Where did you encounter YES band members before or after a live YES concert?

[Ormando]

We encountered Steve twice in an elevator after two different YES concerts in Las Vegas. We saw Jon and his wife before a concert in Reno and in Reno we saw Steve coming out of the buffet. We met Igor after a concert in the casino in Reno. We met the new organist after a concert in Henderson, Nevada and shook hands with Alan coming out of a restaurant the morning after a concert in Henderson.

Everyone was very receptive, except for Steve who was rather annoyed with the recognition--we understand, Steve. Onward.

Still waiting to see/meet Chris, my wife's favorite!

Ormando, I'm going to have to start hanging out with you as I am obviously going to the wrong spots looking for our guys. Idaho, huh? Well, my plan is to hit every Yes show within a 1000 mile radius. So, you just might have a hanger-on with you for the next show.

[brismike]

How about this .. Myself and the other 2 Aussies who went over for the Ladder Tour in 99, met everyone in the band at least 5 or 6 times each and spent quite some time talking to them.

The highlight was in the Bar of the Seagate Convention Centre in Toledo where we sat down and drank with chris and Alan and I also had a couple of games of 8 Ball with Igor.

Check out the attached pic .. Igor was a very agressive pool player. He hit the balls very hard .. :)) - I'm the one with the shiny head and in the background you can see Douglas Hills also from Brisbane.

Mike

[Ormando]

When we saw YES at the Reno Hilton on the Master Works tour in 1999, we encountered Igor at the pool table in the casino also. Obviously he likes to unwind this way. Thanks for the great photo.

Hey, we met another Aussie when we saw YES in Henderson, Nevada. This guy came over from Australia and saw YES in five different cities. Another diehard YES fan!!! All right!

[ANTIOCH]

Flew from L.A. to Las Vegas for a show at 'The Alladin' and watched Rick Wakeman gambling and boozing it up right til concert time.
I mean 'The Firebird' may have begun and he was still sitting at the tables ( well not really , but it couldn't have been more than 10 minutes ) and met Steve Howe on the 'red-eye' back to L.A. that
night.
He was quite considerate and polite - signed an autograph for me.

It's clear that I am doing something wrong here. Perhaps I'm wearing the wrong perfume. How is it that Yes fans from Australia can come to the U.S. and meet Yes 5 or 6 times and I have lived here all my life, would kill to meet them and have tried on many occasions to no result?

What is that about and how can I fix this? Any suggestions?

[ronw]

I feel your pain as I have not met any members myself.

ronw, you and I need lessons. Ok, you luckier guys, we need tips here!

[Yes Oz]

I'm not as lucky as brismike. But I hope to be able to post on this thread again AFTER they finally tour Oz???!!???!!!!???

I hope that happens for you Yes Oz. Australia needs Yes too.

[Trooper1129]

The guys are all easily accessible after the show. After they are showered and ready for a drink and want to wind down. If you try to meet them at the venue, it's harder because even if you are lucky enough to get in backstage, it's a cattle line and they just move you along. I've found it better to meet them after they leave the venue.

When Steve tours solo, he always comes out about an hour after the show to see who stayed and he signs autographs and chats with whomever stuck around. I have a nice pic of he and I at the TLA in Philly from 2 Halloweens ago.

Chris and Alan like to have drinks at their hotel or a nice nearby bar after the show. I met up with Chris and Alan at the Four Seasons in Philly after the YesSymphonic tour. They were both very nice and a group of us all sat around gabbing. Chris was more than happy to take a pic with me as well. (I have to confess, it is my favorite pic.) Jon was there also, but was tired and went up to his room.

Meeting Roger Dean (who I always consider an honorary Yesman) was a thrill for me as he has influenced my artwork from the first time I laid eyes on his work. He was a total sweetheart and talking with him was like talking to an old friend. He was so nice and he joked around with me about having the same problems when it comes to drawing the old, round logo. (I told him my Y always came out larger than my S, and he said, "Me too." I saw Roger again at the opening night of his gallery showing outside of Philly last year and Steve showed up at the gallery that night as well, so I couldn't resist getting a pic of me Steve, Roger and another friend with Roger's prints of Arches in the background.

By the way, anyone from the NY, NJ, PA area who would like to meet Roger Dean can have the opportunity at NEARfest this year. It's a 2 day prog rock festival that is being held this year at Patriots Theater on Trenton, NJ on June 29th and 30th. Roger Dean has a small gallery of prints there and he does the logo and t shirts for the festival every year as well as attending the concert. You don't need tix for the concert to view his gallery and he is accessible to his fans in between the musical acts. I've already got my tix for the weekend....4th row Orchestra, so if anyone else from the club is planning on being there, give me a holler and maybe we can meet sometime during the day.

For more information go to www.nearfest.com

Trooper

Hey thanks Trooper 1129! Some good food for thought. You are one lucky Yesfan!

