If you try to map out the lineage of yes rock group members on a piece of paper, you’re going to run out of ink. It’s a joke among prog-rock circles that being in Yes is basically a revolving door policy. Honestly, at this point, it’s less of a band and more of a musical philosophy or a sovereign nation with its own shifting borders.
Since 1968, there have been roughly 20 official members. That doesn't even count the "union" versions like ABWH or the various touring musicians who filled in when someone got grumpy and quit. You’ve got the ethereal vocals of Jon Anderson, the thumping Rickenbacker of Chris Squire, and the wizardry of Rick Wakeman. But then you also have the guys people forget, like Billy Sherwood or Trevor Horn, who briefly turned the band into a synth-pop powerhouse in the eighties.
It’s confusing. It’s brilliant. It’s a total headache for biographers.
The Foundation: Why Chris Squire Was the Only Constant
For decades, the one thing you could count on was Chris Squire. He was the anchor. He founded the band with Jon Anderson after meeting in a London bar called La Chasse, and until his passing in 2015, he was the only person to appear on every single studio album.
Squire wasn't just a bass player; he was the sonic architect. His tone was aggressive. It bit through the mix. If you listen to "Fragile" or "Close to the Edge," that growling bass isn't just rhythm—it’s a lead instrument. When people talk about yes rock group members, they usually start with the "Classic Lineup" (Anderson, Squire, Howe, Wakeman, White), but Squire was the glue that kept the ego-driven machine from flying apart. Without him, the band’s identity becomes much harder to pin down.
Since Chris died, Billy Sherwood has stepped into that role. It’s a heavy mantle. Sherwood was actually a member in the late 90s, too, so he’s got the pedigree, but fans still argue over whether it’s "really" Yes without the Fish (Squire's nickname).
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The High Priest and the Guitar God: Anderson and Howe
Jon Anderson is the voice. There’s no getting around it. His "alto-tenor" range and lyrics about "shining flying purple wolves" (I’m paraphrasing, but only a little) gave the band its mystical, hippie-godfather vibe. But Jon has been in and out of the band more times than a suburban teenager. He was replaced by Trevor Horn in 1980, and more recently, by Benoit David and then Jon Davison.
Davison, the current singer, sounds remarkably like Anderson. It’s almost eerie. But for many purists, if Jon Anderson isn’t up there gesturing toward the heavens, something is missing.
Then you have Steve Howe.
Steve joined for The Yes Album in 1970, replacing Peter Banks. Howe is a technician. He doesn't just play rock; he plays jazz, classical, country, and Spanish flamenco. Watch him play "Mood for a Day" and you'll see why he's consistently ranked as one of the greatest guitarists alive. He’s the current "captain" of the ship. He’s meticulous. He’s also notoriously prickly about how the music is handled, which is probably why the band still sounds as tight as it does in 2026.
The Keyboard Carousel: Beyond Rick Wakeman
The keyboard seat is where things get truly wild.
- Tony Kaye: The original. Heavy on the Hammond organ. He left because he didn't want to play synthesizers.
- Rick Wakeman: The cape-wearing legend. He brought the Moogs and the Mellotrons. He’s quit and rejoined about five times.
- Patrick Moraz: The jazz-fusion guy who played on Relayer.
- Geoff Downes: The Buggles/Asia guy. He’s the current keyboardist and brings a more structured, pop-sensible approach.
Wakeman is the one everyone remembers because of the sheer spectacle. He used to eat curry on stage during long drum solos. He brought a level of "rock star" energy that balanced out the more academic vibes of the rest of the group. But Downes has actually clocked in more years in the band than most people realize. He’s the longest-serving keyboardist if you look at total consecutive years in the modern era.
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The 80s Pivot: Trevor Rabin and the "Yes-West" Era
In 1983, the band was basically dead. Then came Trevor Rabin.
Rabin was a South African guitarist/songwriter who wanted to start a new band called Cinema with Squire and Alan White. They eventually brought Jon Anderson back, realized they sounded like Yes, and released 90125.
Suddenly, the guys who wrote ten-minute songs about topographical oceans had a #1 hit with "Owner of a Lonely Heart."
This era of yes rock group members is often polarizing. If you like the prog stuff, you might find the Rabin era too "glossy." But Rabin is a genius. He’s a film composer now, and his melodic sensibility saved the band from becoming a nostalgia act in the eighties. This lineup—Squire, Rabin, Anderson, Kaye, and White—was arguably the most commercially successful version of the group.
The Current State of the Union
As of right now, the lineup consists of:
- Steve Howe (Guitars/Vocals)
- Geoff Downes (Keyboards)
- Billy Sherwood (Bass/Vocals)
- Jon Davison (Lead Vocals)
- Jay Schellen (Drums)
Jay Schellen took over the throne after the legendary Alan White passed away in 2022. White had been with the band since 1972, famously joining just days before a tour and learning the entire setlist in a weekend. That's the level of professional expected here.
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It’s worth noting that there is often a "competing" version of the band history. For a while, we had ARW (Anderson, Rabin, and Wakeman) touring. It creates this weird situation where fans have to choose which "flavor" of the band they want to support. Usually, the one with the legal rights to the name (the Howe-led group) is the one releasing the new studio albums like Mirror to the Sky.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Lineup Changes
A lot of folks think the constant shuffling was just about egos. It wasn't. Often, it was about exhaustion. Touring as a prog-rock band is grueling. The music is incredibly difficult to play. If your heart isn't 100% in a 15-minute odyssey like "The Gates of Delirium," you’re going to burn out fast.
Bill Bruford, the original drummer, left for King Crimson because he felt Yes had become too structured. He wanted more room to improvise. Every person who left did so because the musical direction was shifting. It’s a living, breathing organism.
How to Keep Track of the Members
If you’re trying to dive deep into the discography, don't worry about the names too much at first. Focus on the eras.
The "Early Years" (1969-1970) are psychedelic and raw.
The "Classic Era" (1971-1977) is the peak of progressive complexity.
The "Drama Era" (1980) is a weird, proto-New Wave experiment.
The "90125 Era" (1983-1994) is high-production arena rock.
The "Modern Era" (2011-Present) is a tribute to the legacy while trying to push forward.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Listen to 'Drama': Most people skip this because Jon Anderson isn't on it. Don't. It's one of the tightest, most energetic albums in their catalog and features Trevor Horn on vocals.
- Watch 'Yessongs': This 1973 concert film is the best way to see the "classic" yes rock group members at the absolute height of their powers.
- Check out 'The Quest' or 'Mirror to the Sky': If you want to hear what the current lineup is capable of, these recent albums show that Steve Howe still has plenty of gas in the tank.
- Compare Bassists: Listen to "Roundabout" (Squire) and then "The More We Live" (Sherwood). Notice how Sherwood honors Squire's style while bringing his own slightly more modern production touch.
Yes is a franchise. It’s a legacy. While the faces change, the commitment to "more is more" remains. Whether you prefer the 70s mysticism or the 80s crunch, the DNA of the band—that strange mix of classical ambition and rock energy—stays intact through whoever happens to be holding the instruments this year.