June 12, 1976

[GoD57]

My third Yes concert, just me and about 150,000 of my closest friends at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. Roger Dean stage, Patrick Moraz on keys, Peter Frampton, Gary Wright. Of course there was the obligatory string band that was booed off stage as only Philly fans can do.
It was an incredible day, hot in the afternoon and cool at night. So cool that people lit fires in the stands to keep warm. There was smoke in the air(not just from the fires either) when Yes hit the stage. The smoke made it easier to see the laser beams coming from the stage.

I'd like to know how many of us were there, especially if you don't live in the Philly area any more. I work with a woman who was there, I call it our first date, and one of my wife's best friends ex-husband was there.

Let's talk,
Bill

I almost forgot: six years later I married my wife on the same date.

[yesiam]

Happy Anniversary!

I was 12 - too young to go - but I just found out today that my older sister was there. She hates Yes :slap: - but loved Frampton - so get this - she thinks they left before Yes came on. What a disgrace to the family.

Anyway the weather today was alot like that day, wasn't it?

[Tayo]

One of the best days in my life as a teenager.(I was 17) Things I remember about that day:
1) The booing of the Mummers.It kind of surprised me with the reaction of the fans.The Mummers Parade and the bands who take part in it,are all about having a good time and partying.I thought it was a cool way to get this day started.Then again,I guess string bands don't work with a rowdy rock and roll crowd.
2) 95 degrees and about 95% humidity during the day (they were hosing down the first 10 or so rows with fire-hoses.Dropped to about 60 degrees later that night.People who were sun-burned froze later that night,hence the bonfires lit throughout JFK Stadium.
3) Gary Wright not getting a very good reception.I thought his set was actually pretty good.My memory is a little cloudy here but I think his band consisted of just 2 keyboardists and a drummer.
4) The same goes for The Pousette Dart Band.Not warmly received by the fans,and not a very good set either.
5) I want to say Peter Tosh preformed this day too,but once again the clouds are moving in.
6)The orange-aid carton fight.It seemed like cartons were flying around the entire stadium.
7) The bad acid announcement.
8) Peter Frampton fans verses Yes fans.It seemed like there were 2 different factions of fans for this show.I remember alot of Framptons fans leaving after his set was over.I thought he and his band were outstanding.
9) Lasers,lasers,and more lasers.Yes's light show and staging were the stuff of legend.The smoke emitting from the bon-fires and all who were in attendance made the lasers even more effective.
10) And finally......The preformance of Yes.One of the best shows this or any other band for that matter has ever put on.From the opening note to Sound Chaser to the encores,just a perfect sounding concert.This along with the Roger Dean staging made this baby unforgettable.All the members of the band were dead-on but Patrick Moraz was the highlight this day.
If time travel was an option,this would be one of those days I would like to go back and revisit.

[packattack4]

This was my first YESSHOW, and I was truly overwhelmed by them that day. It was so hot during the day you had to wait in a massive line to get hosed off just to cool down a bit and then at night it got so cool we had to burn all the garbage to warm up, so much that Jon had to tell us to put out the fires, he would gladly turn the lights on to warm us..
Frampton was incredible with 150000+ fans going nuts, but then half left so the stadium became aired out with room to breath for yes. And they didnt let the fans down, they were incredible and it was the vest show I saw for many, many years. Finally Yes outdid that show on the Masterworks and Psymphonics tours but now the 35th anniversary tour in New York was the alltime best show I have ever seen. It only proves you get better with age.
By the way this was the largest concert ever in an enclosed arena.