Yes

The cover track of the 1999 album The Ladder, Homeworld (The Ladder) was used in Relic Entertainment's Homeworld real-time strategy as the credits and outro theme. For toys, see Star Wars toys. In 2003 a further remastering effort was begun by Rhino Records, this time including more original art, extensive booklet liner notes, and rare bonus tracks. Other games are Knights of the Old Republic by Bioware, Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lord by Obsidian, Battlefront, Republic Commando, Episode 3, the loveable Lego Star Wars, Jedi Knight Outcast and Academy and soon to come is Empires at War. The initial CD releases appeared in the late 1980s, and the first remasters were released in the mid 1990s, with dramatically improved sound and much original album art restored. Two Star Wars role playing games have also been published, and in 2005, Hasbro developed and released a DVD TV Game based on Star Wars and utilising the Trivial Pursuit game-play format. The Yes Atlantic Records catalog has undergone at least two remasterings and re-releases on CD. The third, "Return of the Jedi", used more traditional raster graphics.

Sleeve artwork for many of these albums was done by Roger Dean, who also designed the band's logo. Atari produced arcade games based on the original trilogy, beginning with "Star Wars" and "The Empire Strikes Back", which were both 'flight sim' style games that utilized vector graphics. The classic line up is currently enjoying a somewhat revitalized presence in the public consciousness, especially after the celebration of their 35th anniversary in 2004. Dark Forces is a significant computer game series. Fans short-changed in 1996 were delighted as Wakeman announced his return to the group in 2002 and a world tour for Yes followed, including a return to Australia after more than 30 years absence. The Rogue Squadron series, developed by Factor 5 and published by LucasArts, is a notable video game series. The band was not only backed by a 60-piece orchestra, but specific parts and arrangements were written and executed by the orchestra, sounding as if the orchestra was a permanent band member. Other early titles include the Star Wars Nintendo Entertainment System game (published by JVC) and three other titles for the Atari 2600.

Both Sherwood and Khoroshev left the band before the recording of the 2001 orchestral release Magnification. Magnification, the only Yes album without keyboards, is considered by many as the best Yes studio album since the 1970s. Since 1983, over 120 video games have been published bearing the Star Wars name, beginning with 'Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back' published for the Atari 2600 by Parker Brothers. The 1999 tour resulted in a live DVD from The House of Blues in Los Angeles. See also Star Wars computer and video games. While Sherwood's influence seemed to take the band back in the direction of the 90125 lineup, the tour also featured keyboards from Russian keyboard player Igor Khoroshev, who was later made a full time member for the following album The Ladder. In addition, the company has reprinted several Japanese manga interpretations of the films which retell the stories using the artistic devices and idioms of the form. Open Your Eyes was released in 1997. Dark Horse has also published the Marvel series in a collection entitled Classic Star Wars.

As fans waited for a tour of the classic lineup, Wakeman left the group again before the release of Keys To Ascension 2. Wakeman was replaced by Sherwood, who not only played guitar, but also now handled keyboard duties. These include Star Wars Republic, Star Wars Empire, Star Wars Tales and Star Wars Jedi. The new studio cuts from those two albums were later reissued on a single CD called "Keystudio.". Starting in the 1990s, Dark Horse Comics has published a large number of original adventures set in the Star Wars universe. The resultant live recordings were released, together with new music, on the Keys To Ascension albums, considered by many fans to be their finest music since their 1970s zenith. Star Wars was also a daily newspaper comic strip from 1979 to 1984, written by Archie Goodwin and drawn by Al Williamson. Proving the truth of the old adage never say "never again," the band surprised and delighted fans by reforming with the classic '70s line-up of Anderson, Squire, White, Howe and Wakeman for a live performance in the Californian town of San Luis Obispo in 1996. In the 1980s, as part of their Star Comics line aimed at young children, Marvel also published the short-lived series Ewoks and Droids, based on the Saturday morning cartoons.

On the 1994 tour, guitarist/vocalist Billy Sherwood joined as a sixth member. Some fans, including some officials at Lucasfilm, no longer consider the Marvel series story canon, although some events have been mentioned in Star Wars reference books. In 1994, Yes released Talk, one of the group's poorest selling releases. A wide variety of creators worked on this series, including Archie Goodwin, Howard Chaykin, Al Williamson, Carmine Infantino, Walt Simonson, Michael Golden, Chris Claremont, Whilce Poratio, Jo Duffy, and Ron Frenz. Yes was suddenly back down to its popular 1980s lineup of Anderson, Squire, Rabin, Kaye, and White. Marvel Comics published Star Wars comic book series and adaptations from 1977 to 1986. After the tour, Bruford quit the band, followed shortly by Howe and then Wakeman. See also: List of Star Wars comic books.

