------------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 14, 1972 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: New Musical Express (Milwaukee) (from the Legendary Roxi Collection) Yes Concert Stopped by Police Raid By Douglas Jones For the first time -- in five tours of America -- Yes recently stopped one of their shows as a result of a police show of force. It happened at the Colosseum in Indianapolis, and if the band hadn't taken matters into their own hands then the concert might never have gotten beyond the second song. "It all started when we did 'All Good People' -- our second number," bass guitarist Chris Squire told me when we chatted a few hours before Yes' first-ever appearance here in Milwaukee at the massive Arena. "Some of the kids in the first few rows really got into the music and started dancing and jumping around. Others followed, but it wasn't a problem -- just enthusiasm, that's all. "Anyway, before we knew what was happening, the police waded in, waving night sticks, pushing the kids to one side and shoulting for everyone to sit down. We could hardly believe it," Squire explained. From the stage, Jon Anderson brought the music to a halt and publicly said a few things about the polic intervention that the cops didn't exactly appreciate. Then Chris took over the microphone to speak to the audience and resolved what could, otherwise, have ben a very ugly situation. "I simply tried to explain to the cops that the audience were just there for the music, and they like to let their enthusiasm show, and that they weren't out to start a riot or anything. And I explained to the kids that although the cops had a job to do, they were going about it in the wrong way because they didn't understand. "Anyway, things gradually calmed down, and we stated up again. The police didn't interfere with the kids any more, but they lined up across the front of the stage -- like a sort of protection squad. "It was a bit disconcerting to us, because we could see the backs of their heads the whole time. Then, about two numbers before the end of the show, all the cops just left... like nothing had ever happened. It really was a strange gig." Apart from the Indianapolis scene the tour has been one long succession of high spots -- for Yes: packers at all three Florida dates, a huge crowd at Detroit's Cobo Holl, two big ones at the Arie Crown Theatre in Chicago, and much more. It was a rich, varied programme combining all the new material from "Close To The Edge," with songs like "Yours Is No Disgrace," "Roundabout" and "Heart Of The Sunrise" from previous albums. Plus, of course, Steve Howe's acoustic spot, and some excellent keyboard material (including the "Hallelujah Chorus" on mellotron) from Rick Wakeman. Apart from a handful of concerts just before they started this current Stateside tour -- plus a short itinerary earlier in the year -- Yes appear to have devoted more time to America than their home country in 1972. One reason is economics; another is that there just aren't enough really big venues in Britain to make long-term touring there a feasible proposition. "Once you've played a three-week concert tour, you've been to just about all the really big halls," explained Chris. "Clubs are out of the question too, because we put out a lot of sound and it simply wouldn't work in the bulk of the clubs. Our PA system is even too big for some of the concert venues. "It's a shame really, because we'd like to do more things back home. It's not as if there are even college basketball or ice hockey arenas, like here. "I think that next year, we'll be doing just as much overseas work. We'll be coming here, of course, and Japan is virtually certain. I believe there's some talk about Australia, and we'd also like to get back into Europe to play some of the big halls in Holland, Belgium and perhaps Germany and France. "Basically, we're a working band," Squire continues. "We don't like to be idle, I mean, it's a long time since we really had any time on our hands. If we're not touring, we're either routining or recording. "I suppose we're pretty meticulous about our music, so whatever time we do get to call our own is usually ploughed back into band affairs." Over the past three tours, Yes have recorded 'live' on several occasions in America and plans are now well advanced for their first 'live' album early next year. And the next studio album may -- just may -- be recorded in the U.S. "We haven't really gone into it in any detail as yet, but there is a chance of it next year," Chris revealed. "I thnk a change of location -- different studios with different facilities -- would be good for us. Anyway, we'll be giving it a lot of thought before we start preparing material for the next album." Squire is working on a new bass feature, which in my view is a "must" since he is one of the most uinque bass guitarists on today's music scene. Indeed, the changing face of contemporary bass guitar playing has for me been influenced enormously by this talented Yes man. He tends to play lead bass rather than rhythm bass, and thus it becomes a featured sound within the band -- not just a part of the essential drive created by the bass-drums team. "Yes, bass playing has changed a lot in recent years," he agreed. "The instrument has now assumed a status of its own, whereas once it was just a source of rhythmic propulsion. Once the elctric-bass guitar came on the scene, things just had to change." Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, inquiries, corrections, or additions, contact yitp@yesservices.com