Rock Band Yes Cancels Summer Tour

June 5, 2008 11:20 a.m. EST

New York, NY (CNS) - The rock band Yes has had to cancel their summer tour called "Close to the Edge and Back." The 40th anniversary tour is being canceled because frontman Jon Anderson is ill.

Anderson suffered a severe asthma attack last month and the 63-year-old singer's doctors have diagnosed him with acute respiratory failure. They have ordered him to rest for at least six months.

The band, which was scheduled to start a 26-city tour that would have kicked off July 12 in Quebec, has cancelled their tour.

"I'd like everyone (to) know how deeply disappointed I am by this turn of events," Anderson said in a statement. "I was looking forward to celebrating our music with the amazing family of Yes fans once again; but as we all know, health must come before anything else."

The tour was to be the band's first outing in four years, with concerts scheduled for Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Miami, Atlanta and Seattle. Ticket refunds will be available.