Starship Trooper

The song "Starship Trooper," performed by Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (ABWH) on their live album An Evening of Yes Music Plus, is a progressive rock classic originally from Yes's 1971 album The Yes Album. In a heartfelt reflection shared by drummer Bill Bruford on No Treble, he described performing the song at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in 1989 as a "life-affirming" experience, blurring the lines between work and pleasure. Bruford noted the song's performance stirred thoughts on the joy of music-making, contrasting it with the less appealing aspects of touring, like travel and business. This live rendition, captured for the album, features an extended keyboard introduction and a unique section where Jon Anderson incorporates lyrics from "Nous Sommes du Soleil" (from Yes's Tales from Topographic Oceans), adding a fresh twist to the arrangement, as detailed in a Prog Archives review.

Another layer of trivia comes from the song's structure and performance context. "Starship Trooper" is divided into three parts—"Life Seeker," "Disillusion," and "Würm"—each crafted by different members: Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, and Steve Howe, respectively. According to Wikipedia, Anderson drew inspiration from Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 novel Starship Troopers, envisioning a "guardian angel and Mother Earth" figure. The live version on An Evening of Yes Music Plus showcases Steve Howe’s blistering guitar solos, particularly in the "Würm" section, which Prog Archives praises for its "breathtaking" extended segments. The 1989 performance, recorded for a pay-per-view broadcast, faced sound quality critiques, with bassist Jeff Berlin mixed low and Bruford’s electronic drums giving an '80s feel, as noted by Louder Sound. Despite these, the energy and musicianship, especially in "Starship Trooper," made it a standout.

Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe formed in 1988 as a side project of four former Yes members: vocalist Jon Anderson, drummer Bill Bruford, keyboardist Rick Wakeman, and guitarist Steve Howe, joined by bassist Tony Levin. The group emerged after Anderson left Yes in 1988, frustrated by the band’s commercial pop direction, as outlined in Wikipedia. Anderson, seeking to reconnect with Yes’s progressive roots, reunited with his 1970s bandmates. They began crafting music in Paris at La Frette Studios, with additional guitarist Milton McDonald contributing. After relocating to Montserrat to finish their self-titled album, released in 1989, they faced legal challenges from the Chris Squire-led Yes, who owned the band name, forcing the group to operate as ABWH. Their 1989–90 world tour, including the Shoreline performance, was a triumph, spawning the live album that captured their rendition of "Starship Trooper."

The band’s origins trace back to their earlier days in Yes, formed in 1968 by Anderson and Squire. Yes became a progressive rock titan with albums like Fragile and Close to the Edge, where Howe joined in 1970, Wakeman in 1971, and Bruford was an original member until 1972. ABWH’s formation was a nostalgic return to this era, driven by Anderson’s vision, sparked during a songwriting stint in Hydra, Greece, with Vangelis, as noted in Wikipedia. Their self-titled album reached number 14 in the UK and 30 in the US, proving their enduring appeal. Though ABWH disbanded after merging back into Yes for the 1991 album Union, their brief run left a lasting mark, celebrated by fans on platforms like Yes Fans Facebook Group.

For more on Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, visit the official Yes website, which covers their history, or check individual member pages: Jon Anderson’s website, Facebook, and Instagram; Bill Bruford’s website and Facebook; Rick Wakeman’s website and Facebook; and Steve Howe’s website and Facebook. ABWH lacks a dedicated X account, but Yes’s official X shares related content. Fans connect on Yes Fans Facebook Group and Prog Archives, a hub for progressive rock enthusiasts, while Yesworld remains a key fan site for news and history.