VIA PRESS RELEASE | Yes’s fourth album, Fragile, first reached the American Top 10 in February 1972. Reaching platinum in the U.K. and double platinum in the U.S., the record launched the group to new heights with hits like “Roundabout” and its beloved B-side, “Long Distance Runaround.”
This summer, Rhino is releasing an extensive reissue of Fragile featuring a newly remastered version of the original album on both CD and vinyl, plus rare and unreleased recordings. A Blu-ray disc completes the collection with Steven Wilson’s new mixes, including the album in Dolby Atmos and 5.1 Mix DTS-HD MA. Fragile (Super Deluxe Edition) will be available on June 28, including four CDs, one LP, and a Blu-ray disc. Renowned audio engineer Bernie Grundman cut lacquers for the set’s LP. Pre-Order HERE. The music will also be available on digital and streaming platforms on the same day. Ahead of the album’s release, an alternate version of “Long Distance Runaround/The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus)” is out digitally now.
Fragile marked keyboardist Rick Wakeman’s debut with Yes, which included Jon Anderson (lead vocals), Chris Squire (bass, vocals), Bill Bruford (drums), and Steve Howe (guitar). After he joined in the summer of 1971, the band recorded nine songs for the album, four group arrangements (“Roundabout”), and five individual compositions, including Anderson’s “We Have Heaven” and Howe’s instrumental “Mood For A Day.”
Fragile (Super Deluxe Edition) introduces a new remix of the album and instrumental mixes by Wilson. In addition, two discs of rarities provide a glimpse of the album’s creative journey, from early versions of “Roundabout” and “South Side Of The Sky” to unreleased live recordings from the Fragile Tour, including “Long Distance Runaround / The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus).”
Fragile holds a special place in Yes’ history as the first album to feature artwork by English artist Roger Dean, whose style is now synonymous with the band. Music journalist Syd Schwartz describes the deep connection between the two. “Few marriages of sound and vision are as perfectly suited as Yes and Roger Dean—it was like they grabbed the same shooting star simultaneously. The iconic Yes logo was still an album away, but Fragile established a cosmic vibe forever associated with Yes…”
