ARW is no more!
No, they didn't break up. They just changed their name to Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman. The new Yes incarnation has also announced a North American tour, set to begin in late August.
Longtime Yes guitarist Steve Howe has been leading the other Yes lineup since co-founder Chris Squire's death in 2015. That lineup also includes drummer Alan White, Geoff Downes, Billy Sherwood and singer Jon Davison.
Anderson made public his claim to the Yes moniker following the group's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Friday. As the band's original singer, Anderson has rights to the name.
"The fans want it, we want it and it's our right to use the name," he said in a press release on the newly branded website, YesfeaturingARW.com.
Anderson also points out that he never left Yes, following his last stint with the Howe/Squire-led group.
"They just went off and did something else," he said.
The other Yes acknowledged Anderson's rights to the name, but voiced some concern.
"Yes' position is that every effort should be made by promoters, ticket agencies and all involved to respect Yes' magnificent and loyal fan base and minimize confusion regarding the use of Yes Featuring Anderson, Rabin, Wakeman."
It's a fair point, though it's hard to imagine a Yes fan being disappointed accidentally seeing the show with Anderson center stage.
See the full Yes Featuring Anderson, Rabin, Wakeman tour dates here.
Photo: Getty Images