Yes will embark on “The Royal Affair Tour” of North America this summer with Asia, John Lodge of The Moody Blues and Carl Palmer‘s ELP Legacy with guest vocals by Arthur Brown. The first batch of dates have been confirmed and span June 12 – July 28.
The current lineup of Yes features Steve Howe, Alan White, Geoff Downes, Jon Davison, Jay Schellen and Billy Sherwood. Howe, a founding member of Asia, will do double duty by performing with Asia for a part of their set each night.
Asia are expected to pay tribute to late founding member John Wetton with a new lineup that includes Sherwood and guitarist/lead vocalist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal. Lodge’s set will focus on The Moody Blues classics, while Palmer will pay tribute to the memory of his fellow Emerson, Lake & Palmer members Keith Emerson and Greg Lake. Yes will perform songs from throughout their Hall Of Fame career and will honor John Lennon as White was the drummer for some of Lennon’s solo tracks such as “Imagine.”
“Yes is delighted to headline this celebration of British music which has been so warmly received in America over the past five decades,” Howe said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to joining a number of classic British talents that have delighted so many fans over the past half century,” White added.
The tour starts in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on June 12. From there, the groups hit Farmingdale, New York; Atlantic City, New Jersey; Holmdel, New Jersey; Westchester, New York; Pittsburgh; Baltimore; Toronto; Lewiston, New York; Bethel, New York; Gilford, New Hampshire and Providence over the remainder of June. July includes stops in Rochester Hills, Michigan; Columbus; Aurora, Illinois; Nashville; Cary, North Carolina; Clearwater, Florida; Hollywood, Florida; St. Augustine, Florida; Irving, Texas; Rogers, Arkansas; Phoenix; Irvine, California and Saratoga, California.
Tickets for most shows go on sale this Friday, April 5. Watch a trailer for the tour:
