YES's STEVE HOWE To Undergo 'Essential' Surgery; Tour Dates Postponed

YES has been forced to postpone its previously announced U.K. tour as guitarist Steve Howe requires surgery.

The progressive rock legends were scheduled to hit the road for a nine-date trek across the U.K. starting on April 22 at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow and ending with a two-night run at the prestigious Palladium in London on May 3 and May 4. The tour was supposed to see YES performing the group's classic 1971 album "Fragile" in its entirety, as well as a selection of songs from across YES's illustrious catalogue from their legendary 1970s releases right up to their current album, "Mirror To the Sky".

Earlier today (Thursday, April 2),YES released the following statement via social media: "The upcoming YES 'Fragile' UK and EU tour, due to commence on 22nd April, has had to be postponed as guitarist Steve Howe requires an essential operation that requires recovery time. This decision has been made to ensure that Steve can return to the stage in full health and deliver the performances that fans deserve.

"We are working hard to reschedule the UK and EU shows to a later date, with full details to be announced after Easter. Please retain your tickets as they will be valid for the rescheduled dates. Tour dates currently being arranged for later in 2026 will proceed as planned.

"Steve Howe and YES would like to thank their UK fans and hope for their continued support at this time."

Steve Howe is a highly influential guitarist born in London in 1947. He is best known for his groundbreaking work with progressive rock legends YES, recording the classic albums "Close To The Edge", "Fragile", "Tales From Topographic Oceans" and "Relayer", with the most recent being 2023's "Mirror To The Sky".

Howe's early recording career began in the 1960s with THE SYNDICATS and TOMORROW before joining YES in 1970, making his debut appearance on "The Yes Album" in 1971 where he has, over several periods with the band, recorded 19 studio albums.

His unique style embodies an innovative blend of classical, jazz, folk and rock influences which has seen him play an array of guitars and stringed instruments which brought a unique sound to his complex compositions.

On a hiatus from YES, Howe formed supergroup ASIA with Carl Palmer (ELP),John Wetton (KING CRIMSON) and Geoff Downes (YES) achieving a Number One album on the American Billboard Top 100 in 1982, where it stayed for an astonishing nine weeks yielding three top 10 hit singles, including "Heat Of The Moment". Howe went on to record seven studio albums with ASIA across several periods in the band.

Howe also collaborated with GENESIS guitarist Steve Hackett in the short-lived GTR, achieving a Top 20 album in America and several albums with keyboardist Paul Sutin.

Howe has also had a varied career as a session guitarist playing on albums by a diverse range of artists including FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD, PROPAGANDA, the BEE GEES, William Shatner and QUEEN.

Howe has released 15 solo albums and a further two studio albums with THE STEVE HOWE TRIO, formed with his son Dylan, which has seen him explore a wide range of styles and techniques.

Howe, who was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2017 as a member of YES, has been an enduring presence in the music scene for over half a century, continually exploring and pushing back the boundaries of musical possibilities influencing musicians as diverse as Alex Lifeson (RUSH),Steven Wilson (PORCUPINE TREE) and Brian May (QUEEN).