Your music inspires us in a magicalmembers.optusnet.com.au/hugh.black/yes/brochure.pdf · 2006-10-02 · inspires us in a magical way when we play your recordings, but that pales

Your music inspires us in a magical

way when we play your recordings.

But that pales in comparison

to seeing you play live.

Make our dreams come alive.

DearYes

Greetings, from Australia and New Zealand.

We represent what we believe to be the main fan base for YES forour countries.

It has been 29 long years since you last visited Australia – the southernland Ôdown underÕ. Your 1973 tour is still remembered in awe by thosefortunate enough to attend. Ever since, Yes fans down here havehoped and dreamed for you to return. We have followed your tours ofEurope, America and Japan with envy. As time went on it seemed lesscertain that an Australian tour would eventuate, so our focus hasturned to marketing us to you. Now united with New Zealand fans asYESFANZ, we hope that you will not only tour our beautiful countries,but also attend a Yes festival with us and enjoy our hospitality.

We realise that this is not an easy decision, as you will have greatcosts in such an undertaking. We also guess that you understand thelength of time since last visiting does not help fan retention. Becauseof this we have put together this presentation. In it we present severalthings that we hope that will help you see us as a viable and desirabletour destination. We have gathered testimonials from many of your fansto give you an idea of their dedication, commitment and desire for youto visit.

We understand that Michael Chugg, the Australian promoter, has beennegotiating with YES management. He has indicated to us that he willassist us in our endeavours to have a YES festival.

While our geographical isolation is a challenge for many internationalartists, it is not a barrier. Other artists have found this to be a veryrewarding experience and we hope to provide you with some keys andreminders of your last tour - all those many years ago. Your musicinspires us in a magical way when we play your recordings, but thatpales in comparison to seeing you play live. Visit us and rediscover thefervour of your Oz and NZ fans and play your wondrous music for us.Make our dreams come alive!

Your 1973 tour is still remembered in aweby those fortunate enough to attend!

Our geographical isolation is a challenge,it is not a barrier.

Why should Yes play in Australia and New Zealand?

It has been 29 years since your last tour

Oz and NZ Yes fans are extremely keen to see you play

We are too geographically remote from Europe and America for most

of us to see you play on your other tours

There is a vibrant live music scene - we enjoy seeing all musical

genres

New generations of fans will be attracted to see you play

Australia and New Zealand are multicultural with a combined

population of around 24 million people (more than Scandinavia)

Australia has a vital economy that has avoided the recent

downturns elsewhere

Large cities such as Sydney (4 million), Melbourne (3.5 million),

Brisbane (1.5 million) and Auckland (1 million) are viable venues

for concerts

Sales of Yes records peaked after your last tour and would be

boosted by another tour

Australians and Kiwis have a relaxed lifestyle and will make you feel

Ôat homeÕ

Australia and New Zealand offer wonderful tourism opportunities to

relax between engagements

Other progressive rock groups such as Genesis, Jethro Tull, and Pink

Floyd have enjoyed successful tours here

About YESFANZ

YESFANZ stands for YES Festival for Australia and New Zealand. After

travelling to North America for the YESSYMPHONIC tour 2001, Robert

Forbes initiated the idea of having meeting or Yes fans here event here for

when the tour went ahead and as a result YESFANZ formed.

So, in anticipation of Yes touring down under, we are planning a special

party, a "Yes Festival for Australia and New Zealand", to be held before

one of the evening concerts. Since November 2001 we grew from our

initial three only to nearly one hundred and growing fast as word of

month gets around. This we have done with only a webpage and an effort

to seek out fans from postings on NFTE and YESFANS. To our very

welcomed surprise we have received many new members rejoicing almost

in unison. The fans are very passionate about the band, and we have

only but lifted a few stones in the search. Our membership is but the tip of

an iceberg of enthusiasm here.

Oz and NZ Fans of Yes are passionate about the music but unfortunately

starved of live performance. So we intend to make the most of the Yes

tour with a mini festival - an event to "meet and greet" other fans,

exchange thoughts, souvenirs and celebrate with each other. If this dream

is fulfilled, we will meet as geographically close to (the edge) of the first

Australian concert as possible. We will choose a venue that offers privacy

and an opportunity to relax.

