Ahasuerus (Old Persian: ''Xšayārša'', ; ''Asouēros'' in the Septuagint; or ''Assuerus'' in the Vulgate; commonly transliterated Achashverosh) is a name used several times in the Hebrew Bible, as well as related legends and Apocrypha. This name (or title) is applied in the Hebrew Scriptures to three rulers. The same name (or title) is also applied uncertainly to a Babylonian official noted in the Book of Tobit.

Equivalence of the names Ahasuerus and Xerxes

The name Ahasuerus is equivalent to his Greek name of Xerxes, both deriving from the Old Persian language ''Xšayārša''. The form Xerxes has not traditionally appeared in English Bibles, but has rather appeared as Ahasuerus. Many other translations and paraphrases have used the name Xerxes.

The name Xerxes comes to us from the Greek Ξέρξης. The English name Ahasuerus is derived from a Latinized form of the Hebrew ʼAkhashverosh (אחשורוש), which is a Hebrew rendering of the Babylonian Achshiyarshu: both this and the Greek Ξέρξης are renderings of the Old Persian Xšayāršā. Thus this literary change was created as the name moved across each of the language groups in a westerly direction from Persia until it entered English translations of the Bible.

In the Bible

Book of Esther

Ahasuerus is given as the name of the King of Persia in the Book of Esther. 19th century Bible commentaries generally identified him with Xerxes I of Persia. The Greek version (Septuagint) of the Book of Esther refers to him as Artaxerxes, and the historian Josephus relates that this was the name by which he was known to the Greeks. Similarly, the Vulgate, the Midrash of ''Esther Rabba, I, 3'' and the Josippon identify the King as Artaxerxes. The Ethiopic text calls him ''Arťeksis'', usually the Ethiopic equivalent of ''Artaxerxes''. John of Ephesus and Bar-Hebraeus identified him as Artaxerxes II, a view strongly supported by the 20th century scholar Jacob Hoschander. Masudi recorded the Persian view of events which affirms the identification and al-Tabari similarly placed the events during the time of Artaxerxes II despite being confused by the Hebrew name for the king. ''Esther Rabba'' and the Vulgate present "Ahasuerus" as a different name for the king to "Artaxerxes" rather than an equivalent in different languages, and the Septuagint distinguished between the two names using a Greek transliteration of Ahasuerus for occurrences outside the Book of Esther. Indeed an inscription from the time of Ataxerxes II records that he was also known as ''Arshu'' understood to be a shortening of the Babylonian form ''Achshiyarshu'' derived from the Persian ''Khshayarsha'' (Xerxes). The Greek historians Ctesias and Deinon noted that Artaxerxes II was also called ''Arsicas'' or ''Oarses'' respectively similarly understood to be derived from ''Khshayarsha'', the former as the shortened form together with the Persian suffix ''-ke'' applied to such shortened names.

Book of Ezra

Ahasuerus is also given as the name of a King of Persia in the Book of Ezra. Jewish tradition regards him as the same Ahasuerus of the Book of Esther ; the Ethiopic text calls him ''Arťeksis'', as it does the above figure in Esther. Modern commentators associate him either with Cambyses or with the pseudo-Smerdis who reigned for seven months between Cambyses and Darius I.

Book of Tobit

In some versions of the deuterocanonical Book of Tobit, Ahasuerus is given as the name of an associate of Nebuchadnezzar, who together with him, destroyed Nineveh just before Tobit's death. A traditional Catholic view is that he is identical to the Ahasuerus of Daniel 9:1 In the Codex Sinaiticus Greek (LXX) edition, the two names in this verse appear instead as one name, Ahikar (also the name of another character in the story of Tobit). Other Septuagint texts have the name ''Achiachar''. Western scholars have proposed that ''Achiachar'' is a variant form of the name "Cyaxares I of Media", who historically did destroy Nineveh, in 612 BC.

Book of Daniel

Ahasuerus is given as the name of the father of Darius the Mede in the Book of Daniel. Josephus names Astyages as the father of Darius the Mede, and the description of the latter as uncle and father-in-law of Cyrus by mediaeval Jewish commentators matches that of Cyaxares II, who is said to be the son of Astyages by Xenophon. Thus this Ahasuerus is commonly identified with Astyages. He is alternatively identified, together with the Ahasuerus of the Book of Tobit, as Cyaxares I, said to be the father of Astyages. Views differ on how to reconcile the sources in this case. One view is that the description of Ahasuerus as the "father" of Darius the Mede should be understood in the broader sense of "forebear" or "ancestor." Another view notes that on the Behistun Inscription, "Cyaxares" is a family name, and thus considers the description as literal, viewing Astyages as an intermediate ruler wrongly placed in the family line in the Greek sources.

In legend

In some versions of the legend of the Wandering Jew, his true name is held to be "Ahasuerus."

See also

Artaxerxes II

Xerxes I of Persia

Wandering Jew

References

External links

The Wandering Jew ''Curious Myths of the Middle Ages'' by Sabine Baring-Gould, M.A.

