Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, a progressive rock group also known as ABWH, has found itself on an unexpected list of “failed supergroups” despite its members having been part of the legendary rock band Yes.
Formed in the late 1980s, the four-piece group consisting of Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman and Steve Howe once generated massive excitement among fans, especially after the former Yes members reunited as a new group.
"Brother of Mine," a track from their debut album, became their signature anthem, with the edited version peaking at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and No. 63 on the UK Singles Chart.
Their first and only album, Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, released in 1989, reached No. 30 on the Billboard 200 album chart.
Although the band achieved only limited commercial impact following its short-lived stint, ABWH was included on a list of forgotten supergroups.
In a ranking cited by BBC Music, the publication pointed out a common issue faced by some supergroups.
English progressive rock group, Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, London, February 1989. Left to right: singer Jon Anderson, keyboard player Rick Wakeman, drummer Bill Bruford and guitarist Steve Howe.Michael Putland/Getty Images)
One reason is the “struggle to reach the same cultural resonance without the full chemistry of their original bands.”
"Some upsetting things happened in the way we made it," guitarist Steve Howe told Innerviews, "but I was really quite happy with the project. I remember thinking 'Wow, that’s pretty interesting.' Jon came to my house in London and said, 'Let’s do this. Let’s put this band together.' I gave him six songs on a cassette and he walked out the door. Those songs are basically what became the album. He added to those songs. So, I have a very soft spot for the album because some of the emotional pieces are fantastic. The songs do really mean a lot to me. They are quite exciting."
As for ABWH, the group remains respected among progressive rock fans but never became as influential as Yes.
Behind Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe’s Legal Dispute
Although several factors may have prevented ABWH from becoming one of the premier supergroups of its era, the legal dispute surrounding the band’s use of the Yes name created a major challenge that limited the band’s momentum.
The conflict was between the quartet and the active members of Yes, particularly Chris Squire and Tony Kaye.
After leaving Yes, the members of ABWH promoted their concerts under the banner "An Evening of Yes Music Plus.”
However, the remaining members of Yes challenged the move, arguing that they held the legal trademark rights to the Yes name and that the advertising could cause confusion among fans.
As a result, and in an effort to avoid a complicated legal process, record label Arista Records urged the groups to unite for a major collaboration. The result was the Unionalbum and tour in the early 1990s, temporarily merging the eight members.
Related: '90s Supergroup Makes Exclusive Announcement on First Song in Eight Years
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