Jon Anderson’s illness cancels Yes summer tour
2008-06-10
Jon Anderson is suffering from respiratory problems, prompting Yes to cancel its summer tour.
The 63-year-old singer, who’s since been diagnosed with acute respiratory failure, was ordered by doctors last weekend to rest for at least six months “or suffer further health complications,” it was announced Wednesday in a statement released by representatives for the band and Live Nation, which was presenting the tour.
That means no hitting the road for Anderson, who was to kick off the band’s 26-city summer tour in Quebec on July 12.
“I’d like everyone (to) know how deeply disappointed I am by this turn of events,” Anderson said in a statement. “I was looking forward to celebrating our music with the amazing family of Yes fans once again; but as we all know, health must come before anything else.”
Bassist Chris Squire, who formed Yes with Anderson in 1968, said Anderson’s health was the band’s primary concern, though he was “especially regretful of the fact that … many of our fans and friends have probably laid out nonrefundable airfares and hotels, etc., in order to enjoy the Yes shows this summer.”
Ticket refunds are available at point of purchase.
The tour, called “Close to the Edge and Back,” the band’s first outing in four years, included concerts in Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Miami, Atlanta and Seattle. It was to close in Universal City, California, on August 22.
Anderson and Squire were to be joined by guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White and Oliver Wakeman on keyboards. Wakeman’s father is former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman.
The band, whose hits include “I’ve Seen All Good People,” “Roundabout” and “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” previously released the album “Magnification” in 2001.

Get well Jon, I was recently hospitalized with an infection and health must come first. All the best from a Yes fan of 30+ years
Comment by David Dellapelle — August 27, 2008 @ 4:21 pm
we are all waiting for this ‘in the present’ tour now!!
understudy benoit from toronto will be ’sitting in’ for jon as will oliver wakeman on keys.
gonna be strange, but I support Yes in any incarnation [so far-hehe]
Hoping the fans treat mr benoit fairly and give him a chance!
Jon will be back someday.
Comment by Kathi — November 1, 2008 @ 4:44 am
I would’ve thought there’d be an article on the current tour here. I know who could put a review of a show. I did mine.
Comment by John Sposato — November 25, 2008 @ 10:58 am