When did you become a Yes fan?

[1yesfan]

When did you become a Yesfan?

I became a Yesfan on 1978, July.
I was on holyday and once back home I found GFTO (bought by my brother), at that time I was 16.
This album was a real - how to say? - revelation.
Wonderous stories and Awaken were the best songs I had ever heard.
Then I looked for other Yes' albums, and I bought Yessongs and Relayer....and so on...
Il resto è storia...

Ciao

[Original_Shifty]

I'm usually anti-anythingpopular.

So I refused to like 90125....3848272010 when it came out.

Then a few years later I did pick it up, and I thought, okay not bad, it rocks.

Then I got into the older stuff, "..and away we go!!!"

[bjm0rwo]

I became a Yes fan in '74.

[nightliner]

1971. Its been a long ride.

1971. Not nearly long enough. More, More, More, More...

[Yes Oz]

1970 or 71 when ever TYA came out in the UK. It is the only album I think that I have liked from the very first hearing.

[sirsmooth61]

i became a yes fan in 1977 when a friend of mine was raving about this great group. i really did not listen to the radio to much as i was raised in a neighborhood where the only music i heard was oldies and country music! so, i turned on wmmr in philly one day, as his request, and started getting into them. we both then went to see them in the round in 78 in philly, and fell in love with their music. i have seen every tour since then, and i must say, the last two tours has been the best shows so far. i have always loved the 70,s yes, i liked the 80,s yes, but it was not the yes that i loved.

[Theresa Michelle]

My first Yes experience was in '73. I've been hooked ever since.
I remember riding in my first car (a Vega) with my dad, listening to Gates of Deliurm (?) on an 8 track . He said, "That's what it sounds like alright, deliurm.

[Robert Shupe]

I became an FM radio and Yes fan shortly after the death of John Lennon. Have not looked back since. Does time really fly this fast?

Robert Shupe

[bjm0rwo]

You Betcha!

[Tayo]

I posted this on another thread but I`ll post it again........I listened to alot of my older brother`s albums back in the late 60`s and early 70`s as a 10 - 14 year old. I remember listening to "Roundabout" over and over again. It was unlike anything I ever heard. At the time I was listening to Jimi Hendrix, Steppenwolf, Woodstck Soundtrack, The Beatles, Jethro Tull, Carlos Santana, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. But there was something much different going on in this song. It was layered so much more intense then anything I ever heard. Melodic, chaotic, and peaceful. Slowly but surely I started to listen to all the songs from "Fragile" and was hooked before I knew it. My brother took me to my first concert ever at the Spectrum in Philly during Yes`s 1975 tour. One of the great experiences of my youth.

[Tanbar]

i became a yesfan in the womb!!!

sooner,
~Z~

[yesboy81]

I became hooked on Yes when I was 3. I had seen the beat Club performance of Yours Is No Disgrace from 1971 on MTV's Closet Classic and my parents had a cassette of the Classic Yes album and I was hooked from there on!

[yesboy81]

I became hooked on Yes when I was 3. I had seen the beat Club performance of Yours Is No Disgrace from 1971 on MTV's Closet Classic and my parents had a cassette of the Classic Yes album and I was hooked from there on!

[crazedyesfan]

in the womb...1st yes concert in 1980 during the drama tour

[Hobbsy]

My brothers were fans and I suppose I grew up with Yes, Genesis & Moody Blues music constantly in the background, without really appreciating it.

Then, in about late 1979, (I was 13 at this time!) I heard one of my brothers playing a piece of music and I remember thinking "this literally sounds like heaven!!"

I waited till my brother went out (naturally, I wouldn't admit that I liked some of his music!) and checked - it turned out to be the version of AYAI on Yessongs. That was it - there could be no looking back!

[YYY]

It was "Perpectual Change" that did it. Sometimes I can remember glimpses of how I felt when I first heard it. I felt an intense emotinal reaction to it immediately. I was 14 years old in 1970 listening to a very innovative eclectic college radio station in my hometown of Wash D.C. The music of the era was extremely exciting at the time and we were into ANY type of adventurous groudbreaking music we could find. So when 'Perpectual Change' found me - I was ready. I've been perpectually changing ever since. There are still alot of incredible, innovative and spiritual groups out there, but not all of it is rooted in the Western or European heritage. Some cultures never lost that connection between the spiritual and the physical worlds and they still make music that way. This is why I love'd YES so much.

[Flo]

I really became a Yes fan after 90125 and Owner of a Lonely Heart though I had been listening to Yes without knowing it (one of my brothers used to play them at full blast in his room [it was Sound Chaser I think] and it certainly grew in me). Listening to 90125 for the first time, I was struck by Jon's voice and instantly became a fan. Little by little I bought all the old vinyl LP in non chronological order. It of course made a strange impression on me when I got to Close to the Edge or Topographic. I realized that one needed time to get into the music, so rich and intricate is Yes. But it remains an unforgettable exploration, and exploration is the word. Since then I have become a specialist (much more than my brother) and gather materials of all sorts (biographies, press reviews, etc.). I am really astounded to see that 17 years after my first Yes experience, the magic still operates.

You're right about that magic thing Flo!

[ronw]

I'd liked the classics before but 90125 was my first concert and YES purchase.
It's good to see some people started liking YES in the last 5 years, something working.

[Balrog]

I became a Yes fan after hearing CTTE on an friend of mine's "lo-fi" stereo in the early 70's. I've come a long way since then - digital audio! But Yes sounded good even on a scratchy LP!

[stoney22]

First Yes song memory was side one of Fragile so long ago. Older brother had just seen them with the Eagles and we went out and bought Fragile and CTTE. Spent whole summer absorbing every note. TFTO was released and went to see first Yes concert. They played all four sides as I sat in amazement. Remember so clearly it's scary. Had all ready purchased album and knew many of the parts. To see it played live so close to original was wonderful experience. Have seen at least one show of every U.S. tour since.
Nice to have found site with so many great fans.

