Who had the greater impact, Howe or Wakeman?

[YESOLA]

As Jon Anderson has said on Yesyears, "each change was more immediate to the sound of the band" or something like that.

Yes has certainly had big changes that have altered their sound and style a bit, Bruford to White, Wakeman to Moraz and Back again, and of course Yes West and Trevor Rabin.


But staying away from total makeovers of the band (like Drama or 90125) I would like to keep the focus in terms of changing just one member, in an already existing direction, who had the greater overall impact on Yes, Steve Howe or Rick Wakeman?

Both came in to existing structures, style and sound, both expanded on the scope, color, wizardry, and sound of the group. Both catapulted them forward into new realms of visibility and success.

Which one had the greater impact?

[Bugeyes]

Only bad, bad men ask this question of me. It hurts my brain. I'm sorry I read that post.


Wakeman


I'll hit the poll when it appears.

Howe is feel.
Wakeman is know.

[tommc]

Steve. The Yes album put Yes on the map. The next few albums continued the progression with Rick.

[Andrea YouAndI]

It's kinda tough, but I'm going with Howe. Sure, Wakeman is a flashier keyboard player than Kaye, but Howe was innovator. I can't think of ANYONE who plays as many different styles as he has. Don't get me wrong, I like Peter Banks too--those first two Yes albums are favorites of mine. But Steve took what Peter already had done and made it into a masterpiece.

[Dr Yes]

As much as I love Wakey, for me it is the maestro himself Steve Howe.

[Bradders]

Gotta be Howe. I rate Moraz as I do Wakeman for their different styles but impact wise its gotta be Howe.

[MrZuLu]

which was the greater hit?

"I've Seen All Good People" or "Roundabout"

[Yes.2]

Steve Howe,

[allen toth]

Both of them had a Major Impact. But I'll go with Howe.

[RickyG]

I'd say they were more or less equal.... in as much as it is impossible to quantitatively measure such a subjective experience.

Steve was the first of the two shifts, so he may appear to have had a greater impact. But what Wakeman brought to the band I think was of an equivalent expansion. And it's not just the overt flashiness of Rick's playing. It's the compositional knowledge that he brought which really enhanced the extended arrangements.

Additionally, all four members grew and expanded themselves from Yes Album to Fragile.... as there was also growth in the individuals from Time & A Word to Yes Album. So the perceived changes aren't entirely the result of either one new member joining.

All I can really say is that all of my favorite YES music has occured with Steve in the band, and most of it also has occured with Rick in the band.

[RABARKS]

Howe. Maybe not in his playing, but certainly in terms of songwriting. By the time CTTE came to be, he had pretty much replaced Squire as chief songwriter beside Jon. I'm not saying that's a good thing, but it's a fact.

[The Whale]

Weve never had Yes with Rick but not Steve so this is hard..... I would think and I do feel that it has to be Steve.

[khalpin]

I'll go with Howe, too. Purely because I think the difference between Time and a Word and The Yes Album is enormous compared to the difference between TYA and Fragile.

Just one of many opinions, though.

[YESOLA]

Fabulous points all.

I'd have to lean with Howe myself, but there is no denying that Wakeman elevated Yes, to this super stature in prog. Wakeman was an event all by himself, with big solo albums and shows. Yes had their own Keith Emmerson (even though I know that they are not exactly the same), in a sence

[Terry Shea]

Steve Howe has had a much greater impact on Yes music than has Rick. He does much if not most of the writing. Wakey does little to none. Steve has appeared on far more albums than has Rick, and when Rick does make an appearance it's usually just that: an appearance! He's usually involved in several different projects at once and simply plays his parts and leaves, not really contributing much if anything to the overall song structure or soundscape.

Now if we were talking about which musician is more talented that might be another story, but having an impact is more about dedication and not so much about talent.

[Sunhillow_]

Steve howe for sure. he was such an integral part of the songwriting proccess on the albums that features him as the guitar player.

[Simon Woodhouse]

I would say Steve has had more of a long-term impact, but Wakey made an instant change and always does when he rejoins the band.

Though Yes have managed to get by without either of them, I think it's Steve whose sound defines their greatest moments. Without taking anything away from Rick, they do seem to be able to find other keyboard players who can fit in and maintain the Yes sound. But when Steve's not there, you can instantly tell something's missing.

[Bugeyes]

Hey, poll now in place. I voted!

Thanks Sheila...the only mod to look at the thread so far?

[RandyC]

As much as I love Wakey, for me it is the maestro himself Steve Howe.

Same here. I love Rick, but , in this case, I have to tip my hat to Steve.

[Bugeyes]

Oh man, my one Wakeman vote is going to look very lonely soon. Oceanmaid, help me! Calling all Wakeman lovers, wait a second, there might not be enough room in here if they all come.