[Trooper1129]

Oh I know.....I've been a fan since the mid 70's but I never dreamed of trying to meet the band back then...I was too in awe of them to even consider walking up to one of them and offering to buy them a drink.

All my meetings with them have been in the past few years.

I guess the older I got the more I figured that they are just human too. (although there has been some past speculation about Jon being from some distant galaxy...LOL)

Trooper

[Flo]

When I saw Jon just after the last Yes concert in Paris in Nov 2001, he did have a very strange look. Seems he was looking at people without seing...

That is very interesting Flo. I had not heard that about him before. Surviving the fame onslaught has got to be the hardest part of their jobs. I surely do not envy that.

[brismike]

Hi Everyone - Here is another pic from when the 3 aussies went to the US on The Ladder Tour in November 1999.

On the left is myself, I think you all know who the guy in black is, next to him is Douglas Hills and next to him is Dave Collins.

This pic was taken before our final concert in Cincinnati. What a way to go out, VIP backstage passes which allowed us to go backstage before the show started. Sample the refreshments, meet all of the band, escorted to our seats 5 mins before the show began. Then backstage again after the show to meet the band again. We could take as many photo's as we liked, and get anything autographed that we wanted.

I got Steve to sign "Turbulence", Chris to sign "Fish Out Of Water" (with a silver ink pen), Jon to sign "Olias of Sunhillow", Igor to sign "Piano Works" and Billy to sign "The Big Peace". I also got them all to sign my tour book.

This was all down to Alan White. He is an absolute gentleman and obviously realised that we had put in a certain amount of effort to get over to the US to follow them around for a fortnight. So he made sure that our memories of our trip would end on the highest of notes. He was the one who organised the VIP passes for us. Thanks Alan !!!

Prior to all this we had already met the band at each concert we went to from Minneapolis to Toledo. This was done by arriving early and hanging out backstage or staying late after the shows backstage. I suppose we didn't have wives to go home to, or jobs to get up to, in the morning, so it made it a little easier to do. Obviousy by doing this the band became aware of the "3 Aussies" presence following them around.

So my advice to all you US fans who have never got to see them is to make sure you come to Australia when they finaly return to this wonderful continent that is dying to have them here again. I'm sure you will be rewarded like we were ... :))

We also got to meet with Steve Howe in Toledo and chatted with him at length whilst sharing a wine over lunch. Dave was in seventh heaven as he is probably the biggest Steve Howe fan in the world!!

I might just post a great pic of Dave and Steve Howe that was taken the first time he met him. Have you ever seen the eyes of a kid in a lollyshop?? (lolly is aussie for candy) Well you ain't seen nothing yet hahaha..:))

Mike

[Flo]

To those who voted "Backstage pass" : Please could you tell me how you got a backstage pass ? Did you do something special ? Do you have relatives among Yes members ?

[ronw]

Man your lucky brismike, I envy you.

Originally posted by Flo
To those who voted "Backstage pass" : Please could you tell me how you got a backstage pass ? Did you do something special ? Do you have relatives among Yes members ?

Cough it up Brismike. Flo and I are asking....

[brismike]

Ok Guys .. Well what can I say? .. I think we were just lucky. We don't have any contacts in the band or management. It was simply a case of being there in the right place at the right time.

The fact we had flown halfway around the world must have impressed Alan White and Chris Squire, who we also had a very long chat to in Toledo after the concert there. So they made sure we really enjoyed our experience by ensuring we were treated very well at our last concert in Cincinatti.

Right after that concert we had to drive back to Chigago to catch our plane home. That was scary driving on the freeway thru the middle of Indianna in the middle of the night right after the awesome experience we had just had. Douglas was completely shagged and couldn't drive. So Dave and I had a turn each. I'm so glad Dave is an excellent driver cos we made it safely to Chigago in time.

We all have wonderful memories of that trip, meeting so many other great YesFans that I know for a fact would ask us back to thier homes as soon as blink. If any of you know Mike Lefave from Grand Haven in Michigan, you will know what I mean .. this guy is a pure gentleman!!

Here is that other pic I promised you. This is Dave Collins at the moment he met his idol in Minneapolis... Steve Howe. Just look at those eyes, a picture tells a thousand stories dosent it? hahah.

Enjoy .. Dave did!!!

[Flo]

Brismike, thank you for letting us know your experience. It seems that true Yes fans who make all their effort to follow the band get rewarded.

Originally posted by brismike
It was simply a case of being there in the right place at the right time. The fact we had flown halfway around the world must have impressed Alan White and Chris

Hey brismike, thanks for the added detail but I still have one question for you. You said being in the right place at the right time. Can you provide more detail about that please? For example, did you see them in the airport when you got off the plane and said, "Hey Steve, we love you guys, we flew all the way from Australia. Can we hang out with you?"