Featuring tracks spanning the band's entire career, it was one of the highest grossing concert tours of 1991 and 1992. Another series of books is the Young Jedi Knights, by Kevin J Anderson, which follow the adventures of Jason and Jaina Solo, and their freinds. Law suits were followed by a remarkable turn of events, as Bruford, Wakeman, and Howe joined Anderson and the rest of Yes, which resulted in the album Union and a world tour which united all eight members in a short-lived "mega-Yes". Other notable books include The X-Wing Series, by Michael Stackpole, and the New Jedi Order series, by various authors. While Yes was on break after the 1988 tour, Anderson began working with former Yes members Rick Wakeman, Steve Howe, and Bill Bruford. The group wanted to be called Yes, but Yes was technically still a current group with other members, so the group called themselves "Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe." Legal battles ensued. In 1991, however, Timothy Zahn's celebrated Thrawn/Heir To The Empire Trilogy debuted, sparking a new interest in the Star Wars universe that gained momentum with the releases of the special editions and new films beginning in the late 1990s. By the end of the 1980s, Anderson grew tired of the new Yes sound and wanted the band to return to its classic sound. Star Wars fiction flourished during the time of the original series (1977-1983), but slowed to a trickle afterwards.

Yes had major success throughout the rest of the 1980s, playing arenas and scoring major hits with "Leave It," "Love Will Find a Way," and "It Can Happen.". In addition to filling in the time between the movies, this additional content greatly expands the Star Wars timeline before and after the film series. Fans of this line-up are called "Generators", from this line-up's second album, Big Generator. However, Foster's 1978 novel, Splinter of the Mind's Eye, was the first EU work to be released. The song Owner of a Lonely Heart from this album was even a hit in discos, resulting in the band's only number one single. Star Wars-based fiction predates the release of the first movie, with the 1976 novelization of "A New Hope" (written by Alan Dean Foster but credited to George Lucas). It was simpler and harder, with modern (for the time) electronic effects. See also: List of Star Wars books.

The album, 90125 (produced by Trevor Horn), was a radical departure from their earlier sound. The first will be a fully 3-D, half-hour length continuation of the Clone Wars cartoon; the second a live-action, hour-long series taking place sometime between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. In late 1982, two years after the breakup of Yes, Squire and White met guitarist Trevor Rabin (late of the band Rabbitt) and formed a new group, initially dubbed Cinema, which also included original Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye. They played Jon Anderson some of their new music, who was very impressed and decided to join the project, thus resulting in the reformation Yes in 1983. On April 23, 2005, at the Celebration III fan convention, George Lucas announced that two new television series would be produced for a 2006 or 2007 debut. The band was to be called XYZ, but nothing came of the sessions. Clone Wars is set between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, as the Jedi fight against the Confederacy of Independent Systems in the Clone Wars. Downes and Howe went on to form Asia, Horn went into producing, and Squire and White began sessions with Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, fresh from Led Zeppelin's recent breakup. Droids follows C-3PO and R2-D2 between Episodes III and IV.

After the Drama tour, Yes broke up. Ewoks features the adventures of the Ewoks prior to Return of the Jedi. While Drama was well received by many fans (named "Panthers" after a feature of the album's artwork), many other Yes followers missed Anderson's unique lyrics and vocal style. The first two, Ewoks and Droids, debuted in 1985, while Clone Wars began in 2003. To their surprise, Downes and Horn were invited to join Yes as full-time members; they accepted the invitation and performed on the Drama album in 1980. Three cartoon series have been based on Star Wars. Eventually though, Howe, Squire and White confessed that their singer and keyboards player had actually left the band. It was followed by adaptations of the next two films of the series.

Initally, the plan was that Downes and Horn would help shape the material, ready for the return of Wakeman and Anderson. Star Wars, the radio adaptation (NPR 1981), was written by science fiction author Brian Daley. Howe invited Buggles duo Geoffrey Downes (keyboards) and Trevor Horn (bass/vocals) to help out on a new Yes album. Since the premiere of Star Wars, there have been a handful of officially sanctioned parodies and Expanded Universe live-action productions:. Meanwhile, Howe had heard an album called Age of Plastic by a band called The Buggles which contained the world-wide Number One hit, "Video Killed The Radio Star". Some purists reject the Expanded Universe, believing that only the events in the Film Series are part of the "real" Star Wars universe. This left Squire, Howe and White to start sessions for a new album without a singer or a keyboard player. Occasionally, elements from the Expanded Universe are adopted into the highest tier of Star Wars canon, the movies (e.g., the name of the planet Coruscant first appeared in Timothy Zahn's novel Heir to the Empire).