We hope that the members of Yes and their families will be able toattend and get to know some of their Oz and NZ fans.

P.S. as this is our big chance, we understand that Steve"s song "Australia"

would be more appropriate than "America", but we would be more rapt if

you played Close to the Edge!

We intend to make the most of the Yestour with a mini festival.

Testimonials from YESFANZ

Dear Jon, Chris, Steve, Alan and Rick

We understand that tour plans for this year are being discussed and Notes from

the Edge has already mentioned that Australia is a possibility. It is almost 30

years since Yes played here in Australia! Yet the interest in the band is strong

as evidenced by Yesfanz which is planning to organise a gathering of as many

Yes fans as possible this year.

I am fully aware that practical and financial considerations play an important

part in defining tour dates but I also know that you guys are the central part of

the decision-making process.

Australia is the land of the Dreaming, a place of immense energy and vitality, of

vast spaces and of breathless natural beauty. Australians are a life-affirming

people, fun loving and as open as any people can be. Your fans would be

thrilled to see you play here again but I am sure the band would also benefit by

it, not only financially -you are simply the greatest progressive rock band alive -

but also artistically, perhaps getting new ideas for your future projects.

According to Aboriginal belief, the Dreaming is the very ground of existence, the

Life sustaining force behind all creation, the Mother of the universe.

Long lost brothers of mine, come to Australia.

We love when you play

Pedro Oliveira, Sydney, Australia

I am an apprentice in the realm of YES – to my shame I knew of YES only as the

band that sang ‘Owner of a Lonely Heart’. Thanks to your dedicated following

here in Australia, though, I am learning and loving. I keep hearing from

YESFANZ that seeing you live is a special experience, of which I have no doubt,

but which I can only appreciate vicariously. Please come! I can buy the records,

and I can buy the T-shirt, but what I want to buy is the experience.

Chris, Cherrybrook, NSW, Australia

Your fans would be thrilled to see you playhere again but I am sure the band wouldalso benefit by it, not only financially. butalso artistically.


My real introduction to Yes was "Close to the Edge". Brilliant! I was knocked

out, and so very disappointed to learn that they had just toured Australia three

weeks before I got to hear more of them. I would be thrilled enough if the band

could visit Australia just one more time. Hopeful it is still not a long way for us

yet!

Graeme James Sydney, NSW Australia

Notes From The Edge 254

Hey Yes, why don't you holiday in Australia and New Zealand! And while you're

here, record a live version of MAGNIFICATION in the Sydney Opera House with

the Sydney Symphony Orchestra?

Robert Forbes Sydney, NSW Australia


My new year wish is that the year 2002 is the year that Yes fans in Australia may

AWAKEN - thanks Yes for many great, wonderful and uplifting musical moments

especially on the recent offering - MAGNIFICATION...

Ian Aird Sydney, NSW Australia


Its more frustrating being a Yes fan in Oz, than being a pommy cricket fan in Oz.

I arrived in this country in May 1973 only to learn that I had just missed a Yes

concert by a few weeksÉ .. I'm still waitingÉ ..I understand that a number of

people who regularly get to see Yes are "bored" with "Roundabout", "ISAGP",

"Starship Trooper", etc. Well I'd die a happy man if I could get to hear them all

again, and more than once

John McInerney Perth, WA Australia


What is the problem with coming to Australia for a nation-wide tour?

Peter Johnson Melbourne, Victoria Australia


I would be thrilled enough if the band couldvisit Australia just one more time.

- Thanks Yes for many great, wonderful anduplifting musical moments especially on therecent offering - MAGNIFICATION.


I first saw Yes in 1973 on their only Australian tour to date and I became

increasingly determined over the years to see them in concert again, such was

the tremendous impact of that first show.

Alan Farley Sydney, Australia


As an avid Yes fan for the past quarter of a century, I think it high time that the

band consider their supporters in other regions of the world and every once in a

while venture further afield than the USA and Europe. I feel pretty certain that

the band could sustain a successful tour down-under; if Alice Cooper and Deep

Purple can each tour twice in the past three years I`m sure Yes could raise an

audience. So come on guys, please consider a visit to Australia soon.

