English progressive rock band Yes is postponing their European tour so guitarist Steve Howe can undergo an “essential operation”.
Progressive Rock heroes Yes will be postponing their European tour so that guitarist Steve Howe can undergo an “essential operation”.
Taking to social media on Thursday (April 2nd), the band officially announced that they would be delaying their 11-date Fragile tour to allow Howe, 78, time to recover from an undisclosed surgery.
“The upcoming YES ‘Fragile’ UK and EU Tour, due to commence on 22nd April, has had to be postponed as guitarist Steve Howe requires an essential operation that requires recovery time,” the band would write on social media.
“This decision has been made to ensure that Steve can return to the stage in full health and deliver the performances that fans deserve. We are working hard to reschedule the UK and EU shows to a later date, with full details to be announced after Easter. Please retain your tickets as they will be valid for the rescheduled dates.”
The post would go on to thank their UK fans for their “continued support” in light of the news.
Yes’ celebrated fourth album, The Fragile, was released in November 1971, marking the bands third LP to be released within 16 months. Thanks to tracks like ‘Roundabout’, ‘Long Distance Runaround’ and ‘Mood For A Day’, the album would become one of the most important progressive rock albums of all time.
Their track ‘Roundabout’ would go on to appear in the anime Jojo’s Bizarre Adventures, and would receive a second life as a needle drop for a variety of memes on TikTok.
Of the recording lineup, only Howe remains an active member of the band. Drummer Bill Bruford left the band in 1992, vocalist Jon Anderson and keyboardist Rick Wakeman departed in 2004. Bassist Chris Squire remained in the band until his passing in 2015.
In 2017, Anderson and Wakeman would rejoin Howe for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rush’s Geddy Lee would fill in for Chris Squire for a performance of ‘Roundabout’. Drummer Alan White would also fill in for Bill Bruford, who attended the event but rejected the offer to play with his former band.
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