Category:Book of Esther Category:History of Purim Category:Monarchs of the Hebrew Bible

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Coordinates	21°18′32″N157°49′34″N
Name	Dana International (דנה אינטרנשיונל)
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Yaron Cohen
Born	February 02, 1972Tel Aviv, Israel
Nationality	Israeli
Instrument	Vocals
Genre	Dance, Pop, World, Trance
Occupation	Singer-songwriter
Years active	1992–present
Label	Hed Arzi Music
Website	www.DanaInternational.co.il }}

Sharon Cohen (Hebrew: שרון כהן), professionally known as Dana International (Hebrew: דנה אינטרנשיונל, born Yaron Cohen, February 2, 1972) is an Israeli pop singer of Yemenite Jewish ancestry.

She is most famous for having won the Eurovision Song Contest 1998 in Birmingham with the song "Diva". She is arguably one of the most famous transsexual celebrities in the world. She has released eight albums and three additional compilation albums, positioning herself as one of Israel's most successful musical acts ever. She recently became one of the judges on Israeli Pop Idol, ''Kokhav Nolad''.

Dana International represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Germany, with the self-penned song "Ding Dong".

Biography

Sharon Cohen was born Yaron Cohen in Tel Aviv to a Jewish family of Yemenite and Romanian descent. In an interview, she said her grandfather originated from Transylvania (Romania). Her paternal grandparents lived in Petah Tikva. She was the youngest of three children, and was named after an uncle who had been killed during a terrorist attack. Though born biologically male, she identified as a female from a very young age. She wanted to become a singer since the age of eight, when she watched legendary Israeli singer Ofra Haza perform her song "Chai" in the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest. Although the family was quite poor, her mother worked to pay for her music lessons, and she claims that her childhood was happy. She came out as transsexual at the age of 13.

The first tragedy in Dana International's life was the death of her best friend Daniel, who died in a car accident. She asserts that Daniel had prophesied that she would someday have a successful singing career, and claims that Daniel's prediction is what pushed her to become the singer she wanted to be. The stage name she adopted, Dana or Danna, is the feminine version of Daniel's abbreviated name, Dan or Danny.

Career

1990–93: Dana International

At 18 years of age, International (still legally male) earned a living as Israel's first drag queen parodying many famous female singers. During one of her performances, she was discovered by Offer Nissim, a well-known Israeli DJ, who produced her debut single "Saida Sultana" ("My Name is Not Saida"), a satirical version of Whitney Houston's song "My Name Is Not Susan". The song received considerable exposure and helped launch her career as a professional singer.

In 1993, International flew to London for male-to-female sex reassignment surgery and legally changed her name to Sharon Cohen. Returning home with her new name, that same year Cohen released her first album, entitled ''Danna International'' in Israel. Soon after, the album was also released in several other countries including Greece, Jordan, and Egypt. Sharon's stage name Dana International comes from the title track of the album, and was originally spelled with two n:s. ''Danna International'' soon became a gold record in Israel.

1994: Umpatampa and Best Female Artist

In 1994 Dana released her second, Trance-influenced album ''Umpatampa'', which built on the success of her debut and provided further hit singles. The album went platinum in Israel and has sold more than 50,000 copies to date. Because of her popularity and the success of this album, she won the award for ''Best Female Artist of the Year'' in Israel.

1995: Eurovision song contest

In 1995, Dana attempted to fulfill her childhood dream of performing in the Eurovision Song Contest. She entered the Eurovision qualifying contest in Israel with a song entitled "Layla Tov, Eropa" ("Good Night Europe") which finished second in the pre-selections, but became another hit single.

In late 1995, Dana released an E.P. called ''E.P. Tampa'' with three new songs and four remixes and special versions of her earlier songs.

1996–97: Consolidating popularity

In 1996, Dana released her third album, ''Maganuna''. Although this album was less successful than her previous efforts, it still reached gold record sales in Israel and included the hits "Don Quixote," "Waving," and the club smash "Cinque Milla." In 1997, Dana collaborated with the Israeli artist Eran Zur on his album ''Ata Havera Sheli,'' and together they sang the duet "Shir Kdam-Shnati (Sex Acher)" ("Pre-Bed Song (A Different Kind of Sex)") which became a huge hit.

1998: ''Diva'' and mainstream spotlight

Dana was chosen to represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 1998 in Birmingham with the song "Diva". Orthodox Jews and others with conservative views were opposed to her appointment and attempted to void her participation in the contest. However, in May 1998, Dana performed "Diva" at the Eurovision final and won the contest with 172 points. She became an international superstar, and was interviewed by CNN, BBC, Sky News, and MTV among others mostly focusing on her life as a transsexual person before winning the contest. Dana's own words ''"the message of reconciliation"'' were; ''"My victory proves God is on my side. I want to send my critics a message of forgiveness and say to them: try to accept me and the kind of life I lead. I am what I am and this does not mean I don't believe in God, and I am part of the Jewish Nation."''

Dana released "Diva" as a single in Europe and it became a hit, reaching number 11 in the UK charts and the top ten in Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, and the Netherlands.

1999–2001: Stage falling, Streisand cover and new albums

In 1999, Dana released ''Woman In Love'', a Barbra Streisand cover, but it was not the hit that "Diva" had been. In May 1999, Dana again participated in the Eurovision Song Contest held in Jerusalem. Dana was a part of the interval act and sang the Stevie Wonder song "Free". She also presented the award to the winners of the contest but accidentally managed to steal their thunder. Whilst she was carrying the heavy trophy, one of the composers of the winning Swedish entry by mistake stepped on the long trail of her dress and she fell over on stage – in front of a television audience estimated be to one billion or more, arguably making it one of the most memorable moments in the 50-year-long history of the contest.

