A CLASSIC British rock band’s touring plans have been put on hold until one member gets a bill of clean health.
The band YES was due to embark on an 11-date European tour this month, launching in Glasgow on April 22nd – but the group’s guitarist Steve Howe has to undergo essential surgery, forcing the band to announce a change in plans.
YES was set to play their much-loved 1971 album Fragile in full, after the success of their North American tour in 2025.
But taking to Instagram, the group have issued a statement explaining the need to postpone.
“The upcoming YES ‘Fragile’ UK and EU Tour has had to be postponed as guitarist Steve Howe requires an essential operation that requires recovery time,” read the statement on social media.
“This decision has been made to ensure that Steve can return to the stage in full health and deliver the performances that fans deserve.
“We are working hard to reschedule the UK and EU shows to a later date, with full details to be announced after Easter.
“Steve Howe and YES would like to thank their UK fans and hope for their continued support at this time.”
The post explained that tickets would be valid for the rescheduled dates and that the concerts would take place later in 2026.
Fans took to the comments underneath the post to express concern for Steve, wishing him well.
One wrote: “The most important thing is Steve’s health… wishing a full and speedy recovery to one of rock’s greats!”
YES released Fragile as their fourth album – and it’s widely considered their best among fans and critics alike.
The group formed in 1969, but Steve didn’t join until a year later, replacing original guitarist Peter Banks.
The group gained considerable recognition with their third and fourth albums – The Yes Album and Fragile – which were both released in 1971.
The latter included famed single Roundabout.
Over the decades, 20 different members have been part of YES, including founding members Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Bill Bruford and Tony Kaye.
Steve is the only remaining member of his era, now joined by lead singer Jon Davison, drummer Jay Schellan, keyboard player Geoff Downes, and Billy Sherwood on bass.
In 2017, the group had to cut another tour short due to personal circumstances when Steve’s 41-year-old son tragically died from a heart attack.
YES are considered the pioneers of progressive rock by many music fans, known also for their impressive live performances, and are members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The band originally split in 1980, with some members attempting to launch spin-off groups, which mostly failed to take off.
One of these groups ended up comprising mostly of ex-YES members, and in 1983 the band was re-launched.
More incarnations of the group followed, with Steve eventually leaving in the early 1990s, returning later that decade, before the group split again in the early 2000s.
They reformed again in 2009 and have recorded new material and toured on-and-off ever since, marking their 50th anniversary in the process.
In 2024, former keyboardist Rick Wakeman left the group, saying he felt it was “time to call it a day”.
Steve and the other current line-up have continued with the group without Rick over the past two years.