UPDATE: The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame has released a statement denying that Rush bassist Geddy Lee will be performing with Yes at their induction in New York next month following comments by singer Jon Anderson as reported below.
Read the updated news here.
Original Yes singer Jon Anderson says both he and Rush bassist Geddy Lee will perform with the band at their induction into the 2017 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in New York next month.
Anderson tells Billboard that Lee will join Yes for a performance of their 1971 classic, “Roundabout”, in place of the late Chris Squire, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 67 from Acute Erythroid Leukemia (AEL).
"Chris is going to be there in spirit," says Anderson. "He always believed that we should have been in the Hall of Fame 10, 29 years ago. It wasn't high on my agenda; 'It happens when it happens' was my mantra. But we know Chris will be there in spirit, in energy. I loved the guy very much. Without him I wouldn't be here, that's for sure.
"And I can't believe it's nearly 50 years ago when me and Chris started the band. You think you're gonna be together two, three years maybe, if you're lucky, and here we are. Yes' music is still surviving."
Squire’s widow, Scotland, will be on hand to represent him at the event.
Yes alumnus Billy Sherwood stepped in to fill Squire’s role on bass since his passing.
The band will be inducted by Lee and Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson before the Rock Hall performance, which Anderson hints may also include 1971’s "I've Seen All Good People" and the 1983 US No. 1 hit, "Owner Of A Lonely Heart."
The singer – who split from the progressive rock pioneers due to health issues in 2008 – will accept the honor alongside former bandmates Bill Bruford, Steve Howe, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman, Alan White and Tony Kaye.
"It's a family. There's always animosity,” explains Anderson. “People that you love you don't always like, and there's always going to be that. But when you're celebrating who you truly are, you forget about all that and just get on with meeting each other and seeing each other, and it's just one of those things. It's not a problem; we'll just get together and have fun. Music is a healing force on every level."
The April 7 ceremony at New York’s Barclays Center will see Yes inducted as part of the Class of 2017 alongside Pearl Jam, Journey, Electric Light Orchestra, Joan Baez and Tupac Shakur.
See also:
Yes: Rick Wakeman updates plans for Rock Hall induction
Yes: Rick Wakeman comments on upcoming Rock Hall induction
Yes members comment on 2017 Rock Hall induction
Pearl Jam and Journey among 2017 Rock Hall Of Fame inductees
Search Yes at hennemusic