What great thoughts all stoney22!

Yes it is fun to talk to so many Yes fans. Glad you joined us!

[BrianD]

I became a fan in March 1973 when Yes performed in Sydney on their only tour to Australia - not that I was a Yes fan at the
time. I was really only aware of "I've Seen All Good People" as it had received limited airplay and modest chart success a few years earlier.

In the early seventies I was a uni student willing to try most things once - and that was my attitude towards music. Touring bands from overseas were not common so along with my friends I tried to see as many acts as possible. Jethro Tull, Focus, Santana, Joe Cocker, Cat Stevens and Lou Reed featured amongst the eclectic array of performers. So my decision to see
Yes was based on that attitude and the recommendations of friends. When they arrived in Sydney they were featured on the evening news and I remember most attention was given to Rick Wakeman's police siren that was used in his solo at the time.

The concert was held on a balmy March evening - early Fall in Australia - in the Hordern Pavilion, a converted agricultural show pavilion that was the main indoor rock concert venue in Sydney in the seventies. At the time the Musician's union in Australia had an edict that every overseas act had to have an Australian performer on the program. So the opening act was a relatively unknown group called Mother Earth that subsequently
split up and would have disappeared into complete obscurity except that their lead singer, Renee Geyer, has since become an icon of Australian R&B. She sang exceptionally well and I recall that Jon Anderson commented on her favourably in the local media.

The interval seemed to stretch for nearly an hour - the audience were getting restless. Suddenly the lights started to dim and the strains of the 'Firebird Suite' were heard as we fled back to our seats. I was so naive that I thought perhaps this was a Yes recording! Anyway all was revealed within minutes as that spectacular opening to their show unfolded with Wakeman playing the last chords under a spot with his long blonde hair
cascading over his golden cape. Then suddenly the full stage lights came on as the group erupted into 'Siberian Khatru'. Of course all of this has been so brilliantly captured on YESSONGS and to this day just listening to that opening track brings back floods of memories along with a tingle down my spine.

The concert stunned me. Never before had I been so enthralled by the intensity of performance, musicianship, stagecraft and music itself. Only knowing one of their songs was no impediment. I was amazed at the length and complexity of their songs, yet at no time did they seem too long. The interaction with the lights added another dimension with each sequence being accompanied by the appropriate colours, creating an ambience that at the time had not been seen before in Australia. All commonplace now but not then. Rick Wakeman particularly caught my attention. At the time I regarded keyboards as largely an accessory to a rock group. For the first time I could see how they could be vital to a groups performance, sharing the
limelight with guitars and vocals. The range of keyboards that he played simultaneously was new to Australia. He influenced many budding keyboard players.

The audience was won over early and by concerts end nobody wanted to leave. We sat in the car park for quite a while later trying to summon courage to drive away as I was so emotionally drained by the experience. Needless to say they received rave reviews. I purchased CLOSE TO THE EDGE and played
it constantly. They gave a second concert that I hadn't planned to
go due to budgetary constraints but I remained so affected by their performance that I at the last minute decided to try to get tickets at the door. Word of mouth had resulted in long queues outside the pavilion. The support act started and the queues were not moving. Then a guy came walking down the queue offering a spare ticket for sale - I jumped at the opportunity and was soon inside. Needless to say it had an obscured view but it was near the front.

At the interval I noticed that the central front row seats were empty so I decided to sit there until I was evicted. For whatever reason, this never happened. So I sat in the front row a metre from the stage below Jon Anderson for their entire performance. It was as stunning as the previous one and confirmed me as a
Yes fan.

Since that tour I have dreamed of Yes returning to Australia. We are trying to lure them downunder but no dice so far. YESFANZ (with a Z for Yes for Australia New Zealand) has been developed to further this cause (see Yesfanz.com). Wish us well!

Gee BrianD, that gave me goosebumps! What a wonderful experience. I hope they do come to see you guys soon.

[bataisflow]

First got into Yes in 1981. Was coming home form school and my older brother was hangin w/a freind doin' B-hits listening to CTTE. I had already decided that I wanted to be a rock star and when I heard CTTE I was like ok - all the crap I have been listening to previousely pales in comparison to this! Then 90125 came out - what the Hell!

Too funny bataisflow!

By the way, would you please tell me what your name means?

[bataisflow]

My name doesn't specifically mean anything in-particular. It is basically my first name with the letters all screwed around and my last name backwards. I got it as a nickname when me and a bunch of freinds were camping in Vermont totally wasted coming up with weird twist on our names. Now if you can figure out my actual name that would be something :)

Hey thanks bataisflow. Not sure if I'm up to the challenge. Never was too good with word games. Perhaps we have a word game expert on site here. Anyone?

[Flo]

Bataisflow, I guess you're mister Wolf but I can't find out your first name.

Hey, good Flo. The only thing I could come up with on the first name would be Tabias. Now, I've never heard of anyone with such a name but I can't think of what else one could do with letters like those.

Ok bataisflow, it's your turn.

[bataisflow]

Yup - you guys got it. Tobias Wolf (sorry about the two As but Batais always seemed like a better spelling than Botais).

Whew! That was hard work for my little brain this early in the morning. Now if Tanbar would just bring me those cookies she promised me, it might make it all worthwhile.

[Jackaranda]

I was riding around in the country with some friends, and after having a couple of cups of tea, the driver put on 'Yessongs' and the first song I heard was 'All Good People'. It absolutely, totally, blew me away, and I immediately bought the album, and was hooked forever. Our group of friends, about 4 of us, regularly got together to drink tea and listen to Yes. Now, 27 years later, they are still my favorite band since the fabs broke up, and my kids like them too, especially the Rabin material. As for tea, well, we (my wife and I) had to say goodbye to it, not wanting to expose our kids to the effects, because it could lead to more dangerous things, like coffee...know what I mean?? Jack...

[Q]

This is a First Yes story that will (and should) offend the sensibilities of all prog rock fans.