What was that lucky place you found yourself in?

[brismike]

We met them the first time in Minneapolis before the concert. We hung around backstage (outside) before the concert for about 3 hours. We got talking to a couple of the roadies and told them who we were and where we were from etc.

Then we chatted to the band as they arrived and again told them face to face where we were from. Then amazingly we bumped into Billy Sherwood on the street a block away from the Orphem Theatre. He was on his way to get a burger before the show. Said he was starving!! So we took the opportunity to say a quick hello again.

Then after the show we were hanging around backstage again and got autographs as they came out about an hour after the show ended. Again more talking etc. So by then they knew who we were. At the next couple of concerts we had great seats and got lots of eye contact during the show.

More backstage waits at each concert etc, including the 3 nights in a row in Chicago where it was so cold we almost died. Remember we are from Brisbane and its subtropical here..:))

Things just mushromed from there .. we made the best of our opportunities, especially in Toledo.

Toledo was definitly "Just another good stop along the good kings highway" for the 3 Aussies .. :)) !!

Here is a pic of Chris Squire with me in Toledo .. was a great night that night .. I think we got to bed at about 2.30 am and had to head to Cincinatti the same day. Was worth every cent I spent on the trip. If they never make it back down here to Oz I will always have that 2 weeks to treasure in my memories.. :))

Mike

Thanks brismike for the detail. Very interesting. Gives me ideas. I know you were having the time of your life. Our guys are just too cool. I did not see any pix of Jon. Were you able to hang out with him at all or was he too busy with Janeeeeee?

[brismike]

Here is the 3 of us with Jon .. :))

Mike

[brismike]

And the 3 of us having a drink with Steve in Toledo .. :))

Mike

Well, well, well! You did it now! I must have the details. Please.

[Ormando]

Oh, wow!!! You guys from Aussieland are fantastic for sharing your good fortune of meeting the ladds. Thanks a bunch!!! // Ormando

[nightliner]

Nice Pics.

I don't have physical evidence, but I played roulette with Alan at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City and saw Jon playing slots at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas.

I guess I should also mention I had backstage passes to 3 shows, and saw the 90125 version and ABWH in rehersals in Lititz, PA.

[Dragonfly]

I was able to see them (and greet them and get their signatures) at the Yestival held at the Konocti resort in Northern California.

It was nice to see them all and though they were kind enough to visit those of us gathered, they didn't seem to thrilled with being there. They were polite enough, though.

What was nice when I got autographs (on the reverse side of my Yestival ticket) was that I got "the big four" and Tom and Larry, too!

Dragonfly :yesbird:

I remember Chris, at one point, refered briefly to several other, older bands. Amongst them was Gentle Giant - which garnered several "woo hoo!"s from the audience (myself, loudly included).

Originally posted by nightliner
I guess I should also mention I had backstage passes to 3 shows, and saw the 90125 version and ABWH in rehersals in Lititz, PA.

Alright nightliner, it's your turn now. Who do you know and how can I get to know them?


Originally posted by Dragonfly
It was nice to see them all and though they were kind enough to visit those of us gathered, they didn't seem to thrilled with being there. They were polite enough, though.


Meeting people like that has got to be the hardest part of their job. I don't blame them for not being thrilled. I'm glad they can still find it within themselves to do this for us--even though it is not fun for them. I guess that's why they don't do too much of this kind of thing. Particularly here in America where so many of us are crazy and armed.

[nightliner]

Actually, I didn't know anyone to get to see them. I live about 45 minutes from Lititz, and had always heard they rehearsed there. Clair Brothers Audio is located nearby, and Michael Tait, of Tait Towers lighting, bought a factory there in which bands would come and rehearse. Tait would set up the stage, and Clair Bros. supplied the sound.

In both cases, I knew the band was preparing for a tour, so I just went for a drive. I found it the first time by accident. From the outside you could hear them playing. Then all of a sudden, a door opened and out walked Trevor. He was testing the range of his wireless guitar. While outside he signed autographs, and before going back in, he said..."I'll see you later." A minute or two went by, then a couple other people and myself decided to walk in and see what happened. A roadie, or someone, asked us what we were doing there. I told him Trevor said it would be all right. He walked up nstage and talked to Trevor. I saw him look over the guys shoulder, and then gave me a thumbs up. Three hours later, they kicked us out. It was very cool. Jon was standing right in front of me...no more than 6 feet away. I got to see my own personnal Yes concert.

The ABWH show...I saw Jon outside and he invited me in to meet the "guys"....which I did. I went back the following day only to see a sign saying "no admitance, closed rehersal." In that case, Rick saw me standing outside, and he invited me in.

