Yes

Few bands have carried their virtuosity as admirably as progressive-rock legends Yes. First formed in London in 1968, with their line-up including mainstays Jon Anderson (vocals) and Chris Squire (bass), the band initially recorded more pop- and blues-based material, but they entered their pomp with their first multi-million seller, 1971’s The Yes Album.

For the next few years, Yes were virtually untouchable within their given genre. During this period their personnel included dextrous guitarist Steve Howe and keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman, and multi-platinum album smashes such as Fragile (featuring the band’s signature hit, Roundabout), Close To Edge, Tales From Topographic Oceans and Relayer featured breathtakingly executed music housed in equally intricate sleeves designed by the acclaimed artist Roger Dean.

Yes could easily have fallen prey to punk’s back-to-basics diktat, yet they survived the late 70s, with the shorter, snappier songs on 1977’s Going For The One showing they could adapt to changing trends. The group briefly split in 1981, but a new, mainstream-rock-inclined iteration of the band, featuring Anderson, Squire, drummer Alan White and guitarist Trevor Rabin, hit paydirt with 80s albums such as 90125 (featuring the smash hit Owner Of A Lonely Heart) and Big Generator. Though only Steve Howe now remains from the old guard, Yes continue to be a huge live draw.