In my late youth, I was a bemused fan of Klaatu, and I played the lengthy instrumental track "Prelude" from the album Hope for my visiting cousin, who was being classically trained at the time, as I was.

He said, in essence, "If you like that, you're gonna LOVE this band I'm into ..."

and he proceeded to indoctrinate me into classic Yes. The band reunited in YesWest configuration, releasing 90125 as I was beginning to buy up the older stuff. My younger brother bought me 90125 for Christmas and I found myself simultaneously soaking up both 70s and 80s Yes.

Saw my first Yesshow in 1987 ...

... so I owe it all to Klaatu ...

Q

[Plastic Man]

last 5 years (last year actually).

[Rogo]

Read this rave review of Tormato in a Norwegian magazine, bought it, listened to it once, didn't get it, listened determinedly ten more times, was hooked.

Eventually bought up the entire back catalogue, realized that I had until then missed out on the greatest band on the planet, decided to follow them with devotion from then on, waited eagerly for the next album, what happened?

Drama came out, MAJOR letdown... left the fold, didn't really return until Magnification (but I liked ABWH).

A sadder and a wiser man...

That journey surely makes sense to me Rogo! I can imagine how you felt when you realized what you missed out on. That's how I felt after seeing Masterworks, knowing I had been gone since Tormato. A slightly different take, but still, it's heartbreaking to think that I missed those guys for so many years--even the solo works. I'm only now catching up on those. It's wonderful but I do have regrets that I was not there when they were released.

[Jackaranda]

It's amazing coming back after 20 years. I never left, which explains why I'm more open to Rabin, Horn etc...than someone who only knew the classic line up. Anyway, I'm happy you came back!!! Jack..

(Well, I DID leave after the Ladder, but I've seem to come back somehow...)

Originally posted by jack gowen
(Well, I DID leave after the Ladder, but I've seem to come back somehow...)

Hooray! I'm glad you did and I'm glad I did too!

[Roger]

I became a fan in '72. I was very unhappy with Big Generator and 90125 but came back full force with the release of ABWH and will never leave again! Really looking forward to the tour this summer!!!

Roger

[Lerxst]

I was 12 and really starting to get into their music aa well as Rush's - My first Concert was 2112 - I finally got to see Yes for the Drama tour and have tried to every tour since -- I missed Union and ABWH due to Military Service

[ycantibu]

I got into yes, ELP & King Crimson at roughly the same time [about 1981-ish]. I was about 10 at the time. Mum had an ELP LP & a couple Yes LP's [Fragile & Close to the Edge]. I would listen to them after school to pass the time whilst doing homework, cleaning and looking after my brother. My main exposure to them, however, was through a local radio station, KSHE 95. They were pioneers. The DJ's pretty much brought in their own record collections and played whatever they wanted, especially late at night. Many a night I would lay in bed with my cheap radio at my ear listening to these great bands.

Some of their songs just really touched me. I had a lot of problems and I found the music very beautiful and comforting. I think the thing that turned me from a run-of-the-mill Yes fan to a more hardcore Yes fan [and I was extremely hardcore, for my age, in the 80's] was 90125 and Trevor Rabin. I finally got to see Yes in concert! What a thrill! To this day, YesWest is my favourite Yes era. I just wish I could have seen Wonderous Stories, Turn of the Century & Madrigal in concert. Oh well, I got to see Awaken. I guess that makes up for it.

[Martin Riley]

1972 - My elder brothers had played TYA but I hadn't really connected to it but CTTE had just come out, heard Siberian Khatru on the radio, but I couldn't afford it being just 14 at the time. Fortunately some idiot had disposed of a copy of FRAGILE which I picked up second hand instead. From then on it's been a constant journey of discovery, some downs but mostly ups.
When's the UK tour, guys?

[gt76yesman]

Headphones, a joint, and CttE. Put the record player on to keep playing that one side, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . talk about Dreamtime....

[gt76yesman]

Glendo

[Magnificate-YES]

Got a radio for my birthday in januari and there was a song called "Looking Around". I did just that and found the album with that song............and so it begins!!!!

_____________________
George


"Looking around with my feet on the ground full of words and
of sound bringing smiles all around
Satisfy me with your words that can be full of sound and I'll
see I'm just looking around."

[Squireaholic]

I first tasted Yes in the Spring of '70. I told my story in another thread so I won't repeat it here.

[STARRSHIP TROOPER]

I enjoyed their music stating ealy 69 then became a die hard fan by 1971. Then they came out with Relayer and I became posest.
Starrship Trooper

[Silent_wings]

I became a Yes fan slooooowly.

I started out as the girlfriend of a Yes fan (not a Yes fan at all)

In ‘83 my future hubby played 90125 for me while driving around in his car
Yes is hubby’s favorite band so I had to listen and I enjoyed it but I wasn’t a big fan
I didn’t get to see them live until ’88
I thought it was a very nice concert and I was happy to go with hubby
’89 ABWH tour the first time I saw Howe and Wakeman play live. I was blown away
The Union tour in ’91 finished it up; oh man that was a great show.
I never even purchased a CD until Magnification all the rest were purchased by hubby.
Last step in 2002 I went to the 1st leg of the tour with out hubby shocking (he was in Europe)
Then came trading live recordings and its been steadily getting worse.
;)

[Sheerah]

My interest in the band started in Junior High School, maybe 1973. I don't really remember the transition. What I do remember is that by 11th grade, 1975-76, I was a Yes Head! I hung out with the Yes Heads! I even have the band's name in under my Senior Yearbook picture, amongst other text. But there it is, in all caps: YES!

I waned for a period there in the early 90's, until running into Jon on my honeymoon in 1993. I then came back with a vengence! Thanks Jon;)

[Koko]

Originally posted by sschiffman
My interest in the band started in Junior High School, maybe 1973. I don't really remember the transition. What I do remember is that by 11th grade,



I've often wondered what is 11th grade 10th grade etc etc

over here we have infants/Juniors/seniors/High School/Comprehensive etc etc
Could one of you kind American's over there across da BIG pond..explain?...Please


Ta! Ever So!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I remember it well 1969...I heard Survival and ISee You (played together) on Radio Luxembourg...on my Big Brothers Tiny Transistor radio......the reception was crackly and fading in and out....but the Magic was there and I've never found another Band & its music that betters YES!.


