Yes Lead Singer Responds to Former Bandmate’s Lawsuit

The renowned progressive rock band Yes is embroiled in a legal controversy following allegations of copyright infringement related to their track “Dare to Know” from the 2021 album *The Quest*. The lawsuit, filed by musician Riz Story, also known as Rudolph Zahler, accuses Yes members Steve Howe and Jon Davison of incorporating elements from Zahler’s composition “Reunion” without permission. “Reunion” is a song featured in the 2014 indie film *A Winter Rose*, which starred notable actors such as Paul Sorvino and Billy Zane. Zahler, who claims he had a longstanding friendship with Davison, asserts that the latter had access to “Reunion” and used it in the creation of “Dare to Know.”

Riz Story’s allegations gain complexity given the personal history shared between him and Davison. The two musicians, along with the late Foo Fighters’ drummer Taylor Hawkins, formed part of a prog-rock band in their early careers. Zahler contends that he was instrumental in facilitating Davison’s entry into Yes and had even worked on co-writing songs for the band. This backdrop of previous collaborations adds a layer of intrigue to the copyright dispute, suggesting a betrayal of personal and professional trust. Zahler’s suit further claims that Davison acclaimed “Reunion” for its musical composition during discussions about *A Winter Rose*, indicating preceding awareness and possible appropriation of Zahler’s work.

The defense mounted by the band and Davison vehemently denies these allegations, labeling the lawsuit as “vindictive” and “defamatory.” In an official statement, Yes’s representative brands the claims as “delusional garbage” that they intend to defend rigorously. Davison underscores his unfamiliarity with the song “Reunion” and denies seeing the movie, claiming that any appreciation expressed for Zahler’s work was purely out of courtesy. Additional support in their defense is drawn from what they claim is flawed musicological analysis cited in the lawsuit, which states a striking musical similarity between “Reunion” and “Dare to Know,” arguing that the findings were manipulated to falsely indicate imitation.

A separate aspect of interest is the role of Sony Music Entertainment and Inside Out Music, named as co-defendants, attributed to their participation in the album’s release. The suit not only seeks financial compensation but also requests the legal attribution of songwriting credits for “Dare to Know” in favor of Zahler. Story’s legal representative, Larry J. Caldwell, expresses a poignant disappointment in having to confront a childhood idol and longtime friend in court but maintains confidence in the legal system to achieve a just resolution. This narrative raises questions about the broader implications of creative ownership and rights within the music industry, particularly among artists with shared histories.

Adding to the layers of this controversy is a historical context concerning the band’s dealings with intellectual property. Yes previously updated credits on another track, “The Ice Bridge,” after fans noted similarities to a composition by Francis Monkman. This prior incident, acknowledged via a statement by Yes member Geoff Downes on social media, unintentionally invites skepticism regarding the band’s practices related to creative sourcing and attribution.