We were from totally different social backgrounds. This is what is very hard for an American to understand, but we could have been five guys from Mars.

Bruford's pre-Yes bands included The Breed (1966–67) a Sevenoaks-based r'n'b/soul band which included future Flash bassist Ray Bennett future Canned Rock singer/guitarist Doug Kennard and guitarist Stu Murray (since Bruford was at boarding school and not available for all gigs the band occasionally used another drummer Pete Skinner and sometimes both) a short-lived band named The Noise (1967) with whom he gigged in Italy and Savoy Brown (1968) his first professional engagement - which lasted all of three gigs. William Scott "Bill" Bruford (born 17 May 1949 in Sevenoaks Kent) is an English drummer percussionist composer producer and record label owner. !".

He had success in the early seventies during his time with Yes playing on their first five albums including the LPs The Yes Album Fragile and Close to the Edge. He left Yes in 1972 returning briefly for the Union album which was released in 1991. He began playing the drums when he was thirteen and was influenced by jazz drumming which manifested itself on early Yes albums and remained an influence on his style throughout his career.