1 Topic by RICjunkie (edited by RICjunkie 2008-11-01 13:23:07)

  • From: The Gates of Delerium
  • Registered: 2008-05-07
  • Posts: 1,412

Topic: YES tour is on

I've been following the developments of the 2008-09 Yes Tour.  I read that Jon Anderson won't be performing; the band is bringing in a fellow from a tribute band from Montreal.  Hopefully Jon can recover from what they're saying is a respiratory ailment to sing at some point.  Also Rick Wakeman's son will be on keyboards. My schedule is clogged but I'd really like find time to go and see Chris Squire and Alan Howe.  All they've posted so far are dates in the east; my guess is they'll head west in early '09.

http://www.yesworld.com/ywtour.html

Major Tom to ground control...
  • From: Central PA, USA
  • Registered: 2007-11-18
  • Posts: 1,037

Re: YES tour is on

We were just talking about YES's In the Present tour on another forum the other day, so I'm gonna be lazy and just recycle some of my posts from over there... gotta love "copy & paste" wink... lol.........

My brother and I have tickets for the Nov 11th show in Hershey PA, only reason being that last week I received an email from the Hershey Theatre about a ticket deal... only $19.35, good that day only. Now I had been planning to see YES this summer and was disappointed when the tour was cancelled, but I was going to skip this current tour, with tickets in Hershey costing $95, $59.75 and $49.75, and not even the full line-up. But then I got that promo email, and my brother and I both said "hell, at that price, that's worth it... I'll go if you go" and it was a done deal. The very next day I got invited to a Ratdog show in Wilkes-Barre PA the same night... between the two, I'd probably enjoy Ratdog more, and I've never seen them before (saw Anderson Bruford Wakeman & Howe once back in the late 80s or so)... but I couldn't bail on my brother at that point. Oh well, should be a good show... I'm looking forward to it.

I noticed for this In the Present tour they're billing themselves as "Howe, Squire and White of YES", with the "YES" most prominent of course. In addition to those three, Oliver Wakeman (Rick's son) joins them on keys, and tribute band member Beniot David replaces Jon Anderson. I'd initially read that Jon felt disrespected by their decision to tour without him, and for the band's lack of contact with him since his illness, but his statements were withdrawn from his site and the band supposedly has his blessings now.

Then our biggest Yes fan on that site posted this reply:
Yeah, Jon left a blog entry on his MySpace saying "It's not a YES tour" etc. I don't like the idea of Yes without Jon, and this "tribute band recruitment" reminds me of that film "Rock Star". I'm not interested in a half-arsed Yes, so I'll wait until they do a proper tour next year.

To which, I replied:
Yeah, my thoughts exactly (assuming Jon even gets well enough to rejoin the group next year)... but I'm a sucker for a deal! roll
And it helps that Hershey is only like a half hour from me.
Also this is at the Hershey Theatre, as opposed to Hershey Stadium where they had been scheduled to play this summer... a much more intimate and comfortable setting. I was there about a year ago to see Aussie Floyd, and it's an absolutely beautiful old theatre.
Not to mention parking at the theatre is free and right across the street, as opposed to $10 at the stadium/arena/park with up to like a mile hike (unless the trams happen to be running)... Hershey is such a rip-off, it drives me crazy!
Anyway, between the ticket deal and the venue, I think it'll be worth it... I'm sure they'll put on a good show.
It pays to sign up for venues' email lists, because then you automatically get alerted about special ticket deals (often 1-day deals), something I think we'll be seeing a LOT more of with this economy... in fact I've already seen a bunch of examples. Touring bands are struggling already and it's only going to get worse.

--Vik cool

  • jim m
  • jim m
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Okie City, OK
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
  • Posts: 3,429

Re: YES tour is on

Chris Squire stopped in to see Joe in Canada on the last night of the tour. He is a fan.