This post is becoming longer than I planned, but I have to add, during this visit I had a chance to talk to Rick for about 30 minutes. He told me about his son Adam and how he was teaching him to play keys. That was cool. Adam became quite good, from the things I've heard from him. A longer version of these incidents may be found under Yesstories.(I think).

The backstage passes came from a friend who used to work for Arista Records.

[Devotee]

I 've met them several times but this story has got to be my fav. My father died right after the OYE release, and I was in LA for his affairs. Lo and behold Yes was playing at the Universal Amphitheatre and I really needed a Jon fix. So I wandered all over U Studios trying to find a way to get into the rehearsal to no avail. While walking around in distress I heard a voice in my head say "go to your car and get your umbrella". I thought why would I need an umbrella, this is LA! But the voice was persistent. So I went back to my car, got the umbrella and then walked to the hotel where the guys were staying. Just as I entered the lobby guess who walked off the elevator? That's right, Jon. I gave him a gift and we chatted for a few minutes. Never did need the umbrella...............

[ronw]

Nightliner, I think I envy you more than brismike now. Wow thats incredible. I definetley don't have that kind of luck.

nightliner and Devotee, both. I'm green.

Someday maybe... If I do, be sure you will hear all the details right here... but until then, I'll have to be happy just hearing about your good fortune. You lucky dogs!!!

And Devotee, how did you think to have a present for Jon with you?

[Devotee]

well Pat, the gift given was another mystery in itself. A few years back I learned to make seed bead medallions like the ones native americans make. In a fit of inspiration I thought I'd make the Olias symbol into one. That was a very intense and magical period where I focused on that symbol one bead at a time for 3 weeks (it's amazing I'm still sane, or am I?). While making this thing I "knew" I'd give it to Jon someday. Oddly enough I was wearing it when I went to LA to settle dad's estate, so by another strange coincidence I had it with me.
There have been many unusual "Yesinstances" in my life, and I'm sure I'm not alone. Could be another thread all by itself...

That is the coolest story. I'm being inspired in much a similar way and I'm finding that I'm trying to talk myself out of it, like, it will never happen--so don't waste your time. Your story provides a push in the other direction.

Very interesting Devotee and I'm sure there is a thread to be found on that topic. You should start one!

[Devotee]

Trust me, listen to that voice! It wont leave you alone anyway, and ya never know what will come of it....

Devotee, you're too cool!

[Yes Lover]

I encountered the band from the stage. My sister and I were front row stage-right (Steve's side) and we got to shake hands with Chris at the end of the concert!! :cheers:

Also I exchanged smiles with Alan, Rick, Jon, Steve, and Chris, sometimes sharing a long and concetrated stare with Alan, Rick, Jon, and Chris! Steve was so close to us that we struck up several conversations with him. What a sweet guy! He didn't snub us, but talked to us like he knew us!!

I still have a dream that hasn't come true in the years I've wished it: My dream is to meet Yes in person. I would also love to actually have conversations with them and ask them questions.

I just want a chance to tell them how much they've meant to me all these years and that without their music in my life I don't know how I would have dealt with things. Also I love them a lot and appreciate their gift of music and them as sweet, generous, unique people who are truly God-sends!! :bowdown:
:hearts: :valintine

To all of Yes: I and all your fans love you and wish you the happiest of holidays with your families! Tour again soon so we may see you and share the experience together!! :band: :clap: :heydude: :missu:

[Nellsalot]

This thread is sweet. I'm crossing my fingers that I can see Yes play (for the first time) on this tour, if my schedule allows. If I do get to, I would consider bringing a gift for the band and trying to get it to them. I often make drawings or websites for bands before I meet them and have had a good amount of success.

I recently did a drawing that was inspired by Tales From Topographic Oceans and I was considering redoing it in acrylic paints. Do you think the band would like to recieve something like that? Or maybe a portrait of them, which would be more recognizably related to the band themselves (the drawing is quite abstract)? My concern is that with those types of things, what are they gonna do with it? It's not like they're gonna hang it on one of their walls and I don't want it to take up storage space or have them throw it away. Which is why I would considering giving a musical gift on CD or something like that. Or maybe an abstract animated music DVD to one of their songs (it's very time consuming to make these, but I've done 2 1/2 before and it's very fun).

Does anyone have a suggestion? I want to give the band a gift but I don't want to burden them with it, either.

[Earl Grey]

Before and after.

I am a happy man.

Life is sweet. It isn't hard to meet YES. You just have to be there, sort-of. In a Peter Sellers sort of way.

Always the absolute pleasure.

I still pinch myself...

:ele:

[Nellsalot]

So no one wants to give me advice, huh? Gee, good to know you all care about me. ::crawls into fetal position, crying for lack of knowledge of what Yes members like::

[Earl Grey]

Nell,

If you play music, I would think that giving anyone in the band a CD of your own music would be the greatest gift...

