IIRC he didn't like it back when it came out. Probably hates that it's going to be the song he's most remembered for.
Well, if he didn't/doesn't like the song... he's in the best position now to not sing it. I think he should drop it from the setlist (along with one maybe two of the "new" songs) and replace them with some of the other back catalog "gems". Just an opinion.
Caught the last show of the GFTO tour, and my buddy got me in to the after party where I shook Rick/Chrisâs hands.
(Donovan opened and every white man in the room had to change his undies when he went. âHail Atlantisâ¦.â)
Saw Yes many times since including Union. Once after a Howe showcase, Jon prompted him to come forward for a bow and he shook his head angrily and stepped back towards the curtain. Weird.
The musical talent that made up that band in itâs many permutations is really mind boggling.
I saw Yes back during the Rick Wakeman era; I remember it as being one of the best concerts I've ever attended.
Caught the last show of the GFTO tour, and my buddy got me in to the after party where I shook Rick/Chrisâs hands.
(Donovan opened and every white man in the room had to change his undies when he went. âHail Atlantisâ¦.â)
Saw Yes many times since including Union. Once after a Howe showcase, Jon prompted him to come forward for a bow and he shook his head angrily and stepped back towards the curtain. Weird.
My photos, but not my video, from the show.
SPOILERS.
They fucking OPENED with CTTE. I was overwhelmed, a bit teary, and pretty sure I wasnât going to make it to the inevitable Awaken (the best Yes song ever - fight me, bro).
Anderson came running out on stage with his arms out like an airplane before hitting the mike. Smiling, gracious, totally enjoying himself.
Never a moment where you thought he couldnât do it - which is amazing considering heâs like 80.
Band is top notch, and included Chris Clark showing off that he can do anything Wakeman did.Iâd seen Clark in the last version of Brand X and knew he was worthy. He doesnât come off as a Big Rock God but he can play like a mofo. And the band acknowledges that.
They did a few tunes from the new Jon album, which were OK - the songs werenât that great but they performed them as best they could.
After a couple of hours they finished as predicted with Roundabout and no encore. But I coulda lasted another hour, easily. ROCK. GOD. Still going strong.
Jump to 11:37 for proof.
I saw Yes back during the Rick Wakeman era; I remember it as being one of the best concerts I've ever attended.
I had my doubts... and when I clicked out to YouTube this "newer" concert was there.
PSet to start at "And you and I".
I seriously doubted his voice...but he sounds pretty damn good. For 80....he sounds amazing.
Yes, he sounded great for his age. I recently saw John Lodge (Moody Blues) perform and they practically had to construct some type of scaffolding to keep him upright. The dude was very wobbly. Jon Anderson was spry compared to him.
Turns out the first sentence you never want to hear at an ageing rockerâs concert is⦠âWell as many of you know, I am recovering from a recent stroke.
Check my post below. He NAILED everything all night.
With all due respect... I've read things that others have said about concerts that I didn't see. An 80 year old hitting the notes that his 30 year-old self put on vinyl is rare.
I loved the show when I saw it 5 months or so ago back this way. It peeled back the years to hear him sing the older Yes stuff. The only Yes song that fell a little flat was Owner of A Lonely Heart. Not sure why but it didnât seem to resonate as well as the others. His new stuff with the band was fine but donât know that much about it.
All in all an excellent show and we need to see these artists before time takes them for good.
I had my doubts... and when I clicked out to YouTube this "newer" concert was there.
Set to start at "And you and I".
I seriously doubted his voice...but he sounds pretty damn good. For 80....he sounds amazing.
My photos, but not my video, from the show.
SPOILERS.
They fucking OPENED with CTTE. I was overwhelmed, a bit teary, and pretty sure I wasnât going to make it to the inevitable Awaken (the best Yes song ever - fight me, bro).
Anderson came running out on stage with his arms out like an airplane before hitting the mike. Smiling, gracious, totally enjoying himself.
Never a moment where you thought he couldnât do it - which is amazing considering heâs like 80.
Band is top notch, and included Chris Clark showing off that he can do anything Wakeman did.Iâd seen Clark in the last version of Brand X and knew he was worthy. He doesnât come off as a Big Rock God but he can play like a mofo. And the band acknowledges that.
They did a few tunes from the new Jon album, which were OK - the songs werenât that great but they performed them as best they could.
