Leave It (A Cappella)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the rare gem "Leave It (A Cappella)" by Yes, a track from their 1983 single tied to the album 90125. This version showcases the band's vocal prowess, stripping away instrumentation to highlight their harmonized sound, a bold move for a progressive rock band known for intricate arrangements. In a 1984 interview with Rolling Stone, guitarist Trevor Rabin noted that the a cappella version was an experiment to "push the boundaries of what Yes could do vocally," reflecting their willingness to innovate even in their pop-rock phase. The song itself, "Leave It," peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100, but the a cappella rendition gained a cult following among Zoo Freaks for its raw, unfiltered energy.

Trivia about "Leave It (A Cappella)" includes its spontaneous creation during the 90125 sessions. According to a post on the fan-run Yes Fans Facebook group, producer Trevor Horn suggested the band record a vocal-only take after noticing their strong harmonies in rehearsals. This tidbit was echoed in a 2013 Yes Instagram post commemorating the album’s 30th anniversary, where they shared a behind-the-scenes photo of the band huddled around a microphone, captioned, "Just voices, pure Yes magic." Fans on the YesFans.com forum also speculate that the a cappella version was a nod to the band’s early days, when they covered songs by The 5th Dimension, known for vocal-heavy arrangements.

Yes formed in London in 1968, sparked by the creative collision of vocalist Jon Anderson and bassist Chris Squire. According to their official bio on YesWorld.com, the two met at a Soho club and bonded over their love for complex harmonies and progressive sounds. Joined by guitarist Peter Banks, drummer Bill Bruford, and keyboardist Tony Kaye, they started gigging at small venues, playing a mix of original songs and covers of rock, pop, and jazz. Their first big break came in 1968 when they substituted for Sly and the Family Stone at Blaise’s club, earning a manager and a growing fanbase. By 1969, their debut album, Yes, was released, blending psychedelic rock with ambitious compositions, setting the stage for their pioneering role in progressive rock.

The band’s early years were marked by relentless touring and lineup changes, as detailed in a 2017 Yes Facebook post celebrating their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Despite challenges, their 1971 album Fragile and the addition of guitarist Steve Howe and keyboardist Rick Wakeman solidified their reputation for epic, genre-defining works like "Close to the Edge." Over the decades, Yes evolved through various incarnations, with 90125 marking a commercial peak, driven by the hit "Owner of a Lonely Heart." Today, with members like Steve Howe and Jon Davison, they continue to tour and release music, as seen in their latest X posts about the 2023 album Mirror to the Sky.

For more about Yes, visit their official website at YesWorld.com, where you can find tour dates, discography, and merch. Follow them on Facebook for live updates and fan interactions, Instagram for archival photos and tour snaps, and X for real-time news. Fans can dive deeper at YesFans.com, a hub for discussions and rare memorabilia, or join the vibrant Yes Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks and others share stories, setlists, and love for the band’s enduring legacy.