Yes band member Jon Davison has publicly addressed the ongoing lawsuit that involves renowned singer and guitarist Steve Howe. This legal dispute has sparked considerable controversy within the music community.

The lawsuit, filed in the Central District of California by Riz Story, alleges that Davison and Howe appropriated Story’s 2012 song “Reunion,” rebranding it as “Dare to Know” for Yes’ 2021 album, The Quest. This serious claim has raised questions about copyright and artistic integrity.

In his statement released on Tuesday, Davison expressed his profound dismay, stating, “It’s hard to articulate the shock of waking up to discover that someone I considered a friend has launched an entirely fabricated and defamatory lawsuit against me.” His words highlight the emotional toll of such allegations.

While Davison’s instinct was to remain silent in light of these “blatant lies” and “frivolous” accusations, he felt compelled to confront the personal attacks included in the lawsuit, emphasizing the deep hurt they caused him.

READ MORE: Yes’ Steve Howe on ‘The Quest’ and the Challenges of Recording Without Chris Squire

Davison described his statement as “lengthy … in keeping with the traditions of Yes,” underscoring that he “did not write ‘Dare to Know.’” He firmly stated, “I had never encountered ‘Reunion’ before this lawsuit emerged. It’s crucial to note that I did not steal ‘Reunion,’ as the sequence of notes is so generic that it can be found in countless compositions dating back over 200 years.”

Furthermore, Davison conveyed his attempts to reach out to Story, whose real name is Rudolph Zahler, and his legal counsel upon learning of the lawsuit. “They did not respond, and even when our manager sought to clarify the situation, we were met with threatening emails,” he added, showcasing the escalating tension surrounding the case.

Davison continued, stating, “In stark contrast to the false and, what we believe to be defamatory, narrative presented in this lawsuit, we are convinced that Mr. Story may be trying to ‘steal’ credit for our album and generate publicity for himself, particularly after experiencing over a decade of frustration in his own career.”

Understanding the Details of the Yes Lawsuit

The lawsuit filed by Story claims a historical connection with Davison, mentioning that they played together in a band alongside the late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins during the 1990s. Story asserts that he and Davison have collaborated over the years. He highlighted that after Davison joined Yes in 2012, he had offered his services to the band, including a production role that ultimately did not materialize.

The lawsuit alleges that “Mr. Davison decided to simply ‘steal’ Mr. Zahler’s song ‘Reunion’ for the album, instead of obtaining Mr. Zahler’s permission,” further asserting that Davison and Howe “chose to add lyrics to the music, rename the song ‘Dare to Know,’ and credit sole songwriting to Mr. Howe.”

It’s worth noting that “Reunion” has only been featured on the 2012 soundtrack for the film A Winter Rose, raising questions about its visibility and influence.

In response, Davison countered, stating, “We have evidence that over the years, particularly since my joining Yes, [Story] has repeatedly approached my manager, my record label, and Yes, his supposed ‘favorite band ever,’ seeking representation, to release his album, or to collaborate with Yes in various capacities, including as a producer, mixer, or remastering artist. The list is extensive.”

You can read Davison’s full statement on Yes’ official Facebook page for more insights into this unfolding legal matter.