Chris Squire interview

[Adrian]

One gets the sense they respect each other as musicians immensely but that they don't hang out together much. I know Steve felt pretty burned by being excluded during the Talk period, and he might hold Chris accountable for some of Yes' less savory business dealings over the years. Anyways, you get the sense he partners with Chris out of love for the music and the band's legacy but the fact that they've never even considered working together outside of Yes over the years speaks volumes.

But clearly they like each other enough to make albums and go on long tours. It seems Jon was the much bigger fly in the ointment for both Steve and Chris -- much more so than each other.

Yeah, I suspect that they tolerate each other professionally, because they know each needs the other. From just about everything I've read over my 30 years of following Yes, Steve Howe is a major-league prick. Chris probably puts up with it because he knows Steve isn't going away and most fans want him there. And I agree that one thing they probably share in common is that they found working with Jon increasingly difficult, if not impossible. If Jon A. comes back, it would probably be for a limited number of special performances, but as someone else said on this thread, that particular ship has sailed. Some people don't like Jon D., but that's what they get right now. I'd rather see Rabin and Moraz on guitars and keys, but it ain't happening, so I'll take what I can get. I imagine it's the same mindset for Chris -- just getting on with business, in whatever manner works.

[JJ88]

An 'armchair quarterback' view...I believe Jon and Rick are genuinely friendly- maybe Steve and Geoff as well. Bill Bruford seems on good enough terms with a few of the members. Otherwise I think it's 'strictly business', to be honest. But it was ever thus, I think.

Personally I feel they've reached an impasse. I personally can't see them getting much further with this current line-up. The new album wasn't received particularly well within their die-hard fanbase (which is all that is buying their new stuff now...same with most other old bands, not just them). How many times can they keep doing 40 year old albums, on which two and sometimes three of this line-up didn't play on originally?

[miamiscot]

Moraz, Eddie Jobson, I'd be happy to be in that club.



Oh wait- I am.

(Not as a player, mind you. The "not cool" part.)

You can play a little bit too, sir.

[Scott Bails]

Nice read...I learned a few things.

Thanks for posting.

...Best line in the interview....

“Which is why Steve still looks like a fucking stick insect.”......lol

My exact thoughts. Haven't come across an interview with so much new information in a while. Thanks!

Don't toy with my emotions, Mr. Squire. We all want Jon Anderson back in the band.

No, we all certainly don't.

If Jon Anderson is available and willing, he should be the singer.

He may be available and probably willing, but he's just not able anymore:

“We had a nice chat. I think we will do something together again – it’s just that he may not be up for full-scale touring.”

Give it up, let it go, time to move on.

[Maxschrek]

I always had my suspicions that Squire dabbled in coke between '73-80ish....never woulda guessed it was Glenn Frey's fault though

Great read, thanks for posting!

[trurl]

Yeah, when I think of cocaine I certainly don't think of the Eagles.

[cavgator]

Yeah, I suspect that they tolerate each other professionally, because they know each needs the other. From just about everything I've read over my 30 years of following Yes, Steve Howe is a major-league prick. Chris probably puts up with it because he knows Steve isn't going away and most fans want him there. And I agree that one thing they probably share in common is that they found working with Jon increasingly difficult, if not impossible. If Jon A. comes back, it would probably be for a limited number of special performances, but as someone else said on this thread, that particular ship has sailed. Some people don't like Jon D., but that's what they get right now. I'd rather see Rabin and Moraz on guitars and keys, but it ain't happening, so I'll take what I can get. I imagine it's the same mindset for Chris -- just getting on with business, in whatever manner works.

If you read Bruford's book, it doesn't appear that Steve was the major league prick. But Billy has his moments as well...

[2steves]

Howe is Yes sound and can't be replaced IMO ---I think Squire realizes no one wants to see Yes west again if they did Rabin would be out there playing rather than doing his film score career for years---Howe with Yes and Asia and solo jazz stuff has had a much more vital and successful career--I think Howe has a decent relationship with Squire on some things not on others--nothing great but decent---Bruford and Howe have always been friends--they resect each other and have similar serious temperaments---Squire is a party animal, several wives, drinking and whatever, but the thing Howe and him have in common is the desire to play live and keep Yes music alive---I know they sorta disagree on the need for new music---Squire wants it--Howe is conflicted. Because many groups--even U2 and Bono have said do people want new music really?---or do they just want to see live performances of the great songs? All classic rock bands are going thru this. I like the idea of new music but let's face it--if you ask Yes fans they want to hear Gates not Believe Again live.

[Scrotum Scissor]

I certainly hope for Yes to continue another 30 years or so.

[syncopatico]

Yeah, when I think of cocaine I certainly don't think of the Eagles.

Glyn Johns was HAPPY to have been fired by the Eagles (back in 1974?) because they were doing SO MUCH coke it was impossible to reason with them. That, and the fact that they were at each other's throats all the time!

[Adm.Kirk]

Personally, I'd be glad to see them do Believe Again and Gates at the same show.

Bill

[Jeremy Bender]

The only way I'd go see Yes again would be if this was the setlist:

The Gates of Delirium
Sound Chaser
To Be Over

[break]

The Revealing Science of God
The Remembering
The Ancient
Ritual

Roundabout

[Scott Bails]

The only way I'd go see Yes again would be if this was the setlist:

The Gates of Delirium
Sound Chaser
To Be Over

[break]

The Revealing Science of God
The Remembering
The Ancient
Ritual

Roundabout

Well, looks like you're going to be saving some money, then.

[cavgator]

The only way I'd go see Yes again would be if this was the setlist:

The Gates of Delirium
Sound Chaser
To Be Over

[break]

The Revealing Science of God
The Remembering
The Ancient
Ritual

Roundabout

I'm not sure they are physically capable of playing those anymore. Particularly Alan...

[nycsteve]

Nice read...I learned a few things.

Thanks for posting.

...Best line in the interview....

“Which is why Steve still looks like a fucking stick insect.”......lol

This coming from the reincarnation of Jabba The Hut

[moecurlythanu]

Thanks for posting the article. What the hell is "homemade acid"?

Probably made from Morning Glory seeds. Plenty of recipes out there, but the end product is likely somewhat dodgy.

[chalkpie]

Anybody hear some similarities between Squire and Phil Lesh in style and approach at times? Big tone differences, but the nimbleness, exploratory lines, and melodic counterpoint seems to run amok in both these guys. I've been listening to a bunch of Dead and this has been sticking out for me. Phil is quite excellent.

[Paulrus]

Anybody hear some similarities between Squire and Phil Lesh in style and approach at times? Big tone differences, but the nimbleness, exploratory lines, and melodic counterpoint seems to run amok in both these guys. I've been listening to a bunch of Dead and this has been sticking out for me. Phil is quite excellent.

I explored Phil Lesh's work back in the 80s when I almost hooked up with a guy who was a Deadhead who wanted to start a "prog" band. Unfortunately his idea of da prog and mine were very different.

But while I found Phil to be a nimble player, he and Chris Squire are miles apart in terms of their musical instincts. Phil is closer to Jack Bruce, IMO. He's more of a riffing bassist who populates the mid-range of a song. In that he and Squire weren't too far apart. But Squire's choice of notes was a lot more deliberative and designed to be counterpoint to the lead melodies. The Dead never really had the kind of huge melodic themes in their music. It was more about the vibe, and Phil more or less danced around within the chords. Almost like a jazz player, but with a different harmonic vocabulary. Chris Squire was often all about attack and making a bold musical statement with his instrument, whereas Phil was happier to be a pocket guy. Anyways, those were my takeaways.