Any chance to see him Buford, and Howe is worth the price of admission. I wish Jon Anderson would be there too but it doesn't change the fact I'm a huge Yes fan. If the guy does as good a job as the guy fronting Journey now than more power to him.

jim m's Website

  • gsj
  • gsj
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: North Essex, England
  • Registered: 2006-09-21
  • Posts: 2,149

Re: YES tour is on

I stand by what I stated in a previous thread on this topic; Yes isn't Yes without Jon Anderson. "the band is bringing in a fellow from a tribute band from Montreal."...there is only one person with Jon's voice....the Yes voice....and that is Jon.

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • jim m
  • jim m
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Okie City, OK
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
  • Posts: 3,429

Re: YES tour is on

A last minute ticket offer led me to drive a couple of ours to see the Yes/Asia show last night.
Saw Yes for the first time during the Fragile tour. Once again a few years later. Love the Yes Album, Close to the Edge, and Fragile.

My honest opinion is the new dude sounds just like John Anderson. He nails it. Oliver Wakeman does a great job on Keys. I was glad I went.

Never a big Asia fan but it was cool seeing Carl Palmer. They were OK especially since they did some ELP and King Crimoson songs.

Go see the show watch everybody else never focus on the vocalist and you will swear John Anderson is there.

jim m's Website

  • Registered: 2008-03-23
  • Posts: 649

Re: YES tour is on

I'm a huge Yes fan and have seen them live many times, but touring without Jon Anderson is like U2 without Bono, or the Stones without Jagger.

I'm hoping that Jon will rejoin next year, then and only then will I go see them again

No matter how far you try to push the envelope, it remains stationery
  • jim m
  • jim m
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Okie City, OK
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
  • Posts: 3,429

Re: YES tour is on

Relayer wrote:

I'm a huge Yes fan and have seen them live many times, but touring without Jon Anderson is like U2 without Bono, or the Stones without Jagger.

I'm hoping that Jon will rejoin next year, then and only then will I go see them again

Valid argument but the way I see it is Jon Anderson is more of an instrumentalist with his vocals not the show that is Yes. Jagger and Bono are focal points to their respective bands. Yes is more of a band they combine their talents for the show in a different way. Chris Squires sound is his own and his presence is up their with Howe to be the personalities that make Yes a show. Wakeman plays his parts. Jon sings his. Wakeman has always been in and out different players playing his parts. It is still Yes. Jon has a voice that is probably the most unique voice in rock. The kid nails it and the sound is Yes.

jim m's Website

8 Reply by crossroads (edited by crossroads 2009-07-19 12:28:40)

  • From: England
  • Registered: 2008-07-04
  • Posts: 265

Re: YES tour is on

I saw a classic Yes line up around 2005 at the NEC Birmingham - Anderson, Howe, Squire and Wakeman. Surprisingly. they couldn't sell the whole arena - about a third was curtained off. If Joe thinks he has a lot of mature fans - you should have seen this audience. I felt in pretty good shape. A breathtakingly tight performance which impressed my son so much he is still wearing the tour t shirt. He may have washed it a couple of times- I'm not sure.

I think the crucial factors here are that the band don't try to get premium prices for the tickets and play the popular back catalogue. I'm surprised that Rick has passed this up, but he is very close to Jon these days - read Wakeman's Biog - 'Grumpy Old Rock Star'

No Ordinary Joe
  • From: Norddeutschland
  • Registered: 2008-12-03
  • Posts: 1,458

Re: YES tour is on

But it is true that Jon Anderson is also doing some shows? so how bad is his illness. I've seen some advertising for a Jon Anderson performance. So is it that the rest of the band just think he isn't up to a full tour?

I can understand both sides of the argument about the line up. Jon Anderson has a lot of loyal fans out there as has Steve Perry with Journey and thats a good thing too. Me, I love the music, and not just one performer more than another. Fair enough, a distinctive voice like Jon Anderson's also creates the band  signature sound but if they have found someone who can recreate that faithfully then I feel it validates the band somewhat.

