Jon Anderson

Jon Anderson, born John Roy Anderson on 25 October 1944, is an English musician, best known as the lead singer of the progressive rock band Yes. He is also an accomplished solo artist, and has collaborated with artists such as the Greek musician Vangelis, among others. Jon Anderson was born John Anderson in Accrington, Lancashire, England, to Albert and Kathleen Anderson, who were of Irish ancestry. Anderson dropped the "h" from his first name in... more

Jon Anderson, born John Roy Anderson on 25 October 1944, is an English musician, best known as the lead singer of the progressive rock band Yes. He is also an accomplished solo artist, and has collaborated with artists such as the Greek musician Vangelis, among others. Jon Anderson was born John Anderson in Accrington, Lancashire, England, to Albert and Kathleen Anderson, who were of Irish ancestry. Anderson dropped the "h" from his first name in 1970, as he had a dream where he was given the name Jonathan. Note that on the album Yes he is credited as John, while on the next album Time and a Word he is credited as Jon. Anderson attended St. John's Infants School in Accrington. There he made a tentative start to a musical career playing the washboard in "Little John's Skiffle Group", which played songs by Lonnie Donegan among others. Anderson left school at the age of fifteen, and went through a series of jobs including farm hand, lorry driver, and milkman. Anderson tried to pursue a... less