Dermot Bassett

Tuesday, October 26, 2021 3:08 AM

I was at a concert at the wonderful Roundhouse in London last night and from my view in the balcony I could see the spot from where I first saw Yes
I was sat on the floor between where there are a couple, then a brick wall, then a black strut (I’ve been unable to add the photo from last night).
I’d gone to see The Who at an all nighter at the Middle Earth club at The Roundhouse in October ‘68. Also on the bill were Small Faces, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and The Mindbenders. Also, as an afterthought we’re the warm down bend which was Yes.
They came on about 6 in the morning by which time, I’d sat down, slumped against said wall, covered with my coat and nearly asleep.
I remember the DJ, Jeff Dexter say “Not many bands come to Middle Earth and blow our mind with their very first set, but this is one, Yes!”
Through my sleepiness I remember thinking “Oh it’s that little bloke from The Gun” (Jon A) which caught my attention and I thought they were pretty good. That is until they finished with Something’s Coming which really caught my attention!
A couple of months later they opened for Cream’s final concert at the Royal Albert Hall. They opened with Carpet Man and I watched open mouthed in awe. My friend and I went home talking about Yes not Cream.
In December I went to The Marquee to see The Who and Yes were support. I was hooked. Little did I know at that stage what a wonderful journey they would take me on.