http://www.billboard.com/billboard/photos/artists/steve-howe.gifThe More Drama Tour, a North American outing combining the side projects of three longtime Yes principals, has been canceled due to immigration problems. The VH1 Classic-presented run was slated to open tonight (Aug. 2) in Seattle and play more than 20 shows before closing Sept. 4 in Cleveland.
Key details surrounding the cancellation were not available at deadline, with a statement saying only that immigration issues arose "in the wake of heightened security brought on by the recent terrorist attacks in London." The U.K.-based artists still hope to mount a tour at another time.
"We're frustrated as much as the fans are but we understand the importance of the heightened security and hope we can reschedule the tour at some point," bassist Chris Squire says. Refunds will be made available through point of sale outlets.
The shows were to feature the music of guitarist Steve Howe, Squire's pre-Yes act the Syn (with original vocalist Stephen Nardelli) and drummer Alan White's new band, White, which also includes another Yes alum, keyboardist Geoff Downes.
The musicians also planned to revisit material from Yes' 1980's album, "Drama," recorded with a lineup of Howe, Squire, White, Downes and guitarist/vocalist Trevor Horn. That incarnation only existed for about a year.
According to the official White Web site, the band -- completed by vocalist Kevin Currie, bassist Steve Boyce and guitarist Karl Haug -- has completed its debut album and planned to sell it at the More Drama shows. No other release information for the self-titled disc is available, although 10 songs can be sampled in the site's multimedia section.
― Eisbär (llamasfur), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 19:10 (twenty years ago)
well thank fuck National Security is finally doing something to keep us all out of harm's way.
― jonviachicago, Wednesday, 3 August 2005 20:37 (twenty years ago)
Story would have been more interesting in the "details." Often they revolve around hassles with members of the band having picked up minor drug busts, or more common, drunk and disorderly charges while on tour in the 70's or such.
This blew up a UFO tour a year or so ago, but since the band only plays metal bar dives these days, it wasn't news. The singer couldn't get his visa renewed or something because Homeland Security had taken the opportunity to deem him a risk because of a drunk tank charge in the 70's.
It's good to know, isn't it, that Homeland Security is screening the ex-power drunks among the classic rockers. The motto: "Teetotalers, not terrorists!"
― George Smith, Wednesday, 3 August 2005 20:49 (twenty years ago)
I believe Steve Howe has studied the
oud, which as you know is an Arab instrument. I mean, I think that's enough reason right there.
― Rockist_Scientist (RSLaRue), Wednesday, 3 August 2005 20:59 (twenty years ago)
think it was Dave Q's Yes piece that was too much of a gauntlet for the band to overcome at their opening date here.So that's the Seattle Weekly these days? Christ that was awful.
― Sparkle Motion's Rising Force, Thursday, 4 August 2005 17:56 (twenty years ago)
Yes, really depressingly awful.
― everything, Thursday, 4 August 2005 18:03 (twenty years ago)