Did Steve Howe Ever Leave the Band Yes?
When discussing the members of the iconic British progressive rock band Yes, Steve Howe's status often arises. Many wonder if Steve Howe left Yes to form his own band, Asia. However, the official stance and historical records indicate that Howe never officially left the band. Let's delve deeper into this fascinating story.
Official Dissolution of Yes
The confusion often stems from an official statement by Yes. Following the controversies surrounding the 'Drama' album and tour, the band announced its official dissolution. During this time, guitarist Steve Howe, along with ex-Yes member Geoff Downes, formed the band Asia. This formation led to significant changes in the music industry, as Asia became a highly successful entity on its own.
Post-Yes Ventures
While Yes bassist and founding member Chris Squire and drummer Alan White remained affiliated with Atlantic Records, pursuing their post-Yes band opportunities, Howe and Downes ventured into music under a new name. Squire and White formed a couple of bands under other names, such as XYZ (eX-YesZeppelin) and Cinema, which were attempts to continue the spirit and legacy of Yes. However, these ventures were short-lived and did not achieve the same level of success as the original band.
Formation of Asia
Steve Howe's collaboration with John Wetton and Carl Palmer, two other former members, resulted in the formation of Asia. This marked a significant transition in Howe's career, a period when the band's sound shifted from the progressive rock of Yes to a more rock-oriented style.
Reformation and Return
Despite the official dissolution and the formation of Asia, the members of Yes still held a deep connection to the band's legacy. Chris Squire, inspired by former Yes lead singer Jon Anderson's interest in participating, reunited with Howe and began a new attempt to revive the band under the name Cinema. This pre-reunion phase saw the band working on new material, with Squire contributing to the composition "Mind Drive."
Eventually, it was decided to reform the band with Howe and Squire as two founding members, along with Jon Anderson and Trevor Rabin. This marked a significant breakthrough, allowing the band to re-brand itself as Yes and become active once again. It’s debatable whether Tony Kaye was a member at this time or was brought in to bolster the claim that the new band was indeed the original Yes. However, the return of Howe and Squire, coupled with Jon Anderson, reinforced the band's authenticity.
Given these events, one can argue that even when Howe formed Asia, he never officially left the band. Yes briefly ceased to exist between the release of 'Drama' and the success of the '90125' album, which marked the return of Steve Howe to the band.
Conclusion
In summary, Steve Howe's involvement in other bands, particularly Asia, does not equate to leaving Yes. The band reformed without him, demonstrating the strong bond and deep nostalgia that held the members together. Despite the many changes over the years, the legacy of Yes tied them together in ways that transcended their individual careers and other collaborations.