Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

So, when did YOU first go to a Yes concert, or see Chris Squire or other members of Yes for the first time?

For me, it was the Fragile Tour, and it took half the night to get across the whole floor to near the stage, ducking under arms passing around lit you-know-whats and crawling between legs of folks at times just to get all the way down front so we could see anything. Couldn't take my eyes off Chris's fingers on that Rick the rest of the night, trying to memorize all his fingerings and riffs.

But my first time to meet Chris personally was when he was in Jackson MS in Fall 1977, on the Going For The One tour. I was a studio session musician at the time for a studio in Bogalusa LA, and wangled a backstage pass through the studio. Chris was so incredibly "approachable", down-to-earth and friendly, and invited everyone to go along for a bite to eat. What an amazing time, keeping my jaw off the floor and trying to remember every word they spoke, every sight and sound. Six years of hard six-set per night 45-on and 15-off in New Orleans, both in Bourbon Street jazz and blues dives and over on the West Bank in rough Metairie rock clubs, had never prepared me to see what to me was the most talented and amazing band I had ever seen, much less meet them up close and personal like that. Chris was so tall, skinny, and had these huge hands that were all over that Rickenbacker. I had never seen anything like that in my life, and never have since. Not even Stanley Clarke impressed me as much as Chris.

Here is how I remember Chris the first time we met in 1977:

You have me beat on the time lapse since the first Yes concert mine was not until 1978.. my Junior year of high school... Sept 10, 1978..I had nose bleed seats being a Junior in high school it was all I could afford at the Capital Center in Largo MD...But I first started listening at least a year or more before. I never managed the back stage pass although at the Union tour a towel was thrown just three people away from me.... I am sure it was meant for me. The anticipation as that towel came flying through the air...

1975 Relayer tour Hollywood Bowl California.

A day that will always be one of the highlights of my life.

Here are the people that ensure Yes continues on:

1977 Going for the One tour...I think it was the St. Paul Civic Center. The revolving stage! And the incredible solo on "The Fish"...

What an amazing band.

You know, Chris Squire, in a way, is sort of the Hunter S. Thompson of bassists. Why? Because when novice writers attempt to write in HST's style, they inevitably fall flat on their arses. And anyone who tries to play bass in the melodic, meandering, contrapuntal Squire style? We've all heard the result: bad noodling, a crazed and losing struggle against the lead guitar.

Ironically enough, Chris Squire, arguably the best bassist in rock's history, is also responsible for inspiring some of the most godawful bass players I have ever had the misfortune to endure!

(I should know, I have been among them...hey, everyone has to TRY to play in that style! But good luck, only Squire pulls it off.)

As you all know from previous posts, I first saw Yes during the first go around of the Relayer tour, in Indianapolis, November '74. Gryphon was the opening act, another magical and unique band. After the show is when I met Chris and spent a considerable amount of time with a couple friends and Chris discussing a lot of things, most of which are lost to time. I do remember how he treated us just like friends, no pretenses, just real down to earth. He may not have been the first bassist I saw with a Rickenbacker (that honor goes to Michael Rutherford, who I first saw in April '72), but it was Yours Is No Disgrace that put that sound in my head!

Relayer tour in Baltimore MD... have never met him but that show (first of many) just totally blew me away!

6/21/76 Kalamazoo MI Wings Stadium. This was when Patrick Moraz was with them. Open floor and cameras were allowed. I was into photography at the time and got both b&w and color slides of the boys.

They were here in 76, 77, 79, and 91, all of which I saw. They cancelled in 88 due to a Rabin illness.

You know, I remember also the Relayer tour but can't find any info on that or the date they were in Kalamazoo. I gotta dig out the old photos and hopefully the dates will be documented.

1980, Drama Tour, Joe Louis Arena. Little did I know that Jon Anderson, etc. were not in the band at that time, I just loved that album and really enjoyed that show.

Silly story I just relayed to someone tonight...

I was 12 years old and on a 3-day cross-country bus trip. I had played out all my cassettes and BEGGED my Mom to buy me the Yesshows cassette. She said No....No....No....No...but I had to have it!! So I stuck it in my pocket and listened to it allllll the way from St. Louis to Minneapolis.

I still LOVE the versions of Parallels and Time and a Word from that tape!!

John, do you know where your b&w negs are? I could make prints!

www.labwork-bw.com

I have a pretty good idea, if they've weathered the years ok. I'll have a look for them and the slides soon.

The first time was around '77 I guess. I saw them in Dayton or Cincinnati with the revolving stage, which was cool because before the show you could walk right up to the stage and check out the equipment. Steve Howes 5 or 6 guitars were sitting on a stand, but Chris's basses were not present. During the show they handed them up to him through a portal in the floor. He was wearing the above pictured "zebra" outfit.

First time I saw Yes was at the Worcester Centrum on the 90125 tour. I've seen every tour since that one when they've come to town. The Magnification tour has been my favorite so far, and I was at the show when they filmed the "Songs from Tsongas" DVD.

Steve Howes 5 or 6 guitars were sitting on a stand

The last time I saw Yes, in '97, Steve played 13 different guitars!

I saw the band first in 1972 at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. It was election night, and Jon Anderson announced from the stage that "Nixon's back in." Alan White actually invited the drummer from my band (who was hanging out at the stage dor) backstage before the concert, and he spent the whole show sitting just off to the side of the drum riser. Later that same year, I saw Yes at Gannon College in Erie, PA. I had tickets for the Relayer tour in 1974 but had to give them away because my own band was on tour (nothing major).