It may not have been expected by some but it was the right decision: in the light of John Goodsall’s recent passing, Percy Jones and Robin Lumley – his colleagues and fellow founding members of BRAND X, the pioneering British jazz-rock bands – announced today that the ensemble’s name is permanently retired. The announcement must address and prevent potential attempts to hijack the group’s leadership and identity and show the veterans’ – the former being out of the line-up since 1980 and the latter since October 2020 – united front that seemed to be crumbling in the past year.

“We, the creative core of Brand X, have the legitimacy to speak on our own behalf and on behalf of our beloved band because its soul is with us, just as it remained with John. Who else could it be with?” write Lumley and Jones. “With John’s demise, Brand X can be no more, and must rest in peace. No one is entitled to say otherwise or to speak on our behalf, whether on stage or online, officially or otherwise.”

This team had a nice run for decades, delivering such classics as “Unorthodox Behaviour” and “Masques” in the ’70s and producing searing live albums lately, yet it’s time to admit the lost camaraderie couldn’t be restored and leaving the legend be legend is a correct course of action.

https://dmme.net/brand-x-announce-permanent-disbanding/

It may be of interest that Percy, Kenny Grohowski (who was in Brand X for a while) and Alex Mahachek (who was also kind of in it) have formed a new trio Box of Noise which will be recording and touring under the auspices of Moonjune. They have said they will be playing some Brand X material live, as well as other repertoire. Based on the musicians involved I'd say they will be very much worth checking out.

I'd met Goodsall and Jones in the past, they were classy Englishmen (Jones is Welsh), and I wish their new project the best of luck! 

I detect a new interest in jazz-rock, based upon its use on TV, commercials etc.  It seems to be creeping back into the rock lexicon, I think folks are tired of rhythm-only rap/hip-hop music and want to see some pyrotechnics onstage! 

Here, have some Goodsall!!  

It makes we wonder when a band stops being a creative force and morphs into its own tribute act.

QFT! 

I can understand Chris Squires desire to maintain the Legacy of Yes even despite the damage that substandard releases were doing to that legacy even before his passing.

I doubt that any musician or group of musicians can maintain the high standards Yes set with their earlier works, for 50 years or more, however even a blind squirrel can find a nut occasionally, and there is always a chance that a gem will be found amongst the sl*g.eap.

Prog on, I say.

Not surprising considering Collins was an early (founder?) member of the group.

Therefore, I agree with the surviving member's decision to move on and leave the Brand X legacy intact, a wise move. 

Regarding Yes....I was excited when Ollie Wakeman was a member, as I saw the old vision of founding members Squire, Anderson etc. coming true = comparing Yes to a famous orchestra like London Philharmonic, which survives through the ages despite new members, conductors etc.  Sadly, as some on PA have pointed out, the musical abilities of successor musicians has not been at the same lofty level as early and founding members.  Howe still has quite a catalog of chops, but he cannot carry this band on his shoulders forever.