Members Conspired to Steal Song Rights in Lawsuit Claims

Yes band members Steve Howe and Jon Davison are currently facing a legal challenge, as they have been named in a lawsuit that alleges they “conspired” to unlawfully appropriate a song from their long-time collaborator. This situation has raised eyebrows within the music community and could have significant ramifications for both artists involved.

The legal documents, submitted in the Central District of California and highlighted by Rolling Stone, assert that the track “Dare to Know,” featured on the band’s 2021 release The Quest, is essentially a copy of “Reunion,” a song originally recorded in 2012 by progressive rock artist Riz Story. This claim brings into question the integrity of creative processes in the music industry and highlights the importance of respecting artistic contributions.

Riz Story, who has a rich history in the music scene, pointed out that he was a bandmate of Davison and the late Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters during the ’90s. Their musical partnership continued for many years, reflecting a deep-seated collaboration that shaped their careers. When Davison joined Yes in 2012, Story, whose actual name is Rudolph Zahler, became involved with the band by assisting in Davison’s audition and working on new material, anticipating a potential production role that ultimately did not materialize.

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

Story’s song “Reunion” has only been made available as part of the soundtrack for the 2012 film A Winter Rose. According to Story, Davison was not only aware of this work but had also praised it. This acknowledgment from a fellow musician emphasizes the interconnected nature of the music industry and the responsibilities that come with artistic collaboration.

The lawsuit details that “Mr. Davison decided to just ‘steal’ Mr. Zahler’s song ‘Reunion’ for the album, rather than getting Mr. Zahler’s permission.” The legal filing claims that Davison and Howe intentionally added lyrics to the existing music, subsequently naming it “Dare to Know” and attributing sole songwriting credit to Mr. Howe, which has raised serious ethical questions regarding copyright and intellectual property rights within the music industry.

Additionally, the lawsuit accuses the band members of conspiring to obscure their alleged copyright infringement by omitting Davison’s name from the credits, which could indicate a deliberate attempt to mislead both fans and the wider music community about the song’s origins.

Yes Band Members Respond to Lawsuit with Determination

An expert witness has reportedly concluded that the two songs exhibit an alarming “pitch similarity of 96%, which is extraordinarily high.” This expert elaborated, stating, “The strong melodic and rhythmic similarities combined with the use of the same distinctive harmonic sequence create an undeniable similarity that would be exceedingly unlikely to occur by chance alone.” Such findings could have significant implications for the outcome of the lawsuit and the reputations of those involved.

A representative for Yes has publicly stated that “this is vindictive, defamatory, delusional garbage. It will be vigorously defended,” indicating that the band members are prepared to fight these allegations in court. This response showcases their commitment to defending their artistic integrity and reputation in the face of serious accusations.

On the other hand, a spokesman for Riz Story expressed to Rolling Stone, “It is with a heavy heart that Riz Story is forced to sue Stephen Howe, one of his childhood music idols, and Jon Davison, his lifelong friend. But they left him no other choice. Mr. Story trusts the legal system to deliver justice in these difficult circumstances.” This sentiment reflects the personal toll that such legal disputes can take on relationships within the music industry.