YES Unites Republicans And Democrats

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Republican and Democrat politicians in the US have united to form a pressure group aiming to have Yes inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

The move comes after the Rock Hall finally honoured Rush earlier this year, having all but ignored prog music since it opened its doors in 1983.

Voices For Yes is billed as “the only known bipartisan effort in Washington DC” – and while that’s not entirely true, it’s still unusual for conservatives and liberals to work together in a common cause.

Republican media operative John Brabender, who’s attended more than 40 Yes shows, tells The Atlantic: “I’ve been a Yes fan for decades.

“The genesis – that’s a pun – was two things. One, wouldn’t it be fun to work for once on a campaign where you were really passionate about the candidate and knew it was the right thing to do?

“And two, wouldn’t it be fun if you brought togethers Democrats and Republicans in an all-star team to go out and do it?”

Brabender’s opposite number is Tad Devine, a Democrat presidential campaign adviser. He says: “I think Yes are great. Some of the people involved are super-fans – they know every song and every album.”

Voices For Yes signed up 2000 supporters on the day it launched, with big names including ex-governor Mike Huckabee, radio host Michael Smerconish and former NBC News boss Steve Capus.

And although the campaign is strictly non-political, Brabender believes it could brea fruit for the future of US democracy. “It’s something we can come together on,” he says. “Maybe the first step to ending gridlock in Washington turns out to be music.”

In February Yes bassist Chris Squire told Rolling Stone of his band’s Rock Hall chances: “Logistically it’s probably very difficult for the committee to bring in Yes.

“Rush is fairly simple – it’s the same three guys and always has been. In our case, we’re on our 18th members. If we ever do get inducted it would be only fair to have all the members, old and new. So that may be a problem.”

Asked if he was angry about the band’s lack of induction, he said: “No, of course not – I’ve got plenty of other awards!”

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