Sands, Hard Rock say ‘Yes’ to prog-rock blowout

The region’s progressive-rock fans have two reasons to celebrate as both Sands Bethlehem and Hard Rock Hotel Casino Atlantic City have booked dates for the upcoming “Royal Affair Tour” headlined by Yes and featuring Asia, John Lodge of The Moody Blues and Carl Palmer’s ELP Experience. Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. Friday for both the June 12 Sands performance and the June 15 Hard Rock date.

The “Yes” at the top of the ticket is the one sometimes ID’d as “Yes (Official).” It features no original members of the groundbreaking British band that debuted in 1968, but does boast two members – guitarist Steve Howe and drummer Alan White – who first joined the fold in the early 1970s.

Asia featured Howe, and Palmer, who kept the beat for Emerson, Lake & Palmer. The band’s brand of progressive pop was a chart-topper in the early 1980s.

A bass player, Lodge is a charter member of the Moody Blues. His composing contributions include “Ride My Seesaw” and “I’m Just A Singer in A Rock ’n’ Roll Band.”

Palmer is the sole surviving member of ELP, the bombastic keyboards-bass-drum ensemble that married classical music to virtuoso instrumental performances. The act’s lead singer is Arthur Brown of Crazy World of Arthur Brown fame. Palmer left that band to join Keith Emerson and Greg Lake in the trio that, for a good chunk of the 1970s, was one of rock’s biggest live attractions.

The tour – which lifts off at the Sands – will feature three of the Yesmen pulling double duty with Asia: Bassist/lead singer Billy Sherwood, keyboardist Geoff Downes and Howe. In addition, Palmer, who was Asia’s drummer, will also play with the group.

Tickets for the Sands are $125-$59.50. To order, go to www.sandseventcenter.com.

Tickets for the Hard Rock are TBA. To order, go to www.ticketmaster.com.