I saw Journey a couple of weeks ago and it was magnificent. Steve Perry doesn't want to do it, so thats ok. The thing with Jon Anderson may be a different story. Fact is though Arnel Pineda sings like Steve Perry did 20 years ago, as fresh as it was then too. It was fantastic to hear.

I read a story that said Robert Plant wept when he saw the restored footage of LZ (How the West Was won) in the early 1970's. Apparently because he realised he could never sound like that again. Would I have gone to see a Led Zeppelin without Robert Plant? No, because the tickets would have been a 100 quid anyway. Would I see a 'fair priced' YES with a singer delivering the songs the way they were recorded 25 years ago. YES. If its good enough for Chris Squire and co, then its probably good enough for me.

No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012
  • From: Southern New Jersey, USA
  • Registered: 2006-04-23
  • Posts: 2,966

Re: YES tour is on

Thanks for this post Jim.  I bought 2 tickets for July 28th for my hubby and oldest son, now I'm looking for a single ticket for me .  The King Crimson, ELP part I'm going to keep as a surprise for them. I'm a fan of the albums you mentioned.  My son has recently gotten into Tales of Topographic Oceans, one that was never in my collection.  I think he's more cerebral than me, he really gets it! It seem to have mixed reviews as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_from … hic_Oceans

jim m wrote:

A last minute ticket offer led me to drive a couple of ours to see the Yes/Asia show last night.
Saw Yes for the first time during the Fragile tour. Once again a few years later. Love the Yes Album, Close to the Edge, and Fragile.

My honest opinion is the new dude sounds just like John Anderson. He nails it. Oliver Wakeman does a great job on Keys. I was glad I went. smile

Never a big Asia fan but it was cool seeing Carl Palmer. They were OK especially since they did some ELP and King Crimoson songs.

Go see the show watch everybody else never focus on the vocalist and you will swear John Anderson is there.

StringsforaCURE~Helping cancer patients one STRING at a time.
http://stringsforacure.com/

Angela's Website

  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: YES tour is on

Angela wrote:

Thanks for this post Jim.  I bought 2 tickets for July 28th for my hubby and oldest son, now I'm looking for a single ticket for me .  The King Crimson, ELP part I'm going to keep as a surprise for them. I'm a fan of the albums you mentioned.  My son has recently gotten into Tales of Topographic Oceans, one that was never in my collection.  I think he's more cerebral than me, he really gets it! It seem to have mixed reviews as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_from … hic_Oceans

jim m wrote:

A last minute ticket offer led me to drive a couple of ours to see the Yes/Asia show last night.
Saw Yes for the first time during the Fragile tour. Once again a few years later. Love the Yes Album, Close to the Edge, and Fragile.

My honest opinion is the new dude sounds just like John Anderson. He nails it. Oliver Wakeman does a great job on Keys. I was glad I went. smile

Never a big Asia fan but it was cool seeing Carl Palmer. They were OK especially since they did some ELP and King Crimoson songs.

Go see the show watch everybody else never focus on the vocalist and you will swear John Anderson is there.

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: YES tour is on

was supposed to go tonight in pittsburgh...was offered 2 good seats had to turn them down because I came down with some kind of flu-sore throat-fever etc......what a bummer!!!!

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • From: Southern New Jersey, USA
  • Registered: 2006-04-23
  • Posts: 2,966

Re: YES tour is on

Brack-cool feedback about Topographic Oceans.  My son sorta' took over my MacBook and when I borrow it back, I've enjoyed the artwork from the album cover which is screen backdrop.

I'm wondering if someone can tell me what exact model Gibson Steve Howe is playing in this picture?  (ES-345?)  The hubby loves this guitar.  Thanks.
http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/N … talks-706/

I didn't end up getting a ticket, but my guys said it was a superb show!!!

StringsforaCURE~Helping cancer patients one STRING at a time.
http://stringsforacure.com/

Angela's Website

  • jim m
  • jim m
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Okie City, OK
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
  • Posts: 3,429

Re: YES tour is on

I believe that is one. He played a different color one at the show I saw.

jim m's Website