She released her next album ''Free'' in Europe in 1999, which enjoyed moderate success. A few months later Cohen moved back to Israel and started to work on different projects. Israeli and Japanese editions of ''Free'' were released in 2000. That same year, an Israeli documentary film was made about Cohen called ''Lady D''.

In 2001, after a break, Cohen released her seventh album ''Yoter Ve Yoter'' (''More and More''). The album put her career in Israel back on track and provided two hits called "I Won" and "After All", which eventually both went gold.

2002–06: Fading from the scene and Sony incident

Dana was about to sign with major Sony/BMG for an international recording contract, but something went wrong in negotiations. These were disagreements that led to Sony canceling the deal before it was completed. In 2002, she released another album, ''HaHalom HaEfshari'' (''The Possible Dream''), which was a minor chart success. In 2003, she released an exclusive 8 CD box set, containing all singles from ''The Possible Dream'' and also a new house version of the hit single "Cinque Milla", titled ''A.lo.ra.lo.la''. A few years later, in 2005, Dana participated in the 50th anniversary of the Eurovision song contest, held in Copenhagen, after "Diva" was selected as one of fourteen songs considered to be the best Eurovision songs. The song did however not make it into the final top five, but Dana got the chance to perform both "Diva" and an old Eurovision favourite of hers; Baccara's 1978 entry "Parlez-Vous Francais?". She also recorded the song "Lola" (sung in French), to which she released a video. This video can be found on the CD ''Hakol Ze Letova'', released in 2007 as a bonus CD-rom video.

In 2005, Dana was voted the 47th-greatest Israeli of all time, in a poll by the Israeli news website ''Ynet'' to determine whom the general public considered the 200 Greatest Israelis.

2007–today: Return to music and Eurovision comeback

After a few years away from show business, together with the relaunch of her official website, a first single of the upcoming album was released in March 2007: "Hakol Ze Letova" ("It's All For the Best"). The second single to be released from the album, "Love Boy", became the most played song on Israeli radio in a decade. It also gained a respectable place on the airplay of the Greek radio station FLY FM 89,7. The following album, also titled ''Hakol Ze Letova'', was released on August 15, 2007. "At Muhana" was the third single and "Seret Hodi" (feat. ''Idan Yaniv'') the fourth to be released from the album, which became a bestseller in many online stores. The next single released from the album was "Yom Huledet".

On February 26, 2008, Dana gained an additional achievement when the song "Ke'ilu Kan" written and composed by her and performed by Boaz Mauda, was chosen on Kdam Eurovision to represent Israel at Eurovision Song Contest 2008 in Belgrade, Serbia. It came 5th in the semi-final and gained 9th place in the final rank.

Currently, Dana International is in the studio putting the finishing touches on her next album. Dana has also recorded a song called "Mifrats Ha Ahava" ("The Love Bay") for an Israeli version of the TV-show "Paradise Hotel". She recently collaborated with the Ukrainian duo NeAngely (Not Angels). They recorded the song "I Need Your Love" together and released a video. In 2009 Dana starred in a mock reality show called ''Dana Kama/Nama'' for cellphone provider Cellcom

Dana campaigned for Kadima chairwoman Tzipi Livni shortly before 2009 legislative elections in Israel. At a women's political rally in Jerusalem Dana performed a bouncy disco song right beside Livni onstage. Dana announced, "I now formally invite you to the diva sisterhood."

In April 2009 Dana performed in the opening concert of Tel Aviv-Yafo Centennial Year. She performed the song "Lo nirdemet Tel Aviv" (Tel Aviv doesn't fall asleep) in front of 250,000 people.

On May 18, 2009, Dana International shut down her current website in hopes of launching her new website promoting her new album.

Also in 2009, Dana International joined the 7th season of "Kokhav Nolad" (the Israeli version of American Idol) as a judge and joined the 8th one as well in 2010.

Dana made a guest appearance, as herself, in an episode of the second series of UK sitcom Beautiful People, which was set around her Eurovision appearance. She is currently working on her next studio album, which is due to be released later in 2011.

Early in February, it was announced by IBA that Dana was preparing for a comeback in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Germany with the self-penned song Ding Dong and would compete in the Israeli National Final for 2011. On March 8 Dana International won the final and represented Israel at Eurovision for a second time. However, she did not make it into the final.

Discography

1993 ''Danna International (Offer Nissim Presents)'', IMP Dance

1994 ''Umpatampa'', IMP Dance

1995 ''E.P.Tampa (Offer Nissim Featuring)'', IMP Dance

1996 ''Maganuna'' (Crazy), Helicon/Big Foot

1998 ''Diva - The Hits'', IMP Dance

1998 ''Dana International The Album'', Helicon/Big Foot/PolyGram

1999 ''Free'', (European edition), CNR Music

2000 ''Free'', (Israeli edition), NMC

2000 ''Free'', (Japanese edition), NXCA

2001 ''Yoter Ve Yoter'' (More and more), NMC

2002 ''HaHalom HaEfshari'' (The possible dream), IMP Dance

2003 ''The CDs collection'', IMP Dance

2007 ''Hakol Ze Letova'' (It's all for the best), Hed Arzi Ltd.

