AceShowbiz - Jon Davison grew up just a few blocks away from Taylor Hawkins in Laguna Beach, California, a connection that shaped his life in profound ways. The two became inseparable friends from grade school, bonding over shared musical discoveries like Rush and Queen, and learning instruments side by side — Hawkins on drums and Davison on guitar.

Their friendship also included memorable experiences, such as attending their first concert together at the Forum, where Hawkins’ mother took them to see David Bowie’s Serious Moonlight tour. But the pivotal moment for Davison came in 2012 when the legendary progressive rock band Yes was searching for a new lead singer. Hawkins recommended his lifelong friend to bassist Chris Squire, confidently endorsing Davison as the perfect fit.

That recommendation was backed by more than friendship. Davison possesses a natural tenor voice strikingly similar to a young Jon Anderson’s, the original Yes frontman. He also fronted a Yes tribute band called Roundabout and had extensive touring experience with bands like Glass Hammer and Sky Cries Mary, making him ready for the demands of the professional stage.

Since joining Yes in 2012, Davison has become a central figure in the band’s continued legacy. He is the lead vocalist on their last three studio albums: 2014’s Heavy & Earth, 2021’s The Quest, and 2023’s Mirror to the Sky. Alongside these recordings, he has toured worldwide with the band, and on April 22, Yes will launch the European leg of their world tour. This tour includes a full performance of the group’s 1971 classic Fragile, alongside other hits spanning their extensive career.

In 2019, Davison met Emily Lodge, daughter of Moody Blues co-lead singer John Lodge, during a prog-rock Cruise to the Edge event where Yes performed. The couple married three years later, and Davison began touring as part of John Lodge’s solo band. There, he took on lead vocals for songs originally sung by Justin Hayward, including the iconic “Knights in White Satin.”

This unique position allowed Davison to simultaneously honor the musical heritage of both Yes and the Moody Blues. However, this chapter also had its challenges, especially after the passing of John Lodge last year while Yes were touring in America.

Davison reflected on the emotional weight of performing during this period, saying, “The first half of the set is really quite mellow with emotional songs like ‘Onward,’ ‘Wondrous Stories,’ and ‘Circles of Time.’ ‘Soon’ is a spiritual hymn. I was thinking, ‘I’ve got to go out on stage and sing without just breaking down crying.’” He shared how he found strength in remembering what John Lodge would have wanted, to celebrate the music with joy rather than sorrow.

Beyond coping with loss, Davison has faced other hurdles since stepping into the spotlight as Yes frontman. The death of Hawkins in 2022 was deeply felt, as was resistance from some fans who only accept the band with the original singer, Anderson, at the helm. Additionally, there was an awkward phase when two competing versions of Yes toured simultaneously, culminating in a joint appearance at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction. The constant vocal demands of performing Yes’s challenging catalogue night after night have also tested his endurance.

We spoke with Davison via Zoom from his home in Surrey, England, to delve into his extraordinary and unlikely career path.

How did Taylor Hawkins influence your musical development as a child?
“Taylor’s older brother was hipper and introduced us to many rock records. Taylor was a year younger but ahead of me in some ways. He told me about his neighbor selling a drum set and his love for Queen, especially their drummer Roger Taylor. He admired Roger’s songwriting and expressive style and even thought he looked like him — thick, white hair swept back. Taylor wanted to be like Roger Taylor, and he hoped I would be Freddie Mercury. But that was a hard role to fill!”

Did you and Taylor Hawkins attend concerts together in the early days?
“Yes, we saw Jane’s Addiction during their Nothing’s Shocking tour. Their raw energy combined rock and psychedelic sounds, attracting diverse crowds — hair metal fans, goth girls, Deadheads. They united everyone, and Taylor loved that.”

How do you reflect on Hawkins’s life and career?
“His passing was tragic and premature, but he lived out his childhood rock dreams. He played with Queen, jammed with Rush, and sang Led Zeppelin songs with Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones at Wembley Stadium. He shared Dave Grohl’s childlike enthusiasm for their musical heroes, always expressing genuine excitement when meeting them. Their humility and openness impressed fellow musicians and allowed them to connect with legendary artists without ego.”

When did you discover your own singing ability?
“I didn’t realize my vocal talent until later. I usually sang background vocals without much opportunity to develop my voice. After moving from Seattle around 2000, I experienced a lull in my career following my time with Sky Cries Mary, where I played bass professionally during the early ’90s. I was frustrated not doing much music professionally and wanted to be in a band again.”

How did you come to join a Yes tribute band?
“Taylor encouraged me to join a cover band to keep my skills sharp. Searching ads, I found a Yes cover band looking for a vocalist, not a bassist. I was desperate and knew I had a high voice, so I gave it a shot. They were impressed, and I quickly gained support. This happened around 2005, when I was about 37.”

How long were you with Roundabout, the Yes tribute band?
“Only two or three years, and we played very few gigs — maybe two or three a year. It was more of a hobby than a full-time job.”

Today, Davison stands as the voice of Yes, carrying forward the spirit of a band with a rich and complex history. His journey from childhood friendship with Taylor Hawkins to fronting one of progressive rock’s most iconic groups is a testament to perseverance, talent, and deep musical passion.