Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John Roy Anderson, better-known as Jon Anderson, was born October 25, 1944, in Accrington, Lancashire, England.
Anderson is undeniably one of the most distinguishable voices in rock music as the lead vocalist and creative force behind pioneering progressive rock band YES.
Anderson was the author and a major creative influence behind the groundbreaking album Fragile (1971) as well as the series of epic, complex pieces such as “Awaken” (Going for the One, 1977), “Gates of Delirium” (Relayer, 1974) and especially “Close to the Edge” (1972) which were fundamental to the band’s success.
Additionally, Anderson co-authored the group’s biggest hits, including “I’ve Seen All Good People”, “Roundabout”, and “Owner of a Lonely Heart”.
After 50 years of success in the music business, Jon has worked with many variations of YES, as well as collaborations with leading progressive music artists such as Vangelis, Kitaro, Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings) and Jean-Luc Ponty.
Jon Anderson has released several solo albums spanning various musical genres, including the progressive rock masterpiece Olias of Sunhillow; Song of Seven; Animation; Three Ships; Toltec; and Survival and Other Stories to name just a few.
In 2015, the AndersonPonty Band, comprised of Jon Anderson and pioneering fusion violinist Jean Luc Ponty, released Better Late Than Never. This live performance album was enhanced with innovative production and included a bonus DVD of exceptional performances from the band’s September 2014 show at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Colorado. With its breathtaking new compositions and rearranged classics from YES and Jean Luc Ponty, Better Late Than Never was a remarkable recording, featuring Jon’s vocals and melodies enhancing the music, including the new song “Infinite Mirage” which incorporates Ponty’s classic tune “Mirage.”
“A breakthrough feeling came as I sang with Jean Luc’s music, to be in a band again is very exciting on many levels, we will play and sing our way around the world and have fun, for music is pleasure, music is all that is.” – Jon Anderson
“Collaborating with Jon who is such a creative singer/songwriter is unlike any project I have done before. I knew that we had plenty of musical affinities to make it work, but the result is way beyond my expectations. It is also a lot of fun to reunite with these excellent musicians who played with me in the past, they really put their heart in this project and with Jon’s creative input we are not just rehashing the past but giving a new life to the music we started developing decades ago.” – Jean Luc Ponty
The AndersonPonty Band also featured highly talented musicians including Jamie Glaser on guitars (known for working with Jean Luc Ponty, Chick Corea, Bryan Adams, and Lenny White), Wally Minko on keyboards (who collaborated with stars such as Pink, Toni Braxton, Tom Jones, and Barry Manilow), Baron Browne on bass (who played with Steve Smith, Billy Cobham, and Jean Luc Ponty), and Rayford Griffin on drums and percussion (who performed with the Stanley Clarke Band, George Duke, Michael Jackson, and Jean Luc Ponty).
The collaboration between Jon Anderson and Jean Luc Ponty dates back to the 1980s, and after 30 years, their dream of working together finally came to fruition with the release of Better Late Than Never.
In 2017, Jon reformed YES with former band members Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman. YES Featuring ARW toured the world to rave reviews and released Live At The Apollo CD/DVD in September 2018.
In 2019 Jon released an ambitious album he started 28 years earlier called 1,000 Hands, a reference to the fact that numerous guest musicians perform on the album, including Ian Anderson, Billy Cobham, Jean-Luc Ponty, Chick Corea, Zap Mamma, Chris Squire, Alan White, Steve Howe and many more.
In February 2022, Jon Anderson launched a Patreon site. The music patronage option intends to deliver unreleased music and videos, to members.
Anderson said about the new project: “I am thrilled to embark on this journey with you as I create the next chapter of my life’s work. After years of dealing with the runaround of big record labels, I have decided to partner with you, as those of you who enjoy my work have always been my greatest support and inspiration. There are many great projects I have been working on including lots of new music, paintings, a book, and short stories. Your patronage will allow me to continue my work and will offer you priceless access.”
To join, go to www.patreon.com/JonAnderson
Later, also in 2022, Jon Anderson announced a summer tour with The Paul Green Rock Academy to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Close to the Edge, performing the album in its entirety.
Jon Anderson’s True (Frontiers, 2024) marked a revitalizing return to progressive rock, highlighting Anderson’s enduring creativity alongside the American collective, The Band Geeks. Having toured together since 2023, the synergy between Anderson and the Geeks was undeniable, breathing fresh life into the Yes legacy while extending the glory of the genre’s golden era.
True balanced shorter, intricate tracks like “Shine” and “Build Me an Ocean” with longer, symphonic compositions such as the nearly 10-minute “Counties and Countries” and the epic 16-minute “Once Upon a Dream.” The Band Geeks proved to be capable collaborators, enhancing Anderson’s unmistakable vocals with rich harmonies, dazzling instrumental interplay, and inventive arrangements. Co-produced by Anderson and Richie Castellano, the album stands as a well-constructed homage to the past, with the potential to shape the future of the Yes legacy.
(headline image: Jon Anderson in 2019 Photo by Deborah Anderson)
Solo Discography:
Olias of Sunhillow (Atlantic, 1976)
Song of Seven (Atlantic, 1980)
Animation (Atlantic, Polydor, 1982)
3 Ships (Elektra, Opio, 1985)
In the City of Angels (Columbia, 1988)
Deseo (Windham Hill, 1994)
Change We Must (EMI, Angel, 1994)
Angels Embrace (Higher Octave, 1995)
Toltec (High Street, Windham Hill, 1996)
Lost Tapes of Opio (Opio Foundation, 1996)
The Promise Ring (OM Town, Higher Octave, 1997)
Earth Mother Earth (Ellipsis Arts, 1997)
The More You Know (Purple Pyramid, Eagle, 1998)
Survival & Other Stories (Gonzo, Voiceprint, 2011)
1000 Hands: Chapter One (Blue Élan Records, 2019)
True (Frontiers Records, 2024)
With Yes:
Yes (Atlantic Records, 1969)
Time and a Word (Atlantic Records, 1970)
The Yes Album (Atlantic Records, 1971)
Fragile (Atlantic Records, 1971)
Close to the Edge (Atlantic Records, 1972)
Tales from Topographic Oceans (Atlantic Records, 1973)
Relayer (Atlantic Records, 1974)
Going for the One (Atlantic Records, 1977)
Tormato (Atlantic Records, 1978)
Drama (Atlantic Records, 1980)
90125 (Atco Records, 1983)
Big Generator (Atco Records, 1987)
Talk (Victory Music, 1994)
Very interesting bite-sized summation! Jon Anderson is definitely one of my music heroes, and here’s hoping we hear at least a couple more epics from him, especially with the Wakeman/Rabin version of Yes who put on a spectacular concert. His latest, 1,000 Hands, is up there with some of his better material.
Updated biography and discography.