2011 ''Ding Dong

References

External links

Dana International – Discover The Queen Of The Levant

Dana International Fan Website

Dana International Official Website

Unofficial Dana International fansite

Dana International – A Star Online; Website & Forum

Dana Photo Gallery

Category:1972 births Category:Living people Category:Israeli people of Yemeni origin Category:Israeli Jews Category:People from Tel Aviv Category:LGBT people from Israel Category:Transgender and transsexual musicians Category:Israeli people of Romanian origin Category:Israeli female singers Category:Israeli pop singers Category:Eurovision Song Contest winners Category:Eurovision Song Contest entrants of 1998 Category:Israeli Eurovision Song Contest entrants Category:Hebrew-language singers Category:English-language singers Category:LGBT Jews Category:Eurovision Song Contest entrants of 2011

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Coordinates	21°18′32″N157°49′34″N
Background	solo_singer
Name	Jon Anderson
Birth name	John Roy Anderson
Born	October 25, 1944 Accrington, Lancashire, England
Genre	Progressive rock, Symphonic rock, Pop rock, New Age music
Occupation	Vocalist, lyricist, songwriter, painter, guitarist, harpist
Instrument	Vocals, keyboards, percussion, harp, guitar
Years active	1968–present
Label	Atlantic RecordsPolydor RecordsElektra RecordsColumbia RecordsAngel RecordsWindham Hill RecordsHigher Octave RecordsEagle RecordsCleopatra RecordsVoiceprint RecordsWounded Bird Records
Associated acts	''Yes''The WarriorsJon & VangelisAnderson Bruford Wakeman HoweKing Crimson
Website	Official website }}

Jon Anderson (born John Roy Anderson on 25 October 1944) is an English musician best known as the former 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.

Biography

Early life and childhood

Jon Anderson was born John Roy Anderson in Accrington, Lancashire, England, to Albert and Kathleen Anderson. His father was from Scotland whilst his mother was of Irish ancestry. Anderson dropped the "h" from his first name in 1970.

Anderson attended St. John's Infants School in Baxenden, 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 football career at Accrington Stanley F.C. but was turned down because of his frail constitution. He remains a fan of the club.

Early career

In 1962 Anderson joined The Warriors (also known as The Electric Warriors), where he and his brother Tony shared the role of lead vocalist. He quit this band in 1967, released two solo singles in 1968 under the pseudonym Hans Christian, and then briefly sang for the bands The Gun and The Open Mind. One of Anderson's first producers at EMI was songwriter Paul Korda.

In March 1968 Anderson met bassist Chris Squire and joined him in a group called Mabel Greer's Toyshop, which had previously included guitarist Peter Banks. Anderson fronted this band but ended up leaving again before the summer was over. He remarks on his website that his time with the band consisted of "too many drugs, not enough fun!".

Yes

Anderson, Squire and Banks went on to form Yes with drummer Bill Bruford and keyboardist Tony Kaye. Their debut album was released in 1969. He stayed with the group until 1980. This is known as the classic period of Yes. Jon was a major creative force and band leader throughout this period. He has described himself as the 'team captain' and was nicknamed by his bandmates "Napoleon" for his diminutive stature and leadership of the band. He is also recognised as the main instigator of a series of epic works produced by Yes at the time. He played an indispensable role in creating such complex pieces as "Close to the Edge", "Awaken" and especially "The Gates of Delirium", in spite of his limited instrumental abilities. He rejoined a reformed Yes in 1983 which produced their most commercially successful album ''90125'' with newcomer Trevor Rabin. He departed again in 1988 over creative differences relating to the band's continued pursuit of major commercial success and mainstream radio play. In 1989 Anderson and other former Yes members formed the group Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe (ABWH), augmented by bassist Tony Levin, who had played with drummer Bill Bruford in King Crimson. After the successful first ABWH album, a series of business deals caused ABWH to reunite with the then-current members of Yes, who had been out of the public eye while searching for a new lead singer. The resulting eight-man band assumed the name Yes, and the album ''Union'' (1991) was assembled from various pieces of an in-progress second ABWH album, as well as recordings that the "Yes proper" band had been working on without Anderson. A successful tour followed, but the eight-man line-up of Yes never recorded a complete album together before splintering in 1992. Many more personnel changes followed, but Anderson stayed in the band until 2008. He appears on all Yes albums except for their 1980 album ''Drama'', and their 2011 album ''Fly From Here.''

Anderson was fond of experimenting within the band and in so doing contributed to occasionally conflicted relationships within the band and with management. He originally wanted to record the album ''Tales from Topographic Oceans'' in the middle of the woods, and instead decided to put hay and animal cut-outs all over the recording studio. In another incident Anderson had tiles installed in the studio to simulate the echo effect of one's vocals in a bathroom.

Anderson last performed with Yes in 2004. A tour planned for summer 2008 with Anderson was cancelled when he suffered acute respiratory failure. The band have since announced a tour without him and he has been replaced by Benoît David, the lead vocalist in Yes tribute act Close to the Edge.