Koko.

ps: I tried voting but the poll was 'closed'

Boo- Hissss - Booo!

[Sheerah]

It works like this, Koko:

Required schooling is known as "K through 12". K being Kindergarten. Kindergarten is designed to get children used to school. Typically, one attends Kindergarten at the age of 5.
After that, it's grades 1 through 12. One enters first grade at the age of 6, second grade at the age of 7, and so on. At the age of 17, if you have done everything right, you have made it into 12th grade. When you graduate 12th grade, you are no longer required to go to school. All public schools, and all private schools (that aren't colleges) end at 12th grade. When you graduate 12th grade, you receive your High School Diploma. Basically, most employers require a High School Diploma, at the very least. Therefore, it is very important to attend school K through 12.

Kindergarten through 6th grade is known as grammer school.
Grades 7 - 9 are known as junior high school.
Grades 10 -12 are known as high school.

After that you are on your own. Alot of people, at this time, choose to continue their education at a College or a University. Not much difference between the two except for maybe some programs and prestige. If you graduate college, you receive a Bachelor's Degree. One may continue on in college and get a Master's Degree, or even a Doctorate.

[Mr. Holland]

I posted this story somewhere else to but here we go.........
About 1986 two friends and me (all 13-years od age) discoverd one of my friend's father's album collection. In that collection were the albums "Fragile" and "Close to the Edge". We were just instandly grapped by the music and listened to those albums over and over again. The Brother of one of my friends had the 90125 album and we like that one to. We actually thought that Yes had splitted up by that time and we never really heard anything about them (we completely missed the release of Big Generator, don't know how) up till 1989 when we heard that ABWH was formed and due to perform on the 3th of november that year in Rotterdam. We booked tickets, saw an amazing concert and I'm a big follower ever since........the three of us also saw the 1991 Union concert and well let''s say for our very own reuinion the three of us are going to the Rotterdam concert on the 24th of june this year!!

[Dantalion Rides Again]

. . . at least I think it was. Could have been 12th.

A classmate made me borrow ABWH, assuming I'd like it since I was a Rush fan. I didn't. To this day I don't know why, cuz I love it now.

Then another school friend made me borrow Fragile. That one did it. This was around 1990 or so. I listened exclusively to that tape in my Walkman for a solid week. It wasn't long before I bought every album!

I can remember distinctly hearing Close to the Edge for the first time. And Tales too. The guy who force-fed me Fragile talked these albums up a lot, and I was floored when I heard them. To this day I can't believe where Yes music went after Fragile.

By the time they put out Yesyears and Union I was totally in, both feet. I only lost a little bit of interest around the time of Talk. I never really went away from Yes much; I was just not into their newest songs at the time (Talk, KTA). But since that period I've been very gradually and sort of perpetually rediscovering Yes, and I like KTA a lot now (and :rolleyes: okay, Talk too!). Now the new stuff is what I listen to most, particularly Magnification.

Yes has been cranking out great music for years, and I find myself excited and satisfied by the studio albums they've done lately, as far back as Big Generator and ABWH. It's a great body of work. Compare late period Yes to any other band's late period who's still recording after 30 years. [ . . . . I'm preaching to the choir, aren't I?]

I don't know how many of you feel this way, but Yes is one of few bands that can do whatever they want at this point and I'm happy. Usually I want just one more great one from a band, but it seems Yes has achieved some kind of completeness. I mean, I felt like they needed something until Magnification. Now it's like, "Guys. Whatever you wanna do is fine. You've totally made me happy."

['Course I still hope that what they want is to record 5 more great albums . . . :D ]

[leqin]

ever since I heard 'Perpetual Change' and... it was in a record shop, which I think no longer exists, but it was based on the High Street in Crewe and myself and my 2 of my friends, Ian Hibbert and Alex Pearson, were busy discussing the plus's and minus's of Peter Thompson and Ian St John... sorry but thats a Liverpool FC fan thing.

Anyway - the bloke wno ran the shop began playing it and, even if Peter and John were boyhood hero's, the conversation slipped into the background until the song finished. Of course I should have asked who they were, but I didn't and shame on me. Then it didn't matter anyway because later on that year 'Fragile' came out and I saw the cover and thought that looks okay and bought it and loved them to bitz and went out to get the previous albums and so began the story or so they say.

[ranyart]

Probably in 73' or so I heard the Yes album and have been a yeshead ever since what a long good trip it's been and still rocking, those guys are just plain awesome!

[Adara]

I have been a Yes fan since birth! I grew up listening to yes music and I've always loved them.

[bender]

My discovery of Yes was rather odd. I had bought a book by Pete Fame called "Rock Family Trees" and on the last page was a family tree of Asia and how the guys in Asia came together.

Basically it included family trees from Yes, ELP, King Crimson, Buggles! etc and I was really impressed with what the writer wrote about Yes's career. He mentioned at one point that the press used to call them" overblown and pretentious".

As I was just getting into ELP I thought this sounds interesting so I went to my local record store and picked up the first YEs CD they had- Fragile. I hadnt even heard any songs of theirs!

Anyway, 15 seconds into Roundabout and I was hooked and I bought another Yes CD every week until I had them all!

