Prog-rock legends Yes [ tickets ], who have been holed up in the studio for a year concocting a new album, will emerge for a tour of North American theaters on Oct. 15. Nineteen cities are currently on the itinerary, with more to be announced soon.

The band will warm up for the tour throughout September by playing eight shows in South America before opening their North American trek at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The band's line-up for the tour will feature core Yes [ tickets ]-men Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe and Alan White, along with Billy Sherwood and Igor Khoroshev. The band last toured the U.S in 1997.

Yes will be supporting ''The Ladder,'' an album scheduled to reach stores on Sept. 28 -- exactly 30 years after the release of the band's first album. Album producer Bruce Fairbairn, best known for his work with Aerosmith, Bon Jovi and The Cranberries, had just completed making ''The Ladder'' prior to his death.

Fans can get an early peek at the album's first single, ''Lightning Strikes,'' by visiting the Tower Records web site (www.towerrecords.com), where the song is available via Liquid Audio technology. The download will remain active on computers until Sept. 28.