As of mid-2011, Anderson is collaborating with Rabin and Wakeman on a new Anderson-Wakeman-Rabin album, and likely some concerts in 2012. They're writing music, and Wakeman said he hopes the album is completed by the end of 2011. On tour, the group plans to perform Yes songs and new music. The group has unsuccessfully attempted to recruit Bruford to drum on the album.

Vocal and lyrical style

It is a commonly-held misconception that Jon Anderson sings falsetto, a vocal technique which artificially produces high, airy notes by using only the ligamentous edges of the vocal cords; however, Jon Anderson does not sing falsetto. His normal singing (and speaking) voice is naturally above the tenor range. In a 2008 interview with the ''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'', Jon stated, "I'm an alto tenor and I can sing certain high notes, but I could never sing falsetto, so I go and hit them high." He is also noted for singing in his original Lancashire accent.

Anderson is also responsible for most of the mystically-themed lyrics and concepts which are part of many Yes releases. These have occasionally alienated some members of the band (most notably Bruford and Rick Wakeman), contributing to their leaving the group. The lyrics are frequently inspired by various books Anderson has enjoyed, from Tolstoy's ''War and Peace'' to Hermann Hesse's ''Siddhartha''. A footnote in Paramahansa Yogananda's ''Autobiography of a Yogi'' inspired an entire double album ''Tales from Topographic Oceans'' (1973). Recurring themes include environmentalism, pacifism and sun-worship.

Beyond Yes

1970s

In 1970 Anderson appeared as a featured guest singer on King Crimson's ''Lizard'' album, on the track "Prince Rupert Awakes". The tune was outside the range of the group's then-vocalist, Gordon Haskell. He also co-wrote the song "Pearly Gates", which appears on Iron Butterfly's January 1975 album ''Scorching Beauty''. In September 1975 he appeared on the Vangelis album ''Heaven and Hell'' and in the following year released his first solo album ''Olias of Sunhillow''. In 1979 he composed the score for a ballet, Ursprung which was part of a grouping of three dance works, collectively entitled Underground Rumours, commissioned and performed by The Scottish Ballet. The choreographer was Royston Maldoom, the theatrical set and costume designer was Graham Bowers, and the lighting designer was David Hersey. The principal dancers were Andrea Durant and Paul Russell.

1980s

In early 1980, when Anderson and Wakeman left Yes, Anderson started recording again with Vangelis and by summer 1980 Jon & Vangelis had released ''Short Stories'', followed in November by Jon's solo album ''Song of Seven'' and a major British tour with The New Life Band. In 1981 he appeared on Rick Wakeman's concept album ''1984''. In 1982, he released ''Animation'' and in 1983 he appeared on Mike Oldfield's "In High Places" from the album ''Crises'' as well as another song called "Shine". In the same year he also appeared with Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. During this year, he tried to form a trio with Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson, but it did not come to fruition.

In 1984 Anderson appeared on the song "Cage Of Freedom" from the 1984 soundtrack for a re-release of the Fritz Lang silent film ''Metropolis''. In 1985 his song "This Time it Was Really Right" was featured on the soundtrack for the movie ''St. Elmo's Fire''. He also sang "Silver Train" and "Christie" on the film soundtrack ''Scream for Help''. Along with Tangerine Dream, he appeared on the song "Loved by the Sun" for the 1985 film ''Legend'' directed by Ridley Scott. The 1986 film ''Biggles: Adventures in Time'' features a song sung by Anderson. During this year, he recorded some demonstration tracks that would later be reworked. He and Vangelis also started writing and demonstrating new songs for another album. Though the album was not made, they performed live together on 6 November 1986.

The last three years of the eighties saw him singing (and briefly appearing in the music video) on "Moonlight Desires" on Gowan's album ''Great Dirty World'' in 1987. He recorded the album In the City of Angels and also sang on "Stop Loving You" on the Toto album ''The Seventh One'' in 1988, and in 1989 he recorded an album that would later be released as ''The Lost Tapes of Opio''. He also sang on the song "Far, Far Cry" for the Jonathan Elias album ''Requiem for the Americas''.

1990s

After ''Big Generator'' in 1987, Jon Anderson teamed up with ex-Yes members Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman and Bill Bruford. The result was Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, released in 1989 and supported by a successful tour. Because of the separate existence of Yes (part of the band's name still being owned by Anderson), this alternate incarnation were forced to use their surnames as the band's name (after Chris Squire threatened legal action). Meanwhile, Yes began composing and recording material for their follow-up, while Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe did the same, beginning production at Miraval Studios in the South of France in April 1990. Bowing to record company pressure to resurrect the Yes banner, Squire and Anderson came up with the idea of merging both projects, which resulted in the 1991 album ''Union''.

Although the supporting world tour was a commercial and critical success, praised by fans and band as one of Yes' best ever, the album was not as well-received, resulting in sales figures equivalent to those of the ABWH album (750,000 copies worldwide). ''Union'' would turn out to be Yes' last studio album to have significant sales, though it didn't match the popularity of 1987's ''Big Generator''. One of ''Union'''s singles, "Lift Me Up", became Yes' biggest hit on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks chart, reaching the top spot and remaining there for six weeks in early 1991.

