Illness forces Yes to say 'no' to tour

LONDON, June 5 (UPI) -- The British rock band Yes said it has canceled the North American leg of its 40th anniversary tour because lead singer Jon Anderson is ill.

Anderson, the band's main lyricist and one of the two original members of Yes, was diagnosed with respiratory failure and ordered by doctors to rest for six months after suffering an asthma attack, the BBC said.

The 63-year-old singer said he is "deeply disappointed" about the cancellation, but noted, "Health has to come before anything else."

The band was scheduled to begin the North American leg of its tour July 12.