Yes and Steve Howe

[JohnS]

I'm not sure how this section has gotten by this long without a mention of this monster band and it's fantastic guitarist. So, I guess it's up to me to get things started. I got into Yes with the Fragile album (CDs weren't even a dream back in '72 ). Roundabout, Long Distance Runaround, Mood For A Day and Heart of the Sunrise are indelibly etched in my memory.

The first time I saw them live was at the Spectrum in Philadelphia around '75.

My latest memory is standing within arms length of Jon Andersen at the 2008 Winter NAMM show, where I took this video at the Ibanez booth:  http://www.ibanezreview.com/namm/winter-2008/larry-mitchell/

On a sadder note, I just found this news blurb about Yes canceling this summer's tour because of John's ill health: http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/05/music.yes.ap/index.html

[Roland_G303]

That's too bad about Jon Andersen's health...he's got an instantly recognizable voice that sounds like no one else.  Yes are such a great band and Close To The Edge, Fragile, Yessongs, and others are incredible records that always seem to amaze me every time I listen to them.

Patrick

[1975]

Oh Yes!..,Starship Trooper,Yours is no Disgrace,from the "Yes Album",rock music cant get any better than this

[dave_g]

Steve is the man and he still has killer chops !

[bobzilla]

I may have already mentioned this on ICW but...
I hung out with Steve one day.
He had his acoustic (I believe it was a one-of-a-kind made-for-him axe)
and... I had mine. Did I play mine? NOT! Almost though.... until he started playing.

Listen, you DO NOT want to sit 3 feet away from him while he's playing.
Why?
Because... you kinda never want to play the guitar again ever in your lifetime.
Even though he's sitting there 3 feet away, playing,
it is utterly impossible to believe what you're seeing.
Impossible.
This guy is well well beyond the norm of incredible guitar players.
Even though you witness it, your mind can't really process it.
I'm not just saying this.
it's true.

You (I) all of a sudden realize that even if touched by the hand of God, you'll never be able to play what he's playing. And....
he ain't even straining himself.
it just pours out like rain.
Steve's guitar playing abilities are second-to-none in certain respects.
keep in mind, when you listen to the albums, or even see a concert, he's playing what needs to be played.
When he's just sitting around with a guitar in his hand, messing around. holy flying fingers BatMan!!!
Words truly are inadequate here.

So. it was a thrilling, yet utterly (guitar-playing-depressing) day for me.

other folk I've sat down with....
Melissa Etheridge (I played her blue Ovation)... Joan Jett, Great White, Graham Parker, Bernie Taupin (Elton's lyricist, he put an album out of his own stuff on a label I worked for in NY and L.A.), Artimus Pyle (Skynyrd)... 
probably a few others but...
Nothing was as thrilling as Steve. (Meeting Bernie Taupin was a huge kick for me too though, I'm a huge fan of his.) He signed all my Elton LP's from the first one up to and including YellowBrick Rd. And he signed his book for me as well. Everyone mentioned above were friendly, cordial folks who were a pleasure to meet.

Steve Howe is a God.

[BCy2k]

A few years ago a buddy of mine flew into town and we saw Yes (the "Fragile" member lineup) at Red Rocks with Dream Theatre opening. Steve Howe is amazing - really, the whole band is just plain scary good. Particularly the line up we got to see & hear. This version has always been my personal fave.

[dave_g]

I got to spend a few hours with Steve at a friends house many years ago.  He is an avid collector of guitars and my friend had commissioned some custom work that Steve was interested in.  1/2 the collection is at the Smithsonian.  My friend passed away in 2000 and is greatly missed.

I recently cought Steve at an Aisa concert....he is an amazing player, a true artist-he makes it look easy !

[JohnS]

I picked up the Yes, Live at Montreaux 2003 DVD. The line up is the classic Andersen, Howe, Squire, White and Wakeman.

This is a very nice 137 minutes of video and music. Lots of classic Yes stuff. Impressive that just 5 guys can reproduce all this legendary music so well.

[trisound]

I recently cought Steve at an Aisa concert....he is an amazing player, a true artist-he makes it look easy !

SH has been interviewed in a lot of guitar mags over the last few months during the ASIA tour.  Everyone seems to be fascinated with the fact that SH is probably the only person on the planet playing a Gibson Artist these days.  SH does speak highly of the guitar, even though the Artist series guitars are generally maligned by Gibby enthusiasts.