Billy Sherwood....

[yarstruly]

I was wondering how much lead guitar Billy Sherwood played IN THE STUDIO (On Open Your Eyes and The Ladder). I know he played a lot of the Rabin parts onstage, but was all of the lead work on those albums done by Howe, or was it more of a double lead situation? Can anyone shed any light?

[yarstruly]

To "pigyback" onto my original post...How well did Steve & Billy get along?

[Dragonfly]

It was described that most of OPEN YOUR EYES had already been completed by Chris and Billy before Jon, Alan and Steve were brought in. For Steve's sake, some songs were lengthened to give him space to perform leads. On other songs, Steve developed opening sequences. Most notable are all of his uses of acoustic guitar. I think that all of the acoustic work is Steve’s (only).

As for standard "lead" work, I think most of that is Steve, too. That's not to say that Billy didn't do any leads. I think some are still in there, but Steve was given free reign to add what he wanted.

As for whether they got along, I think they got along better than Steve and Trevor did. Billy knew his place in the band. He had only ever been a back up performer and producer. (Remember, he did a lot of the studio production work on KEYS TO ASCENSION 2) It was a different story for Trevor. Trevor had written music that the band (Cinema at the time) had joined in on. For a piece of his music to become the band's biggest hit gives him the right to claim front-row status in the band. That's when tensions would arise.

On the UNION tour, it couldn’t have been easy. The fans loved it as did most of the band, but some members just didn’t get along. My guess is that Steve and Tony were the two who got along the least. I’m under the impression that Steve played a large roll in Tony being let go from the band prior to Rick’s arrival. It is also my understanding that the reason for this was because Steve thought Tony's work was inferior to the rest of the band.

On the Symphonic DVD’s bonus disc, Steve can be heard discussing that MAGNIFICATION was the first time in the last three albums where he didn’t have another guitarist to compete with. His frustration at having gone through that is just as evident as his relief to been the only guitarist once again.

Dragonfly

I, for one, am delighted that Billy was in the band. I think the harmony vocals on most of OPEN YOUR EYES are the best the band have ever done. I believe Billy gets credit for that. Those who saw them on that tour will remember that Billy even took over some of Chris’s harmony vocals. OPEN YOUR EYES remains a very good YesAlbum in my opnion.

[brismike]

I think Billy Sherwood should write a book about all of his time spent with Yes over the years. I'm sure there would be some very interesting reading in there.

He could give us all the dirt on how the highy strung and sensitive other members got on, or not on, with each other.

Whether Trevor and Steve ever spoke to each other during the Union Tour?

How Bill Bruford really felt playing second fiddle to Alan White?

Which planet Jon anderson actually lives on?

Why Rick Wakeman really left the band after Keys2 was recorded?

What did Igor really do to the security guard?

etc etc etc .. .

I know I would buy it, there are many stories yet untold.

Mike

ps - When is Billy bringing out his "No Comment" album? That might have a few interesting things on it that might give an insight into why he left too.

[yarstruly]

Thanks! Great info, esp. about Open Your Eyes! How about the Ladder?

I think that Billy Sherwood seems to be a very talented yet humble man. I hope that people will remember his contributions to the band in the 90s. It is easy to be overshadowed in Yes, but he certainly played an important role...

[Dragonfly]

Originally posted by brismike Why Rick Wakeman really left the band after Keys2 was recorded?

If you read the NOTES FROM THE EDGE interview with Rick from the beginning of this year's tour, you'll see that Rick never really quit the band after KTA2. It's a great interview with lots of other details.

Check it out!

Dragonfly

[ycantibu]

I seem to recall reading that Rabin & Sherwood are actually good friends. I should probably check out OYE but I've heard so much bad stuff about it, that I wonder if it would be worth the time.

[brismike]

Yes . . Rick might not have quit .. but he certainly went on a long leave of absence didn't he! I can remember stories of ultimatums being given at that time.

Such as Chris Squire telling Rick to be at the office of Yes management by 5pm on a certain day or don't bother to come back at all.

Of course Rick had other commitments, but at the end of the day its all about where your priorities lie isn't it.

These are the nitty gritty stories that i'm sure Billy Sherwod knows all about. He is sitting on a timebomb if he ever does write a book i'm sure lol .:)

But in spite of all that its great to see Rick back and playing with the boys .. and especially to see him and Chris getting on so well.

Looking forward to the Downunder Tour 2003

Mike

[Yes Oz]

lets hope Billy Sherwood reads this thread. The idea could make him a small fortune.

Is he looking for a promotor, publisher. I take 10% of what could be made.