Jon Anderson

Jon Anderson
Anderson in Vicenza 29 November 2007
Background information
Birth name	John Roy Anderson
Born	25 October 1944 (1944-10-25) (age 66)
Origin	Accrington, Lancashire, England
Genres	Progressive rock, Symphonic rock, Pop rock, New Age
Occupations	Vocalist, lyricist, songwriter, painter, guitarist, harpist
Instruments	Vocals, keyboards, percussion, harp, guitar
Years active	1968 - present
Labels	Atlantic Records Polydor Records Elektra Records Columbia Records Angel Records Windham Hill Records Higher Octave Records Eagle Records Cleopatra Records Voiceprint Records Wounded Bird Records
Associated acts	Yes Jon & Vangelis Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe
Website	Official website

Jon Anderson (born John Roy Anderson^[1] on 25 October 1944^[1]) is an English musician, known as the former lead singer of the progressive rock band Yes.^[1] He is also an accomplished solo artist, and has collaborated with artists such as the Greek musician Vangelis, among others.

Biography

Early life and childhood

Jon Anderson was born John Roy Anderson in Accrington, Lancashire, England, to Albert and Kathleen Anderson, who were of Irish ancestry.^[1] Anderson dropped the "h" from his first name in 1970.^[1]

Anderson attended St. John's Infants School in baxenden accrington There he made a tentative start to a musical career playing the washboard in "Little John's Skiffle Group", which played songs by Lonnie Donegan among others. Anderson left school at the age of fifteen, and went through a series of jobs including farm hand, lorry driver, and milkman. Anderson tried to pursue a football career at Accrington Stanley F.C., but was turned down because of his frail constitution. He remains a fan of the club.^[1]

Early career

In 1962, Anderson joined The Warriors (also known as The Electric Warriors),^[1] where he and his brother Tony shared the role of lead vocalist. He quit this band in 1967, released two solo singles in 1968 under the pseudonym Hans Christian Anderson, and then briefly sang for the bands The Gun and The Open Mind. One of Anderson's first producers at EMI was songwriter Paul Korda.

In March 1968, Anderson met bassist Chris Squire and joined him in a group called Mabel Greer's Toyshop, which had previously included guitarist Peter Banks. Anderson fronted this band, but ended up leaving again before the summer was over. He remarks on his website that his time with the band consisted of "too many drugs, not enough fun!".^[1]

Yes

Anderson, Squire, and Banks went on to form Yes, with drummer Bill Bruford and keyboardist Tony Kaye. Their debut album was released in 1969. He stayed with the group until 1980, and this period is now known as the classic period of Yes. Jon was a major creative force and band leader throughout the period (describing himself as the 'team captain'; nicknamed by his bandmates "Napoleon" for his diminutive stature and leadership of the band) and is recognised as the main instigator of the series of epics produced by Yes at the time. His role in creating such complex pieces as "Close to the Edge", "Awaken", and especially "The Gates of Delirium" is central, despite his limited instrumental abilities.

Jon Anderson performing in concert with Yes in 1977

He rejoined a reformed Yes in 1983, which produced their most commercially successful album 90125 with newcomer Trevor Rabin, and departed again in 1988 over the band's continued pursuit of major commercial success and mainstream radio play. In 1989, Anderson and other former Yes members formed the group Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe (ABWH), augmented by bassist Tony Levin who had played with drummer Bill Bruford in King Crimson. After the successful first ABWH album, a series of business deals caused ABWH to reunite with the then-current members of Yes, who had been out of the public eye while searching for a new lead singer. The resulting eight-man band assumed the name Yes, and the album Union (1991) was assembled from various pieces of an in-progress second ABWH album as well as recordings that "Yes proper" had been working on, without Anderson. A successful tour followed, but the eight-man lineup of Yes never recorded a complete album together before splintering in 1992. Many more personnel changes followed, but Anderson has been with the band ever since. He appears on all Yes albums except their 1980 album Drama.

Anderson was fond of experimenting within the band, also adding to what were at times conflicted relationships within the band and with management. He originally wanted to record the album Tales from Topographic Oceans in the middle of the woods, and instead decided to put hay and animal cut-outs all over the recording studio. In another incident, Anderson had tiles installed in the studio, to simulate the echo effect of one's vocals in a bathroom.

Anderson last performed with Yes in 2004. A tour planned for summer 2008 with Anderson was cancelled when he suffered acute respiratory failure. The band have since announced a tour without him and he has been replaced by Benoît David,^[2] singer in a Yes tribute act called Close to the Edge.^[3]

Vocal and lyrical style

It is a commonly held misconception that Jon Anderson sings falsetto, a vocal technique which artificially produces high, airy notes by using only the ligamentous edges of the vocal cords; however, Jon Anderson does not sing falsetto. His normal singing (and speaking) voice is naturally above the tenor range. In a 2008 interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jon stated, "I'm an alto tenor and I can sing certain high notes, but I could never sing falsetto, so I go and hit them high."^[4] He is also noted for singing in his original Lancastrian accent.

Anderson is also responsible for most of the mystically-themed lyrics and concepts which are part of many Yes releases. These elements are crucial components of the classic Yes sound, but have occasionally alienated some members of the band (most notably Bruford and Rick Wakeman), contributing to their leaving the group. The lyrics are frequently inspired by various books Anderson has enjoyed, from Tolstoy's War and Peace to Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha. A footnote in Paramahansa Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi inspired an entire double album Tales from Topographic Oceans (1973). Recurring themes include environmentalism, pacifism and sun-worship.

Beyond Yes

In 1970 Anderson appeared as a featured guest singer on King Crimson's Lizard album, on the track "Prince Rupert Awakes". The tune was outside the range of the group's then-vocalist, Gordon Haskell.

In September 1975 Anderson appeared on the Vangelis album Heaven and Hell.

In 1976, Jon Anderson released Olias of Sunhillow, his first solo album.

In 1979 Anderson composed the score for a ballet Ursprung . Ursprung was part of a grouping of three dance works collectively entitled Underground Rumours which was commissioned and performed by The Scottish Ballet. The choreographer was Royston Maldoom, the set and costume designer was Graham Bowers, and the lighting designer was David Hersey. The principal dancers were Andrea Durant and Paul Russell.

In early 1980 when Anderson and Wakeman left Yes, Anderson started recording again with Vangelis and by summer 1980 Jon & Vangelis had released Short Stories, followed in November by Jon's solo album Song of Seven and a major UK tour with The New Life Band.

In 1981 Anderson appeared on Rick Wakeman's concept album 1984.

In 1982, Jon Anderson released Animation (album).

In 1983 Anderson appeared on Mike Oldfield's "In High Places" from the album Crises as well as another song called "Shine". In 1983 Anderson also appeared with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. During this year, he tried forming a trio with Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson. This, however, did not come to fruition.

In 1984 Anderson appeared on the song "Cage Of Freedom" from the 1984 soundtrack for a re-release of the silent Fritz Lang film Metropolis.

In 1985 Anderson's song "This Time it Was Really Right" was featured on the soundtrack for the movie St. Elmo's Fire. He also sang "Silver Train" and "Christie" on the film soundtrack Scream for Help. Along with Tangerine Dream Anderson appeared on the song "Loved by the Sun" for the film Legend directed by Ridley Scott.

The 1986 film Biggles: Adventures in Time features a song sung by Anderson. During this year, Jon recorded some demos that would later be reworked in years to come. He and Vangelis also started writing and demoing new songs for another album. Though the album wasn't made, they performed live together on 6 November 1986.

In 1987 Anderson sang on "Moonlight Desires" on Gowan's album Great Dirty World.

In 1988 Anderson recorded album In the City of Angels and sang on "Stop Loving You" on the Toto album The Seventh One.

In 1989, Jon Anderson recorded an album that would later be released as The Lost Tapes of Opio. He also sang on the song "Far, Far Cry" for the Jonathan Elias album Requiem for the Americas.

In 1992 Anderson appeared on Kitaro's album Dream, adding both lyrics and vocals to three songs: "Lady of Dreams", "Island of Life" and "Agreement".

Anderson in Vicenza 29 November 2007

In 1993, Jon planned to release a Ancient America influenced solo album called The Power of Silence. However, it wasn't released due to issues with Geffen Records. He also toured South America with a band that included his daughters Deborah and Jade. Anderson appeared on the song "Along The Amazon" which he co-wrote for guitarist Charlie Bisharat's album of the same name. During that year, Jon recorded an orchestral solo album called Change We Must, which was released the following year.

In 1994, Jon Anderson released a solo album of Latino influence called Deseo. There were plans to release a live album called The Best of South America, but it was not released due to management issues. Some copies were already released by Yes Magazine. Anderson sang on the 7th Level children's video game Tuneland. Also, his son Damion released a single called Close 2 the Hype, which featured him and Jon on vocals.