It's always a good thing to find that your own art has inspired others to create, so whatever you gave to the band, of artistic origin, would be of worth...
But I'd imagine that the music might be the best venue... Just a guess!

Good luck!
Earlie:yesbird:

[Mind Driver]

I met Steve after the November 2002 show in Chicago. I stood outside of the Chicago Theatre and could see Rick talking to those lucky enough to get backstage, but he never looked at the small group of fans gathered outside at the side entrance.

I saw two guys walking out of this side entrance, and noticed that one of them was Steve. He had changed clothes, and had on baggy jeans, a light colored swetshirt, and tennis shoes! I called his name, he looked at me, I showed him my Sharpie, and he stopped! I went over to get him to sign the 2002 Tour T-shirt, which he did (it is now framed and hanging in my house), and then I stood and talked to him for a few minutes becuase he needed my pen to sign items for the other fans. Very nice guy!

I then went to the other side of the theatre, and saw Chris and Alan getting into a van. Chris saw me, but was already in the van and moving....oh well.

I went to the front of the theatre and heard from a fan that Jon and Rick had just went back inside - they had been there talking to fans and signing autographs. Timing is everything!

[Neva]

In 1994 I wrote a letter to Jon and sent it to the record company. Just as a last thought I put my phone number at the end of my letter. Much to my surprise, Jon called me on the phone. We had a nice chat of about 20 minutes. He made arrangements for my daughter and I to meet with him in his dressing room before the concert. We spent about 30 minutes with him. Jon was so kind and made us feel special. He talked to us like we were old friends. As we were going in, we saw Trevor and spoke to him for a minute. And we saw Chris in his dressing room shaving. He turned and said, "Hi, good to see you. How's everybody doing?" I remember his mismatched plaid shorts and shirt and how tall he was. I'll never forget that night as long as I live.

[AngilasGuy]

Oh my god I need to send a letter to Jon.
...Would you be willing to PM me the address for the record company? I know theres no guarantee he'll get it, but I want to give it a shot, i've always wanted to have a chance to tell him what I think of their music.

I might be able to go to a concert later this year if they make plans to southern wisconsin, I would absolutely die if I could get a signature on my Stratocaster Pickguard!

[JaneEyre]

In 1994 I wrote a letter to Jon and sent it to the record company. Just as a last thought I put my phone number at the end of my letter. Much to my surprise, Jon called me on the phone. We had a nice chat of about 20 minutes. He made arrangements for my daughter and I to meet with him in his dressing room before the concert. We spent about 30 minutes with him. Jon was so kind and made us feel special. He talked to us like we were old friends. As we were going in, we saw Trevor and spoke to him for a minute. And we saw Chris in his dressing room shaving. He turned and said, "Hi, good to see you. How's everybody doing?" I remember his mismatched plaid shorts and shirt and how tall he was. I'll never forget that night as long as I live.

All I can say is: Wow!

[MrCalling1]

I had the pleasure of standing right in front of where Steve Howe and Alan White were walking up to the stage in Cherry Hill, NJ at the Yestival convention there in 98'- as they got closer to me I just seemed to slightly move out of the way and I put my hand on Steve's back as he walked by and smiled at Alan White and he smiled back and said "how are you?" I said "Great"! of course. That was such a thrill to see and meet (in a way) these guys. Steve later on played some of his solo stuff, it was excellent. I really had a great time seeing these wonderful people and meeting others too. (oh yeah, Jane was in the bar next to the convention in the hotel, and Jeff Downes was giving an interview right next to me at the bar!) what a trip that was!

[Scooty]

Ok, well, I posted this in the Smattical '04 department..but i guess i can gloat here too..heee heee

Just last month, whilst on the Mattical Mystery Tour i had two incredible encounters with band members....

1) While flying from San Jose to San Diego, Lo and behold Alan White sat right next to me and Greg (Headrott) on the plane. We didn't really want to bother him...so I just waited for the oportune moment while we were waiting to all shuffle slooooooooowly off the plane and into the terminal. All I had to say was.." See ya tonight Alan." and a big smile came across his face...and he talked to us for a full 10 minutes..about lots of things....apparently he flew on this commuter flight because he was headed to A San Diego Padres Baseball game that he had Home Plate seats for...courtesy of Randy Jackson....no not that one...the pitcher!!! And he was hoping he would be able to catch the whole thing..( later in Vegas I saw him again..asked how the game was and he was dissapointed cause he had to leave mid way.) Anyway, he also discussed how much he is loving playing Mind Drive, cause it was basically his baby back in the XYZ rehearsal days (he was impressed i knew this..LOL) and that the band had received Honorary Doctrites in music from San Jose State...and how upset he was about tickets being sold on Ebay for ridiculous amounts of money...he suggested YES pull a Pearl jam scenario...and exclude ticketbastard and Scalpers all together.....And that was about all...but overall A fantastic experience...and such a nice, down to earth gentleman.!

