Q&A: Bassist Chris Squire of Yes

Q&A: Bassist Chris Squire of Yes

by Larry Rodgers - Jul. 9, 2009 01:45 PM
The Arizona Republic

Despite a string of lineup changes and legal squabbles over the use of the band's name, England's Yes has been recording and performing in one form or another for four decades.

One of the most successful progressive-rock groups of the '70s, Yes has delved into classical, jazz, rock and pop sounds.

The version of the band that visits Phoenix on Thursday with another prog-rock favorite, Asia, lacks ailing vocalist Jon Anderson and longtime keyboard player Rick Wakeman.

But co-founder Chris Squire and veteran members Steve Howe (guitar) and Alan White (drums) have soldiered on to play such classics as "I've Seen All Good People," "Roundabout," "Yours Is No Disgrace" and "Owner of a Lonely Heart."

Bassist Squire, 61, talked about the band's journey:

Question: Your band recently marked its 40th anniversary. Did you ever expect such longevity?

Answer: It is amazing that Yes is still a touring entity and that we have survived the rigors of 40 years of ups and downs. We have a new singer, Benoit David, from Montreal, who is standing in for Jon, who has not been well. Oliver Wakeman is standing in for his dad, who is busy with other projects. The reception for the band has been really good.

Q: Your music tends to be multilayered and complex. Has that helped keep your interest in performing over the years?

A: The great thing about Yes is that it has always been flexible. During the '70s, we did some rather long and complex pieces of music. During the '80s, we became a little more rocky, with the "90125" album and "Owner of a Lonely Heart" being a Number 1 (single). That flexibility has contributed to our longevity.

Q: Yes has endured many personnel changes, but you've always been there. What has kept you in the band?

A: It's more by default than design, actually. I've been there, and other members have gone off to do other projects. A lot of them have come back and left again and come back again. Alan White has been with the band since 1972. We can call him the new boy (laughs).

Q: There have been intraband tension and court fights. Has that been draining on you, or do you just try to focus on the music?

A: I'm that kind of guy, in a way (focusing on music). Over the years, there have been challenges about who can use our name. It's quite simple: A majority of people left in the band at a certain time own the name. It's not like I'm the guy who has the name under my own contract.

Q: You found your new singer through a tribute band, much like Journey found its latest vocalist, Arnel Pinada.

A: When Jon was having his problems, someone suggested that I see Journey in London because you could see it could work with someone standing in (on vocals). The show was really good, and I noticed that the fans who were there were just pleased to hear the music and have it done faithfully. Benoit has done a great job.

Q: There were conflicting reports about whether Jon approved of the band carrying on in his absence.

A: He was up-to-date with everything we were doing, and he hadn't complained about it. Our tour manager is also his (solo) manager. I think we pretty much have his blessing.

Q: Oliver Wakeman has some big shoes to fill. How has that worked out?

A: Rick has a whole other career in England. He's a bit of a TV personality. When we were going to go out on the road, he was busy, and he suggested that we take his son. Oliver is an excellent musician.

Q: Jon's respiratory problems seem to have lingered. What is the long-term outlook for the band?

A: I'm not a doctor, but from what I know, he may not want to do the big full-scale touring thing again. But we may be able to do some isolated shows with him. It really depends how his recovery goes, and we wish him a full recovery.

Q: Do you envision an album of new material with Benoit and Oliver?

A: We have talked about that. I am hoping to do that this year.

Q: You recorded a solo album, "Fish Out of Water," in 1975. Have you done other projects away from Yes?

A: I have nearly finished an album that I have written and recorded with Steve Hackett, the original guitar player from Genesis.

Q: It's been more than seven years since Yes' last studio album, "Magnification." Why have you avoided the studio?

A: We were doing a lot of live work from '97 to 2004. We were going to take time off in 2005, and then Jon got sick. Things got put on hold.

Q: Which Yes material are you playing on this tour?

A: We're coming up with some things that haven't been done (live), songs from the (1980) "Drama" album. We're doing something from Yes' second album, "Time and a Word," a track called "Astral Traveller," which even predates Steve Howe's tenure. We're also doing a new song I wrote called "Aliens (Are Only Us From the Future)."