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Bobby Dread
08-28-2005, 11:51 PM
You're inviting me to talk about me? And Yes? Well just this once...if you insist! :)

I've been looking around here for the past few weeks. Fantastic board you all have built! I learned a while back big fans of Yes are generally pretty nice people too! I've just started a fun project of listening to and watching (in chronological order) all my Yes/Jon/Steve/Chris CD's, cassettes (rare live and interview stuff) and videos. Kind of a personal 37th anniversary celebration. So I thought it was a good time to dive in and join the community.

Yes has been my favorite band since 1974, when I first saw them live on the Tales From Topographic Oceans tour, at the age of 14. I had only heard the Close To The Edge album and was not familiar with Tales. But I was moved to tears by this soaring, majestic, moving music. Here I was, a 14 year old guy at his first rock concert...and I was crying! And I was hooked!

I have just about the complete discography of the above mentioned (I'm short two or three of Steve's solo CD's). I've stopped short of getting deeply into the live boots (so far). I've seen Yes 23 times. I actually met the band twice- once on the Big Generator tour in 1987 at a hotel bar. Then again in 1989 I met the ABWH guys at their hotel. That was especially cool because it was in Memphis after their first concert together (again). So it was a special night for them as well. To meet and hang a bit with your favorite musicians of all time...just beyond words.

Yes played a big role in my getting together with my wife of 26 years. We were both camp counselors in 1977. It was a Saturday night, so we didn't have any kids at the camp. I walked into the great room of the main lodge and no one was there, except for my future wife. She was sitting there alone, listening to her copy of Close To The Edge on the lodge stereo. I thought, "If she's listening to Yes, she's the kind of girl I'd like to get to know." So after a long conversation about Yes and each other and life in general, and a walk to the lake's beach, we had our first kiss. And the rest, as they say, is history!

Like so many of you, Yes is the soundtrack of my life. I have so many good memories involving people in my life and Yes music. Their music has lifted me up or inspired me many times when I needed it. Yesmusic has been a great companion in my philosophical searching for truth and confirmed for me that thinking deeply about Life, God and the world around me was not only o.k., but it rocks!

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it! I'll chime in here when appropriate and as time allows.

Sheerah
08-29-2005, 12:17 AM
Cool story Bobby!
Thanks for sharing it!

cinderella
08-29-2005, 03:21 AM
That's the sweetest thing I've read in a long time. Welcome Bobby.
It's so nice to meet you, and I'm glad you found us. Enjoy the site.

Cindy

Silent_wings
08-29-2005, 03:39 AM
Welcome to Yesfans Bobby
That's a cool story

Earl Grey
08-29-2005, 03:51 AM
Hello Bobby. Welcome to Yesfans!

Isn't it strange how YES pervades the sweetest moments of our lives? ...Almost as though YES were a catalyst...

There are places of power on the earth...

YES is one of them.

I loved your story BD! I expect to hear more!

Post often, and welcome home my friend.

Great kudos!

EG:yesbird:

yesyadda
08-29-2005, 08:32 AM
Howdy, neighbor! Wonderful post and a great (and romantic) story.
You're not far from Nashville ;) and a gathering is brewing Oct. 28/30. Check out the thread.
Peace.
Gary

Yes2Yes
08-29-2005, 08:35 AM
Wonderful story Bobby. Welcome to Yesfans!

Timmo
08-29-2005, 02:27 PM
Welcome to Yesfans! Very cool story.

Tales was my first show too.

Joe
08-29-2005, 02:58 PM
Welcome to YESfans Bobby!

Bobby Dread
08-31-2005, 03:17 PM
Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! I'm going to have fun getting familiar with all the sections on the board, there's a lot going on here!

Gary, I'll definitely read up on the Nashville gathering. It's pretty unlikely that I'll be able to get down there in late October, but you never know. I've never done a non-concert Yes gathering, I can imagine it's a fun time.

Looking forward to getting to know you all better.

Mike

Ktrek
08-31-2005, 03:27 PM
Mike,

It's great to have you around. Hope you find some topics of interest and post. Although YES has never brought me to tears I have been emotionally moved beyond words. So few pieces have ever been able to give me tingles down my spine and YES has written several of them. Thanks for posting something about yourself.

Kevin

The Whale
08-31-2005, 04:18 PM
Hi bobby that was a grate introduction, glad your with us!
see ya round.

Hill St.
09-02-2005, 08:11 PM
Welcome Mike.Cool Story

Bobby Dread
09-03-2005, 02:19 AM
Thanks Kevin, the whale (dig it, dig it!) and Hill St. for your words of welcome.
Ah yes Kevin, I know "the tingles" well in relation to Yesmusic!

Deliriumyes
09-03-2005, 10:16 AM
Hey Mike...Welcome! I love your screen-name! BobbyDread and the kool running:silly:

Nice story, thanks for sharing it.

~Karen

DoctorWu
09-03-2005, 09:44 PM
Excuse me Bobby for taking so long to welcome ya aboard, as I've just been here a day or two..Damn...what day is it anyway?..must be sat nite i think??
I'm in pretty much accord with when it comes to Yes..and I give you a hearty toast to Yes..To life..To all of us here in our "yesworld"...catch ya on the flipflop....DrWu

Bobby Dread
09-05-2005, 10:56 PM
Hi Karen and Doctor Wu,

Thanks for reading my introduction and saying hello. Dr. W, I'm already finding I can't find time to hang around here as much as I'd like, so I'm gonna be slow too...

I'm in pretty much accord with when it comes to Yes..and I give you a hearty toast to Yes..To life..To all of us here in our "yesworld"...

Well then, Doctor Wu, and everyone for that matter: :cheers: