One great guitarist, two big rock groups
By: Tom Lanham
Special to The Examiner
July 2, 2009
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| Double duty: Guitarist Steve Howe is performing live with Yes and Asia, two bands he's served with during his lengthy musical career. (Courtesy photo) |
SAN FRANCISCO — The current tour by U.K. supergroup Yes is a dream come true for everyone involved, starting with Oliver Wakeman, son of legendary keyboardist Rick Wakeman, who’ll be playing his dad’s parts. There’s also Benoit David, the singer from Montreal-based Yes cover band Close to the Edge, who is subbing for Jon Anderson. The Examiner spoke with guitarist Steve Howe, who will open the show with his other outfit, Asia, before going prog-rock with “Roundabout.”
You’re actually doing double duty in both bands? Yeah. Yes gave me the opportunity to play solo guitar back in 1970, so this is an extension of that opportunity, if you like. And Asia never wanted to be like Yes, but because we were conscious of it not being like Yes, we never discounted the fact that it might be possible to tour together. So Yes will play for a shorter time, Asia will condense its set, but you’ll still get 2½ hours of great music.
How many Red Bulls does this require at intermission? Well, I don’t drink that stuff. I don’t drink anything that’s not virtually natural or organic. But stimulus? Like the Beatles said, “You don’t need drugs to get high.” I basically use more meditative, laid-back techniques that enable me to work very efficiently. And I’m determined not to burn out after three shows, so I have to pace myself. But I see this as a golden opportunity to show that the guitar is the most important instrument in music.
You have 13 different guitars onstage to accomplish this? Some are for backup, double if something goes wrong. But there are 11 different sorts there — dobro, slide steel, mandolin. And I was into that years ago — I didn’t want to be stuck with just a Gibson. I wanted to play a Fender sometimes, to be the multiguitarist.
Are you pleased your two sons are following in your footsteps? Or terrified? My wife and I wanted to let them decide what they wanted to do. And if they did suddenly want to be a landscape artist or draughtsman, it’d be OK, because when I was young, I wanted to be a draughtsman — I was very good at drawing to scale. So when they chose music, it made it quite easy, really.
IF YOU GO
Yes with Asia
Where: The Warfield, 982 Market St., San Francisco
When: 8 p.m. today
Tickets: $59.50 to $79.50
Contact: www.goldenvoice.com
Where: The Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Road, Saratoga
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Tickets: $49.50 to $79.50
Contact: www.livenation.com
