Steve Howe of Yes tells a few tales from topographic oceans

[@KNevada]

I saw the Tales concert in Louisville, KY in, I think, 1973. Absolutely amazing, blew me away… Yes fan forever.

[@lesblatnyak5947]

I saw Steve with YES 31 times. Greatest show on earth.

[@gregoryschleitwiler9601]

You have me beat 27 fir me

[@jonathanbodge2113]

I saw Tales at the New Haven coliseum in Connecticut. I understand that it was only one of the 2 concerts where all 4 movements were performed live. It was transformative and changed my life. I pursued that life and at some point toured as a visual artist on Jon Andersons Work in Progress Tour of the Universe. I met Steve at one point at a guitar show in Long Island, I remember playing a guitar in a vendors booth while sitting down then looking up and Steve was listening to me! A master listening to a minion I thought. Steve will be reviered forever.

[@jamesmicucci7028]

The New Haven Tales Tour concert (2/15/74) was my second-ever Yesshow. Research supports the fact that there were approximately 50 complete live performances of the entire double album of 4 songs, worldwide: the entire UK tour leg, Nov/Dec 1973, (21 in England, 4 in Scotland); and on the North American tour leg, Feb/Mar 1974, of 43 Yesshows, there were 23 complete Tales in USA, 2 in Canada. [At 13 US shows, they played Sides 1, 3 & 4 only (No "Remembering"); at 3 US shows, they just played "The Ancient" & "Ritual"; and at one US concert, the Philadelphia matinee show (2/16/74, 2:30 pm.), they played only "The Revealing" & "Ritual" from Tales]....I might add that, after years of believing Detroit 2/28/74 was the last complete, original Tales performance, I've discovered through this research an additional 7 complete live 1974 Tales shows, including 3/8, 3/11, 3/12, 3/16, 3/23, 3/24, and the actual final, complete performance to this day: 3/25/74, Dallas. On the following European leg, the final leg of the Tales Tour, Sides 1, 3 & 4 (No "Remembering") were performed at all 10 Yesshows: 6 in Germany, 1 in The Netherlands, 1 in Paris, 1 in Zurich, & 1 in Rome. ...Thanks to setlist.fm for a wealth of concert information.

[@RickNBacker]

Great interview! I'm surprised that when cover versions came up, their version of the Beatles "I'm Down" live at Roosevelt Stadium didn't get a mention.

[@James-dt7ky]

My first concert. Feb 22 1974 Maple Leaf Gardens Toronto Ontario.

[@vbian88]

REFRESHING LISTENING TO A LIVING LEGEND.

[@harrybartok]

I listened to Topographic Oceans constantly when I revised for my A levels in 1975. It is still one of my favourite records. I saw Yes at Reading that summer, they played the best set. Thirty minutes was not long enough with Steve.

[@mickthemerciless9694]

One of the most unique guitarists ever.

[@hamadah4]

Great interview! Love the fact that Steve still owns and uses the same cottage as they used for the rehearsals for The Yes Album.

[@stevennovakovich2525]

The consummate gentleman and guitarist. I always like to listen to him.

[@Atom-56]

It’s good to see Steve looking so well and full of enthusiasm. You can see, he is in a good place with it all.

[@johnbowdish6612]

Steve is absoluetly the best guitarist ever. He didnt succumb to drugs or alcohol, it didn't rule his life. His fingers aren't crippled like Keith Richards. He's just the best! Looking forward to hearing him in the future.

[@perigee1275]

Truely one of the greatest guitarists ever. There's no one else at all like him.

[@apchsiri1156]

Truly, truly.

[@DavidCornwell-p3h]

Absolutely! Love hearing Steve so much

[@dogdrawer]

Absolutely Fantastic - TU!

[@scitsalcoryp]

Great attitude . Have a good one Steve !

