Here is the setlist for yesterday's Yes concert in Grand Prairie, Texas, which Katherine and I attended:
- Onward (“Tormato” recording, with Chris Squire tribute)
- Intro / Firebird Suite
- Don’t Kill the Whale
- America
- Going for the One
- Time and a Word
- I’ve Seen All Good People
- Siberian Khatru
- Owner of a Lonely Heart
- Roundabout
- Encore: Starship Trooper
I had a great time. Steve Howe is old and frail, but he can still play a mean guitar. The other four members of the band were Alan White on drums, Geoff Downes on keyboards, Jon Davison on vocals, and Billy Sherwood on bass. Nobody who played on the original Yes album (in 1969) was present: Bill Bruford on drums; Tony Kaye on organ; Peter Banks on guitar; Chris Squire on bass; and "John" Anderson on vocals. It occurred to me during the concert that this band has provided the soundtrack of my life. The first Yes album came out when I was 12. I have had Yes albums on eight-track tape, cassette tape, and compact disc. I listened to Yes while in high school in Vassar, Michigan; while in college in Flint, Michigan; while in law school in Detroit, Michigan; while in graduate school in Tucson, Arizona; and during all these years as a professor in Texas. I'm glad I finally got to see this legendary band. I own 19 Yes albums on compact disc.
Addendum: The opening act was Toto, which had a string of hits (such as "Hold the Line," "Rosanna," and "Africa") back in the day. The band was technically clean and, surprisingly, loud. The guitarist, Steve Lukather, whom I watched like a hawk (in order to learn), was very good.
