Earthworks I / ABWH
Jon Anderson, vocalist from Yes, had visited innocently and socially in the previous Fall, and suggested Bill work on Jon’s upcoming album. Seemed innocent enough, but at the airport on the way to Air Studios, Montserrat, the presence of Wakeman, Howe, and manager Brian Lane all point to the looming, and dreaded, reunion. The album sounds good, the band accede to Bill’s request for Tony Levin on bass instead of Squire, finally agree a name, (Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe) and following a 12-date European tour for Earthworks in June, A.B.W.H. depart for a six week summer US tour, continuing on into Europe in the Fall. Bill basks in the vicarious pleasure of people making a fuss, and tries to pretend it makes up for the guilt of departure from home on this extended package holiday.
The applause at the Spectrum, Philadelphia, on August 3rd is deafening, literally louder than the band.