Yes returns to US stages this summer

Veteran progressive rockers Yes will hit the road with a revamped lineup this spring, again featuring a new lead singer taking the place of founding member Jon Anderson.

The returning three members of the band's most commercially successful lineup--bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Steve Howe and drummer Alan White--will be joined by singer Benoit David and keyboardist Oliver Wakeman (son of the band's longtime keyboardist, Rick Wakeman) on the trek, which kicks off June 26 in Indio, CA. Dates for the 24-city outing are included below.

Along as support on the tour will be '80s prog-rockers Asia , with Howe--who helped form the group after originally departing Yes in 1980--performing during both band's sets. The group also features ex-Yes and Buggles keyboardist Geoff Downes, Emerson, Lake and Palmer's Carl Palmer on drums and former King Crimson bassist/guitarist/vocalist John Wetton.

In February, the remaining dates on Yes's "In the Present" tour were called off when Squire was rushed to a hospital, requiring emergency surgery on his leg for a blood clot, according to the band's website.

The band's longtime lead singer, Jon Anderson, was absent from the earlier tour and will also sit this one out. The singer was diagnosed last spring with acute respiratory failure and advised by his doctors to take at least six months off. The other members of Yes replaced Anderson with David, who had previously fronted a Yes tribute band.

"This isn't an attempt to replace Jon Anderson, because as we all know, that would be impossible," Squire said in a press release last fall announcing the "In the Present" shows, which were originally billed as "Howe, Squire and White of Yes."

"With Benoit, we are bringing in a talented singer so that we can go out and honour the music of Yes for the fans who have waited for the past four years to see us perform."

Anderson initially took umbrage to the move, posting on his website that he felt "disrespected" by being replaced and that fans would not be seeing Yes on tour without him. Recently, however, the two parties seem to have reached an understanding, as Anderson's original comments have been removed from the site.

Yes has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide during its 40-year career, according to a press release. The British quintet released its 17th and most recent studio album, "Magnification," in 2001.

TOUR DATES
 tour dates and tickets
June 2009
26 - Indio, CA - Fantasy Springs Casino
27 - Las Vegas, NV - Thomas & Mack Center
30 - Snoqualmie, WA - Snoqualmie Casino Events Center

July 2009
2 - San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theatre
3 - Saratoga, CA - The Mountain Winery
7 - Los Angeles, CA - Gibson Amphitheater
8 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay
9 - Phoenix, AZ - Dodge Theater
12 - Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre
14 - Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theater
15 - Ft. Worth, TX - Bass Performance Hall
16 - Muskogee, OK - Civic Center
18 - Walker, MN - Moondance Jam
20 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
21 - Pittsburgh, PA - Amphitheater at Station Square
22 - Glen Allen, VA - Innsbrook Pavilion
23 - National Harbor, MD - Sunset Concerts
25 - Cohasset, MA - South Shore Music Circus
26 - Jackson, NJ - Six Flags Great Adventure Amphitheatre
28 - Philadelphia, PA - Tower Theater
29 - Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theatre
31 - Westbury, NY - Theatre @ Westbury

August 2009
1 - Jamestown, NY - Savings Bank Arena
2 - Bethlehem, PA - Musikfest

 tour dates and tickets
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