Wakeman had again grown disenchanted with the band, but this time so had Jon Anderson, who was enjoying success out of the band in partnership with Vangelis. Therefore, Lucasfilm Licensing must devote considerable effort to ensuring continuity between various authors' works and Lucas's films. In 1980, the band's career took a serious left turn, even by its own standards. George Lucas has chosen to personally concentrate on his films rather than EU material, but he retains ultimate creative control over the Star Wars universe. Ironically, Yes outlasted almost all the groups of that era as well. The works of the EU began with Alan Dean Foster's 1978 book Splinter of the Mind's Eye. The album, along with 1978's Tormato, was successful in spite of being released at the height of the punk rock era in Britain, during which Yes were often critisised by the music press as representing the most bloated excesses of early 1970s progressive rock. The Expanded Universe (EU) refers to all of the officially licensed Star Wars material outside of the two trilogies, including books, comics, games, and other forms of media.

Apart from the 15 minute track, "Awaken," the album Going for the One was mostly made up of shorter songs. There seem to be repeated elements amongst the Star Wars films:. However after hearing and being impressed by the new material he once again became a permanent band member. This site (http://hem.bredband.net/wookiee/development/) explains this theme and others in its analysis of the writing of Star Wars. When Moraz left in 1976, the group commenced sessions for a new album without a keyboard player. After a considerable amount of negotiation Rick Wakeman rejoined the band on a "session musician" basis. This concept emphasizes the general idea that technology is in opposition to humanity. Following an extended tour through 1975-76, each member of the group released their own solo album. The TIE fighter attacks are shown as impersonal swarms of metal while the X-wings are individuals; a similar symmetry also exists between the faceless, armor-clad Imperial Stormtroopers and their crisp, uniformed officers, and the various individual members of the Rebel Alliance. More recent examples can be seen in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith: Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, mounted atop a lizard-like veractyl, pursues and combats the semi-mechanical General Grievous mounted atop a one-wheeled mechanical vehicle; after the execution of Order 66, the somewhat inhuman Clone troopers are shown slaughtering a number of Jedi characters, whose striking art design gives them clear individuality.

This reached no.1 in the Spanish charts. For example, the rebels wear clothing that match their environment (greens, browns or whites) while the storm troopers always wear white synthetic armor. Wakeman was replaced by Swiss musician Patrick Moraz for Relayer in 1974. Again, the album featured a side-long track, "The Gates of Delirium," from which the "Soon" section was put out as a limited single release. Many of these asymmetries are between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance. Rick Wakeman, in particular, was not pleased with the album and increasing interpersonal tensions between him and the rest of the band led Wakeman to quit at the end of the Tales tour. Throughout the films, under-armed nature dwellers (Ewoks and Gungans) defeat highly mechanized space ship dwelling enemies. Although extended compositions were by now a Yes hallmark -- the title track of Close To The Edge took up the entire first side of that album -- the four tracks, each roughly 20 minutes long, that comprised the two-disc Topographic Oceans earned mixed reviews and left many feeling that the band was beginning to overreach itself. Another archetypal conflict in the series is between technology and nature.

Their next studio album, Tales from Topographic Oceans marked a sea change in the band's fortunes, polarising fans and critics alike. Indeed, the plot arc of the prequel trilogy, in which an ambitious politician orchestrates a "Phantom Menace" to fuel his rise to ever-greater power, has been referenced extensively by some opponents of the 2003 invasion of Iraq who believe that the now-discredited weapons of mass destruction threat was in some senses a "phantom menace.". The album was another best seller. At the Premiere of Episode III in Cannes, George Lucas mentioned the political stance, notably saying "I hope this doesn't come true in our country [the USA]" and "Maybe the film will waken people to the situation"; he went on to comment on the war in Iraq.[3] (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,156585,00.html). Presented in one of the most lavish album packages to date, Roger Dean's artwork spread across a triple gatefold cover, and continued the cosmic-organic design concepts of the two previous albums. The response, "Only a Sith deals in absolutes" from Obi-Wan Kenobi can be seen as a critique of Bush's position. It was one of the first rock triple-album sets, featuring live versions of all-original material from the previous three studio albums. Bush's stance on terrorism.

