Yes man Squire fears Anderson reunion would lower their income
Yes bassist Chris Squire admits one of the reasons they haven’t invited original singer Jon Anderson back into the band is that his health issues could limit their ability to make money.
The prog giants hired Benoit David in 2008 after Anderson suffered a near-fatal respiratory condition. The frontman insists they didn’t tell him he’d been dismissed.
Earlier this year David experienced his own health problems. He says he discovered Jon Davidson had been given his job when he read it in a magazine.
But Squire suggests there was more to the lineup change than just health matters.
He tells
Rolling Stone: “He started to get a little wobbly onstage. I thought he was having a cold or had gotten sick on the road – that happens all the time. But in Benoit’s case it seemed to not be getting better. We toured Europe after that and once again he started to go a little soft.
“But it was more than that: he just seemed to not want to carry on doing the job. I assumed that after the Christmas break he’d feel differently – but he didn’t. We figured it was time to change partners.”
Davidson had been brought in with David’s blessing, but the departed frontman had thought the arrangement was temporary.
In February he said: “I was advised to cease touring for the foreseeable future in order to avoid further damage to my voice. I had to inform my fellow band members I was unable to confirm my ability for forthcoming concerts.
“I felt I was letting everyone down. The band members asked if I would mind being replaced for the April shows. I was pleased to learn Jon would be my replacement.
“I subsequently learned from a band member’s interview that I had officially left Yes and that my departure was permanent.
“As this is the situation, everyone should know that I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity I was given.”
Anderson, who’s back on the road in the US next month, has loudly condemned the way Yes treated him. Last year he said: “People get into that place where they don’t care about people. To them, it’s just business.”
Squire responds: “I don’t think Jon has anything to be bitter about – we cancelled a whole tour when his respiratory problems came back. One of the main reasons we aren’t working with him now is that he’s only able to do a certain amount of shows a week. It would limit our ability to move and make money, really.”
But the bassist won’t rule out a future reunion: “I would never close the door on that possibility. The idea of ‘Yes on Broadway’ has come up. It requires the collaboration not only with Jon Anderson, but also other ex-members including Patrick Moraz and obviously Rick Wakeman. It would have to depend on if there’s any interest from that side as well.”