Takin’ A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight

Episode Summary: Exploring "True" and the Creative Journey with Jon Anderson

Date: February 9, 2026
Guests: Buzz Knight (host), Jon Anderson (former Yes lead singer)
Main Theme:
Jon Anderson discusses the creation of his new album "True" with the Band Geeks, reflects on Yes’s enduring legacy, live performance magic, and future projects.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Buzz Knight reunites with Jon Anderson, legendary former lead singer of progressive rock icons Yes. The conversation delves deeply into the creative genesis of Anderson’s new album "True," produced in collaboration with the Band Geeks and Richie Castellano. Together, they explore the album’s process, inspiration, and sonic connection to classic Yes albums. Anderson reflects on his live performance experiences, the phenomenon of immersive concert venues like The Sphere, and shares candid updates on his next ambitious musical projects.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Beginning of the Anderson–Band Geeks Collaboration

[01:05, 02:11, 02:38]

• Jon Anderson was introduced to the Band Geeks after seeing them play "Heart of the Sunrise" in a video sent by a friend, John Amick.
• Impressed by their musicianship, Anderson reached out to Richie Castellano, leading to a tour together.
• The chemistry was so strong that Anderson suggested making an album that would sound reminiscent of classic Yes.

Quote:

• "This friend of mine, John Amick, sent me a video of these guys, the Band Geeks, playing Heart of the Sunrise and it kind of freaked me out how good they were." — Jon Anderson [02:38]

2. The Creative Process of "True"

[02:38–06:43]

• Collaboration was highly dynamic: Anderson and Castellano co-produced over Zoom, trading musical ideas.
• Anderson sent initial song fragments; some were fleshed out into full productions by Richie Castellano.
• Weekly Zoom sessions with the whole band mirrored the experimental ethos of early Yes in the 1970s.

Notable Song Origins:

• "True Messenger": The first track, co-written with a friend who works on South Park.
• "Counties and Countries": Started as a minimal demo, elevated by Castellano’s production—this was a creative breakthrough.
• "Build Me an Ocean": Song from ten years ago, reworked for this album.
• "Once Upon a Dream": Originally a chant, expanded in collaboration.

Quote:

• "When he sent me Counties and Countries, I went, 'Richie, you're a producer, it's amazing.'" — Jon Anderson [05:36]
• "It reminded me of the '70s, me working with Yes, because I was always very crazy, like, 'let's try this kind of a piece of music now.'" — Jon Anderson [03:39]

3. Capturing the Classic Album Flow

[06:43–07:57]

• Buzz Knight praises the album’s holistic, cover-to-cover flow, likening it to how albums used to be sequenced and experienced.
• Anderson reveals the closing track, "Thank God, Thank God I’m Here, Thank God I’m Home," was added at the end to provide resolution.

Quote:

• "It really flows in the sense of the way albums, you know, used to flow. I don't think they flow that way anymore. Was that intentional?" — Buzz Knight [07:06]
• "Richie loved it. And we recorded that in a couple of days. And as you say, it all fits together, all the parts make it work." — Jon Anderson [07:38]

4. The Joy and Power of Live Performance

[07:57–09:36]

• Anderson describes the profound enjoyment of playing classic Yes material live with the Band Geeks.
• Details the concert build-up: ambient music by Vangelis, Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, leading into "Perpetual Change" and "Close to the Edge."
• The connection with audiences and the faithful execution of the music is described as “magic.”

Quote:

• "The show is exciting for us to perform because this is music from 50 years ago. Here we are. And I think we'll just carry on doing this for the next two or three years." — Jon Anderson [08:52]_

5. Reflections on the Sphere and Immersive Venues

[09:36–12:08]

• Anderson shares his awe at U2’s performance at The Sphere in Las Vegas, describing it as "a billion-dollar Marquee Club" that envelops audiences in visuals and sound.
• He muses on dreams of presenting Yes music in such a 3D immersive format and acknowledges the cyclical nature of music innovation.

Quote:

• "It's a magical experience. Very, very... you're surrounded by visualization and it's so deep and strong and powerful. I mean, it's a billion dollar Marquee Club." — Jon Anderson [10:52]_

6. Looking Ahead: Ongoing and Future Ambitions

[12:08–13:46]

• Anderson hints at a potential world tour combining Yes classics and the entirety of "True," emphasizing that the new album “has to be” performed in full.
• Reveals work on two major projects:
  • A long-awaited follow-up to “Olias of Sunhillow,” inspired by his son.
  • An experimental "Opus Opus"—described jokingly as a three-hour sound experience.

Quote:

• "I started working on another piece of music... I call it Opus Opus... it's three hours long. But I don't know anybody who wants to hear three hours of me twiddling along with sound effects and things like that..." — Jon Anderson [13:16]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We did the tour and at the end of the tour I said, let's make an album as well, because they sound just like Yes. They're happy, they're grateful, they're thankful, just like me.” — Jon Anderson [02:38]
• “You're never one to sit idle... what else are you working on?” — Buzz Knight [12:39]
• "You, you cannot say that because Mr. Anderson, you the top of the Prog Rock Mountain in my view, sir." — Buzz Knight [13:46]

Timeline of Important Segments

• [01:05–02:11] — Introduction to Band Geeks collaboration
• [02:38–06:43] — Making the album "True": process and highlights
• [06:43–07:57] — Album flow and song sequence
• [07:57–09:36] — Live performance experiences and show details
• [09:36–12:08] — Reflections on the Sphere and immersive concerts
• [12:08–13:46] — Future projects: Olias sequel, Opus Opus, tour plans
• [13:46–14:17] — Farewells and closing words

Final Thoughts

This episode is an excellent window into Jon Anderson’s creative mind—brimming with gratitude, innovation, and reverence for his musical legacy. He seamlessly blends nostalgia for the classic Yes era with excitement for new musical frontiers, delivering an inspiring message both to long-time fans and newcomers.