Inside Information From ex-YES Personnel

Tracking down and speaking with some ex-YES personnel for more inside information, (David Watkinson – DW) found them open and honest with a few new insights…

Jim Halley, speaking in 2020, (YES tour manager 1977/78/79/80) along with Alex Scott), plus the personal tour manager for Steve Howe in the 1990s and 2000s.

DW: How were you involved with the opening music?

JH: “As soon as I had checked that the band was ready back-stage, I asked the sound engineer to start the intro tape which was the signal for us to make our way to the stage. I must say that the only intro music I can remember is the Firebird Suite which had been used from the early 70s. I can only assume that it was Jon who decided to use it. I have no idea what machines were used as I wasn’t involved in the technical aspects of the shows, that was down to Michael Tait.”

Michael Tait speaking in 2020, (YES sound and lighting) www.taittowers.com

DW: Do you recall any moments with the opening music and the tape machines?

MT: “I know we used a TEAC make of reel to reel and a Revox. I think that the only problem was getting Chris to the stage on time once the tape was rolling. The Firebird cross faded into Close to the Edge and the fog machine sometimes totally obscured the band.”

DW: Can you tell me who decided on using the 2001 movie theme music?

MT: “JON”

DW: Who chose Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite and Benjamin Britten for the opening music?

MT: “JON”

DW: Wendy Carlos and Vangelis’s music was also used at YES shows in the 1970s, who’s idea was that?

MT: “JON …the whole concept was Jon’s”

The opening music tape deck situated on the top left of the console, for Firebird Suite and other themes. Mike Tait – added, “That was my lighting console with the stereo cigarette lighters”. (Mike Yocum)

Roy Clair Sound Systems (www.clairbrothers.com) speaking in 2020

DW: What machines were used for the opening music?

RC: “We used a reel-to-reel Revox most of the time, but we also had a radio station cassette player. We used the cassette player to avoid the extra fee that some buildings would want to charge if they thought that we were going to record the show with the Revox.”

DW: Any issues at all?

MT: “I think the show recording fee was, that was just in a few of the category, ‘A’, class markets, such as in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles etc. I don’t remember that it was in the UK or Europe.”

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