[BlueEagle]

In the summer of 1973 when I heard Your Move on FM radio in Santa Barbara. In the fall of '73 a co-worker loaned me his tape of the Yes Album. That was it.
:yesbird:

[THE ONE 7]

¡HELLO!
As i told just few days since my last visit, i`m a new member and probably the most passionate yesfan of my whole country, Colombia.
Well, i think i`m a yesfan since i was in my mother`s womb, it may sounds ridiculous, but my parents told me they loved rock & roll by that time and they still do (i born in `75). They had a great collection of rock classics, the same collection i proudly own now.
The point is, they rock my cradle with Yes, hendrix, floyd, moody blues, zeppelin,etc, etc. It was beautiful, it was amazing. That was my early stimulation therapy. The very first time i consciously heard Yes i felt a weird sensation; of course, by the time i didn`t have the musical ear that needs to understand such kind of music, but what i heard definitely left in my head a deep mark, and i do think Yes music and other prog-rock bands of the 60`s and 70`s as my principal influence to become myself a musician.
Although it`s really hard to find Yes records in colombia, i`ve done every effort to have them all. There are only four Studio albums i haven`t yet : Magnification, Keys to ascencion I, Union and ABWH. Bye, see ya later and thank you tardistraveller for your warmwelcome.

[BILL HERWIG]

IN A GALAXY FAR FAR AWAY. AN STILL, THEY PUT IT TOGETHER BETTER AN BETTER EVERY TIME, BETTER THAN ANYONE! BIKER BILL, BACK FROM LACONIA IN 1 PC.

[Earl Grey]

...Well, I think I'm a yesfan since i was in my mother`s womb

Welcome to Yesfans THE ONE 7! Great thoughts and you express them well! I think you'll fit right in here beautifully!

Yesfan before birth...


There IS a predisposition for loving YES music I think.

It takes a certain mindset... an openness to new sounds, an ability to actually listen to music of an epic scale: a bit of patience, and an internal calm that will allow one to become lost in the moment of something like Close To The Edge or Endless Dream...

While I was still in utero, my parents listened to a lot of classical music: perhaps that's where I recieved the YES-mindset... Could very well be!

You got me thinking here...

Yesfans before birth... Love it!

Good meeting you, 'The One', post often, have fun, and all the best to you!

Earl Grey:yesbird:

[THE ONE 7]

¡HELLO EARL GREY!
Thank you very much for such a warm wellcome, it`s good to find people in this great world that, for strange reasons, share the same feelings about music, and specially YES music. see ya later.

[mockers]

sounds strange buts that's how I became a Yes fan. I was having a marathon reading session that took in That Hideous Strength and Out of the Silent Planet by C.S Lewis (he of Narnia fame) and had borrowed my brother's copies of Close to the Edge and Fragile as background music...somehow the music just fitted the mood of the novels and I was hooked.

Funny really as my brother has been blasting out Yes tunes for a couple of years and I had not taken too much notice.

mockers

[Emops]

June of 2002- I got Yessongs, then Highlights the next day. I bought Close To The Edge, Fragile and The Yes Album a few weeks later. Then I got Tales a month or two after that, and well, I nearly said goodbye to Yes. Fortunately, Relayer came along and I haven’t looked back.

[Amy]

In 1976, when I was 13.
I first heard Roundabout and All Good People.
Bought Fragile, The Yes Album and Close to the Edge.
They immediately became my favorite band.
When Going for the One came out in 1977, I was speachless.
Of course now I had to own every album and bought everything up to that point. I liked their first 2 albums, but was sadly disappointed with Relayer and Topograhic Oceans (Although Tim has convinced me to listen again).

My friend Eric was the only Yes fan in our group of high school friends. He had a bunch of tickets for the concert in '79 and I was fortunate enough to be one of the people he asked to go.

I felt like that was the close of a great era. After that, the band members changed and the music changed. My life was also beginning to change, high school was over, friends were scattering, relationships were going sour. Moved from Brooklyn to upstate NY in need of a change. Totally lost track of the band, although I would hear some of Jon's solo stuff on the radio occasionally.

I have a lot of catching up to do. So far I have bought ABWH, Key Studio, Open Your Eyes and Magnification. Open Your Eyes and Key Studio becoming my favorites of those.

[Robert Shupe]

It is good to see these older threads with new life.

The cool thing is discovering Yes is a magical thing that happens. It starts off with one or two songs and develops into a passion for great music.

I found Yes between Drama and 90125. Discovering the history and possible future of this band was what lay ahead for me at the time and I have never looked back. That was before the internet days and the discovery was just me and the music. One by one the collection grew and here we are making our fandom a little bit closer and more special.

Let's Be Careful Out There.

Robert Shupe

[SallyKhatru]

It started when I first heard Open Your Eyes. my dad had just bought it and we listened to it in the car. After I had heard it for the 20th time I asked him if I could take the CD to my room and I really loved this music. I`ve never been into anything popular. About one year later when we got our school reports my dad gave me The Ladder for my good marks. And after the first sceptic, but after listening to it again and again I just LOVED it. Abd after that we went to the Yes The ladder concert and it was just awesome. So I started collecting all the albums and here we are now.

[topopair123]

My first Yes experience was in '73. I've been hooked ever since.
I remember riding in my first car (a Vega) with my dad, listening to Gates of Deliurm (?) on an 8 track . He said, "That's what it sounds like alright, deliurm.


I had a 8 track in my work van up until 9 years ago.....

[Ken Waln]

When did you become a Yesfan?
Long time YesFan. Newcomer to this site. Good question.
For me, it started on June 26th, 1971. I was lucky enough to attend the first concert that Yes played in America when they opened for Jethro Tull at the Seattle Center Coliseum. I was not familiar with Yes, so I was hearing their music for the first time. From the beginning, they blew me away. Their stage presence was cool and confident. Their performance was polished and energetic. They took charge of the audience like seasoned veterans. All those great songs from The Yes Album hit me like wave after wave of wonderful new music. They earned a thunderous standing ovation from a crowd that had gathered to hear Tull play their new stuff from Aqualung. The cheering continued until they came back to the stage to play more. An encore for an opening act was a rare thing back then. And so, my fanaticism was born. After all these years of loving their music and attending their concerts, I still cherish my memory of helping to welcome Yes to the USA.

[True Believer]

1973 - Glasgow Scotland
A friend had a copy of The Yes Album and I heard it at his house one night. That was it - never looked back.

