r/yesband • u/Dice8361 • 9d ago
Looking for support
I just finished attending Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks. Absolutely fantastic show it was. However, I got very emotional right after, because I am Gen-Z and realized that I won't be able to listen to these legends for much longer. I still am very glad that I did get to see him (Jon), but I also feel like I missed out on so much by being born in the wrong era.
Anyone felt the same?
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u/Emrys7777 7d ago
The first Yes show I saw was 1977. Since then I saw every tour (prior to Jon leaving the band) except for one.
After seeing them a few years I realized I needed more and started seeing the 4 to 5 times each tour, driving up to 8 hours or flying to see them.
I’ve seen Jon solo many times over the years although far from all of his tours. I missed many simply because I didn’t know they were happening, but I did see many good ones.
I’ve seen some epic shows including the San Luis Obispo show where they recorded Keys to ascension, and got in to a practice session in Kirkland Washington, in a community theater. Saw Jon at a night club in Los Angeles where he sang Change We Must and other great musicians played.
I saw them at the small Seattle Sky church. I saw Yes at the Warfield in San Francisco that was so incredible and amazing I get shivers just writing about it.
I was also at the Mothers Day Jon Anderson show that was recorded.
I’ve been to some Yestivals, meet and greets where I got to shake the hands of all the band members and got a hug from Jon.
I’ve seen Jon and the band geeks 7 times (4 this year).
My takeaway? It is never enough. Never, never enough.
But Jon is still here.
Jon is the heart and soul of Yes. He’s still got his magic, even more than before.
He is still touring. We are so blessed for that.
The generation after yours will never have been able to see any Yes members live.
You can. You are blessed.
Jon and the BGs are making a new album. That means there’s a good chance that Jon will tour next year, as long as Jon is up for it.
Word has been spreading about how fantastic these concerts have been so they’re bound to tour again if possible.
Save all of your money and vacation time now. I hope you’re in the US because they’re more likely to play there because they live here.
See as many concerts as you can.
Take a flight to an area where they are playing multiple venues, like they played two in the Los Angeles area this year and three within driving distance from the Bay Area California this year.
He won’t be around forever but you’ve got the best of Yes right now. You are fortunate for that.
Go see him as much as you can. The magic is still here.
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u/Surferpanda 7d ago
Gen-Z here as well (24m) Yes is my favorite band by far. Nobody sounds like them. Nobody takes you where they do or evokes the types of emotions they do. I watch old videos/8mm film of the classic lineup and it makes me emotional knowing I never got the chance to experience that. I've seen Howe's Yes twice, Jon and Band Geeks twice, and Wakeman solo twice. The best we can do is appreciate that we found this music and understand what they were putting out into the world. Its quite special. See who you can while you still can. I'll always feel a type of why that I was 4 the last time they all toured together. But, you got to hear the voice of Yes, live and in person. Squire was the heart but Jon has always been the soul. Regardless of who owns the rights to the name, Jon is Yes. And we see that in full swing now. You can find a solid group of musicians to recreate the music, but there's only one voice of Yes. If it helps, just know you aren't alone in this. Im right there with you.
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u/gatorfly65 8d ago
Not really. Big Yes fan. Saw them in the late 80’s on the Union tour. I honesty can’t remember anything except them playing “in the round” on the revolving stage. Saw Jon and the Geeks this summer in NYC. I was emotional too. It’s great when you can say “ I saw this band or that band in the 70’s and 80’s, but the memories are vague at best. Jon can still sing can’t he? Amazing!
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u/CloudJunction 9d ago
With digital, their music is assured to live forever. But beyond the medium, Yes music is timeless and will be appreciated even more as time goes on.
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u/247world 9d ago
Think of all the music, studio and live, that generations will be able to enjoy. In the past we only had pages of music, now we can hear the artist - imagine hearing Mozart play his own music - be thankful for what we've got. These artist may not always be with us, but their music will
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u/Skordatura 9d ago
I feel you. My friends and I are in our early to mid-thirties and saw Jon last week. We are SO lucky because we are the last generation that'll get to see these legends. But it sure is very sad that we are seeing them die one by one. Although Jon won't be touring forever, it makes me oddly happy that he is such a force of nature and keeps releasing new stuff
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u/OkActive8885 9d ago
I saw Yes on the 90125 tour in Toronto, Canada and I got to see them again on the Union tour. Both were great shows but I must admit that I preferred the Union lineup.
It was great seeing Wakeman, Howe and Bruford in addition to the Yes West lineup.
I would have loved to see Yes in the ‘70’s but at least with the Union show, the classic lineup played alone on a few songs.
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u/Jazzhole5 9d ago
I’m so glad you got to see Jon with the Band Geeks. They have been blowing people away for the past 3 years. I was so fortunate to see them. Jon’s voice is wonderfully intact.
I’m 65. Although I’ve been a Yes fan since I was a kid, I only saw them live once, in 1976. I can honestly say I was more impressed with the sound of the Band Geeks show. If I never see either Yes or Jon Anderson live again, I’m fine with that. I got to see two memorable shows that will always stay with me.
You got to see a great show. Keep listening to the music & keep it alive.
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u/celdaran 9d ago
I saw Yes twice: 1991 and 2002 and then saw the ARW tour in 2017/18. Jon and the Band Geeks is as good or better than any of that. It's wild to even think something like this, but if you saw them: don't be too sad you missed out.
