Early life and childhood
Jon Anderson was born in the town of Accrington, Lancashire, England, in a family of Scottish and Irish ancestry, his parents being Albert and Kathleen Anderson. He was later to drop the "h" from his first name in 1971, as he had a dream where he was given the name "Jonathan". Thus, on The Yes Album he is still credited as "John", and on the next album Fragile, credited as "Jon".
He attended St. John's Infants School in Accrington, and made a tentative start to his musical career at an early age by playing the washboard in "Little John's Skiffle Group", which played songs by Lonnie Donegan among others. Anderson left school at the age of fifteen, and went through a series of jobs including working as a farm hand, lorry driver, and a milkman. He also tried to pursue a football career in the club he is still a fan of, Accrington Stanley F.C., but he was eventually turned down because of his frail constitution
Early career
In 1962, Anderson joined The Warriors (also known as The Electric Warriors), where he and his brother Tony shared the role of lead vocalist. He quit this band in 1967, released two solo singles in 1968 under the pseudonym Hans Christian Anderson, and then briefly sang for the bands The Gun and The Open Mind.
In the summer of 1968, Anderson met bassist Chris Squire and joined him in a group called Mabel Greer's Toyshop, which had previously included guitarist Peter Banks. Anderson fronted this band, but ended up leaving again before the summer was over. He remarks on his website that his time with the band consisted of "too many drugs, not enough fun!"
Yes
Anderson, Squire, and Banks went on to form Yes, with drummer Bill Bruford and keyboardist Tony Kaye. Their debut album was released in 1969. He stayed with the group until 1980, and this period is now known as the classic period of Yes. Jon was a major creative force and band leader throughout the period (describing himself as the 'team captain'; nicknamed by his bandmates "Napoleon" for his diminutive stature and leadership of the band)-- and is recognized as the main instigator of the series of epics produced by Yes at the time. His role in creating such complex pieces as Close to the Edge, Awaken, and especially The Gates of Delirium is central, despite his limited instrumental abilities
He rejoined a reformed Yes in 1983 which produced their most commercially successful album 90125 with newcomer Trevor Rabin, and departed again in 1988 over the band's continued pursuit of major commercial success and mainstream radio play. In 1989, Anderson and other former Yes members formed the group Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe (ABWH), augmented by bassist Tony Levin who had played with drummer Bill Bruford in King Crimson. After the successful first ABWH album, a bizarre series of business deals caused ABWH to reunite with the then-current members of Yes, who had been out of the public eye while searching for a new lead singer. The resulting eight-man band assumed the name Yes, and the album Union (1991) was assembled from various pieces of an in-progress second ABWH album as well as recordings that "Yes proper" had been working on, without Anderson. A successful tour followed, but the eight-man lineup of Yes never recorded a complete album together before splintering in 1992. Many more personnel changes followed, but Anderson has been with the band ever since. He appears on all Yes albums except their 1980 album Drama.
Anderson was fond of experimenting within the band, also adding to what were at times conflicted relationships within the band and with management. He originally wanted to record the album Tales from Topographic Oceans in the middle of the woods, and instead decided to put hay and animal cut-outs all over the recording studio, causing lice to infest one of Rick Wakeman's keyboards.[citation needed] In another incident, Anderson had tiles installed in the studio, to simulate the echo effect of one's vocals in a bathroom.
Anderson last performed with Yes in 2004. A tour planned for summer 2008 with Anderson was cancelled when he suffered acute respiratory failure. The band have since announced a tour without him and he has been replaced by Benoît David[4], singer in a Yes tribute act Close to the Edge.[5]
Vocal and lyrical style
It is a commonly held misconception that Jon Anderson sings falsetto, a vocal technique which artificially produces high, airy notes by using only the ligamentous edges of the vocal cords; however, Jon Anderson does not sing falsetto. His normal singing (and speaking) voice is naturally above the tenor range. In a 2008 interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jon stated, "I'm an alto tenor and I can sing certain high notes, but I could never sing falsetto, so I go and hit them high."[6]
Anderson is also responsible for most of the mystically-themed lyrics and concepts which are part of many Yes releases. These elements are crucial components of the classic Yes sound, but have occasionally alienated some members of the band (most notably Bruford and Rick Wakeman), contributing to their leaving the group. The lyrics are frequently inspired by various books Anderson has enjoyed, from Tolstoy's War and Peace to Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha. A footnote in Paramahansa Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi inspired an entire double album Tales from Topographic Oceans (1973). Recurring themes include environmentalism, pacifism and sun-worship.