In 1992 Anderson appeared on Kitaro's album ''Dream'', adding both lyrics and vocals to three songs: "Lady of Dreams", "Island of Life" and "Agreement". He planned to release an Ancient America-influenced solo album called ''The Power of Silence'' in 1993, but it was not released due to issues with Geffen Records. He also toured South America with a band that included his daughters, Deborah and Jade. He appeared on the song "Along The Amazon" which he co-wrote for guitarist Charlie Bisharat's album of the same name. He also recorded an orchestral solo album called ''Change We Must'' in 1993; it was released the following year.

In 1994 Anderson released a solo album of Latino-influenced music called ''Deseo''. There were plans to release a live album called ''The Best of South America'', but it was not released due to management issues though some copies were already released by ''Yes Magazine''. Anderson sang on the 7th Level children's video game ''Tuneland''. Also, his son Damion released a single called ''Close 2 the Hype'', which featured him and Jon on vocals. The next year he released a solo album called ''Angels Embrace'' and spoke of a plan to tour and record in China, but this idea was soon abandoned in favour of focusing on work with Yes. In 1996 ''The Power of Silence'' was released under the title ''Toltec''. This release included sound effects that were not on the original recording. Jon also played a ''Mother's Day'' concert in San Luis Obispo.

The year 1997 saw Anderson recording and releasing a Celtic-influenced solo album called ''The Promise Ring'', around the time he married Jane Luttenberger. During their honeymoon, ''Earthmotherearth'' was recorded and later released, followed in 1998 by an album called ''The More You Know'' that Jon and Jane recorded in Paris, France, with Francis Jocky. Anderson appeared on the song "The Only Thing I Need" by act 4Him in 1999; it was recorded for a multi-group album called "Streams". Steve Howe's tribute album ''Portraits of Bob Dylan'' also featured a cover of the Bob Dylan song, "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands", with Jon's vocals. He also recorded with a band called The Fellowship.

2000s

In 2000, Anderson and then Yes keyboardist Igor Khoroshev worked on an album called ''True You, True Me''. A tour was to commence in 2001, but due to Khoroshev's sexual assault charges during Yes's 2000 Masterworks Tour, the project was shelved. In 2002, Anderson started recording songs for a project called ''The Big If'', which has not been released (as of 2010). In 2004 he appeared with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra of Cleveland. The concert was recorded but only released to the orchestra members. He also recorded live on XM Satellite Radio in Washington D.C. on 1 April. This show was released on a DVD called ''Tour of the Universe'' in 2005, which incorporated visual effects. This release coincided with the release of Jon Anderson's single, "State of Independence".

Anderson's earlier albums ''Olias of Sunhillow'' and ''Song of Seven'' were re-issued in 2006. ''Animation'' was tardily released on CD to complaints about the professionalism of the sound. To some ears, a later pressing used a better master, although the label "Voiceprint" denies any differences between the pressings. ''In Elven Lands'', an album containing Jon's recordings with The Fellowship, was also released as were the first seven volumes of a box set called ''The Lost Tapes''. Also in 2006, Anderson appeared with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (East Coast Troupe) during two 16 December shows in Philadelphia P.A. to play "Roundabout".

In 2007, Anderson contributed vocals to an album ''Culture of Ascent'' by American progressive rock group Glass Hammer; and appeared as part of a vocal ensemble on the track "Repentance" from the Dream Theater album ''Systematic Chaos''. During that year, Anderson also toured both the USA and England with The Paul Green School of Rock Music. Anderson's 1985 Christmas album ''3 Ships'' was also released on CD with bonus tracks.

The year 2008 saw an album of bird songs called ''From Me To You'' added to ''The Lost Tapes''. Anderson appeared on the song "Sadness of Flowing" which he co-wrote for Peter Machajdik's album ''Namah'' and he made similar contributions to a re-mastering of Tommy Zvoncheck's album "ZKG".

In 2009 Anderson played on a European tour called "Have Guitar, Will Travel". Later that year, his 1997 album ''EarthMotherEarth'' was re-released with bonus tracks. Rather than just have Jon Anderson's name, it was released under "Jon and Jane Anderson". ''In The City of Angels'' and ''Change We Must'' were also reprinted during this year.

2010s

Anderson played a series of shows in Canada and the United States in 2010. He and Rick Wakeman began an autumn tour of the UK at the Cambridge Corn Exchange, on 9 October. A sample of Anderson's vocals from Mike Oldfield's "In High Places" is prominently featured in Kanye West's 2010 album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in the opening track "Dark Fantasy."

Family

Jon Anderson married Jennifer Baker in 1970, and they divorced in 1995. They have three children: daughter Deborah Anderson (b. 1970), son Damion Anderson (b. 1972), and daughter Jade Anderson (b. 1980). He married Jane Luttenberger in 1997.

Deborah Anderson sang on her father's solo album ''Song of Seven'', and more recently has sung for the French electronica band Télépopmusik on the album ''Angel Milk'' (released 2005); she also works as a photographer. Damion Anderson spoke the final lines in the Yes song "Circus of Heaven" which appeared on ''Tormato'', and is also a musician; he realise the EP ''Close To The Hype'' ("C2T Hype") in 1994 with his father (remixes). Jade Anderson's birth is celebrated in her father's song "Animation" on the album of the same name, and she sang back-up vocals on many of his later albums. She has released a solo album in Japan.

In March 2009, after 25 years of living in the United States, Jon announced in a statement via his Facebook page that he had become an American citizen. The statement made no mention as to whether he had retained or renounced his UK citizenship.