After a couple of hours they finished as predicted with Roundabout and no encore. But I coulda lasted another hour, easily. ROCK. GOD. Still going strong.
Jump to 11:37 for proof.
I loved the show when I saw it 5 months or so ago back this way. It peeled back the years to hear him sing the older Yes stuff. The only Yes song that fell a little flat was Owner of A Lonely Heart. Not sure why but it didnât seem to resonate as well as the others. His new stuff with the band was fine but donât know that much about it.
All in all an excellent show and we need to see these artists before time takes them for good.
"Stuff happened, as stuff does. In 1985, John and Exene would divorce, yet carry on as musical partners. Billy Zoom, frustrated with the bandâs lack of a commercial breakthrough, would leave the band in 1986, following the release of their fifth album. He wouldnât return until 2008. In the interim, Dave Alvin, then Tony Gilkyson held down guitar duties. X would go on hiatus a couple of times, though neither would last that long. Exene would announce an MS diagnosis (later refuted), stir up conspiracy theory controversies on social media. But their gravitational pull was strong, and by 2008, the original four were back in each otherâs orbit."
Ah, good, so not a traditional breakup with animosities and spitefulness.
Interesting that he mentioned RRHOF. Sort of a not-very-punk thing to think about but of course they should be in there.
Location: Blinding You With Library Science! Gender:
Posted:
May 3, 2025 - 10:20am
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
So I try not to follow bands' off-stage stuff because that never works out but after all these years, I do wonder what was up with Billy leaving. I could google but I don't wanna. When I saw them at the Whisky, Tony Gilkyson was on guitar but Billy came on for a couple of songs. I think I'm remembering that right but maybe I dreamed it. I stood at the bar next to Dave Alvin and boy did he smell bad.
But anyway as good as Tony was, Billy's presence onstage makes the band click. IMO as always
"Stuff happened, as stuff does. In 1985, John and Exene would divorce, yet carry on as musical partners. Billy Zoom, frustrated with the bandâs lack of a commercial breakthrough, would leave the band in 1986, following the release of their fifth album. He wouldnât return until 2008. In the interim, Dave Alvin, then Tony Gilkyson held down guitar duties. X would go on hiatus a couple of times, though neither would last that long. Exene would announce an MS diagnosis (later refuted), stir up conspiracy theory controversies on social media. But their gravitational pull was strong, and by 2008, the original four were back in each otherâs orbit."
My photos, but not my video, from the show.
SPOILERS.
They fucking OPENED with CTTE. I was overwhelmed, a bit teary, and pretty sure I wasnât going to make it to the inevitable Awaken (the best Yes song ever - fight me, bro).
Anderson came running out on stage with his arms out like an airplane before hitting the mike. Smiling, gracious, totally enjoying himself.
I wonât fight you, but ya Awaken is up there. Iâve had a tear or two when he sings this line:
Like the time I ran away
Turned around and you were standing close to me
Like the time I ran away
Turned around and you were standing close to me
So I try not to follow bands' off-stage stuff because that never works out but after all these years, I do wonder what was up with Billy leaving. I could google but I don't wanna. When I saw them at the Whisky, Tony Gilkyson was on guitar but Billy came on for a couple of songs. I think I'm remembering that right but maybe I dreamed it. I stood at the bar next to Dave Alvin and boy did he smell bad.
But anyway as good as Tony was, Billy's presence onstage makes the band click. IMO as always
My photos, but not my video, from the show.
SPOILERS.
They fucking OPENED with CTTE. I was overwhelmed, a bit teary, and pretty sure I wasnât going to make it to the inevitable Awaken (the best Yes song ever - fight me, bro).
Anderson came running out on stage with his arms out like an airplane before hitting the mike. Smiling, gracious, totally enjoying himself.
Never a moment where you thought he couldnât do it - which is amazing considering heâs like 80.
Band is top notch, and included Chris Clark showing off that he can do anything Wakeman did.Iâd seen Clark in the last version of Brand X and knew he was worthy. He doesnât come off as a Big Rock God but he can play like a mofo. And the band acknowledges that.
They did a few tunes from the new Jon album, which were OK - the songs werenât that great but they performed them as best they could.
After a couple of hours they finished as predicted with Roundabout and no encore. But I coulda lasted another hour, easily. ROCK. GOD. Still going strong.
