Wakeman comments on Rock Hall and Future Plans

[Insane Teacher]

The Cleveland Plain Dealer, our local newspaper, featured a very nice full page concert preview about Yes in the entertainment section today. It featured a revealing interview with Rick Wakeman. Good news! Rick said that the band is talking about a 3 to 5 year plan. They plan a second leg of the North American tour in November and December, and then a tour of Europe and Asia early next year. He said they plan to record new music together in the studio, and then go on tour in support of the new music.

In terms of the Rock Hall snubs, the reporter asked Rick whether the band feels snubbed. Rick had this to say:

"A couple of years ago, when I wasn't in the band and I was asked a similar question, I said I thought it was disgusting that Yes hadn't been inducted. It's sad. . . . For its type of music and in terms of influencing musicians over the past 30 years, Yes probably has done as much if not more than any other band.

"The band has been through a lot. . . . It has hung on in there when a lot of other bands disappeared."

"For many years, a lot of great young musicians didn't have a form of music where they could show off their talents," he says. "Call it whatever you like - prog-rock, symphonic rock, classical rock - it's a great outlet . . . because there are no rules.

"Well, that's not strictly true. . . . Prog-rock is all about knowing the rules, then breaking them."


I will try to get an electronic copy of this article and post it.

[Trooper1129]

Here ya go....

http://www.cleveland.com/music/plaindealer/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/friday/102767649387860.xml

[Insane Teacher]

Thanks, Mr. Trooper. I was just about to post it. I e-mailed the reporter to see if he planned to prepare a review of the concert. I will let you know what he says.

[Bluetailfly]

Thanks for the posts - It is great to hear that things are looking positve for future tours and recordings from this ensemble. Enjoy the show on Monday.

[Insane Teacher]

On the classic rock station in Cleveland, the Yes concert is being promoted heavily. They have a nice 1 minute commercial for it. The problem with the commercial, is that almost all the background songs will not be played at the concert. Yes just reduced ticket prices for the show, which suggests slow ticket sales. I hope to be there so I will report about attendance, atmosphere etc. next week.

[relayer_1]

Maybe this comment has no relation with the Hall of Fame thread but, the most recent post mentioned that ticket sales in Cleveland are slow for Yes. And that is also happening here in south Texas. I have seen Yes on all their previous tours since '97 and the best shows (ticket sales included) have been at indoor theaters and NOT at open air amphitheaters like they have done twice in a row here in the U.S. These outdoor places are very sucessful for either top grossing acts like Creed, Dave Matthews, etc. or package tours of nostalgia groups. If Yes really wants to sell tickets, they should not venture out there alone and instead get a package tour together with other great contemporary bands like Jethro Tull, Moody Blues and maybe someday if they reunite - ELP. Those bands are also having a hard time selling tickets at these amphitheater type places, there just is NOT that big of an audience for them nowdays. For instance, during the Masterworks tour in Dallas, no lawn tickets were sold so higher priced reserved seats could make up for the low box office sales. Just how long can they survive doing this every summer? I just hope they head back to the Theater circuit in the Fall. See you during the Classic tour 2002!

relayer 1

[gt76yesman]

If YES is planning a north American leg in November and December, it will most certainly be indoor facilities!

[1yesfan]

Well if Yes comes near me in Cincy, I will be thrilled and will be planning a get together for those that can attnd....... I hope the sec. leg goes off otherwise it's no show for me!!!!!! :crybby: