Great interview...

[@Drchainsaw77]

At the end of this clip, when Anderson says that the drummer had left the band, he also met a young guy hanging around the Marquee club called Phil Collins and offered him an audition .....and he never went.

[@glnnchrstphr9717]

Early Genesis, King Crimson, Pink Floyd and Yes. The originals of progrock.

[@KaslEs]

Hearing Jon say "...listening to Frank Zappa." is awesome!

[@wirralnomad]

Arf...!

[@arthouston7361]

Unforgettable times, when Ed Sciaky and I would go see Yes in Philly.

[@Tacoman1967]

Simply the best band of the century.

[@redbarchetta8782]

A stunning voice IMHO.

[@Rexerman89]

"Very cool! He's very smart and still sounds great!"

[@renatoporcu3097]

Tanta salute per te carissimo ❤️

[@timesquare5473]

My school friends cousin was Chris Squire; he would bring in the early yes albums for the "cool" guys; went right over my head at the time 🙄

[@expandifypro]

This is the happiest life you can have.