Yes

Yes are an English progressive rock band formed in London in 1968. Founded by Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Bill Bruford, Tony Kaye and Peter Banks, the group became associated with progressive rock through extended compositions, complex musicianship and changing line-ups. They are notable for a series of influential albums in the 1970s and for continued reinvention across subsequent decades.

The band began with a repertoire that combined original material with rearranged covers, releasing their debut album Yes (1969) followed by Time and a Word (1970). Their first major breakthrough arrived with The Yes Album (1971), which established a more expansive progressive style and produced “Yours Is No Disgrace”. In the same period, the band achieved further success with Fragile (1971), featuring “Roundabout”, and developed the approach that would define their early-1970s work.

Yes reached their peak influence during the 1970s with albums including Close to the Edge (1972), often cited as a key progressive rock recording, and subsequent releases that combined virtuosic playing with large-scale arrangements. The band’s profile was strengthened by touring and by the prominence of members including guitarist Steve Howe and keyboardist Rick Wakeman, alongside continuing changes in personnel that shaped their evolving sound and performance style.

In the 1980s, Yes achieved a major commercial resurgence with 90125 (1983), which introduced a more streamlined production style and generated “Owner of a Lonely Heart”, their only US number-one single. Later decades involved further line-up changes, collaborations among different eras of the band’s membership, and continued touring and recording activity. The group remained active into the 21st century with ongoing performances and releases under varying configurations.

Yes’ legacy includes major recognition for both technical influence and mainstream success. In 1985, they won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for “Cinema”, and they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017. Reported worldwide sales exceed 30 million albums. Their recordings from both the 1970s progressive peak and the 1980s commercial period continue to be central reference points in discussions of rock’s stylistic development.