Health and spirituality

Anderson was a smoker in the 1960s and 70s, but now prides himself on a much healthier lifestyle. In the mid 70s, Anderson became a vegetarian, as did most members of Yes; however in a recent interview he stated, "I was a veggie for a while, but again I grew out of that. But I do eat very healthy." In an 16 August 2006 interview on ''The Howard Stern Show'' Jon said he eats meat, mostly fish, on occasion. In the interview, he also stated he had a spiritual adviser that "helped him see into the fourth dimension". To this day, before live performances, he often meditates in a tent with crystals and dreamcatchers, a practice he started in the 1980s. Anderson's religious beliefs are syncretic and varied, including respect for the Divine Mother Audrey Kitagawa. He has worked with the Contemporary Christian music band 4HIM: in 1999, his vocal was featured on the song "The Only Thing I Need", which appeared on a 'various artists' CD entitled ''Streams''.

One of Anderson's passions is painting, and he uses his art as another channel for his creativity and self-expression. His artwork is available to view on his official website. He lived in France with Jennifer Baker at a farm in Saint-Paul de Vence for over five years from the very late 1970s, becoming friend of painters Marc Chagall and André Verdet, nearest neighbours (inspiring some of his songs and musical themes (see pressure of Highland 1999) (in 1990 he returned in France to record demos between ''Le Domaine de Miraval'' still in Provence at Le Val and Paris, this time with ABWH for the perspective of an hypothetical second album).

On 13 May 2008, Anderson suffered a severe asthma attack which required a stay in hospital. According to Yes' website, he was later "at home and resting comfortably." Yes' planned summer 2008 tour was subsequently cancelled, with the press release saying, "Jon Anderson was admitted to the hospital last month after suffering a severe asthma attack. He was diagnosed with acute respiratory failure and was told by doctors to rest and not work for a period of at least six months or suffer further health complications." In September 2008 Jon wrote that he's "so much better...so grateful and so blessed...I look forward to 2009 for the "Great Work" to come." In 2009 he returned to touring (solo) and continued touring in 2010, even with Rick Wakeman for an exclusive UK tour.

Anderson is a supporter of Accrington Stanley football club.

Discography

Solo

Studio albums

''Olias of Sunhillow'' (1976)

''Song of Seven'' (1980)

''Animation'' (1982) (re-released on CD in 2006)

''3 Ships'' (1985) (re-released on CD in 2007, packed with additional bonus tracks)

''In the City of Angels'' (1988)

''Deseo'' (1994)

''Change We Must'' (1994)

''Angels Embrace'' (1995)

''Lost Tapes of Opio'' (1996) (album recorded in 1989/90, first issued in 1996 through Jon Anderson's Opio Foundation and re-released on CD as part of ''The Lost Tapes'' 20 CD Box-Set)

''Toltec'' (1996)

''The Promise Ring'' (1997)

''Earth Mother Earth'' (1997)

''The More You Know'' (1998)

''Survival & Other Stories'' (2010)

(nb: LP ''Reason To Live'' (24 June 2008), from ''Jon Anderson'', is just a strange homonymity)

Collection

''The Lost Tapes (20 CD Box-Set)'' (2006–2007) (live performances, unreleased demo albums...)

* ''Interview'' (2006) (JAVPBX01CD)

* ''The Mother's Day Concert'' (2006) (demos) (JAVPBX02CD)

* ''Searching For Songs'' (2006) (demos) (JAVPBX03CD)

* ''Live In Sheffield 1980'' (2006) (JAVPBX04CD)

* ''Watching The Flags That Fly'' (2006) (JAVPBX05CD) (Jon Anderson's personal demos, worked on in the south of France in 1990, for the never-officially released second ABWH studio album)

* ''The Lost Tapes Of Opio'' (2007) (JAVPBX06CD)

* ''From Me To You'' (2008) (with birds songs) (JAVPBX07CD)

Singles

Flight of the Moorglade / To the Runner (1976)

Some Are Born / Days (1980)

Take Your Time / Heart Of The Matter (1980)

Surrender / Spider (1982)

All In A Matter Of Time / Spider (1982)

Cage Of Freedom (1984)

Easier Said Than Done / Day of Days (1985)

Easier Said Than Done / Three Ships (1985)

Easier Said Than Done / Three Ships / Oh Holy Night (1985)

How it Hits You / Day of Days (1985)

Hold On To Love / Sundancing (1988)

Hold On To Love / In a Lifetime / Sundancing (1988)

Is it Me / Top of the World / For You (1988)

Island of Life / Lady of Dreams (1992)

Change We Must / State of Independence (1994)

With Yes

''Yes'' (1969)

''Time and a Word'' (1970)

''The Yes Album'' (1971)

''Fragile'' (1971)

''Close to the Edge'' (1972)

''Tales from Topographic Oceans'' (1973)

''Relayer'' (1974)

''Going for the One'' (1977)

''Tormato'' (1978)

''90125'' (1983)

''Big Generator'' (1987)

''Union'' (1991)

''Talk'' (1994)

''Keys to Ascension'' (1996) (studio & live double album)

''Keys to Ascension 2'' (1997) (studio & live double album)

''Open Your Eyes'' (1997)

''The Ladder'' (1999)

''Magnification'' (2001)

