Heart of the Sunrise

Greetings, Zoo Freaks! The Zoo Crew is spinning the epic vibes of Heart of the Sunrise by Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, from their live album An Evening Of Yes Music Plus. This track, originally by Yes from their 1971 album Fragile, got a fresh live rendition in 1989 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA. Drummer Bill Bruford shared a gem about this performance on his YouTube channel, noting that bassist Jeff Berlin stepped in for Tony Levin. Bruford called the song a "breakthrough blueprint" for Yes's long-form compositions, reflecting on its origins during Fragile rehearsals. He felt the band had been chasing this kind of intricate, perfectly formed piece for years, and it came together like magic in this ABWH performance.

Another cool tidbit comes from the live show’s unique staging. During the concert, captured on the An Evening Of Yes Music Plus DVD, Jon Anderson kicked things off by strolling through the crowd, singing and connecting with fans as he made his way to the stage. This was followed by solo spots from Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman, each walking out to perform before the full band, including Bruford on tambourine, launched into Long Distance Runaround. The PiercingMetal review highlights how this progressive rock spectacle, with Bruford’s nimble drumming and Wakeman’s dazzling keyboard solos, made the Heart of the Sunrise performance a standout. Fans on ProgArchives also rave about the live version, especially the seamless transition from Wakeman’s solo into the song’s iconic guitar riff.

Now, let’s rewind to how Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe came to be. This supergroup, often called ABWH, formed in 1988 when Jon Anderson, feeling creatively stifled by Yes’s pop-heavy direction in the 1980s, decided to reconnect with his Fragile-era bandmates: guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Rick Wakeman, and drummer Bill Bruford. Anderson had been with Yes since its inception in 1968, but by 1988, he was craving the intricate, progressive sound of their 1970s peak. He spent that summer on the Greek island of Hydra, writing songs with Vangelis, and hatched the idea to reunite with Howe, Wakeman, and Bruford. They brought in Tony Levin, Bruford’s King Crimson bandmate, on bass, since Yes bassist Chris Squire stayed with the other Yes faction. The group recorded their self-titled album in 1989, unable to use the Yes name due to legal issues, but cleverly used the catalog number 90126 to nod to Yes’s 90125 album.

ABWH’s formation wasn’t without drama. Yes, led by Squire, filed a lawsuit to stop ABWH from using the Yes name or referencing their history, citing a 1984 separation agreement. According to Wikipedia, a U.S. District Court ruled in June 1989 that ABWH could promote their tour as An Evening of Yes Music, Plus, allowing them to embrace their heritage. The band’s rehearsals in London and recording sessions in Paris, Montserrat, and New York produced a critically acclaimed album that hit No. 14 in the UK and No. 30 in the US. Their 1989-90 world tour, including the Shoreline show, was a progressive rock triumph, spawning two live albums. By 1991, ABWH merged with Yes for the Union album, ending their brief but brilliant run.

For more on ABWH, check out their official history on the Yes website. You can also follow Jon Anderson on Facebook, Instagram, and X, or Rick Wakeman on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Bill Bruford’s official YouTube is a treasure trove of performance clips. Fans should dive into the ProgArchives page for ABWH, packed with reviews and discography details. On Facebook, the Yes Fans group is a vibrant spot for Zoo Freaks to connect over ABWH and Yes classics. Keep those progressive vibes flowing, and stay tuned to THE ZOO for more!