80-year-old ex Yes singer drops huge Message

The term “late-career renaissance” may be overused, but it aptly describes Jon Anderson’s recent resurgence. After a serious illness in 2008 led to his departure from Yes—a band he had been deeply involved with for 40 years—he faced the challenge of rebuilding his life and career while managing health concerns during the pandemic.

 

 

 

 

 

Recently, however, he has rediscovered his creative spark, inspired by an unexpected source. “During Covid, I stayed mostly indoors due to my health,” he shares. “I decided to upgrade my studio and explore the various instruments I had collected over time.”

Around the same period, he came across a video featuring the London musician Jacob Collier. Anderson found himself invigorated by Collier’s talent and prolific output, feeling motivated to reignite his own musical journey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This renewed creativity has led to various exciting projects, including a surprising collaboration with The Band Geeks, resulting in their remarkable album, *True*. The album combines the essence of Yes with Anderson’s extensive solo career and features two captivating long tracks, “Counties And Countries” and “Once Upon A Dream,” alongside three additional songs that showcase their pop-prog style.

 

 

 

 

 

The Band Geeks, a talented group originally formed to perform cover songs for fun, were integral to the album’s success. After being introduced to them through a friend, Anderson reached out to guitarist Richie Castellano, praising their rendition of “Heart Of The Sunrise.” This connection blossomed into a collaborative effort, leading to a tour and eventually the creation of the album.

Castellano, who has a rich history with Blue Öyster Cult, assembled an impressive array of musicians, and their tour showcased classic Yes songs to enthusiastic audiences. After the tour, Anderson proposed making an album, and they began collaborating remotely, sharing ideas and evolving song structures together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Much of the songwriting was a joint effort, with Anderson providing concepts that Castellano and the band expanded upon. For example, Castellano transformed Anderson’s original ideas into more intricate compositions, particularly with “Counties And Countries.”

The album reflects a strong emotional and spiritual theme, exploring connections to the divine and the beauty of life. Anderson’s lyrics invite listeners to awaken to their higher selves and appreciate the world around them. The closing track, “Thank God,” serves as a heartfelt homage to his wife, rooted in cherished memories from their past.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Anderson approaches his 80th birthday, he reflects on the journey that has shaped his music and life. Despite his past health struggles, he feels grateful for his voice and ability to perform, relying on lozenges to keep his throat in shape during performances.

Overall, *True* marks a significant chapter in Anderson’s career, highlighting not only his enduring passion for music but also the power of collaboration and creativity at any stage of life.