Now, I get it. You got to hear the sound and not the personnel. Seeing Rick Wakeman three times isn't the same as seeing Christopher Clark.
But take stock in the fact you saw a great show with authentic instrumentation and the original singer of Yes from 1968. That alone is wild.
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u/ProgRock1956 9d ago
I'm 70, the first time I saw YES, was in the early 70's when they toured with Black Sabbath. I was at the show to see BS, had never heard of yes till then!
Have been a devoted YES fan ever since.
When I listen to the latest YES releases, it's like 'Yes light', honestly.
I almost feel sorry for new fans now.
They missed YES when they were on Fire!🔥🔥🔥
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u/Jazzhole5 9d ago
Dude, you have to listen to Jon & the Band Geeks live album, “Perpetual Change”. There is nothing “light” about it.
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u/ProgRock1956 9d ago
I was referring to YES.
Jon and the Band Geeks are good, but they still aren't YES!
The new YES, is like 'Yes Light', my point.
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u/Grand-Permit-4637 9d ago
I was born in the wrong era too. I’ve seen Jon and the Band Geeks and also glad I did. I also saw Yes without Jon in 2014 about a year before Chris Squire died, and after Chris died I started to realize how any of these shows could be the last time I catch them.
I cried when King Crimson retired in 2021, because I knew at Fripp’s age he would be very unlikely to restart the band, and that has proven true. So yeah we need to see these guys live when we can, and I’m grateful I did.
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u/Nevadust01 9d ago
I'm 68, and yes, I've seen both Jon and Steve over a 50 year stretch or more. But look at it this way. Some of us will be long gone while you're still enjoying their music.
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u/True_Help_3098 9d ago
Tormato was my first Yes concert. Chicago Amphitheater 44th/ Halstead -so good!😎
Enjoy the moments and music and Jon
forever. I have seen Yes in 5 different decades 🥳 and ABWH and Union tours included. Almost exclusively with Jon singing. Saw Benoit David once with them. It was an outdoor show in the daylight and they were opening for Styx in Alpharetta GA. Not the same vibe as all the other times.
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u/ImAnOldManImConfused 9d ago
That Chicago ‘79 show is the best of the FM broadcasts from that tour. 👍🏼👍🏼
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u/Warm_Narwhal_3997 9d ago
First show for me Going for the One Tour 77
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u/ThruDoorsofMoonlight Sister Bluebird 9d ago
What a great tour to have as your first! Mine was Drama and I wish I had been old enough to see them in the 70's but especially the GFTO tour as this was my first Yes album and still one of my favorites. They were on fire that tour as this 8mm footage attests: https://youtu.be/3dGTLySDOxo?si=BOnAdEIBOaTKPIXC
While I liked the Drama album at the time it was new, the tour was a disappointment in the vocal department and to a lesser extent, the keys avenue.
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u/Confident-Silver-271 9d ago
I saw Yes live for the first time on the 90125 tour. Just the way it worked out. I don't go to the now Yes debacle and never sawABWH, but have seen AWR and Jon Anderson a few times and went to Yes' RRHOF induction ceremony. No need to feel sad just enjoy the music!
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u/No_Maintenance_9608 9d ago
At least you got the chance to see him perform even at this stage in his life and career. As a Gen Xer I was fortunate to begin following his career with the 80's era Yes. As others have said, go ahead and start listening to the discography from the beginning. Also listen to his solo work as well.
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u/TheWickerMan232 9d ago
Me too, my first yes concert was the Union tour
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u/No_Maintenance_9608 9d ago
My first Anderson concert was ABWH. I missed the Union Tour, so my first Yes concert was the Talk Tour.
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u/TheWickerMan232 6d ago
The show I saw on the Talk tour was great! Intimate outdoor arena with great acoustics
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u/Hour_Lavishness_8060 9d ago edited 9d ago
Embrace Yes, please go listen to album 1 - through mid 90s Yes, every live show you can watch like Yessongs, the Relayer tour, then when 90125 came out and those tours, flipping amazing! I went to see Jon a few months ago because I thought it may be the last time and he’s a treasure! Heck I don’t care if I listen to Relayer, Drama, Fragile or the Yes album until I am old because it brings me joy! I love watching reaction Yes videos on YouTube! Love the analyzing of it from people who just experience songs for the first time! There are many bands that Yes influenced that are younger bands, great progressive bands. Porcupine Tree, Pineapple Thief, Riverside, just off the top of my head - I’m sure you’ll enjoy some of these bands styles. Just because they’re older doesn’t mean you cannot continue experiencing all of their catalogue. ♥️ be open to other prog too! Even a little progressive metal haha!
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u/mywhitebicycle0 9d ago
I empathise with that. There’s something in Jon’s voice, his youthfulness, something touching. I attended 2, but someone here said they did 4… Relative. Let’s simply cherish the great moments! I’ll never forget these.
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u/Travelinfl1 9d ago
Nah, just be happy you have seen them and loved their music. I lived thru the eighties and felt the same way you do. Born in the wrong era. I've seen many bands in their prime and am now sad that some I saw are touring without any members. Just frickin sad.
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u/violetxmoonlight 3d ago
I’m millennial (mid 90s) and my dad saw the original band tons of times. I’m sooooooo jealous. I have to see Jon in person 😭 But I don’t know anyone around my age who likes Yes and progressive rock. I recommend getting CDs and vinyl of their work. It sounds way better than what you hear on streaming services.