Ben Brooks

I had bought the first album as an import at American Records in Pasadena. By the time of this gig my friend, Scott Kirby, and I were high school chums who loved Yes. We drove in Scotts Mom's car down to the Whisky, got in, and watched Yes do a pretty amazing set. There was almost nobody there! I'll never forget only a few scantly clad girls were dancing with each other in front of the band stand. Anderson was playing his bass pedals. Squire was performing his trademark offbeat leg kicks in his "poodle pants". At first we were disappointed to see the unfamiliar Steve Howe. But, we got over it quick. We were pinching ourselves. We couldn't believe our favorite band was a few feet away in living color and sound. Back at school the next day we told classmates about the prior evening and nobody knew who Yes was or why we were so excited. Scott and I still talk about that night AND we are still both huge fans of Yes. Over the years I've probably seen them in every incarnation. Even though I eventually ended up in the music business, I've only briefly met Squire at a Rock 'n Bowl industry charity function once. But, back then I was totally in awe of a band that is definitely being overlooked for the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame.