Springfield Civic Center 09/02/1978
New Haven Coliseum 09/03/1968
Madison Square Garden
09/06/1978
09/07/1978
09/08/1978
09/09/1977

The world’s greatest progressive rock band Yes came up with a brilliant concept for its 1978 tour. The band would perform on a revolving round stage making every seat in the venue a good seat. The revolving stage with Rick Wakeman, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Alan White equidistant, and Jon Anderson on top in the center of the stage, made each equally great musician the viewers’ focal point at different points of the show allowing , and sometimes forcing, you to redirect your concentration toward the various musical nuances of the band’s compositions.

Depending on how many times you saw the show, and depending on where you were sitting, each performance was a unique experience with your visual emphasis intermittently placed on a specific different performer throughout the concerts.

Six shows in eight days- my friends Steve, Joe and I were fully immersed in all things Yes and could not get enough of the band. For us, Yes was the greatest band on the planet at the time with unparalleled musicianship and extraordinary live performances that never disappointed.

Yes released a triple live album YESSONGS that was recorded at the height of its artistic powers and actually captured the band’s genius as a great live album will do for a band. The companion movie YESSONGS is one of the great rock and roll concert films ever produced and stands up to the test of time.

I recently saw Yes at the former Westbury Music Fair and my friend The Gull pointed out that the now hefty Chris Squire’s seemingly tiny harmonica started to resemble a Scooby snack in his large mitts.
I found this to be an hysterical observation.

Yes is still on the road today but without Jon Anderson. The original road warriors are looking their age but the music continues to be outstanding.

Don’t Kill the Whale

GQ