Progressive rock pioneers Yes were inducted into the 2017 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame during an April 7 ceremony at New York’s Barclays Center and video from the event has surfaced online.
Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson and bassist Geddy Lee had the honor of welcoming the band to the Cleveland-based institution.
“Yes helped give me the gift of music, which is everything, as you know,” said Lifeson. “They made me want to be a better musician.”
“I might've been a young musician jamming to basement grooves in Toronto,” added Lee, “but through Yes, I was tuning into a wider world of possibilities. One where music seemed to have no limitations.”
Yes members Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Steve Howe, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman, Alan White, Tony Kaye and the late Chris Squire were recognized for their enduring career.
Anderson recounted meeting Squire in a bar 49 years ago to the day of their induction, with all members thanking Yes fans for their support.
“Nothing can take away the response we've gotten from our fans,” declared Howe, “who obviously have a different ear from the general music lovers, fortunately, for us. They're able to distinguish the textures and the harmonies and the discords and the dynamics of the dramatic and the humble or the soft and the love of the choir.”
Yes took center stage to perform their 1971 classic, “Roundabout”, with Lee on bass in place of Squire before guitarist Steve Howe took it over for the 1983 US No. 1 hit, "Owner Of A Lonely Heart."
Rabin, Lee and Lifeson returned to join Pearl Jam for the traditional end-of-evening all-star jam with all of the inductees, where they performed the Neil Young track “Rockin’ In The Free World.”
The 2017 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony will be broadcast by HBO on April 29 at 8PM ET.
Yes recently announced dates for a summer US tour dubbed Yestival that will feature special guest Todd Rundgren and an opening set from Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy that will honor the work of his late bandmates Keith Emerson and Greg Lake.
The month-long run will open in Greensboro, NC on August 4, with more dates to be announced.
See also:
Yes announce Yestival summer US tour
Yes to perform on SiriusXM live special ahead of Rock Hall induction
Rock Hall: Geddy Lee of Rush will NOT perform with Yes at 2017 induction
Geddy Lee of Rush to perform with Yes at Rock Hall induction
Search Yes at hennemusic