[@1ouncebird]

Yes also played the Beatles' "I'm Down" during the encore portion of the 1976 tour. Well they played it when I saw them in San Diego, anyway. They made it one very rocking and rollicking tune, that's for sure. I almost couldn't believe they were playing it but it was a lot of fun.

[@garydarnellwortham3307]

Steve Howe is one of my biggest influences on guitar and his recent interviews show that sometimes you can get to know your heroes and love them even more!! What an awesome person he is besides being such a guitar and musical powerhouse! You have made me so very happy with this interview! Thank you! ✌🏾

[@GentleGiant1969]

Fabulous!! I saw Yes in the round!! ❤️🙏 the Tormato tour! 1978

[@carolwolf9614]

This guy is a legend.

[@Bryan8329]

My first concert was Yes’ Masterworks tour in 2000, so I got to see him play some of his famous solos. What I remember most is how he traded out his spanish instrument for his Martin acoustic for the first part of I've Seen All Good People, Jon was playing acoustic guitar too. Underneath the singing he was playing almost in a flamenco style on a steel string instrument. Great show. I overheard someone on the way out it was a cool gig but too many keyboards. His friend said “Yes without keyboards is like beer without alcohol”.

[@ianstephenson1117]

Great lively wide ranging chat.Thanks!

[@apollomemories7399]

Always find his enthusiasm most entertaining and he's such an interesting guy. Been listening avidly since 1972.

[@richardkimball8888]

I was 14 when I first heard Yes. First concert in 72,Close to the Edge. That was the best live concert I have seen. Seen Yes many times ,including a few months ago. Steve Howe , in my opinion,the best there is.

[@davidwatkinson1226]

Major repect for Steve, what a great life's work.

[@grahamcole1539]

Another wonderful half hour, thanks guys. I first saw Yes in London 1971, Rick Wakeman had just joined. Festival Hall. Part of my 6th Form Soundtrack.

[@20cencool]

I saw the 1971 show it was 10 years after headlining, on the “space in time” Lp then Fleetwood Mac on Kiln house and then Yes Never missed a Yes tour after that 👍🏻 They headlined the next tour with “Close …”

[@JRM---516]

Relayer is my favorite YES LP.

[@CadenceMusicStudio]

Agreed

[@rocketpost1]

Excellent interview with Steve. I remember first hearing him like many others I would think, on the song My White Bicycle by Toomorrow (sic) maybe in 1966. A famous Yes cover which wasn't mentioned was The Beatles' Every Little Thing. Maybe it was too obvious. Steve is definitely one of the great guitar players who has a totally individual style. I still remember first hearing Roundabout on my Bush Arena stereo with 10 watt speakers. It sounded absolutely amazing especially when Chris Squire's bass kicked in. I was instantly hooked.

[@dabbog5518]

I'm having a ... Healthy Flashback 🎶🥰🎶

[@garyrigby21]

i was hoping you would talk about his band Tomorrow 1967/8

[@davidgarione2206]

Recuerdo que allá por 1977 en Argentina ya era considerado el mejor guitarrista de rock en el mundo por la prensa especializada. Howe ha sido por décadas el motor de Yes, un maestro en toda la línea en rock prog, jazz, charleston, música clásica, etc. Sus trabajos con aquel otro eximio maestro Steve Hackett en GTR no debe dejar de mencionarse. Saludos desde Mar del Plata, argentina!

[@davidwhite2949]

Brilliant guitarist. Thanks for this interview!

[@philipholding]

Who is this guy? Oh! I know, one of the greatest guitarist's on earth!

[@moenacarlos]

Bravo! Muchas gracias.

[@davefitzgerald5334]

Agreed. Best guitarist in the world. Good vocals too.

[@ambadad]

I've got my ticket for the RAH in June, and I'll be delighted if they come up with more variation than the warhorses. I'm not fussed about hearing Roundabout and Starship Trooper for the umpteenth time.

[@scrambaba]

Yes have mixed it up a lot over the years compared to Genesis.

