Before they were filling arenas with sprawling, cosmic soundscapes, seashell-shaped backdrops, and the scent of drifting patchouli, progressive rock legends Yes were just five ambitious London musos chasing sonic alchemy.
Formed in 1968, they set out to smash the boundaries of the late-sixties underground. And, by-and-large, they succeeded, aided in no small part by Jon Anderson's angelic voice, Chris Squire's Rickenbacker bass rumble, Peter Banks' jazzy fretwork, Tony Kaye’s driving organ, and Bill Bruford’s intricate, thrilling drumwork. This early incarnation wasn’t yet the symphonic beast of the seventies, but they were a fierce, high-energy live act, fusing the melodic muscle of The Beatles with fiery bursts of proto-prog.