[Dale Cleary]

More than 20 years ago now. I'm old! :(

[pauli]

More than 20 years ago now. I'm old! :(
Almost 34 years ago for me -- but I don't want to think about whether that makes me old or not...

[JimBob]

Everyone went to the Yale Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut that night to see Grand Funk Railroad but I knew when I heard Yes that was going to be a great band.

[Eagle]

ive been a yes fan all my life, since i grew up listening to the band and my favorite song is 'if only you knew'

BTW could someone PLEASE mention my name in their next post-i really need some rep points thanks

[jimtim45]

1971-In Glasgow during the Fragile tour at aged 15 years .I have now ben listening to them on & off for over 33 years.

[soulsearcher]

ive been a yes fan all my life, since i grew up listening to the band and my favorite song is 'if only you knew'

BTW could someone PLEASE mention my name in their next post-i really need some rep points thanks

who turned you on th the band, and how old were you?

[True Believer]

1971-In Glasgow during the Fragile tour at aged 15 years .I have now ben listening to them on & off for over 33 years.

Hey JimTim, where in Glasgow are you from? I'm from Pollokshields (long time ago) and got into Yes in 73. Are you going to the show in June?

Anne

[the'YES'kid]

1993

1990 - a friend of my brother gave him some Yes LPs (The Yes Album, Fragila, Relayer & Drama) - I "liked" Yours Is No Disgrace a little bit

1991 - my brother bought "Union". I only liked "I Would Have Waited Forever"

1993 - I fianlly bought my very first Yes album "Union" and this time I really fell in love with "I Would Have Waited Forever".

Later I took a "Yes lesson" with the video "Yesyears" and graduated with "Classic Yes"

[Grima]

Hi BrianD,
It's been 2 years since you wrote this but I have only just joined this site so if your still around to read this reply I would like to thank you and your mates if you had any influence in the bands tour Down Under last year. I first became a yes fan early 70's when a pommy friend realised i enjoyed long rock tracks (before I herd of the term progressive rock), he wrote on a pice of paper CTTE by YES???? never herd of them but I bought it anyway and the rest is history. This must have been after their concert at the Hordon because I don't remember them touring.

Discovering this site has opened up a new chapter in my YES appreciation. It's great to visit and read other fans thoughts and experiences and to learn so much more of the boys themselves.

Your recollection of the concert at the Hordon was very moving. Having attended other concerts there myself made it easy to imagine what it was like while reading your story.

[BrianD]

Hi BrianD,
It's been 2 years since you wrote this but I have only just joined this site so if your still around to read this reply I would like to thank you and your mates if you had any influence in the bands tour Down Under last year. I first became a yes fan early 70's when a pommy friend realised i enjoyed long rock tracks (before I herd of the term progressive rock), he wrote on a pice of paper CTTE by YES???? never herd of them but I bought it anyway and the rest is history. This must have been after their concert at the Hordon because I don't remember them touring.

Discovering this site has opened up a new chapter in my YES appreciation. It's great to visit and read other fans thoughts and experiences and to learn so much more of the boys themselves.

Your recollection of the concert at the Hordon was very moving. Having attended other concerts there myself made it easy to imagine what it was like while reading your story.

Hi Grima,

I have been involved with YesFANZ (with a Z - stands for Yes Festival Australia New Zealand) since its inception and we did have a role in bringing Yes out last year - see www.yesfanz.com for the details - so thanks for that - do you belong to YesFANZ? - if not, you should join when you visit the website. I prepare a monthly newsletter to keep those downunder up to date with local events. By the way, we are now working on getting them back again, hopefully next year!

[jimtim45]

Hey JimTim, where in Glasgow are you from? I'm from Pollokshields (long time ago) and got into Yes in 73. Are you going to the show in June?

Anne
Anne,
I'm from Househillwood in Pollok,I now live in Crookston which is not to far away from Pollokshields.I remember first seeing YES at the Greens Playhouse in Glasgow..do you remember that place? I also saw them a couple of times at at the Kelvinhall in Glasgow.
Luckily, I have a ticket to see the band in Glasgow in June.My daughters gave me the ticket as a Christmas present.I am looking foward to seeing them play live again......I always think before a concert that this could be my last chance to see YES playing live as they cannot go on forever.Or maybe they can?

[Eagle]

who turned you on th the band, and how old were you?
my mom and dad-they've been staunch fans since the beginning and ever since i heard them playing counterparts ive bought every cd they released

ps i think i was 7...;)

[ndselwood]

1973....started off as a fan of Genesis (Genesis Live was the first record I ever bought), and soon followed the proud purchase of TYA. Yes music got me through a terrible accident in 1978, and I've been a lover of their music ever since. TFTO was a great inspiration for me. Not a great fan of the Rabin era, but Homeworld was a great return to form and AWBH were superb.

Seen them live 5 times now, Rick once and Asia with Steve twice. Looking forward to this years gigs - off to Manchester.

Nigel

[junomon]

I've been a Yes fan, since my Uncle took me to see Yessongs, in Downtown Chicago. I used to hate any kind of music before then. My parents and my sister were into all the pop crap that was playing during that time of the 70's.

First album I ever bought: Yessongs.

I've moved onto a lot of great bands since then, but Yes, without a doubt it still my favorite band of all time.

[label]

I'm currently 33. My uncle introduced me to Yes off their 9012Live album.

I then picked up 90125 and it quickly became my favorite album for a long time. In fact, it still is in my top 5 Yes albums.

Some time later I picked up Fragile and that sold me on buying the Yes Album and Close to the Edge. I also picked up Big Generator.

For quite a while, that was all I owned. Sometime recently though I started to become more and more interested in yes and started to collect all of their albums. The more I got, the more I liked and now I've got just about everything they've ever put out and am the better for it.

I've grown to love Yes like no other band before and hope to enjoy their music for the next 10 years as much as I've enjoyed the first 35.

