‘There’s nowhere in the world like a Scottish audience’: 10 questions for Steve Howe

ONE of the biggest rock acts in the history of music, Steve and his band Yes have amassed more than 30 gold, platinum and triple-platinum records.

He has also played guitar on hits by other bands, from Frankie Goes To Hollywood to Queen. Yes are touring with their 50th anniversary show and play Glasgow’s SEC Armadillo on Friday.

Interest in the tour has been phenomenal. Happy?

After all this time you just hope people want to come, so this is very gratifying. Fans seem to trust us, and that’s a blessing.

Could line-up changes make you look like a tribute band?

Are you kidding? I wrote these songs. I played them. I helped record them. Sure, some names have changed over the 50 years but it’s still the same band. It’s Yes.

Will doing a 50th anniversary tour make you feel old?

No, I don’t let anything make me feel old. I consider myself fit and perky.

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Did the band’s glam image on stage suit you?

Funny you ask. I would have said no, yet I’ve just seen a photo from back then with Rick Wakeman in his sparkly cloak as you’d expect. Chris Squire is playing it up, too. But even I’m in what looks like a cloak. That surprised me as I thought I was more reserved.

What was the worst look Yes ever had?

I had left the band for a while so I wasn’t in the photos, but the image for our hit Owner Of A Lonely Heart was the worst ever.

You play jazz and rock. Do you like pop music?

Back in the ’70s I was going around saying I liked Abba, and everyone looked strangely at me. Later I really liked Go West and the Pet Shop Boys. And, as a guitarist, I loved The Shadows.

Do you enjoy playing on other bands’ hits?

It’s a two-way street. I can always learn something, like with Queen, or I can say “I’m not comfortable” and walk away. In general I’m happy to see if I fit in.

What other career could you have pursued?

My dad was a chef, and I’m really interested in food, so I think I would have followed in his footsteps if music hadn’t worked out.

Where’s your favourite place to play?

Scotland. There’s nowhere in the world like a Scottish audience. I’ve always said that. The Scottish fan club has organised an afternoon for fans between our two shows at the London Palladium. Isn’t that great? And my surname has Scottish connections too.

You have 24 hours left to live. How do you spend it?

I’d meditate for 12 hours and play guitar for the other 12. I’d definitely play Bach’s Cantata 140, one of the most beautiful tunes ever written.