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)
Ocean Song
Jon Anderson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sound out the Galleon
Sound out the galleon to travel to cross
close the space between pastures
as rightly attained.
As old stands to plunder
expectant as one dear companion can utter
the right we achieve.
did we all to sing of the praises of love
And is one hand raised high in the dark.
Total relating appointed close factors
of what we regard as the answer lies there,
and is one hand raised high in the dark.
There stands Olias to outward to build a ship
Holding within all we hope to retain.
The frame will be so built to challenge the universe
clasped with the skins of the fish of the plain.
Mastered volcano erupt with the pleasure
and sing to the power, we will sail to the East,
and all hands shall rise to the call
DO GA RIYTAN SHA TOO RAYTAN
GAN MATTA SHA PA
MUTTO MATTO MUTTO
RADAN ATTO RADDAN ATTO
STOU TO MUTTO SHA GO TEKA
SHA GO TEKA
D E I
Sighting our vision Ranyart will precision us
from all our points to our destined recall
and shall all but rejoice to it all.
There stands Qoquaq and shall point to the four corners,
reaching out faster shall overtake you.
To bring you to safety to travel away
from this moment that's rightly attained as your view.
So sound out the galleon to travel to cross
close the space between pastures
as rightly attained.
As old stands to plunder
expectant as one dear companion can offer
the right we achieve.
The song "Ocean Song" by Jon Anderson is an epic narrative that showcases Anderson's talent as a lyricist. The song tells of a journey that starts in a garden called Geda where a galleon is being sounded out to begin a voyage. The song then progresses to a place called Olias where a ship is being built to challenge the universe. The ship is made of the skins of fish and will sail to the East, and all hands will rise to the call.
Anderson's lyrics are full of spirituality and mysticism. The garden of Geda is a metaphor for the journey of life, and the galleon is a symbol of the journey that the soul must take. The ship being constructed in Olias is a symbol of human endeavor that seeks to challenge the universe. Anderson's choice of words and imagery evokes a sense of wonder and mystery, which is typical of his songwriting style. The song is a celebration of life's journey and the human spirit's quest for knowledge and understanding.
In conclusion, "Ocean Song" is a beautiful and insightful song that offers a glimpse into the creative mind of Jon Anderson. The song's imagery and metaphors are rich and multi-layered, making it a pleasure to listen to and explore. Anderson's message of hope and the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity is a message that resonates with audiences worldwide.
Line by Line Meaning
Meeting (Garden of Geda) -
Introducing the theme of the song and setting the scene for the journey ahead.
Sound out the Galleon
Prepare the ship for journeying to new lands.
Sound out the galleon to travel to cross
Use the ship to traverse the vast ocean and reach new destinations.
close the space between pastures
Overcome the distance between places and bring them closer together through travel.
as rightly attained.
As it is meant to be, fulfilling our destiny through the journey.
As old stands to plunder
As time moves forward, new opportunities arise to explore and discover new things.
expectant as one dear companion can utter
Hopeful and eager for what lies ahead, with the support of those closest to us.
the right we achieve.
The success we gain through determination and perseverance in pursuing our goals.
Climb summer mornings and tell me of days past
Reflect on past experiences and share memories with others as we journey forward.
did we all to sing of the praises of love
Celebrate the joys of love and companionship with those around us.
And is one hand raised high in the dark.
Symbolizes the challenges faced during the journey and the need for perseverance to overcome them.
Total relating appointed close factors
All elements of the journey coming together, leading to a culmination of success.
of what we regard as the answer lies there,
The journey leading to discovery of answers to our questions and fulfilling our purpose.
There stands Olias to outward to build a ship
Introducing the character Olias, who builds the ship and sets the journey in motion.
Holding within all we hope to retain.
The ship carrying all that we cherish and hope to preserve, throughout the journey.
The frame will be so built to challenge the universe
The ship constructed with great care and strength, able to withstand the challenges of the vast ocean.
clasped with the skins of the fish of the plain.
The ship made from organic and natural materials and designed to blend in with the surrounding environment.
Mastered volcano erupt with the pleasure
The power and excitement of the natural surroundings amplifying the experience of the journey.
and sing to the power, we will sail to the East,
Harnessing the power of the sea and nature, the ship will journey towards the East.
and all hands shall rise to the call
The unity and cooperation of all on board, working towards a common goal.
DO GA RIYTAN SHA TOO RAYTAN
Meaning unknown, possibly a call to action or chant to inspire the crew.
GAN MATTA SHA PA
Meaning unknown, possibly a phrase with symbolic or spiritual significance for the crew.
MUTTO MATTO MUTTO
Meaning unknown, possibly a repeated chant or phrase to keep spirits high on the journey.
RADAN ATTO RADDAN ATTO
Meaning unknown, possibly a phrase with spiritual or symbolic significance for the crew.
STOU TO MUTTO SHA GO TEKA
Meaning unknown, possibly a phrase or command related to the journey or navigation of the ship.
SHA GO TEKA
Meaning unknown, possibly a phrase or command related to the journey or navigation of the ship.
D E I
Meaning unknown, possibly another chant or phrase to inspire or motivate the crew.
Sighting our vision Ranyart will precision us
Guidance and clarity from a higher power, leading the ship towards its destination.
from all our points to our destined recall
Guidance and direction from all directions, leading to a successful and memorable journey.
and shall all but rejoice to it all.
Celebrating the joy and triumph of the journey and all it has to offer.
There stands Qoquaq and shall point to the four corners,
Introducing the character Qoquaq, who offers guidance and direction during the journey.
reaching out faster shall overtake you.
The journey progressing quickly towards its destination, with Qoquaq's guidance.
To bring you to safety to travel away
Ensuring the safety and security of all on board during the journey.
from this moment that's rightly attained as your view.
Moving away from the present moment and towards the future, fulfilling our destiny through the journey.
So sound out the galleon to travel to cross
Preparing to embark on the journey towards new lands and experiences.
close the space between pastures
Overcoming the distance between places, bringing them closer together through travel.
as rightly attained.
Fulfilling our destiny through the journey and reaching new heights.
As old stands to plunder
New opportunities arise as old ones fade, beckoning us to explore and discover something new.
expectant as one dear companion can offer
Eager and hopeful for the journey ahead, with the support and guidance of trusted companions.
the right we achieve.
Finding success and fulfillment through determination and perseverance on the journey.
Contributed by Elliot P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.