Yessongs was a hugely ambitious project and undoubtedly a major gamble for their label, Atlantic Records. In the same film, Anakin Skywalker as an evil Sith lord says "If you're not with me, you're my enemy", which has been interpreted by many to be a reference to US President George W. Shortly after the release of Close To The Edge, at the height of the band's success, Bill Bruford stunned fans with the news that he was quitting to join King Crimson; he was replaced by former Plastic Ono Band drummer Alan White who debuted on their next release, the three-record live collection Yessongs, recorded on their world tour in late 1972 and early 1973. This line has also been thought to be a reference to the Patriot Act and the post-9/11 wave of popular support for restrictions of civil liberties in the United States. Fans of this era commonly describe themselves as "Troopers", after the 3-part track "Starship Trooper" from The Yes Album. A line from "Revenge of the Sith" which seemed to resonate very politically was the following, spoken by Senator Amidala: "So this is how liberty dies; with thunderous applause." This was seen by some critics as referencing the fall of the Weimar Republic. Some consider the album Close to the Edge to be the high point of the whole progressive rock genre. Lucas has recently stated that the concept of a battle of a small band of rebel insurgents against a powerful Galactic Empire in some ways was inspired by the Vietnam War, with the United States government seen as parallel to the Empire. However, there is little detail in the original trilogy (Episodes IV to VI) that specifically supports this interpretation.

Fragile also marked the beginning of a long collaboration with artist Roger Dean, who designed the group's logo and their album covers, as well as their light shows. The rise of Palpatine in particular bears many similarities to the rise of Augustus; and although notable differences in their objectives and demeanors undermine this assertion somewhat, the similarity of the circumstances under which they both came to power is undeniable. They also notably benefitted from the tremendous advances in live music technology that were taking place at that time, and they were renowned for the high quality of both their sound and lighting. The overarching transition of Galactic government from republic to empire, via increasing corruption and an intermediary stage of popular dictatorship, mirrors in many ways the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire. Yes enjoyed enormous commercial and critical success around the world and became one of the most popular concert attractions of the day. It offers no subjective stance on alternatives to the corrupt Republic's government, while some see it as supporting monarchy over democracy. It should, however, be noted that the republic presented is portrayed as an initially suitable form of democracy, yet one which demonstrates an almost inherent tendency to fall into corruption (as the first stage in a process of decay which eventually leads to a dictatorship), and even the films' most prominent monarchy—Naboo—is democratic. Fragile (1971) went Top Ten in America, and Close to the Edge (1972) was also a huge seller. the Jedi Council with its keepers of peace counsels the Senate over all matters in the Galactic Republic, is similar to the philosopher-king of the Platonic Dialogues.

With Wakeman on board, Yes entered what some consider their most fertile and successful period, cutting two highly acclaimed LPs. Some interpret Star Wars to advocate meritocracy over dictatorship, a form of government in Plato's Republic which theoretically triumphed over other forms of government, i.e. It was both the end of one era -- their last non-original track -- and the beginning of another, showcasing all the elements of the new Yes sound in place. See also: The Tao of Star Wars, Or, Cultural Appropriation in a Galaxy Far, Far Away (http://pcasacas.org/SPC/spcissues/23.1/wetmore.htm). The first recording by this 'classic' lineup of the group (Anderson, Bruford, Howe, Squire and Wakeman) was a dynamic ten-minute interpretation of Paul Simon's America. Likewise all Imperial officers were dressed to kill with tailor-cut Nazi-like uniforms, with the Rebels in looser and more ascetic overalls. Surrounded by banks of keyboards, his flowing blonde hair and sequinned cape provided a strong visual focus on stage, although they later became the object of ridicule in some quarters. With the exception of Anakin in the teenage years in Episode II and III and Luke Skywalker in Episode VI, black costumes seemed to have been reserved exclusively for the darker Empire and its Sith Emperor. Whether intentional or not, the use of language was dramatized — the Empire minions almost always spoke with British accents whilst most of the Rebels spoke unadulterated American English.

He also brought two vital new additions to the group's instrumentation -- the Mellotron and the Minimoog synthesiser. The sequel started in Episode IV with the obvious cliche — Darth Vader in matte and shiny black outfit, with Leia Organa in pristine white robes, alluding to the concepts of Good versus Evil. As a soloist, Wakeman proved to be a perfect foil for Steve Howe. It also aligns with secular Enlightenment thought, based in reason (the light side) and passionate and often violent pre-WWI romanticism (the dark side). He was replaced by classically trained Rick Wakeman, who had just left The Strawbs and was already a noted studio musician with credits including David Bowie and Lou Reed. This aligns with the philosophy of most all religions, which emphasize rational thought and meditation as the path to enlightenment, as opposed to the "Dark Side", of violent passion and emotion. In 1971 original keyboard player Tony Kaye left to form his own group, Badger. For example, Luke Skywalker is told to remain on Dagobah to complete his training rather than rescue his friends from Cloud City, because doing so will "destroy all for which they have fought and suffered.".

