Prog legends Yes have announced that US drummer Jay Schellen has now joined the band on a permanent basis. Schellen had been acting as a stand-in for Alan White, who sadly died in May last year.
“We're all delighted to welcome Jay officially into the fold," exclaims guitarist and longest-serving member Steve Howe. "He's been a great support throughout the last seven years, and we couldn't have found a better all round team player.”
“I am thrilled to become the new drummer with Yes,” adds Schellen. “I grew up playing along to Yes records and I am proud to have worked so closely with my musical hero and great friend Alan White these past few years. I will strive to honour his memory as we drive towards the future with the band.”
Schellen was originally chosen to fill in on 2016's Topographic Drama tour when White was forced to initially sit out having undergone back surgery, and shared drumming duties with him from 2018.
Yes will be touring Europe in May and June, where they'll be performing their 1974 album Relayer in full, as well as a selection of classic Yes cuts. Full dates below.
Yes: Relayer Tour Europe 2023
May 07: Lisbon Campo Pequeno, Portugal
May 08: Madrid Sala La Riviera, Spain
May 09: Barcelona Razzmatazz, Spain
May 11: Padova Gran Teatro Geox, Italy
May 12: Milan Teatro Dal Verme, Italy
May 13: Rome Teatro della Conciliazione, Italy
May 15: Vienna Arena, Austria
May 16: Zurich The Hall, Switzerland
May 18: Prague Forum Karlin, Czech Republic
May 19: Halle Steintor-Varieté, Germany
May 21: Berlin Admiralspalast, Germany
May 22: Wrocław Narodow Forum Muzyki, Poland
May 23: Warsaw Stodola, Poland
May 25: Tallinn Alexela Concert Hall, Estonia
May 26: Helsinki Kulttuuritalo, Finland
May 28: Stockholm Cirkus, Sweden
May 29: Oslo Sentrum Scene, Norway
May 30: Aarhus Train, Denmark
Jun 01: Helsingør Kulturværftet, Denmark
Jun 02: Mönchengladbach Red Box, Germany
Jun 03: Utrecht TivoliVredenburg, Netherlands
Jun 05: Paris Salle Pleyel, France
Jun 06: Leuven Het Depot, Belgium
Jun 07: Esch-sur-Alzette Rockhal, Luxembourg
Jun 10: Birmingham Symphony Hall, UK
Jun 11: Southend Cliffs Pavilion, UK
Jun 12: York Barbican, UK
Jun 14 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, UK
Jun 15: Gateshead The Sage, UK
Jun 16: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, UK
Jun 18: Manchester Bridgewater Hall, UK
Jun 20: London Eventim Apollo, UK
