Yes 2011 – The Drama Continues…
I guess as a Yes fan, “changing lineups” is just business as usual. So it should come as no surprise then to see that keyboardist Oliver Wakeman (who’s been with the group for 3 years) is being replaced by “Drama” alumni, Geoff Downes. Yes, that’s right, the keytar-ist from Asia. 
If I had to guess, I’m thinking that Downes saw how Steve Howe was getting “double pay” by playing in both Yes and Asia and wanted in on the action. hey, ya can’t blame the guy for wanting to get paid especially in this economy.
Anyway, Oliver Wakeman posted an official statement on his facebook page about what happened:
Oliver would firstly like to thank all the people who have taken the trouble to write to him with their concerns over the current YES rumours and press releases that have been circulating around the web.
An official statement will be forthcoming but we would like to at least put some facts forward.
Oliver is not voluntarily leaving YES and, as of this moment in time, we do not know which of Oliver’s many contributions to the recording will exist on the new YES record.
Oliver wanted to stay focused on the music for the ‘Rite of Spring’ tour and felt his primary role was to put on the best possible show for the fans who have paid to see the band.
As soon as the position becomes clear we will be posting more information on the new Facebook page and the official website (oliverwakeman.co.uk).
Thanks again for all the support that has been made for Oliver either through direct emails to the website, via Facebook and MySpace, forums or the web in general. Oliver has been very touched by the support shown for him through this unsettling period.
The band will be releasing their latest album (produced by Trevor Horn), Fly From Here, on July 12th. The new lineup of Yes recently posted a photo with producer Trevor Horn. Check it out.
They will also be on tour to support the new release beginning in July (with two special dates with Asia in May). Here are the dates:
Sat 05/28/11 Monterrey, Mexico Arena Monterrey
Mon 05/30/11 Mexico City, Mexico Auditorio Nacional
Tue 07/05/11 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
Thu 07/07/11 Canandaigua, NY Constellation Brands – Marvin Sands PAC (CMAC)
Fri 07/08/11 Mashantucket, CT MGM Grand At Foxwoods
Sat 07/09/11 Gilford, NH Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion
Mon 07/11/11 Wantagh, NY Nikon At Jones Beach Theater
Tue 07/12/11 Bethel, NY Bethel Woods Center For The Arts
Thu 07/14/11 Alpharetta, GA Verizon Wireless Amph. At Encore Park
Fri 07/15/11 Orange Beach, AL Amphitheater At The Wharf
Sat 07/16/11 Whites Creek, TN The Woods At Fontanel
Mon 07/18/11 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theatre
Tue 07/19/11 Noblesville, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center
Wed 07/20/11 Clarkston, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
Fri 07/22/11 Thackerville, OK Winstar World Casino
Sat 07/23/11 Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma City Zoo Amphitheatre
Sun 07/24/11 Maryland Heights, MO Verizon Wireless Amph. St. Louis
Tue 07/26/11 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Thu 07/28/11 Boise, ID Eagle River Pavilion
Fri 07/29/11 Woodinville, WA Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
Sat 07/30/11 Goldendale, WA Maryhill Winery Amphitheater
Tue 08/02/11 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre
Wed 08/03/11 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
Tue 11/08/11 Cambridge, United Kingdom Cambridge Corn Exchange
Wed 11/09/11 Sheffield, United Kingdom Sheffield City Hall
Fri 11/11/11 Birmingham, United Kingdom Symphony Hall
Sun 11/13/11 Manchester, United Kingdom O2 Apollo Manchester
Tue 11/15/11 Brighton, United Kingdom Brighton Dome
Wed 11/16/11 Bristol, United Kingdom Colston Hall
Thu 11/17/11 London, United Kingdom HMV Hammersmith Apollo
Sat 11/19/11 Paris, France Olympia
Sun 11/20/11 Brussels, Belgium Ancienne Belgique
Tue 11/29/11 Dresden, Germany Kulturpalast
Wed 11/30/11 Stuttgart, Germany Hegel Hall
Thu 12/01/11 Oberhausen, Germany Konig – Pilsener Arena
Sat 12/03/11 Munich, Germany Tonhalle
Sun 12/04/11 Bielefeld, Germany Ringlokschuppen
I’m still a bit surprised that Yes (with Trevor Horn) will be featuring “We Can Fly From Here” as the main track on their new album. Come on, it’s a pretty lame track from the “Buggles” days. I don’t know, maybe it’s totally re-vamped. anyway, you can check out the original Buggles’ version via youtube:
[...] David actually left the band last month. Of course nothing has been said officially but just like Oliver Wakeman’s sudden departure last year, it’s just “as per usual” for this [...]