----------------------------------------------------- AUGUST 8, 2002 ----------------------------------------------------- Source: South Jersey Courier Post http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/living/f080802d.htm Yes keyboardist gives nod to latest effort by longtime band By Chuck Carrow Rick Wakeman has some advice to share: Don't believe everything you read -- especially online. "It's (usually) a pile of crap, to put it bluntly," says the once-and-present keyboardist for the veteran British progressive-rock band Yes, which performs tonight at the Tweeter Center in Camden. What specifically irks the celebrated musician, who is now on his fifth tour of duty with Yes, are the spurious reports he has found on various band-related Web sites and chat rooms. The latest bits of cyber-news to have stuck in Wakeman's craw were posted rumors that suggested Wakeman had renounced Yes' music as "satanic." "I was just stunned," he says. "It was just malicious and nasty." Wakeman adds he's also entered chat rooms to see what Yes fans were saying about the group. "I was stunned to find I was already there and (lead singer Jon Anderson) was already there," he says of people pretending to be the musicians. "If chat rooms didn't exist, we would have (reunited) two years ago. (Chat rooms) do more harm than good." As a result, he says, "I would advise anybody if there's something (online) that seems controversial, go to another ( official) Web site" for verification. Happily, for fans of the 35-year-old group, Wakeman harbors no ill feelings for Yes or its music. While Tony Kaye was the unit's original keyboard player, most devotees consider the flamboyant, 53-year-old Wakeman the "classic" Yes keyboardist. He appeared on such signature albums as Fragile and Close to the Edge and his flailing, long, blond locks have traditionally been one of the band's visual signatures. His return to the fold is no doubt especially welcome here in the Delaware Valley, which the band has always acknowledged as its oldest and most loyal American market. The group "broke" out of Philadelphia in the early '70s thanks, in large part, to the support of then-WMMR-FM (93. 3) disc jockey Ed Sciaky, now of WMGK-FM (102.9). Through the decades, Yes has sold out numerous concerts at the First Union Spectrum and other venues. In June 1976, an estimated 120,000 people jammed the old JFK Stadium to see a show headlined by the group. Wakeman first joined Yes in 1971 and last played with the group in 1994. In between, he has concentrated on a solo career that has found more commercial success in Europe and South America than in the United States. The latest reunion took root three years ago, when Wakeman was the subject of the British version of the old TV show This Is Your Life. "Yes came on on satellite from Los Angeles," he recalls, "and it was just great to see them. (Guitarist) Steve (Howe) said, `You know, we made some great music over the years. It would be really nice if we could do it again.' "Without thinking, I immediately said, `Yes, it would.'" Contractual and scheduling issues prohibited the band -- which also includes bassist Chris Squire and drummer Alan White -- from getting back together until recently. In Wakeman's opinion, the group is sounding as good, if not better, than ever. Tonight's concert will feature a number of the band's most popular songs -- reviews from other cities say the set list includes "America," "Roundabout" and "Yours Is No Disgrace." Wakeman acknowledges not everyone will hear every song they'd like but promises other opportunities are in the offing; this time Wakeman seems set on staying in Yes. "We're going to be touring for a long time," he promises. "If you didn't hear a song you would love to have heard, there's a good chance you're going to get it next time." Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact YesinthePress@aol.com