I still cannot believe Yes actually was in Rapid City. This was an excellent show, but the audience was not made up of great Yes fans--most came to hear "Owner of a Lonely Heart." I remember when Jon Anderson sang "Soon" there was very little reaction (one of the highlight songs for me!) because I know most people there had never heard the song. The arena was about half full (4,000 according to the Rapid City Journal), but this was about what a typical concert would draw for the area. I had just seen Yes three weeks prior in Denver, and this Rapid City show did not compare well to that one. The energy from band and crowd seemed very low in Rapid City. Still, this is one of my most memorable shows from my home town.

Do you remember who opened for them? It was a long time ago...

This was the first time I'd been able to see Yes even though I'd been a rabid fan for well over a decade (about 12 years, actually). My wife and I drove from the middle of Southeastern Montana to Rapid City, SD, saw the concert and drove all the way back arriving exhausted, but happy, at 5 AM in the morning. It was a 1,000 miles round trip. This wasn't the same lineup that I had dreamed of seeing some day, but it was a vindication of my belief in the abilities of this band. I felt validated that the band that had been written off for dead was back and with a bite. I relished the feeling looking at the Johnny-come-latelys that were in the audience. I felt connected to Yes at that point.
As stated, it wasn't the lineup I'd hoped for, but the band played great and did the new stuff along with the classics. As I recall through the fog of time the auditorium was only about 1/2 to 2/3 full but that didn't bother me. It evidently didn't bother the band either because they played excellently.
One last side note. As one of the geriatric Yesfans I have to say that Trevor Rabin played great at that concert and really drove the band. I love Steve Howe, but Trevor was impressive and I will say right now that if he hadn't been in the band I don't think Yes would have survived into the nineties and now even further.
Here is a public thank you to Trevor Rabin for being in Yes and I sure wouldn't mind seeing you take the stage with them again at some point.
Do I still have my T-shirt from the 90125 tour? You betcha!!
Of course it doesn't fit, but hey, it's the thought that counts.