Jon Anderson has branded Yes “disrespectful” for going on the road without him.

The singer – and longtime Yes stalwart – also insists that despite recent health problems he was fit and able to rejoin the band for their current tour – but they’d made other plans.

“The band recruited a guy from a Canadian Yes tribute band and went on the road with him. I felt they could have waited until I’d recovered,” Anderson tells the Rock Radio website.

Yes are on the road with tribute singer Benoit David in Anderson’s place. The line-up also features Chris Squire, Steve Howe and Alan White, with Rick Wakeman’s son Oliver on keyboards.

Anderson says: “I’d actually been ill for about five years and it got to the point where I couldn’t continue. I had to take a complete break – and ended up having six operations.

“I said to them I was available, but they said they were contracted to Benoit. It’s a complicated situation.

“I think it’s inappropriate and not respectful to the fans. People have bought tickets thinking I’m performing on the tour.

“I would like everybody to know that, as much as I wish the band well, they should not tour as Yes. The fans should be advised that I’m not part of the tour.”

JON ANDERSON played a great acoustic show in Sofia in 2007В - READ REPORT!