Are Yes relatively unknown to most people these days?

[Soundchaser413]

I read something online that kind of bothered me a little bit but I'm not sure why. I just saw a review of Jon Anderson's "Change We Must" album online and in it the reviewer states something to the effect that Yes are not known by most people. So how can a band be well known and still not known to most people. I don't get it. Is it an age thing? The guy who wrote the article is probably in his early to mid 40's (it says he's been in the music business for over 20 years although he looks relatively young). He does use the term prog-rock a few times though so he's not clueless about the genre. Maybe it's just his perception that most people have no clue about Yes.

Also, when I say "most people" I'm referring to casual music fans and not people who have virtually zero interest in music. I understand they aren't on everyone's radar (who is) but I think the comment was a bit harsh. The interesting thing is the reviewer admits Yes has a "huge following." That coupled with his other comment seems like a bit of a contradiction to me. This kind of reminds me of an eigth grade history teacher I had who asked the kids to name popular bands or well known bands. I mentioned Yes and he said something like "and a little bit of Yes in there as well." Just a little bit? This was in 1984 right after the success of 90125. Maybe he just wasn't paying much attention or thougth they sort of died out a bit. I think someone should go to a local high school or college and survey the students and see how many know about Yes especially compared to other bands. It would be very interesting.

[Soundwaveseeker]

I would assume most people would not know who Yes are these days. I suppose the chances of the more casual music listeners kinda knowing who they are were higher during peak periods of their popularity, like when they were climbing up in the early/mid 70's or during the 90125 MTV period. But unless the members are celebrities and in constant exposure, most people would not have heard of them or know very little detail. Even among those who are exposed to and like 'classic rock' these days may view Yes as a second tier classsic rock band compared to Pink Floyd, Aerosmith or Elton John, who have somehow have crossed into this era where people sort of know them. Even there, details are not always on somebody's radar. Plenty of people love Queen and know of them, but couldn't tell you what song is from which album or go into detail about glam rock or prog rock or anything like that. It's all casual listening, and only fans investigate further. So, no, most people don't know who Yes are - it's considered a niche thing, not a mainstream current thing, despite being in operation for over 50 years. It's just not on the radar.

[Ash Armstrong]

Depends on who you mean by 'most people'?

[Soundchaser413]

Depends on who you mean by 'most people'?

I'll let you decide judging by the context of the article. Here is the online page. Just scroll down to Jon Anderson's "change we must" review. https://ledgernote.com/blog/interest...-mixed-albums/

He doesn't use the exact words "most people" but close enough.

[Soundchaser413]

I would assume most people would not know who Yes are these days. I suppose the chances of the more casual music listeners kinda knowing who they are were higher during peak periods of their popularity, like when they were climbing up in the early/mid 70's or during the 90125 MTV period. But unless the members are celebrities and in constant exposure, most people would not have heard of them or know very little detail. Even among those who are exposed to and like 'classic rock' these days may view Yes as a second tier classsic rock band compared to Pink Floyd, Aerosmith or Elton John, who have somehow have crossed into this era where people sort of know them. Even there, details are not always on somebody's radar. Plenty of people love Queen and know of them, but couldn't tell you what song is from which album or go into detail about glam rock or prog rock or anything like that. It's all casual listening, and only fans investigate further. So, no, most people don't know who Yes are - it's considered a niche thing, not a mainstream current thing, despite being in operation for over 50 years. It's just not on the radar.

So how much of what you said in your first couple of sentences would apply to Genesis, Rush, Pink Floyd, King Crimson and Jethro Tull (or any other high profile prog related bands)?

[pianozach]

So how much of what you said in your first couple of sentences would apply to Genesis, Rush, Pink Floyd, King Crimson and Jethro Tull (or any other high profile prog related bands)?

There are youngsters that have never heard a single Beatles song too, so this would be no surprise.

Remember the old joke about mentioning Paul McCartney, and a 20s person would ask "Wasn't he in some other band before Wings?"

[Ash Armstrong]

What on earth is a 'Jimmy Rustler'?

I honestly can't see what the point of this sort of thing is?

[Yorkshire Square]

Depends on who you mean by 'most people'?

Approach 100 random people on the street. Ask them to name someone who was in Yes. I'd bet substantially more than 50 won't know. Do the same and ask them to name a song by Yes. Similar result.

Do it in a club or bar. I bet the knows won't be that much more.

[Esthe]

I feel like if it weren’t for “Owner” being a big success, they would’ve become a cult band who was popular in the early ‘70s but faded away shortly after.

[Soundchaser413]

I feel like if it weren’t for “Owner” being a big success, they would’ve become a cult band who was popular in the early ‘70s but faded away shortly after.

That started to happen anyway and is probably why my one teacher said "and a little bit of Yes in there as well." He probably was not yet aware of the success of 90125 or didn't associate OOALH with Yes. Genesis were able to reinvent themselves and become really big but Yes didn't quite get there imo. Too many people were probably confused by the juxtaposition of prog and pop whereas with Genesis the change was more gradual.

I agree about the cult thing though and I think today they mainly have just a cult following and not much beyond that.

[Esthe]

That started to happen anyway and is probably why my one teacher said "and a little bit of Yes in there as well." He probably was not yet aware of the success of 90125 or didn't associate OOALH with Yes. Genesis were able to reinvent themselves and become really big but Yes didn't quite get there imo. Too many people were probably confused by the juxtaposition of prog and pop whereas with Genesis the change was more gradual.

I agree about the cult thing though and I think today they mainly have just a cult following and not much beyond that.

They’re pretty mainstream to me.

[josuev80]

I would agree they aren't well known anymore, especially by casual music fans. It's been decades since they have had a commercial hit and airplay on terrestrial radio stations and music TV channels. They never gained and maintained the widespread lasting recognition like that of The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who, U2, Pink Floyd, etc. Some younger, casual music fans may have heard OOALH and Roundabout, but probably wouldn't be able to name who the band was. Also, people consume music a lot differently now than they did in Yes' heyday.

[A Venture]

I fluctuate from being irritated or acting as some sort of messenger.

Hardly any millennials or Gen Z are aware of Yes and it hurts when I have to reference OOALH to get a vague recollection.

By contrast, the same group have heard of Genesis & Pink Floyd - more than annoying .

Not our job to force feed our preferences, but I have found that the younger generation can appreciate the musicianship of Yes in an age of disposable music , given the chance - that's the upside of music being accessible to all.

[Esthe]

I fluctuate from being irritated or acting as some sort of messenger.

Hardly any millennials or Gen Z are aware of Yes and it hurts when I have to reference OOALH to get a vague recollection.

By contrast, the same group have heard of Genesis & Pink Floyd - more than annoying .

Not our job to force feed our preferences, but I have found that the younger generation can appreciate the musicianship of Yes in an age of disposable music , given the chance - that's the upside of music being accessible to all.

Genesis had a very successful ‘80s, unlike Yes who had 90125 and then started to slip off again, and Pink Floyd have DSOTM, which everyone and their great-great-grandfather has at least heard of.

[Ash Armstrong]

Approach 100 random people on the street. Ask them to name someone who was in Yes. I'd bet substantially more than 50 won't know. Do the same and ask them to name a song by Yes. Similar result.

Do it in a club or bar. I bet the knows won't be that much more.

No way am I able to approach random people on the street! I'd likely have a meltdown. And it wouldn't be random; in that kind of scenario there are always subconscious/unconscious biases at work guiding who I would and would not approach, and where and at what time of day I would do so.
Even the former-sociologist in me wouldn't put much store in vox-pop street surveys to prove or disprove a thesis, if it can be called that.