Billy Sherwood: YES, Aurora, Legacy, and the Future of Progressive Rock
Season 11 of The Guitar Hang Podcast launches with a very special guest—bass virtuoso, producer, songwriter, vocalist, and progressive rock icon Billy Sherwood.
For decades, Billy has been one of the most respected musicians in progressive rock, contributing his talents to countless recordings and productions while helping carry forward the legacy of one of the most influential bands in rock history: Yes. As the band's bassist, vocalist, songwriter, and longtime collaborator of the late Chris Squire, Billy occupies one of the most important roles in progressive music today.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Billy joins host Jon Stankorb to discuss YES' brand-new 24th studio album, Aurora, released June 12, 2026. The album features the current lineup of Steve Howe, Geoff Downes, Jon Davison, Billy Sherwood, and Jay Schellen, continuing the band's remarkable creative resurgence and marking yet another chapter in a career that now spans nearly six decades.
In This Episode
🎸 The making of YES' new album Aurora
🎸 How the current YES lineup developed into one of the band's longest-running and most stable incarnations in decades
🎸 Honoring the legacy of Chris Squire while forging a new path forward
🎸 Recording, producing, and collaborating in today's music industry
🎸 The creative chemistry between Steve Howe, Geoff Downes, Jon Davison, Jay Schellen, and Billy Sherwood
🎸 The evolution of progressive rock and its enduring global fanbase
🎸 Stories from World Trade, Conspiracy, Circa, Arc of Life, and The Prog Collective
🎸 Bass tone, songwriting, studio production, and musical inspiration
🎸 The future of YES and what lies ahead after Aurora
Billy also reflects on what it means to steward one of rock's most celebrated catalogs while continuing to create new music that pushes the boundaries of progressive rock. Critics and fans alike have praised Aurora for continuing the creative momentum established by The Quest and Mirror to the Sky, proving that YES remains a vital artistic force in 2026.
The conversation also explores the band's current touring plans, the importance of preserving the YES legacy for future generations, and why creativity remains the driving force behind everything the band does.
Whether you're a lifelong YES fan, a progressive rock enthusiast, a bassist searching for inspiration, or simply someone fascinated by the creative process, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
About Billy Sherwood
Billy Sherwood is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, songwriter, and vocalist best known for his work with YES. Over the course of his career he has collaborated with some of progressive rock's most celebrated musicians and has become one of the genre's most prolific creative forces. Today, he continues to help lead YES into a new era while honoring the band's extraordinary musical legacy.
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