Topics

·        Yes back together in 2008?

·        YesFANZ Meeting & Birthday Dinner 13^th February 2008

·        Yes solo and collaboration tours 2008

·        New Yes and Yes solo releases

·        Yes news on the web

·        Sydney YesFANZ Social Events

·        YesFANZ Members Compilation CD

·        YesFANZ Inc Office Bearers and Contacts

 

 

 

Yes back together in 2008?        Ý

 

Without any official announcements, the momentum towards a Yes tour in 2008/9 is mounting with confirmatory reports from all members appearing in various interviews and discussions with fans. At this point there seems to be considerable doubt about Rick Wakeman’s involvement with the apparent sticking point being the proposed length of the tour. The suggestions are that Wakeman is only prepared to do 25 concerts due to his health, while the rest are talking upwards of 100 concerts. If Wakeman doesn’t tour, it has been speculated that his son Adam might replace him.

 

The second half of the year seems the earliest, possibly July/August in North America, and this might slip into 2009 and could include an album. There is also mention that Peter Banks might become involved. Although none of the speculation has included a tour of Australia, comments made by Alan to Anne Corris at the recent Circa: concerts and previous comments from Chris to various people have implied that Australia will be included in a World tour. I can feel another YesFANZ petition on the way – see the item below for more details. Probably the best source of information on the proposed reformation is Henry Potts website.

 

YesFANZ Meeting & Birthday dinner 13/2/08  Ý

 

A combined YesFANZ meeting to discuss our strategy regarding a possible Yes tour and a dinner to celebrate January & February birthdays will be held at the Nags Head Hotel Glebe http://www.nagshead.com.au/new.stables.html from 6pm on Wednesday 13^th February. If you want to be part of the excitement of a Yes tour, join us at this dinner. Please notify Anne Corris by email on corrisa@willis.com by TUESDAY 5^th February so that we can make a booking.

 

Yes solo and collaboration concerts/tours 2008      Ý

Jon Anderson Quebec March 2008

Jon has announced a 10 concert solo tour of Quebec, Canada in March, commencing on March 14 in Joliette and finishing on March 27 in Drummondville. It is possible that there will be more shows announced.

Circa:

Circa: will play Hard Rock Live in Mexico City on February 15 and as previously announced, are headlining at RoSfest, the progressive rock festival in Philadelphia, on May 3 2008 and it is reported that they will play the Yes medley again.

Asia World Tour, March to May 2008

Asia commences their 50-concert 2008 World tour on March 1 in the UK.  They then tour the US in April/May, followed by Japan and Europe later in the month. Unfortunately, Australia has missed out again.  More details can be found at the official Asia reunion website.

Steve Howe

The Steve Howe Appreciation Society Evening with Steve Howe is now rescheduled for Saturday, February 16, 2008 at the Fitzwilliams Centre, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England. Admission by ticket only. Contact Pam Bay at Pshasb@aol.com for more information.

New Yes and Yes solo releases      Ý

Three Yes members with Xmas albums! Apart from Chris Squire’s new album and the re-release of Jon’s 3 Ships, Rick has also re-released a Xmas disc.

 

Chris Squire

The Chris Squire Christmas album, Swiss Choir is an album of traditional Christmas carols arranged for drums, bass, guitar, keyboards and choir done in a prog rock fashion. He hopes to have the album finished in early October. You can listen to Silent Night on Chrissquire.net.

 

Asia

Asia’s forthcoming studio album ‘Phoenix’ is due for release by Frontier Records in April.

Rick Wakeman

 

Christmas Variations was re-released in remastered format by Voiceprint before Christmas. Long out of print it comprises ten Christmas carols including the ubiquitous Silent Night.

 

Bill Bruford

The new 12-track Bruford-Borstlap Duo album ‘In Two Minds’ is now available for pre-order through Bill Bruford’s website. It will be released in record stores in Europe in February.

 

Jon Anderson

Two of Jon’s solo albums will be re-released by Voiceprint from Jon’s record label Opio Media early this year. Toltec, originally released in 1996, will be re-released in February and will include two bonus tracks one of which is the 17-minute version of ‘Longwalker Speaks’ and the other ‘True Horizon’. The Promise Ring will be re-released in March.

Yes news on the web              Ý      

 

Bill Bruford was interviewed recently and judging by his comments there is little chance of him getting back together with Yes!

 

Rock’s Backpages is a library website that has compiled a huge number of historical interviews with rock stars including Yes.  The catch is that to read the full interviews you have to subscribe at US$60 annually or US$36 for 6 months.

 

The Fanfare for a Common Man opener for Led Zeppelin featuring Chris Squire and Alan White was partially captured on YouTube

 

Here is Run with the Fox with Chris and Alan on YouTube.

 

Sydney YesFANZ Social Events          Ý

 

We had two social events in December that were very enjoyable. The intrepid YesFANZ fitness society did The Spit Bridge to Manly walk followed by lunch at the Steyne Hotel on the Corso. The cold beers were very much enjoyed after the walk. It was a hot day! Here are some pictures

 

Later in the month we held our AGM and Xmas dinner at Baia restaurant, Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour from 6.30pm. A great evening was had and our AGM was a roaring success, especially as we got it over in 2-minutes flat! Only one change in office bearers – Roger Clark was elected Vice President to replace Alex van Starrex who retired.

 

Jeff Haines pointed out that Sydney Channel 31 is starting a series on 60s/70s Australian music at 9pm Saturday nights, details www.wrokdown.com

 

 

YesFANZ Members Compilation CD "Songs from the South Side of the Sky"    Ý

 

Roger Clark, Steve Black and I have completed our selections for the compilation CD. The next step is to get the tracks mastered.

 

YesFANZ Inc. Office Bearers and Contacts          Ý

President:                           Bob Forbes yes@robert-forbes.com

Vice President                    Roger Clark podo@bigpond.com

Secretary                          Anne Corris  corrisa@willis.com

Treasurer                          Ian Joyner  i.joyner@acm.org

Public Officer                     Louise Steer louise@futuresoftware.com.au

Newsletter editor                Brian Draper b.d.draper@bigpond.com

Membership                     John McInerney yesfanz2003@hotmail.com

Webmaster                        Steve Black cbassoc@optusnet.com.au

 

The following YESFANZ members represent each of the States and Territories of Australia and New Zealand.

 

New South Wales:               Bob Forbes yes@robert-forbes.com

Victoria:                             Mark Hawes  molymajordidge@bigpond.com

Queensland:                      Douglas Hills  Phone: 07 3285 1910
Tasmania:                         Steve Davis stdavis74@yahoo.com

South Australia:                 Craig Moore craigfm@bigpond.net.au

Northern Territory:             Glen Dooley glen.dooley@naalas.org.au 

ACT:                                 Reidar Jorgensen  reidar@jorgensen.com

Western Australia:             John McInerney  yesfanz2003@hotmail.com Phone: 08 9275 2129

New Zealand:                   Paul Rogers paul.rogers@aut.ac.nz

 

If you still haven’t provided us with updated information regarding your contact details, please email John McInerney at yesfanz2003@hotmail.com or me at B.D.Draper@bigpond.com with the following information:

Name, Postal Address, Daytime phone, AH phone

Email address for newsletter (if it is different from current one)

By sending this information you will also be confirming that you wish to remain a member of YesFanz Inc.

 

To assist in the production of this Newsletter, I would like your contributions. Any Yes related items, particularly with an Australian or New Zealand angle, will be used so long as it doesn’t breach copyright or is potentially libellous.