Jon Davison Addresses Accusations Made by Former Bandmate Riz Story
Yes vocalist Jon Davison has responded to the allegations made by former bandmate Riz Story, who sued the band last week claiming they stole parts of his song ‘Reunion’ from his 2014 film A Winter Rose for their own track ‘Dare To Know’.
Davison Denies Accusations
In a statement, Davison called the accusations “blatant lies” and stated that any suggestion that he might have heard the melody when they were younger is “utterly absurd”. He also confirmed that they were in a band with late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, but clarified that they were not founding members of the band Anyone.
Facts and Fiction
Davison explained that they were actually in a band called Blash Meth, which later became Anyone, and that he left the band before it became Anyone. He also stated that he did not write ‘Dare To Know’ and that the credits on Yes albums are meticulously taken care of to correctly credit the songwriters.
Originality of the Melody
Davison implied that Story filed the lawsuit because he felt rejected after “hoping to work with Yes, and, I’m sorry to say, failing”. He also argued that the melody isn’t original and that it can be found in traditional music dating back to the Renaissance era. He provided examples of similar melodies, including Santana’s ‘Black Magic Woman’ and traditional descending melodies such as Tommaso Giordani’s ‘Caro Mio Ben’ from 1782.
Lawsuit Response
Story’s lawyer responded by saying that his client “looks forward” to his day in court and that Yes continues to respond to the lawsuit with ad hominem attacks. He stated that Davison’s statement is “equal parts easily disprovable fiction and self-incriminating admissions”.
Conclusion
The dispute between Jon Davison and Riz Story continues, with neither side backing down. While Davison has denied the accusations, Story’s lawyer remains confident in their client’s case. The outcome of the lawsuit remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the dispute has caused tension within the Yes community.
FAQs
Q: What is the dispute about?
A: Riz Story sued Yes, claiming that they stole parts of his song ‘Reunion’ from his 2014 film A Winter Rose for their own track ‘Dare To Know’.
Q: What did Jon Davison say about the allegations?
A: Davison called the accusations “blatant lies” and stated that any suggestion that he might have heard the melody when they were younger is “utterly absurd”.
Q: Was Jon Davison involved in the creation of ‘Dare To Know’?
A: No, according to Davison, he did not write ‘Dare To Know’ and that the credits on Yes albums are meticulously taken care of to correctly credit the songwriters.
Q: Is the melody original?
A: According to Davison, the melody is not original and can be found in traditional music dating back to the Renaissance era. He provided examples of similar melodies.
Q: What is the next step in the lawsuit?
A: The lawsuit is ongoing, and the outcome is yet to be determined. Story’s lawyer has stated that his client “looks forward” to his day in court.