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View Full Version : Great day March 5 1974 and a poor day


PO
03-05-2003, 10:25 PM
March 5, 1974 was the 1st Yes concert I attended. Minneapolis, Topographic Oceans Tour. The spirit of the age was musically performed by Yes that night. Security was minimal (it wasn't needed). A t-shirt and/or a program (what else is needed?). There were no fights, gangs, pregnancies (really!), activists, protests, scalpers, yada-yada. And little alcohol. It was ...nice.

I'll never forget during Steve's acoustic solo during The Ancient. I looked around at 15,000 people who were quiet. All of us were IN the music. When do we ever see 15,000 people being civilized anymore? And this was a 14 to 30 year old crowd! Then, the music was TRULY the way people lived. How can I convey that night? Go beyond your imagination, and add 1.

Progressive rock was on the upswing and each subsequent release was a Classic. Inside, I knew significant musical history was happening, but I had more doubters of my beliefs than anything. I strictly stayed on the music alone and could find a few of the same discipline. It is worse today. I can only feel good that I have been able to direct my passions to art, discovery, and intimacy. I see way too much passion spent on conflict and derision, even amongst Yes fans (it wasn't always this way).

In such a comparitivly sheltered world I am glad I was able to experience this music without the Internet and MTV. It's just too much extra information that doesn't add any value.

The poor part of today is that there are still few I can share this with. That day was before the popularity of angst. Now, there are too many forums that end up being so. What I became from Yes, and the like, will forever be forgotten and under-realized. But not by me.

yesindeed
03-05-2003, 10:32 PM
I never had the chance to see them live in my youth. Sounds like a wonderful memory.

tardistraveler
03-06-2003, 01:32 PM
I saw them three times on that tour. Was mesmerized by it, as you seemed to be, paostby.

Wasn't my first Yes concert, that was Memphis, 8/20/72, but was the most memorable. 2/11/74 for me - Atlanta, Georgia Tech Coliseum - played all cuts from CTTE and ALL of Tales! Spellbinding, took me to a place unforseen and never to be forgotten.

I then saw the tour twice more - 3/2/74 - three days before your show, I saw them in Louisville. They had cut The Remembering at that point. Then a week later, 3/10/74, I saw them in Memphis. By that time they had cut The Ancient as well, so be glad you saw the show when you did! Although these shows were still wonderful, they didn't have the same impact as the Atlanta show.

Yes, I do feel fortunate to have seen Yes so many times during the 70's!