Transaction Report: YES Replaces Replacement Singer

Back in 2008 prog-rock legends YES parted ways with singer Jon Anderson rather than wait for their lead vocalist to recover from acute respiratory failure and signed YES tribute band singer Benoit David to take Anderson’s place. Today, history has repeated itself as YES announced Jon Davidson, who spent time fronting YES tribute act Roundabout, will replace an ailing David as lead vocalist for the band’s upcoming dates in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Indonesia and Hawaii.

IN: Jon Davidson

[Photo by Daniel Cossack]

OUT: Benoit David [Far Left]

[Photo via Six Media Marketing]

The reaction from YES fans has mostly been disappointment. It’s not that anyone seems to be sad that David has left the fold, but most fans were hoping YES would take the opportunity to fix a past mistake and hire Jon Anderson. It doesn’t help, and is just plain weird, that Jon Davidson’s name combines the names of their last two lead singers. YES’s next gig, and first with Davidson, is scheduled for the Vector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand on April 1.

Related Content

5 Responses

  1. Yes with Jon Davidson put on one of the best shows I have seen in Melbourne, 11th April 2012. The playing was outstanding, the sound was superb and Davidson’s voice was clear and strong and sat perfectly with the band. His range, power and tonal qualities were a prefect fit with the harmonies of Chris Squire. I would gladly see this line up any day of the week. To miss seeing them is to miss a great musical experience.

  2. I agree with Tex. I saw Yes play in Sydney last Friday night. The band was great and I was particularly impressed with Jon Davidson. I thought he was superb. He has a great voice – it was almost like listening to Jon Anderson.
    Overall, a great concert and I will definitely go and see them again next time they come to Australia.

  3. I saw them 7/21 in Boston with Davidson singing lead. I thought I would be disappointed, but was NOT at all!!!! Very, very good. He had the high Jon Anderson voice and even gestured like him throughout the show. Benoit David is a good singer, but Jon Davidson sounds better, more “yes-like”, “Anderson-like”.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

New to Glide

Keep up-to-date with Glide

Twitter