Now, for the ultimate story....In San Jose I had the opportunity to have a couple of drinks with Mr Christoper Squire in his hotel room. All I have to say is Im still in shock and do not believe that i actually had this opportunity. It was the most surreal experience of my entire life....and it doesn't hurt that he's my favorite member of the band! He is a wonderful host, absolutely hilarious and is full of increduible stories and recollections about his amazing career...i won't go into anymore..bacause I have covered this ground..If you would like the full scoop...go to the Smattical memories and Recollections page...but all I can say is ....wow...and thanks Chris for an incredibly fun evening (morning?)..
Scott

[Earl Grey]

I've had the pleasure of talking with Alan White, at a reasonable length.

I've met Jon, and have spoken with him at Arrowfest: But it was mostly me watching him interacting with my daughter Ivy: Which was outrageous! Believe you, me!

I've met all the Yesmen from the 'Classical' period (I've never met Trevor, alas!).

Alan was the coolest: I had the chance to 'jabber' with him for a while in Las Vegas, about how some us Yesfans were following the band this tour (and through the other tours! He LOVED that! And he was impressed.).

I had the pleasure of asking Alan about what it was like, playing with John Lennon...
His answer: "Well, he was my hero, you know. Imagine suddenly playing with the guy you've looked up to for years and years, and that was what that was..."

I asked Alan if YES needed another guitar player, I looked down at my shuffling feet, gazed back up and laughed my ass off!

Alan rolled his eyes and laughed as well... Guess it 'aint happening. Oh well.

It was a moment!

I have a FINE Alan White autograph on a glossy 8X10 photo of YES playing 'Nine Voices' in Chi-Town.

He signed it...

"Thank You,
Alan White".

I'm looking at it now, framed and on my wall.

Whatta guy! I was deeply impressed with his candor and interest in his fans.

Earlie:yesbird:

[SallyKhatru]

I wonder why nobody ever met them in the gym or in the men's restroom. Maybe there should be an option for the ladies restroom. - Just kidding, don't mean to be insulting:-)
Hey Earlie, pass some tips over to me, I have big plans for this tour:-)

[Wick Rackeman]

Milwaukee, Wi. 2002 Mark and I went behind the theatre after the show. Jon jumped into a van and left. Steve, Chris and Alan came out. Signed the 3 cd covers I had, and I told steve he could keep my sharpie. When they walked away, I yelled out "Quantum Guitars Rocks". Steve turned around laughed and waved.
hahaha that was awesome, dude.

[Snarly]

1980, Drama tour, after the L.A. Sports Arena show.
My wife and I were walking to our car blocks away when a long white limosine pulled up to turn on the street. The windows were not tinted or were down (come to think about it, they were open), and there were Steve Howe and Chris Squire !! We started to run toward the limo, then just STOPPED in our tracks (I think we didn't want to scare them). We waved and they both waved back !

Other than sitting in really close seats during the "in the round" days, that is the closest we ever got to The Boys.

[Ann J]

I sat in Chris Squire"s lap backstage in San Jose. I have the pictures on my fridge. Kathy and Dee have pictures. They are under the 2004 tour I think. I don't know how to put stuff on like thumbnails. Oh well come to my house and I will show you. LOL

[cinderella]

A friend of mine that worked at the Capital Centre (near Washington, D.C.) got me backstage. It was during the Big Generator tour. (12/13/87) I got to meet Trevor. Wow, was he good looking, and so tall. He told me I was beautiful. (What a flirt!) Anyway he signed my program, and kissed me.

[jonanderson]

I was at a show where anderson was singing with the Cleveland Contemperary Youth Orcestra and he escorted his wife to her seat and on his way up the isle he stopped and shooke some peoples hands and chated with the few YES fans that were there and i was among them.

[paulovajao]

nope i never met one!!but i would like to chat with trevor rabin!!!he´s a coool guy!!!ooops he´s not in yes anyway i remember him he was a cool dude!!

[Timmo]

Several of my fellow stoner YesRats snuck into a after-show-party. Ed Schiaky caught us, let us stay, and introduced us to Jon. This was the GFTO tour.

The funny thing was, the girls I was with just HAD to meet Chris, and we'd spent some time nosing around their hotel room, with them dressed in fake chambermaid outfits, before we ran into some roadie that turned us on to the after-party location.

Ah, misspent youth.

The other funny thing was, I was so tongue-tied when I met Jon, at 15 or so, that I had absolutely NOTHING to say!

Since then, I've met them at a Tower Records signing. It wasn't meeting the band that I take from that occasion, it was leaning on the stage and being 5 feet from Rick's hands as he played around before the gig started. Thanks to Smatt, Silent_Wings and ScootYes for that experience!

Damn, I love yesfans!

[Earl Grey]

No doubt about it...