Beyond Yes
In 1970, Anderson sang as a session singer on King Crimson's Lizard album, on the track "Prince Rupert Awakes", as it was outside the range of the then Crimson vocalist, Gordon Haskell.
In September 1975, Anderson guested on the Vangelis album Heaven and Hell.
When Anderson and Wakeman left Yes early 1980, Anderson started recording again with Vangelis and by summer 1980 Jon & Vangelis had released Short Stories, followed in November by Jon's solo album Song of Seven and a major UK tour with The New Life Band.
Guested on Rick Wakeman's 1981 concept album 1984.
In 1983, Jon worked as vocalist for Mike Oldfield's release of "In High Places" from the album Crises, and the song "Shine". He has also guested with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.
The song "Cage Of Freedom" was also featured on the 1984 soundtrack for the re-release of the classic black and white movie Metropolis.
In 1985, Anderson's song "This Time it Was Really Right" was featured on the soundtrack for the movie St. Elmo's Fire. He also sang "Silver Train" and "Christie" on the film soundtrack Scream for Help.
Also in 1985, along with Tangerine Dream he recorded the song "Loved by the Sun" for the film Legend directed by Ridley Scott.
The 1986 film Biggles: Adventures in Time features a song sung by Jon.
In 1987, Jon Anderson guest vocals on "Moonlight Desires" on Gowan's album Great Dirty World.
In 1988, Jon Anderson has a vocal appearance on "Stop Loving You" on Toto's album The Seventh One.
On the 1992 album Dream by Kitarō, Jon adds lyrics and vocals to the songs "Lady of Dreams", "Island of Life" and "Agreement".
In 1994 Jon Anderson sang on the 7th Level children's video game Tuneland.
In 1999 while 4Him was recording the song "The Only Thing I Need" for the special multi-group album "Streams", Jon Anderson offerd his assistance as vocalist for the main chorus.
In 2004, Anderson appeared with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra of Cleveland. The concert was recorded and released for the orchestra members, but was never publicly released, to the dismay of many concert attendees.
In 2006, Animation was finally released on CD but was sourced from a worn vinyl record. The mastering was also poorly done and was overly loud and distorted. The second pressing used a better source although the sound quality still leaves a lot to be desired. Voiceprint denies any differences between pressings.
In a 2006 tour, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (East Coast Troupe) got Anderson to appear in 2 concerts on December 16 in Philadelphia, PA to play "Roundabout".
In 2007, Anderson toured with The Paul Green School of Rock Music, finishing the tour with two sold out shows at B. B. King's Bar and Grill in New York City.
He also contributed vocals to the new album from American Progressive rock group Glass Hammer "Culture of Ascent".
Currently Jon is on tour for a second time with The Paul Green School of Rock Music
Jon appears on the new Dream Theater album Systematic Chaos, as part of a vocal ensemble on the fifth track "Repentance". The album was released on June 5th, 2007.
On the 2008 album Namah by Peter Machajdik, Jon adds lyric and vocal to the song "Sadness of Flowing".
Jon also contributed lyrics, musical collaboration and vocals in 2008 on the remaster of the former Blue Oyster Cult keyboardist Tommy Zvoncheck's CD, titled "ZKG."
Family
Jon Anderson's children include daughter Deborah Anderson (who has done work singing for the French electronica band Télépopmusik on the album Angel Milk, released in summer 2005), Jade Anderson (who has released a solo album in Japan) and Damion Anderson (also a musician).
Health and spirituality
Anderson was a smoker in the 1960s and 70s but now prides himself on a much healthier lifestyle. In the mid 70s, Anderson became a vegetarian, as did most members of Yes; however in a recent interview he states, "I was a veggie for a while, but again I grew out of that. But I do eat very healthy." [7] In an 16 August 2006 interview on The Howard Stern Show Jon said he eats meat, mostly fish on occasion. In the interview, he also stated he had a spiritual adviser that "helped him see into the fourth dimension". To this day, before live performances he often meditates in a tent with crystals and dreamcatchers, a practise he started in the 1980s. He considers himself to be part of the "elf culture" and this revelation occurred during a trip on mushrooms, which he experimented with once a year until recent years. Jon attributes certain abilities, including being able to play the piano, to a back injury. Anderson now refers to the reason for Yes's breakup(s) to be from over-touring. His current projects include a rock fantasy camp. Anderson's religious beliefs are syncretic and varied, including respect for the Divine Mother Audrey Kitagawa.[8] He has worked with the Contemporary Christian music band 4HIM: in 1999, his vocal was featured on the song "The Only Thing I Need", which appeared on a various artists CD entitled Streams.