As Anderson/Wakeman

''The Living Tree'' (2010)

As Jon and Vangelis

''Short Stories'' (1980)

''The Friends of Mr. Cairo'' (1981)

''Private Collection'' (1983)

''The Best of Jon & Vangelis'' (1984)

''Page of Life'' (1991)

''Chronicles'' (1994)

''Page Of Life'' (1998) – alternate version not approved by Vangelis

As Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe

''Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe'' (1989)

''An Evening of Yes Music Plus'' (1993) (double live album)

Collaborations

With The Warriors:

"You Came Along" b/w "Don't Make Me Blue" (1964)

"Bolton Club 65" (1965)

With Johnny Harris:

"All To Bring You Morning" (1969; 1973 + Howe et White)

With King Crimson:

''Lizard'' (1970)

With Iron Butterfly:

''Scorching Beauty'' (1974) on track: "Pearly Gates"

With Vangelis:

''Heaven and Hell'' (1975) – Vangelis album with Anderson vocals on "So Long Ago, So Clear"

''Opéra Sauvage'' (1979) – Vangelis album with Anderson playing harp on "Flamants Roses"

''See You Later'' (1980) on "Suffocation" and "See You Later"

With Alan White:

on the Album "Ramshackled" (1976) on track: "Spring Song Of Innocence"

With Mike Oldfield:

"In High Places" on the album ''Crises'' (1983)

"Shine" (1986), as well as different and extended Remix of "Shine"

With Rick Wakeman Album "1984" (released 1980):

on track "The Hymn"

On Movies:

Soundtrack – ''Metropolis'' (1984 – with Giorgio Moroder):

* "Cage Of Freedom"

Soundtrack – ''Scream For Help'' (1985 – with John Paul Jones):

* "Silver Train"

* "Christie"

Soundtrack – ''St. Elmo’s Fire'' (1985):

* "This Time It Was Really Right"

Soundtrack – ''Biggles'' (1986):

* "Do You Want To Be A Hero"

* "Chocks Away"

With Tangerine Dream:

''Loved By The Sun'' Legend movie (1986)

With Lawrence Gowan:

''Moonlight Desires'' (1987)

With Toto:

Backing vocals on the single version of ''Stop Loving You'' (1988) – This was the same year Toto members contributed to Anderson's ''City of Angels''.

With Jonathan Elias:

''Requiem for the Americas: Songs from the Lost World'' (1990) (first song ''Within The Lost World'' (lead vocals), and ''Far Far Cry'' (10th and 12th (single) songs)

With Kitaro:

on the album: "Dreams" on the tracks: "Lady Of Dreams", "Agreement", "Dream Of Chant", "Island Of Life" (1992)

With London Philharmonic Orchestra:

''Symphonic Music of Yes'' (1993)

With Charlie Bisharat:

''Along the Amazon'' (1993)

With 7th Level:

''Tuneland'' (1994)

With Milton Nascimento:

''Angelus'' (1994)

With Steve Howe:

Album: "Portraits Of Bob Dylan", on the track "Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands" (1999)

With Béla Fleck and the Flecktones:

"A Moment So Close" and "Aimun", on Outbound (2000)

With 4 Him:

sing the chorus of the song "The Only Thing I Need", on the "Streams" various artists album first released on Word Records "Dove Awards Album" (2002)

With The Fellowship:

''In Elven Lands'' (2006)

With Dream Theater:

''Systematic Chaos'' (2007)

With Peter Machajdik:

''Namah'' (2008)

Solo recordings chart positions

US album chart (Billboard) ''Song of Seven'' ''Animation'' ''3 Ships'' ''Change We Must'' ''The Promise Ring''

!Year	style="width:150px;"	Album	Chart	!Position
1976	''Olias Of Sunhillow''
1981	|	Pop Albums	143
1982	|	Pop Albums	176
1985	|	The Billboard 200	166
1994	|	Top Classical Crossover	8
1997	|	Top World Music Albums	15

US singles chart (Billboard)

"Olympia" "Cage of Freedom" "Easier Said Than Done"

!Year	style="width:150px;"	Single	Chart	!Position
1981	"Some Are Born"
1982	|	Mainstream Rock	59
1984	|	Mainstream Rock Tracks	17
1986	|	Adult Contemporary	38

Music videos

! Year	! Video	! Director
1986	"Easier Said Than Done"	???
1988	"Hold On To Love"	???
1997	"O'er"	???

{| class="wikitable

DVD

''Tour Of The Universe'', 2005 (83')

Tribute

''Poems From Topographic Oceans (dedicated To Jon Anderson)'', Vic Rosca, PublishAmerica, may 22, 2006

Notes

External links

Jon Anderson online

Jon Anderson's biography

Jon Anderson discography

Jon Anderson MySpace

The Lost Tapes CD box set

1983 audio interview with Trevor Rabin, Alan White, Chris Squire, Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman

Jon Anderson's collaboration with Tommy Zvoncheck

Interview on Outsight Radio Hours

Jon Anderson's collaboration with Peter Machajdik

Category:English rock singers Category:English male singers Category:Yes (band) members Category:Columbia Records artists Category:People from Accrington Category:1944 births Category:Living people Category:English expatriates in the United States Category:Naturalized citizens of the United States Category:Progressive rock musicians Category:Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe members

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