Credit: Gottlieb Bros.

Credit: Gottlieb Bros.It’s a “no” from Yes. Fears over the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic have led the prog-rock legends to cancel their planned spring U.S. tour, as well as their headlining appearance on the 2020 Cruise to the Edge.

Longtime Yes guitarist Steve Howe and drummer Alan White have both issued statements apologizing to fans and discussing the reasons for the cancellation.

“Although Yes performs with the spirit that ‘the show must go on,’ we’ve reached the point where various factors require us to cancel our forthcoming U.S. dates and…our appearances on the 7th ‘Cruise to the Edge,'” Howe writes.

“We are full of regret, as we’ve been preparing for these shows with maximum excitement,” he adds. “Running a relatively large show aided by our 12-piece crew and full production requires insurance coverage, which is currently unavailable to us for a variety of reasons beyond our control.”

He adds, “It’s become impossible to predict what will happen in the near future, but we look forward to seeing you all very soon.”

White’s message reads, in part, “We will genuinely miss our fans/friends who have accompanied us for years on these fun excursions. Gigi [Alan’s wife] and I have very close personal friends and family members who booked to join us for this trip so we are all extremely disappointed.”

Yes’ canceled shows were to have taken place March 19 in North Charleston, South Carolina; March 22 in Clearwater, Florida; March 24 in Jacksonville, Florida; and March 25 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

As of now, the cruise appears to be going forward without Yes. The festival at sea is scheduled to run from March 27 through April 1. Its lineup includes ex-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett, Marillion, Saga and Toto guitarist Steve Lukather‘s side project Nerve Bundle.

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