One of Anderson's passions is his painting and uses his art as yet another channel for his creativity and self expression. His artwork is available to view on his official website.
On May 13, 2008, Anderson suffered a severe asthma attack which required a stay in the hospital. According to Yes' website, he is "currently at home and resting comfortably."[9] Yes' planned summer 2008 tour was subsequently cancelled, with the press release saying, "Jon Anderson was admitted to the hospital last month after suffering a severe asthma attack. He has now been diagnosed with acute respiratory failure and was told by doctors this weekend that he needs to rest and not work for a period of at least six months or suffer further health complications."[10] In September 2008 John wrote that he's "so much better...so grateful and so blessed...I look forward to 2009 for the “Great Work” to come."
Posted January 2, 2010:
Since 2007, Jon has been collaborating with Alimar. Their repertoire includes orchestration of Jon's drafts by Alimar, brain-storming, and bringing to fruition new ideas and joint musical compositions, and the addition of Jon's vocals included on Alimar's songs.
Discography
With Yes:
Yes (1969)
Time and a Word (1970)
The Yes Album (1971)
Fragile (1971)
Close to the Edge (1972)
Tales from Topographic Oceans (1973)
Relayer (1974)
Going for the One (1977)
Tormato (1978)
90125 (1983)
Big Generator (1987)
Union (1991)
Talk (1994)
Keys to Ascension (1996)
Keys to Ascension 2 (1997)
Open Your Eyes (1997)
The Ladder (1999)
Magnification (2001)
With Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe:
Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (1989)
An Evening of Yes Music Plus (1993)
Solo:
Olias of Sunhillow (1976)
Song of Seven (1980)
Animation (1982)
3 Ships (1985)
In The City of Angels (1988)
The Best of South America (1994)
Deseo (1994)
Change We Must (1994)
Angels Embrace (1995)
Toltec (1996)
Lost Tapes of Opio (1996)
The Promise Ring (1997)
Earth Mother Earth (1997)
The More You Know (1998)
Animation (Re-Release on CD) (2006)
The Lost Tapes (20 CD Box) (2006-2007)
With Kitaro:
Dream (a.k.a. Lady of Dreams) (1992)
With Mike Oldfield:
Crises (1983)
"Shine" (1986)
With Tangerine Dream:
Legend (1986)
With King Crimson:
Lizard (1970)
With Vangelis:
Heaven and Hell (1975) - Vangelis album with Anderson vocals on one track
See You Later (1980)
Jon & Vangelis:
Short Stories (1980)
The Friends of Mr. Cairo (1981)
Private Collection (1983)
The Best of Jon & Vangelis (1984)
Page of Life (1991)
Chronicles (1994)
Page Of Life (1998) - alternate version not approved by Vangelis
With The Fellowship
In Elven Lands (2006)
New Civilization
Jon Anderson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Decided where we're going
Can you imagine a new dance
They call it syncopation
Ain't it right to think the start
Of anything just means there's
Something going on - yeah
Something going on - yeah, yeah, yeah
We change our style
We change our clothes upon
This day called summer
To specialize electric
We called a connection brother
Can you imagine how the older
Order took this as a challenge to democracy
That Saturday night dream
That Saturday night dream
Oh, the magic of it
Yes, it comes together
Oh, the magic of it
They just can't believe it
Living in a new civilization
Living in a new revelation
Living to the tune of a nation
Living in a new civilization
Can you imagine all the rites
Of summer coming closer
Where all is one and one is all
A freedom to discover
The magic songs will come
As all our dreams recover
The songs for the world sing
Songs of the wind
Songs of the sea
Songs of the fire
Songs of the earth
The singers of love
Oh, the magic of it
Yes, it comes together
Oh, the magic of it
Yes, the magic of it
Yes, they just can't believe it
They just can't believe it
We're living in a new civilization
We're living in a new revelation
We're living to the sounds of a nation
We're living in a new civilization
Couldn't stand anymore for a minute
Just looked into the future
It was, it was
As though 'round the corner
Through the ever magic door of Persopolis
The changing order
An incredible journey for all
All our countries
All our people
Beyond war
Space travel
Colorful children
Just simply a new
A new civilization
There within our reach
There within our grasp
I've seen it
Believe me
Now, now, now
I've seen it
Believe me
Now, now, now
I've seen it
Believe me
Now, now, now.