In 1995, Jon released a solo album called Angels Embrace. He also spoke of a plan to tour and record China. However, this idea was soon abandoned in favour of focusing on work with Yes.

In 1996, The Power of Silence was released under the title Toltec. This release included sound effects that weren't on the original recording. Jon also played a Mother's Day concert in San Luis Obispo.

In 1997, Jon Anderson recorded and released a Celtic influenced solo album called The Promise Ring around the time he married Jane Luttenberger. During their honeymoon, Earthmotherearth was recorded and later released.

In 1998, an album that Jon and Jane recorded in Paris, France with Francis Jocky which was called The More You Know was released.

In 1999 Anderson appeared on the song "The Only Thing I Need" by act 4Him; it was recorded for a multi-group album called "Streams". Steve Howe's tribute album Portraits of Bob Dylan also featured a cover of the Bob Dylan song "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" with Jon's vocals. Jon Anderson also recorded with a band called The Fellowship.

In 2000, Jon Anderson and then Yes keyboardist Igor Khoroshev worked on an album called True You, True Me. A tour was to commence in 2001. However, due to Igor's sexual assault charges during Yes' 2000 Masterworks Tour, the project was shelved.

In 2002, Jon Anderson started recording songs for a project called The Big If, which has yet to be released.

In 2004 Anderson appeared with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra of Cleveland. The concert was recorded but only released to the orchestra members. He also recorded live on Satellite XM Radio in Washington D.C. on 1 April. This show was released on a DVD called Tour of the Universe in 2005, which incorporated visual effects. This release coincided with the release of Jon Anderson's single, "State of Independence".

In 2006, Anderson's earlier albums Olias of Sunhillow and Song of Seven were re-issued. Animation was tardily released on CD to complaints about the professionalism of the sound. To some ears a later pressing used a better master, although the label "Voiceprint" denies any differences between the pressings. In Elven Lands, an album containing Jon's recordings with The Fellowship, was also released. The first seven volumes of a box set called The Lost Tapes was released. Also during that year, Anderson appeared with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (East Coast Troupe) during two 16 December shows in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to play "Roundabout".

In 2007, Anderson contributed vocals to an album Culture of Ascent by American progressive rock group Glass Hammer; and appeared as part of a vocal ensemble on the track "Repentance" from the Dream Theater album Systematic Chaos". Also during that year, Anderson toured both the USA and England with The Paul Green School of Rock Music. Anderson's 1985 Christmas album 3 Ships was also released on CD with bonus tracks.

In 2008, an album of bird songs called From Me To You was added to The Lost Tapes. Anderson appeared on the song "Sadness of Flowing" which he co-wrote for Peter Machajdik's album Namah. Anderson made similar contributions to a remastering of Tommy Zvoncheck's album "ZKG".

In 2009, Jon Anderson played in a European tour called "Have Guitar, Will Travel". Later that year, Anderson's 1997 album EarthMotherEarth was re-released with bonus tracks. Rather than just have Jon Anderson's name, it was released under "Jon and Jane Anderson". In The City of Angels and Change We Must were also reprinted during this year.

In 2010, Jon played a series of shows in Canada. He and Rick Wakeman plan to tour together in autumn. There has also been news of a possible collaboration between Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman, and Trevor Rabin. There were rumours that Bill Bruford was also going to be involved, but Bruford confirmed that this wasn't true.

Family

Jon Anderson married Jennifer Baker in 1970, and they divorced in 1995. They have three children: daughter Deborah Anderson (b. 1970), son Damion Anderson (b. 1972), and daughter Jade Anderson (b. 1980).^[5] He married Jane Luttenberger in 1997.^[6]

Deborah Anderson sang on her father's solo album Song of Seven, and more recently has done work singing for the French electronica band Télépopmusik on the album Angel Milk (released 2005), and works as a photographer as well.^[7] Damion Anderson spoke the final lines in the Yes song "Circus of Heaven" which appeared on Tormato, and is also a musician. Jade Anderson's birth is celebrated in her father's song "Animation" on the album of the same name, and she sang backup on many of his later albums. She has released a solo album in Japan.^[8]

Health and spirituality

Anderson was a smoker in the 1960s and 70s, but now prides himself on a much healthier lifestyle. In the mid 70s, Anderson became a vegetarian, as did most members of Yes; however in a recent interview he states, "I was a veggie for a while, but again I grew out of that. But I do eat very healthy."^[9] In an 16 August 2006 interview on The Howard Stern Show Jon said he eats meat, mostly fish on occasion. In the interview, he also stated he had a spiritual adviser that "helped him see into the fourth dimension". To this day, before live performances he often meditates in a tent with crystals and dreamcatchers, a practice he started in the 1980s. Anderson's religious beliefs are syncretic and varied, including respect for the Divine Mother Audrey Kitagawa.^[10] He has worked with the Contemporary Christian music band 4HIM: in 1999, his vocal was featured on the song "The Only Thing I Need", which appeared on a various artists CD entitled Streams.