[@ambadad]

@@scrambabaHardly comparable given that Genesis did tours in the UK after Invisible Touch only in 87, 92, 98 (with Ray), 07 and 21-22 (split because of Covid).

[@scrambaba]

Actually the fact that Genesis toured so little makes their same-old same-old setlist and arrangements even worse. Remember too that their setlist and the medleys started being added to their standard repertoire by maybe 1976.

[@234cheech]

about time

[@StevieBluenoseScott]

Wow!

[@catnameddog8776]

Slight intricacies indeed ..

[@gedofgont1006]

I still vividly remember Melody Maker's review of The Steve Howe Album: "Stevie: he play guitar just fine; he no sing so good!" 😂😂😂 I've loved his work with (classic) Yes since hearing my older brother's copy of The Yes Album, in 1979. Unfortunately, the most recent iterations of the band are really only a tribute act. The absence of Jon Anderson long ago removed the spiritual heart of the band.

[@TONE11111]

jon anderson's band geeks - far better than the howe version of live shows

[@John-rb3yv]

Always playing, creating.... Just like Jon....

[@wfamdaxj]

Shame that he and Jon aren't working together.......Before they can't. Ever. 🤞

[@Atom-56]

That’s right, with both of them performing Yes music live, with a band of different musicians to what we saw in the 70s. In a way, it is quite bazar……

[@jimcondon762]

Yes...

[@smithpm81]

best guitarist in the world

[@TheAmazingSpaghetti]

He's my fave, nobody at all like him and Yes, except maybe a few people/bands who are highly influenced by him and Yes.

[@otterlyso]

Here at 12min43s is the Syndicats' proto-punk 'Crawdaddy Simone' kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHubZYaGfL16eM0. Steve left just before it was recorded, but watch on because his next group is featured too.

[@bobbaldwin3572]

When Mark asks Steve about owner of a lonely heart does Steve say something like " thank God I wasn't involved"😅

[@dabbog5518]

HealingLoveALL HealingMusicALL

[@paulbrookes413]

It's so ironic that Steve isn't on 'TALK' 😂

[@Michael-pq4wd]

I'm looking forward to seeing YES in a couple months, with Deep Purple. To be honest, I might just leave after Yes performs and skip Purple.

[@Rowenband]

I thought Steve had a very developed ego. He certainly has, but he is also a nice guy it seems. And anyway what a guitarist and composer.

[@BarryChabala]

Lets try the right tempos maybe

[@philkindermann]

In which Mark Ellen manages to survive asking Steve Howe if he played on 'Owner Of A Lonely Heart'.....

[@quayscenes]

🤣

[@willbick7889]

somewhat amazed that he didn't know that...?!!!?

[@sratus]

Bizarre that he as a seasoned music journalist & Yes fan asked that. We all have a brainfart now & then I suppose.

[@monicadonnelly4991]

I’m surprised Steve didn’t jump through the screen at him

[@philkindermann]

I don't think it was a brainfart, I think he genuinely didn't know. Plus he should have perhaps been aware that Steve Howe doesn't think much of Rick Wakeman these days, either!@@sratus

[@chrispinto3043]

Not my fave album Ritual onlytrack i like

[@peterstudley1804]

How on earth can you compare YES, with the beatles, YES stand head and shoulders over the beatles, YES were the real deal, the beatles just another boy band who happened to have alot of people oiling the wheels .

[@sratus]

Ha, what rubbish.

[@morbidmanmusic]

You can't be that arrogant, and ignorant. You're embarrassing and looking for attentions.

[@gregoryschleitwiler9601]

​@@sratusTwo totally different genres. Bother great within that scope. Dream Theater compared to the Monkeys. Cmon dude

[@greghaines6488]

Beatles were just another boy band? Now, please…

[@JonS-jn5wy]

Davison isn’t as good as Anderson. Davison can hit the notes, but his tone is too thin.