The song "New Civilization" by Jon Anderson is a hopeful and optimistic anthem about a future where the world comes together to create a new and better society. Anderson encourages listeners to imagine a world where everyone is united and moving forward with purpose, where old prejudices and structures are dismantled, and where the magic of creativity and connection brings people together. He sings about the power of music to unite and inspire, and the potential of humanity to explore new frontiers and grow beyond our current limitations.
The chorus is particularly poignant, with Anderson repeating the phrase "living in a new civilization" over and over again. It's clear that he believes in the possibility of a new world order, one where all people are treated with respect and kindness, and where creativity and innovation are celebrated. The song's dreamy, almost otherworldly quality evokes the feeling of reaching for something beyond our current reality, and the lyrics urge us to keep striving towards that vision of a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you imagine all the world
Imagine a world where everyone is united and has a common goal.
Decided where we're going
Where everyone has agreed on where the world should be heading.
Can you imagine a new dance
A new form of expression that people can connect with.
They call it syncopation
The name given to this new dance style.
Ain't it right to think the start
Isn't it right to think that the beginning of anything signals that something great is in progress.
Of anything just means there's
A beginning that ultimately leads to something great.
Something going on - yeah
Something transformative happening.
Something going on - yeah, yeah, yeah
There is a noticeable, pervasive change that people can feel.
We change our style
We shift our approach to things.
We change our clothes upon
We change our outward appearance to the world during the summer season.
This day called summer
The time of year when change is most palpable.
To specialize electric
To delve into the electrical wonders and inventions of the world.
We called a connection brother
A reference to the close-knit bond that people form over their shared love of technology and innovation.
Can you imagine how the older
A reference to the conservative forces of the previous generation.
Order took this as a challenge to democracy
Their response to this shift was to feel threatened by democracy itself.
That Saturday night dream
The collective vision of a bright future when people come together.
Oh, the magic of it
The wonder and awe that this future is ushering in.
Yes, it comes together
Everything is falling into place as people work together to create a better world.
They just can't believe it
Some people are skeptical that such a world can actually exist.
Living in a new civilization
People are experiencing a new kind of world.
Living in a new revelation
The world is experiencing previously unknown levels of progress and innovation.
Living to the tune of a nation
People are moving together towards a common goal that resonates with them on a deeper level.
Can you imagine all the rites
The customs and traditions that people love will continue in this new world.
Of summer coming closer
This new, transformative world will arrive in the summer season of our lives.
Where all is one and one is all
A world where everyone is united as one, working towards the same goal.
A freedom to discover
The ability to discover new things and explore new territory.
The magic songs will come
New, wonderful things are yet to come.
As all our dreams recover
The world will finally bring to fruition all of the dreams that people have long held.
The songs for the world sing
The songs that the world sings will capture our collective spirit.
Songs of the wind
Songs that capture the free-spirited nature of the wind.
Songs of the sea
Songs that capture the power and majesty of the sea.
Songs of the fire
Songs that capture the energy and passion of fire.
Songs of the earth
Songs that capture the depth and richness of the earth.
The singers of love
Those that sing of love will be celebrated in this new, transformative world.
Couldn't stand anymore for a minute
The world couldn't take the old way anymore.
Just looked into the future
The world finally looked ahead and saw the transformation yet to come.
It was, it was
The transformation was real.
As though 'round the corner
The positive transformation is within reach.
Through the ever magic door of Persopolis
A reference to a magical doorway that is now open and beckoning us towards our future.
The changing order
The old order is now changing.
An incredible journey for all
A reference to the amazing journey that awaits us all.
All our countries
The transformation will affect all countries across the world.
All our people
The transformation will bring change to every person on the earth.
Beyond war
A new era of peace and harmony is coming.
Space travel
The new world will bring innovations and advancements in space exploration.
Colorful children
A future where all children are celebrated for who they are, regardless of their skin color or background.
Just simply a new
A new beginning has come upon us.
A new civilization
The emergence of a new, better civilization.
There within our reach
This transformation is within easy reach.
There within our grasp
The ability to create this transformation is within our grasp.
I've seen it
The singer has personally witnessed this transformation happening.
Believe me
The artist is urging the listener to take this change seriously.
Now, now, now
The time to create this transformation is now.
Contributed by Isaac Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.