Alan White is a YESFAN!

He is as taken by the band as we are.

He was thrilled that I cared about Ritual...

He shuffled his feet at Imagine...

He wanted to know where that photo I had him sign was from...

And he actually knew, 'That's Chicago isn't it?'

YES, it was.

The most earthy of Yesmen.

How we love Alan White.

He's a Yesfan. No lie.

The Heartbeat of YES.

[Professor Yessor]

I got Steve Howe to autograph the concert T-shirt that I just bought when he
was on his "Pulling Strings" tour. Dope that I was, I was absolutely starstruck
when I met him and couldn't muster anything to say that wouldn't've sounded
like I was an obsessed lunatic. Mind you, I had just watched the man from 10
feet away, perform over 2 hours of music and HE NEVER MADE A SINGLE
MISTAKE!! NOT ONE!! And trust me, I knew every song he played. Even his voice sounded good. In fact, he sang "Soon" and I honestly liked his voice better than Jon's.

[Earl Grey]

When I met Chris backstage in Las Vegas last year, I handed him a photo that a friend snapped of us from three nights before, in San Jose.
I had one of those silver pens that spill ink everywhere if one is a bit too aggressive in their penmanship... You know!

Anyhow, Chris started to sign the photo, the pen balked for a second, so of course, Chris pushes down on the thing...
My silver pen does a Charlie Brown number, silver ink running all over the photo.

Chris drops the pen, holds the photo out in front of himself as if it were some unclean thing...
Rolls his eyeballs, groans, 'Oh! Ohhh....' Hands me the ruined photo, and walks away shaking his head.

Scoot saw the whole thing! I still have that photo, one of my treasures, silver ink blotch embellishing the image...
I sort-of prefer the 'blotch' to an actual autograph, truth be told.

...It gives me a story to tell ya!

EG :ele:

[Sheerah]

I'm gonna bring the piccie of me and Chris and me and Rick from San Jose.

Of course, there's no telling if there is another backstage event this weekend, but one can surely hope!

[Earl Grey]

And make sure that you don't bring one of those silver pens!

An indelible sharpie is just about right.

;)

[Scooty]

Scoot saw the whole thing! I still have that photo, one of my treasures, silver ink blotch embellishing the image...
I sort-of prefer the 'blotch' to an actual autograph, truth be told.

...It gives me a story to tell ya!

EG :ele:


This is one of my favorite Yestales..

I was there..and Chris' expression was priceless..."Ohhh oh no..no no..."

LOOOOOOOOL..it was timeless

[Earl Grey]

'Timeless'? Aw, I don't know...

It was right around the time that we hung-out in Las Vegas, Sheila got a hole in her bathroom wall, and we all laughed in the backyard, and hung onto each other in a human circle of friends that can't be broken...

And Chris went 'OH! Ohh! DAMN!' And ruined my photo.

What a great moment, what a time!

Straight ahead, first star to the left.

Better days ahead. AND THEM WAS SOME DAYS!

Url Lee :ele: 'Grasshopper'.

[Scooty]

'Timeless'? Aw, I don't know...

It was right around the time that we hung-out in Las Vegas, Sheila got a hole in her bathroom wall, and we all laughed in the backyard, and hung onto each other in a human circle of friends that can'ty be broken...

And Chris went 'OH! Ohh! OHHHHH!'

What a great moment, and what a time!

Straight ahead, first star to the left!

Better times ahead!

Url Lee :ele:


I cant wait to see everyone again!

"This is California...isnt there a Von's or a Ralph's?"..Uncle Chris...

[Earl Grey]

There might be a VONS.

But I can't guarantee that it is open.

Try 'Pavilions', and bribe the cashier to sell us alcohol after 2 am!

Stranger things have happened...

[Scooty]

I hold dear that last tour...

The best group hug ever....in Sheilers backyard...
before it all began...what a week..
Future Times..definitely Rejoice...this weekend is going to be special..I can feel it!

See ya tomorrow brother!!

[Earl Grey]

Me too Scoot!

Amazing Days.

Nothing less.

We live in the dream, we experience the miracle of loving life.

This is what YES gives us.

Is there anything more positive than a Yessong?

I will give $60,000.00 to the first person who can offer anything more positive to me than a yessong.

I stand by that.

I hope there's nothing more positive, damn. How would I meet that bet?

...Don't fret Earl, but on your guitar.

There is nothing more positive than a yessong.

Safe.

:ele:

[GaryC]

Met all the band after the Oxford, UK show in July.

We waited outside the stage door and after about 15 minutes wait they came out in this order...

Rick Wakeman. Met him before he's ace. At a private gig in 2000 at my local football club he phoned my Mum up and wished her happy birthday ! I asked him if he remembered and said he remembered taking the mickey out of me !

