Kevin

This was my first concert ever. I was 15 and a friend asked if I wanted to go down to see this show. I was a big YES fan. I had a paper route for the Philadelphia Bulletin. My friend agreed to help me deliver the Saturday afternoon edition so we could get down there in time. I still remember sitting in section H. There really isn't much I can add here other to reiterate what someone else said. I remember wondering how they were going to pull off that incredible sound live and wondering if Jon Anderson's voice was really as good as it sounds on the records. I was blown away. When I got home my older brother asked me the same think about Jon Anderson. I told him "pitch perfect". Two other things I can add by way of corrections. I believe the contraption that surrounded Alan White was supposed to be the rib cage from some unknown prehistoric animal. Also, the set list posted here doesn't mention a Rick Wakeman solo. I could swear he did something from Six Wives of Henry VIII...or could I be thinking of another tour? Lastly, this is a great website. I feel like I've been time travelling. Can't believe it was almost 33 years ago.

fred

The Yes concert in Philly was something I will never forget. It was my first Yes concert and I felt certain there was no way they could play as well on stage as they did in the studio. Man, was I wrong. They blew me away. The stage setting was awesome...it was surreal. I think surround sound was something new back then and the Spectrum came alive with music from all directions. Just an incredible performance. I still enjoy listening to Yes and I have followed Jon's career into Contemporary Christian Music where he continues to produce quailty music. And Chris Squire....arguably the best bass guitarist ever. Thanks Yes!!!!

observant

These were my first Yes shows. I remember that Alan White was in some gazebo thing with wings and, when he did his drum solo, the gazebo slowly turned and the wings slowly flapped. At the end of the solo EVERYONE was looking UP -- we all swore that the gazebo and White were at the ceiling of the Spectrum!!!
...but he was still on the stage... grinning...
first of many cosmic Yes experiences...

Glenn Leonard

It was Feb 16, 1974 -- the Tales Tour. I desperately wanted to see this show at the Spectrum in Philly so, I conned my older brother into being my guardian. I figured he needed the musical education, anyway. :-<)> Tickets sold out almost immediately, a second show was in demand. The problem was, Yes was booked solid all through the Northeast. Philly's answer? Play an afternoon show on the same day. As a result, the equipment was rushed onstage & somehow the show got started only 1 hour later than the 2:00PM start time. No problem, we were late because we were marvelling at the Tales Balloon that landed in the parking lot. For some goofy reason, many of us were convinced that the band was arriving in this contraption so, there was a mad rush towards the Tales Balloon. No such luck. We found our seats & spaced out on the oceanic mood music on the PA system for awhile. Suddenly it melted into the Firebird & the lights dimmed. I was blown away as the band went into Siberian Khatru, And You And I, then Close to the Edge. The fire from Alan White, the flair from Rick Wakeman, Jon's magic, Howe's unique stylings & Squire's boots were just *too much* for this 14-yr-old Trooper. the stage was decked out in Deanery. It looked as if they were underwater on some other planet. They emerged from a white bubble like tunnel with a dim light inside. It was the perfect compliment. JA spoke about the concept of Tales & they did The Revealing Science of God and an extended Ritual. We brought them back twice. The first was Roundabout (of Course) & the last was Yours Is No Disgrace. The show was about 2 hours and really energetic considering they had just travelled from another city the night before & had to reserve for that night. I appreciated their efforts along with the other 19 000 or so. My brother was converted although he still doesn't credit me. :-<)>

Kevin Kelleher

I remember very clearly this Yes show, which was my first. Yes played an afternoon show and an evening show. As I remember, the afternoon show had technical problems with the staging, and was two songs shorter than the evening show. They did not play "Remembering" or "The Ancient." They encored with "Roundabout" and "Yours is No Disgrace." The evening show, which I attended, featured the entire "Close to the Edge" album, all four parts of "Tales," and "Roundabout." The stage show was the most amazing thing I've seen before or since.