[True Believer]

Anne,
I'm from Househillwood in Pollok,I now live in Crookston which is not to far away from Pollokshields.I remember first seeing YES at the Greens Playhouse in Glasgow..do you remember that place? I also saw them a couple of times at at the Kelvinhall in Glasgow.
Luckily, I have a ticket to see the band in Glasgow in June.My daughters gave me the ticket as a Christmas present.I am looking foward to seeing them play live again......I always think before a concert that this could be my last chance to see YES playing live as they cannot go on forever.Or maybe they can?
Do I remember Greens Playhouse!! Oh yes, many a great show there, not just YES.

Is there a meeting before the Glasgow show? I'm flying up from Manchester that day (having seen that show) and wondered if anyone was meeting up before.

Anne

[jimtim45]

Do I remember Greens Playhouse!! Oh yes, many a great show there, not just YES.

Is there a meeting before the Glasgow show? I'm flying up from Manchester that day (having seen that show) and wondered if anyone was meeting up before.

Anne
The Scottish Yes Network are talking about having an "Event" on the day of the Glasgow concert.I have only recently became aware of that group the SYN of course not YES.I 'll let you know if I hear any further info about the "EVENT".Last time YES played in Edinburgh they managed to get most of the band to go along to a "meet & greet" in a hotel after the gig?The SYN have also a web info site //hem.passagen.se/yespage/syn/
Cheers JIM

[RICHARD170]

1975

The next year me and a buddy took a road trip to see them in Vegas at the
Alladin theater.....They encored 3 times that night....the lights were on in the audience, the roadies were tearing down the stage and no one would leave.....They finally came out and did "I'm Down" by the Beatles..

[Paul D]

I became a fan in 1980. The first Yes album I ever bought was Drama.

[John Khatru]

I would have to probably say 1984....

Among the first albums I ever got were Asia's first two back in 1983...and then Yes's 90125 came out... and I heard about the Steve Howe / Roger Dean connection between the two groups. I instantly liked 90125 . It was a couple of years until I got my next Yes album which was Classic Yes. After listening to it I was completely hooked from then on.

My actual first introductions to Yes happened years earlier... Back in 1980 or so I got one of those metallic Yes logo stickers in a supermarket vending machine and stuck it to my bedroom door. and back in 77/78 one of my neighbors in the small apartment buliding I lived in, would babysit me from from time to time and I vividly recall seeing Going For The One sitting in front of their record collection.

[Earl Grey]

My 8 months pregnant mother was floating in an isolation tank in The Ashram, Berekley California (I had very progressive parents), when she tapped and channeled into a future radio broadcast from 1972. They were playing 'Fragile' by YES, and I grokked it.

Next thing I knew, I was smoking a spliff and waxing something or 'nother on the internet about the epic properties of 5% for zilch.

Whatever transpired between the two events, your guess is as good as mine.

:ele:

[Snarly]

My 8 months pregnant mother was floating in an isolation tank in The Ashram, Berekley California (I had very progressive parents), when she tapped and channeled into a future radio broadcast from 1972. They were playing 'Fragile' by YES, and I grokked it.
Next thing I knew, I was smoking a spliff and waxing something or 'nother on the internet about the epic properties of 5% for zilch.
Whatever transpired between the two events, your guess is as good as mine
LOLOL, Earl

[Gabriel]

I became a Yesfan about 2 months ago LOL....nothing compared to what you guys have on me! Still, I collected about 3/4 of their albums in less than a month and love them to bits.

[Amy]

I became a Yesfan about 2 months ago LOL....nothing compared to what you guys have on me! Still, I collected about 3/4 of their albums in less than a month and love them to bits.

Pretty impressive, Gabriel. I love to see someone younger becoming a Yes fan! Always renews my hope for the future.

[OLias56]

1972 when i heard Close to the Edge for the first time. Thats all it took"

[SallyKhatru]

The future looks quite good for YEs and the Yes fans, don't you think? There are so many "youngsters" around. And Tim our webmaster shows us what to do:-))) Take care of it yourself and "make" the new generation:-)

[Jackaranda]

My 15 year old asked me the other night, after I was reading him reviews of the MSG show, to get him more Yes material. All he has now is the Rabin era, and I have a feeling once I start filtering some more classic stuff to him and some of the shows I'm getting now, he'll become a big fan again. All my kids love the Rabin era, but only Jamie has shown interest in classic Yes. But he's got a "Yesfan" personality, know what I mean? And if he gets into them the way I think he will, his brothers will too.

[Alex]

1976 at roosevelt stadium in jersey was the 1st time i saw yes. i have been to 36 yes concerts since. jones beach in aug. will be #38. at this point of time yes is the only show i will go to. need i say more?

[Grover]

In 1981, someone recorded Fragile and Drama for me on opposite sides of a 90 minute cassette. Within a year I had all of their albums, and about a year after that I heard they were re-forming. I've found something good on every album. I would like a live video from the Talk or Big Generator tours (saw Talk but not BG tour), but am happy with the current line-up. Hopefully they can get Rick to play some Relayer.

[CybrKhatru]

The year would have to be 1988.

I've told variations on this story before, but here goes:

Bought 90125 in 1983. It was probably my 13th Birthday, but I'm not sure. Heard "Owner" on the radio, and my "co-workers" at the record shop were raving about the album, and about Yes in general. [I worked underage in the local mom-and-pop record store when I was in junior high]

Bought the album, loved it.
Then, in late 1987, a friend of mine wants to form a vocal group, and cover some Yes and CSN stuff. At one point, he hands me LPs of Fragile, Close to the Edge, The Yes Album, and Going for the One.

I was pretty overwhelmed at all of this music at the start, but it slowly began to sink in. And, there were certain things I loved straightaway (Wonderous Stories, I Get Up I Get Down part of CTTE). Bought "Classic Yes" immediately.

Saw my first Yesshow in LA at the Forum, and loved it.

Then bought Fragile, Big Generator, and Yessongs thru Columbia House.