Then Jon appeared - he was fairly quiet and just stood there smiling. But wow - what charisma this guy has got ! We told him we'd come down from Manchester to see the show and so he mentioned his local football team where he was born in Accrington.

Next came Steve Howe and Alan White. Steve was fine - he signed autographs and chatted. Alan was friendly as well. My mate asked if he'd sign GFTO "To John Lennon" and Alan started laughing.

Last but not least Uncle Squire came out. What a hero. I was babbling at this point and burbled out that Parallels was the best song of all time. "Cheers mate" he said. He then hugged a girl and my mate said "can I have a hug too ?". He laughed and duly obliged.

Shook hands and chatted to every band member and they all signed my Yesshows CD. It can't get better than this. A magic evening !

It's hard enough when you are face to face with one hero but when five come out one after the other it's very hard to take I tell you !

[Sheerah]

I will give $60,000.00 to the first person who can offer anything more positive to me than a yessong.

I stand by that.

I hope there's nothing more positive, damn. How would I meet that bet?

...Don't fret Earl, but on your guitar.

There is nothing more positive than a yessong.

Safe.

:ele:

There is just one thing even more positive than a Yessong. That is a Yessong that is being performed live, as the people you love most in the world are around you, sharing the music that brought you together in the first place.

[Silent_wings]

And standing on stage, during AYAI, with the sister of your heart isn't bad either :D

I love you guys Big Group Hug!

[Sheerah]

Awwwwwwwww, that is the sweetest post Kathy!

[loulamb]

Coolest encounter I have had was in NYC, standing outside Toys-R-Us a few blocks from Radio City, killing some time before the show. So I'm standing there and hear a voice from a passing car yell "I like your shirt" in an obvious British accent. I was wearing my "Got Yes" shirt. I figured it was a friend cutting up with me, but I looked over and the car had stopped for a red light - it was Rick being driven in what I think was a black Mercedes. As soon as we made eye contact, he pointed at me and said "Nice shirt!". So I did an cartoon-like doubletake, walked over and shook hands, told him to have a great show, and the light changed and off they went! It was especially cool because it was so apontaneous. And THANK YOU EDDIE for the shirt!

[Proghobbit]

I sat in Chris Squire"s lap backstage in San Jose. I have the pictures on my fridge. Kathy and Dee have pictures. They are under the 2004 tour I think. I don't know how to put stuff on like thumbnails. Oh well come to my house and I will show you. LOL

You are so lucky!

What is it about Chris that draws women to him?! :)

[True Believer]

You are so lucky!

What is it about Chris that draws women to him?! :)
He's a lovely, big, cuddly bear of a guy!

[ThePatman]

I drove 3 hours to see Rick Wakeman solo a couple of years ago. He was in Charlotte, NC at what looked like an old church. He was awesome of course, and afterwards sat at a table in the lobby area, and met everyone that wanted to meet him. Pictures and signings were welcome. It was informal, exciting, just plain mind blowing for me. He was so nice, and thanked us one by one for attending the show. My opinion of him is that he is a gentleman, and thankful for his fans. I named my beagle (ricky) after him lol. :headset:

My edit to this is that it was not a YES show... I hope it still counts, as it did to me.

[Steve Mahoney]

The Yes meet and greet event was canceled in Sep 2003 in Sydney . But they announced torwards the end of this event they would meet at midnight after the concert. One of the most special times in my life . What a day and a night that was .
What an incredible 72 hours in OZ that was .I went to the Melbourne gig as well as Sydney on my own .
Met Anne that day and night in Sydney as well.
Went to Porcupine Tree ,met a lot of Yesfanz on that tour as well. Yesfanz make great friends as do Yesfans.

Steve

[Wakey's #1 Fan]

hehe, now I finally can also post in this thread :razz:
well, it wasn't a concert, but a presentation. Rick and Hoffy were still at the cafe upstairs. And when I met them there, since that moment, they followed me the whole evening long :winknudge

[oliasdoug]

Meeting Steve after his solo show at the Lone Star in Kansas City (Grand Scheme tour, 1992) was very pleasant. I had heard the rumor (?) that he didn't like to shake hands with his fans (some deranged fan supposedly grabbed his hand & tried to break it), so I didn't try. He was kind enough to sign my Grand Scheme CD.

And, of course, there was meeting Tony & Alan after both Circa: gigs at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. :o)

I tell you, if I go through the remainder of my life without ever meeting Jon Anderson, I will transition into the next life feeling that this life was not 100% successful....seriously. I want to meet both Jon and Jonn Serrie so much it hurts.

[Ig]

I met rick in a curry house accross the road from the edinburgh playhouse after the full circle tour show. Or was it 35th anniversary? the first one with rick back in the fold, anyway.

[90125yes]

in the lobby of buxton opera house : Jon & Rick

in the uk ...


YES the uk !!!!!