NEW YORK — Over the course of its 45-year history, progressive rock band Yes has housed 19 members and sported enough different versions of the band to warrant a PowerPoint presentation.
The man who has always been the one constant in the band since its inception is bassist and co-founder Chris Squire.
“It’s been very educational for me,” says Squire. “I consider myself privileged to be able to have played with all the different members. I’ve learned a lot from everyone who has been in the band.”
Currently Yes is rolling with a lineup that is both old and new. Squire is joined by longtime cohort drummer Alan White, who has been half of the rhythm section since 1972.
Guitarist Steve Howe, who served from 1970 to ’81, returned for a three-year stint from 1990 to ’92, only to come back in 1995 and stay for good.
During his time out of the band, Howe played in Asia with keyboardist Geoff Downes, who was a member of Yes from 1980 to ’81, then rejoined in 2011.
This month Yes is releasing its first studio album with singer Jon Davison, titled “Heaven & Earth.”
“Jon has always had a Yes ethic in his life because he’s been a fan since he was young,” says Squire. “He understood our vibe and fit right in.”
When asked if he keeps in contact with past members, Squire says, “Guitarist Trevor Rabin and I get together whenever I’m in Los Angeles. Singer Jon Anderson and I had a good conversation not long ago. I email keyboardist Rick Wakeman about business stuff. I see keyboardist Patrick Moraz now and again.”
Perhaps they will all be reunited when and if the band gets inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They were nominated last time around, and fans are pushing to get them into the Class of 2015.
“I guess it will happen at some point, and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t,” Squire says. “I don’t lose any sleep over it.”
One of Yes’ most successful tours was in 1991, when eight members united for a joint tour behind the collaborative studio album “Union.” Fans wonder if any of that magic can be resurrected.
“That’s not beyond a possibility,” says Squire. “It’s definitely something that could happen again. I personally would like to do it.”
