Re: YES: My favourite band. Analysis, thoughts about Yes or/& any derivative
Originally Posted by
Bobby Àmericano
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Ya man, you bet. Looking forward to it Floydy!
Great story from Jem there
Well Bobby, I don't go as far back although I'm only guessing that Jem and yourself are probably around 10 years older than me (forgive me if I'm ageing you both prematurely!).
I got into Yes when I first heard Owner Of A Lonely Heart in 1983, from the 90125 album - although I knew Wondrous Stories from being a radio staple for years beforehand - and decided to explore their music. I was into all sorts of genres around that time, so prog rock was a new one for me.
I hand my first experience of seeing a Yes member at one of the very first live concerts I ever saw which was the band Asia at Wembley Arena on October 28th 1982. I know that because I still have the ticket! Steve Howe of course was the Yes guitarist who was a founding member of that band and having bought their astounding debut album earlier in '82 I just had to see the band live. John Wetton, Geoffrey Downes and the great Carl Palmer made up the four-piece who were a mix of heavy AOR combined with all the ethics al progressive rock. What a band, what an album. I know you are familiar with my current albums thread, Bobby, and without giving too much away you will (eventually) discover that the first Asia album is extremely highly regarded in that list.
The only time I saw Yes as a band was in 2003. I saw them at the so-called 'Liverpool Pops' concert series which had a big-name band on each night throughout July of that year.
I met up with some guys from work and saw the classic band in concert. Unfortunately Rick Wakeman wasn't in the band at that time which was a slight disappointment but they had a terrific fella from Russia called Igor who was perfectly au fait with all Wakeman's keyboard parts. The rest of the band were intact though - the mystical wonder that is Jon Anderson on vocals, Steve the 'genteel history professor' on guitar, drummer Alan White and the very sadly missed Chris Squire on his bass - bringing out a triple-necked version at one point I seem to recall!
Anyway, after being on the proverbial jolly boys outing in Liverpool beforehand supping copious quantities of draught ale, the time it came to the concert we all suitably merry and very tired. I was just about sober enough to enjoy this fantastic gig but my mate sat next to me suddenly fell fast asleep throughout one key song in their repertoire.
Can you guess the song? - yes, it was "Awaken!"
How about that!
Aah those memories.
Great thread, Bobby