The group's emerging style coalesced on their next LP, the critically acclaimed The Yes Album, which for the first time consisted entirely of original compositions by the band; it was also the record that united them with long-serving producer and engineer Eddie Offord; his studio expertise was a key factor in creating the Yes sound. Star Wars stresses the self-destructive nature of fear, anger, and hate, summed up in Yoda's words ("Fear is the path to the dark side: fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering"), as well as placing one's feelings for certain people aside. The departure of Peter Banks in 1970 and his replacement by ex-Tomorrow guitarist Steve Howe gave Yes a new edge. (See main article: Force (Star Wars)). Their first two Yes LPs (recorded with the lineup of Anderson, Banks, Bruford, Kaye and Squire) mixed original material with covers of songs by their major influences, including The Beatles, The Byrds and Simon & Garfunkel. The essential trademark of Star Wars' philosophy is its reliance on The Force, which closely resembles the Odic force of Karl von Reichenbach. The rhythm section of Squire and Bruford was considered by many to be one of the best in rock music at this time. He has also called the first movie's similarity to Akira Kurosawa's film The Hidden Fortress a "homage".

Squire was one of the first rock bass players to successfully adapt electronic guitar effects such as tremolo, phasing and the wah-wah pedal to the instrument. Lucas has stated that his intention was to create in Star Wars a modern mythology based on the studies of his friend and mentor Joseph Campbell. The most recognisable sonic features of this 'classic' period are Anderson's distinctive high-register lead vocals, their strong vocal harmonies, Wakeman and Howe's respective keyboard and guitar solos, Bruford's polyrhythmic drumming and the distinctive sound of Squire's Rickenbacker model 4001 stereo bass. Starting as an apprentice, he grows to become the most powerful Master of his art in Kung Fu and rightfully settles old scores inflicted to his loved ones. The influence of Japanese pathos is obvious in the technique of the lightsaber being similar to the use of the Japanese Samurai swords, and the etiquette-conscious Jedi humility to the Japanese bows in greetings. Vocal verses alternated with atmospheric instrumental interludes, frenetic ensemble passages and extended guitar, keyboard and bass improvisations. In films of this genre, the protagonist almost always begins with a clear objective to avenge the death of someone dear (an old master, his father, or his entire family). Their repertoire often exceeded the standard three-minute pop-song structure with lengthy multi-part suites lasting 20 minutes or more. The Star Wars films also show considerable similarity to Asian Wuxia "Kung Fu" films.

These albums feature complex classically-influenced arrangements, unusual time signatures, virtuoso musicianship, dramatic dynamic and metrical changes and oblique, stream-of-consciousness lyrics. For example, Luke's relationship to his father shows evidence of influence from Greek tragedy. The early 1970s Yes recordings are still considered the classic Yes sound by many fans. Many of the themes within Star Wars reflect elements of Greek tragedy, Roman mythology, and Japanese chambara such as the prominence of prophecy and the inability to control one's destiny. Keep in mind that Yes was split up in 1981 and 1982. At a ShoWest convention, George Lucas stated that he is going to release all of the movies in 3-D. The following explains the different lineups of Yes. Many fans see this attitude as hypocritical, others argue that the types of alterations Lucas is opposed to are done without the consent of the artists involved in the original production, as opposed to changes he made to his own films.

Rick Wakeman, on the other hand, has joined and left the band at least four times. Congress in opposition to colorizing black and white films (a position he has reiterated as recently as August 2004 [2] (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5651949/)). Founding members Jon Anderson and Chris Squire are often considered the core of the band since Squire has performed on all official Yes albums and Anderson has performed on all but one. Ironically, Lucas testified before the U.S. Despite many lineup changes, occasional splits and many changes in popular music, the band has endured for over 30 years and still retains a strong international following. The fans' ire is increased by the impossibility of legally obtaining DVDs of the original releases. The popular music group Yes is a progressive rock band that formed in London in 1968. The re-release changes are a point of contention among fans, many claiming that they taint the movies.

Projected live retrospective CD box set. After fan outcry that this ruins the introduction of Han as a rogue, the 2004 DVD release of the film edits the scene slightly so that both characters fire at the same time. 2005