One of Anderson's passions is painting, and he uses his art as another channel for his creativity and self expression. His artwork is available to view on his official website.

On 13 May 2008, Anderson suffered a severe asthma attack which required a stay in the hospital. According to Yes' website, he is "currently at home and resting comfortably."^[11] Yes' planned summer 2008 tour was subsequently cancelled, with the press release saying, "Jon Anderson was admitted to the hospital last month after suffering a severe asthma attack. He was diagnosed with acute respiratory failure and was told by doctors to rest and not work for a period of at least six months or suffer further health complications."^[12] In September 2008 Jon wrote that he's "so much better...so grateful and so blessed...I look forward to 2009 for the "Great Work" to come."^[13] In 2009 he returned to touring (solo) and continued touring in 2010, even with Rick Wakeman for an exclusive UK tour.^[13]

Anderson is a supporter of Accrington Stanley football club.^[14]

Discography

Solo

Studio albums

• Olias of Sunhillow (1976)
• Song of Seven (1980)
• Animation (1982) (re-released on CD in 2006)
• 3 Ships (1985)
• In the City of Angels (1988)
• Deseo (1994)
• Change We Must (1994)
• Angels Embrace (1995)
• Lost Tapes of Opio (1996) (album recorded in 1989/90, first issued in 1996 through Jon Anderson's Opio Foundation and re-released on CD as part of The Lost Tapes 20 CD Box-Set)
• Toltec (1996)
• The Promise Ring (1997)
• Earth Mother Earth (1997)
• The More You Know (1998)
• Amharica (planned)

Collection

• The Lost Tapes (20 CD Box-Set) (2006–2007) [live performances, unreleased demo albums...]

With Yes

• Yes (1969)
• Time and a Word (1970)
• The Yes Album (1971)
• Fragile (1971)
• Close to the Edge (1972)
• Tales from Topographic Oceans (1973)
• Relayer (1974)
• Going for the One (1977)
• Tormato (1978)
• 90125 (1983)
• Big Generator (1987)
• Union (1991)
• Talk (1994)
• Keys to Ascension (1996) (studio & live double album)
• Keys to Ascension 2 (1997) (studio & live double album)
• Open Your Eyes (1997)
• The Ladder (1999)
• Magnification (2001)

As Jon & Vangelis

• Short Stories (1980)
• The Friends of Mr. Cairo (1981)
• Private Collection (1983)
• The Best of Jon & Vangelis (1984)
• Page of Life (1991)
• Chronicles (1994)
• Page Of Life (1998) - alternate version not approved by Vangelis

As Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe

• Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (1989)
• An Evening of Yes Music Plus (1993) (double live album)

Collaborations

With Kitaro:

• Dream (a.k.a. Lady of Dreams) (1992)

With Mike Oldfield:

• "In High Places" on the album Crises (1983)
• "Shine" (1986)

With Tangerine Dream:

• Legend (1986)

With King Crimson:

• Lizard (1970)

With Vangelis:

• Heaven and Hell (1975) - Vangelis album with Anderson vocals on one track
• Opéra Sauvage (1979) - Vangelis album with Anderson playing harp on Flamants Roses
• See You Later (1980)

With Toto:

• Backing vocals on the single version of Stop Loving You (1988) - This was the same year Toto members contributed to Anderson's City of Angels.

With 4 Him: Sings the chorus of the song "The Only Thing I Need" - "Streams" Various Artists Album first released on Word Records.

With Milton Nascimento:

• Angelus (1994)

With The Fellowship

• In Elven Lands (2006)

Solo recordings chart positions

US album chart (Billboard)

US singles chart (Billboard)

Notes

External links

• Jon Anderson online
• Jon Anderson's biography
• Jon Anderson discography
• Jon Anderson MySpace
• The Lost Tapes CD box set
• 1983 audio interview with Trevor Rabin, Alan White, Chris Squire, Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman
• Jon Anderson's collaboration with Tommy Zvoncheck
• Jon Anderson’s Earthmotherearth