Jon Anderson considers himself an eternal optimist. But the singer admitted to having some doubts about his future after suffering a serious health scare in 2008, one that led to his eventual departure from the progressive rock band Yes.
Anderson, 66, has since turned the corner on what was diagnosed as a severe asthma attack, and is now looking at the world - and his career - through a new set of glasses, so to speak.
"Every day is a blessing," Anderson said from his home in California. "I think I'm singing better than I have ever sung. I have this feeling that I am halfway through my career, like I've got another 30 years to go."
If the decades to come are anything like the ones in his past, the famously high-pitched singer is in for one heck of a ride.
Anderson, whose vocals on classic Yes cuts and collaborations with sound architects Vangelis, Mike Oldfield and Kitaro have made him one of the most versatile singers of the classic rock generation, made the decision to leave Yes shortly before its 40th anniversary tour was set to begin.
He has not rejoined the group. These days, he tours primarily as a solo act, with only his guitar, ukulele, dulcimer and piano for support.
His shows of late have featured classics songs by Yes along with material from his vast solo catalogue, which dates to 1976. Anderson gigs aren't on par, in terms of attendance, with the mega-concerts Yes was accustomed to playing in the 1970s. But in terms of a concert experience, he's more satisfied now than he has been in years.
"If they know the songs and enjoy the stories, it's a lot of fun for me to get up and sing. I can hear myself singing and I don't have the noise of a big band behind me, so I can relax and enjoy it. It's entertainment. You want to put on a good show and have a good time."
The pursuit of happiness is what still drives Anderson to create. "You've got to enjoy what you do. It's got to be an adventure. [Some people like] to tell the same old stories, do the same old shows, same old this or that. I really don't. I'm more adventurous about music. It's endless."
Yes, which scored five Top 10 albums between 1972 and 1977, is considered one of the most adventurous musical acts of the 1970s.
Early purveyors of progressive rock, the band rose to prominence at the height of the double-album, an era fuelled by musical experimentation, fantastical artwork and songs well in excess of 15 minutes.
Does such freedom exist today among musicians? Anderson, who is currently working with a full orchestra on a fivehour project that will include music and visuals, certainly thinks so.
"We're going through a breakthrough with the Internet, I think.
"Young people realize record companies are a waste of time, that they are only interested in commercial money. Record companies when Yes started were interested in what you were going to try out. I think that's coming again, and the younger people have the vehicle of the Internet to get it out there without having to deal with the accountants and record companies."
Anderson is the type to put his thoughts into practice. He wrote and recorded his latest solo offering, Survival & Other Stories, with help from musicians he met over the Internet. He believes others will eventually follow the same path, which could kickstart a new musical revolution.
"The great music is coming," he said. "The music that is going to wake us all up is coming, that's what I think."
Though he's focused on the future, legions of Yes fans are wondering when Anderson will return to the fold (the group, with three original members, is currently touring a with a replacement singer). Anderson had left Yes once before (he returned to the fold for their biggest success to date, 1983's 90125) but this time the split might be permanent.
"It's not on my radar. I'm performing with [former yes keyboardist] Rick Wakeman [later this year] and generally it's a fantastic energy to be together with someone that you're friendly with, and someone like Rick who is an incredible talent. If by chance, the band gets in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, that'll bring us together, I suppose."
Anderson, 66, has since turned the corner on what was diagnosed as a severe asthma attack, and is now looking at the world - and his career - through a new set of glasses, so to speak.
"Every day is a blessing," Anderson said from his home in California. "I think I'm singing better than I have ever sung. I have this feeling that I am halfway through my career, like I've got another 30 years to go."
If the decades to come are anything like the ones in his past, the famously high-pitched singer is in for one heck of a ride.
Anderson, whose vocals on classic Yes cuts and collaborations with sound architects Vangelis, Mike Oldfield and Kitaro have made him one of the most versatile singers of the classic rock generation, made the decision to leave Yes shortly before its 40th anniversary tour was set to begin.
He has not rejoined the group. These days, he tours primarily as a solo act, with only his guitar, ukulele, dulcimer and piano for support.
His shows of late have featured classics songs by Yes along with material from his vast solo catalogue, which dates to 1976. Anderson gigs aren't on par, in terms of attendance, with the mega-concerts Yes was accustomed to playing in the 1970s. But in terms of a concert experience, he's more satisfied now than he has been in years.
"If they know the songs and enjoy the stories, it's a lot of fun for me to get up and sing. I can hear myself singing and I don't have the noise of a big band behind me, so I can relax and enjoy it. It's entertainment. You want to put on a good show and have a good time."
The pursuit of happiness is what still drives Anderson to create. "You've got to enjoy what you do. It's got to be an adventure. [Some people like] to tell the same old stories, do the same old shows, same old this or that. I really don't. I'm more adventurous about music. It's endless."
Early purveyors of progressive rock, the band rose to prominence at the height of the double-album, an era fuelled by musical experimentation, fantastical artwork and songs well in excess of 15 minutes.
Does such freedom exist today among musicians? Anderson, who is currently working with a full orchestra on a fivehour project that will include music and visuals, certainly thinks so.
"We're going through a breakthrough with the Internet, I think.
"Young people realize record companies are a waste of time, that they are only interested in commercial money. Record companies when Yes started were interested in what you were going to try out. I think that's coming again, and the younger people have the vehicle of the Internet to get it out there without having to deal with the accountants and record companies."
Anderson is the type to put his thoughts into practice. He wrote and recorded his latest solo offering, Survival & Other Stories, with help from musicians he met over the Internet. He believes others will eventually follow the same path, which could kickstart a new musical revolution.
"The great music is coming," he said. "The music that is going to wake us all up is coming, that's what I think."
Though he's focused on the future, legions of Yes fans are wondering when Anderson will return to the fold (the group, with three original members, is currently touring a with a replacement singer). Anderson had left Yes once before (he returned to the fold for their biggest success to date, 1983's 90125) but this time the split might be permanent.
"It's not on my radar. I'm performing with [former yes keyboardist] Rick Wakeman [later this year] and generally it's a fantastic energy to be together with someone that you're friendly with, and someone like Rick who is an incredible talent. If by chance, the band gets in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, that'll bring us together, I suppose."