About 5 listens into "Close to the Edge" (between my friend's LP and my own Yessongs CD). I was completely hooked. I worshipped Genesis already but this was something else by which to be awed. Bought everything I could find after that, and saw them whenever possible.

---Matt

[Timmo]

It was February of 1971. I was 10, and my brother was turning 17 on the 23rd.

My mom came flying in from her 8 gazillion errands and handed my brother a record.

"Here's an early birthday present," she said. She had earlier read that early article claiming the best bands debuting in 1969 were Led Zeppelin and Yes.

"I don't like that Led Zeppelin crap, but I made the man play me some of this and I think you should have it."

My brother was STOKED, as he'd already heard it through friends at his prep school, and ran upstairs to put it on his new stereo. Curious, I tagged along. I'd grown up on the Beatles, Steppenwolf, Eric Clapton, the Dead, Bob Dylan, etc, because of my brother (and with Beethoven, Chopin, etc. from my mother). I liked a lot of different music, but nothing had really made a huge impression just yete.

He said "You probably won't like this, it's pretty complicated."

He dropped the needle on the record, and out came those first four notes of of "Yours Is No Disgrace." I jumped, and instantly knew that this was something different, something special.

I listened to the record constantly, and became a fan, bugging my mom to get me "Fragile," which my brother and his friends dismissed as "too electronic." An older cousin got me "Close to the Edge" when it came out, as her boyfriend at the time had proclaimed it "the most brilliant record ever made." "Yessongs" came at Christmas, and I saw my first concert in 1974, the "Topographic Oceans" show, which I loved, and made Mom get me the record. "Relayer" was the first record I bought with my own money, and continued to buy every record (until I gave "Drama" away) and see every show (until the "90125" tour).

Reintroduced last summer, with the reissues, and now I'm a fanatic again. Just took a long break

Tim
Venice, CA

[Suzy]

I was born in 1981 - my dad was a true Yes fan - he also liked other prog rock like early Genesis, Renaissance, Rick Wakeman etc. He also played things like Boy George, Tears For Fears and Kate Bush. I liked the music he played - he had a record player and reel machine. In the late 80's he got a CD player which was a big thing then.

The albums that I particularly remember were relayer and Six Wives. These then became to be my favourite albums. As a teenager I always liked the music that my dad played and swayed from Yes to Pink Floyd to Genesis and Duran Duran, then I experimented with pop music of the 90's but then went heavily into the likes of Yes and Genesis, and Kate Bush. It is funny how I am now religiously into the sounds that my Dad played to me as a child and how my favourite albums turned out to be his choice too - Relayer, Tormato, Tales, Six Wives, The Lamb and early kate Bush.

[brotherofmine]

Suzy maybe you would like to post your 10 albums that influenced your life seems you have three or four already.

[sissywoods]

Had always heard Roundabout on the radio but really became a fan in the 80's and of course went back to their earlier music which really got me hooked.

[allpurechance]

There was this local FM college radio station,WRPI in Troy,NY.At that time they were amongst those stations that were playing alot of what we all call Prog now.Then,it was just "Really cool music".Shortly afterwards the labels began to be pinned.I heard alot of great music on good ol' 91.5.Purchased Fragile in late '72,didn't listen to it that much,right away.Then again,wasn't really listening to anything that much,yet!Fast forward to Spring/Summer '73,a period during which my listening habits became a touch more intense.I had heard what later turned out to be Yessongs versions of Starship Trooper,& Yours Is No Disgrace on 'RPI,but not known who the band was!In a two week period,I purchased the LP's The Yes Album,& Close To The Edge.The rest as they say,was history.I recognized these songs as being many of the ones I NEEDED to know about from the radio.So many Yessongs included in this group.Only 1973,and already so many Yessongs-vital to my existence!

[Mind Driver]

1972....I heard Roundabout on the radio. I was a "budding" classical trumpet player at the time (high school orchestra) and recognized that this was much more than a rock band. I went and bought the album, later the eight track, later the casette, then the CD......

I gave up the trumpet after high school, but never gave up on Yes. I have seen them so many times I have lost count.

[Hill St.]

Roundabout in '72.

[ladybugjt68]

For me it was in 1986.... I was 14 and my brother had come home from college. He left a tape cassette with the Roger Dean Logo YES inscribed in my brothers handwriting trying to mimic Roger Dean I remember it was with blue ink and on the Back it said Fragile......I decided to play it hoping I wouldn't break it since it was so FRAGILE ....well after that all I can say is ......I HAD HEAVEN. It was LOVE at first listen 17 yrs and 26 shows later.

[remembering]

1973. I bought Close to the Edge and was hooked

[Deliriumyes]

I was a mere two years old, when my dad's vinyl copy of YES came in the mail from his record club. He always ordered the first release of a new band. Thanks, dad.

[Ancient tales]

I was with a friend of mine when he bought The Yes Album in 1971. We went back to his house to play it and from the moment I heard the first notes to Yours Is No Disgrace I was hooked!

Cherry

[Ryan]

about a year and a half ago when i got fragile. I played that CD to death. over and over and over again. While playing video games, in between classes at school, during classes at school; yeah, it was the start of a new era in my life.

[udopampel]

In 1988 I was given a copy of Big Generator and Tales From Topographic Oceans by this guy who was buying all the albums he already had again on CD.

[udopampel]

I was a mere two years old, when my dad's vinyl copy of YES came in the mail from his record club. He always ordered the first release of a new band. Thanks, dad.

ALWAYS? Now THAT is dedication to new music! What a guy!!

[1yesfan]

BG Tour! Hated them in High School. 82-86

[BigGenerator]

I have heard of Yes thanks to 'owner of a lonely heart';in 1986 I borrowed the 90125 album,and I liked all the songs.I used to listen to 90125 everyday.

Since 90125, I have bought all the albums.

[Mr Kite]

I was sold on Yes after seeing them in 1978 (MSG) in the round during the Tormato Tour. I was a fan since 1976-77 right after the Going For the One album came out came out but it was the concert in 78 that blew me away.