Stuart Storer Adelaide, South Aust Australia


As a representative of all Yes fans downunder (there are many), I have to ask

"Will Yes ever tour Australasia?". We would greatly appreciate if Yes could

consider touring down our way or even get an official explanation to say if they

ever will or why they won't. At least then we would then know if we need to

spend our life's savings to travel to USA for MASTERWORKS II tour!

Geoff Dunn, New Zealand


I have seen Yes just the once, at the Apollo Stadium in Adelaide, South Australia

sometime in early 1973. This ranks as one of the greatest live shows I've seen,

and I would love to see Yes tour here again.

Stephen Benger, South Australia


Yes music has moved me in many ways, and gives me strength and inspiration.

Maybe its time for Yes to put some of their concepts (of facing humanity in the

context of timelessness, infinite love and sharing on a cosmic scale) to work and

pack their bags and come to Australia. The bean counters need not worry they

will sellout. Good luck to you all, I will go to the grave never seeing Yes. But will

continue my love of this special music.

Steven Kelly, Melbourne, Australia


As an avid Yes fan for the past quarter of acentury, I think it high time that the bandconsider their supporters in other regions ofthe world.


I have been a Yes fan for the last 28 years and they have been my favourite

band ever since I saw them in a fantastic concert in Sydney, Australia in March

1973. I still have the press clippings from that show and they are the best

reviews I have ever seen for any band before or since.

Alan Farley Sydney


I was fortunate to see Yes play at both of their concerts in Sydney in 1973

and they stunned me. Never have I been so enthralled by the intensity of

performance, musicianship, stagecraft and the music itself. Since that tour I

have bought nearly every album and dreamed of Yes returning to play here.

I again want to experience that cosmic feeling I had at those concerts, a feeling

of awe and wonder that was achieved quite naturally. Please fulfil our dreams

and visit us again!

Brian Draper, Sydney, Australia

I and many friends would travel to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to see all

shows if there were any to see. Please don't forget us or New Zealand either.

Mike Bentley, Brisbane Australia


Just a quick one, but I would like to know how many others here in Oz would like

to raise their voices and ask / plead / beg that Yes please tour Australia this

time around! 26 years+ is a l-o-n-g, l-o-n-g time and many (including me!) have

never seen them live. If it is a case of finding a promoter willing to organize

stuff, let us know and we will see what we can do collectively!

David Hague


(The 1973 concerts in Sydney) stunned me.Never have I been so enthralled by theintensity of performance, musicianship,stagecraft and the music itself.


I wasn't really into Yes before seeing them back in 1973 in Brisbane

Australia, but that one show converted me…. Soon, Oh Soon, (in Australia)

Douglas Hill, Queensland, Australia


Hello from all the yes people in New Zealand. A lucky few of us have traveled to

U.S. for various tours but to see them on home turf would be really incredible.

Yes, please!!!



Well, if they do come down this way I hope they won't forget the other country to

the south-east of Australia, namely New Zealand! I think they would like this

country, and we have NEVER seen Yes here

David MacLennan, New Zealand


I read with almost painful anticipation that Yes were negotiating to tour Australia

and Asia. This is unbelievable news to the many fans down-under who have

never had the privilege to witness a live YES show.

Paul Rogers, New Zealand


My first Yes experience was in 1973. I had the radio on while I was doing the

dishes at home in Geelong (a provincial city in Victoria, Australia) when "Siberian

Khatru" from YESSONGS was played. Well I'd never heard anything like it and

I've been a fan(atic) ever since.

ps When are Yes going to tour Australia again?

Steve Canty, Australia


If they do come down this way I hope theywon't forget the other country to the south-east of Australia, namely New Zealand!

My suggestion is that if you want to keepYes fans down here, pay us a visit soon.Losing patience!


I want to know - WHEN ARE (YES) COMING TO AUSTRALIA?

I've been waiting decades for them and they haven't shown up yet! They last

toured here in the early seventies when I was knee-high to a grasshopper, and

the last time they did do a "world" tour, the nearest they came to Sydney was

Argentina! It's about time that we long-suffering Aussies were treated to a tour!

Craig Coventry, Australia


You are on a roll with the latest album. It is clearly more palatable to the

unconverted. It is excellent. It needs much more publicity. The idea of using an

orchestra has definitely opened up new horizons that are yet to be fully

explored. There are so many wonderful new ideas incorporated into this work.

Perhaps the Keyboards could be brought back in a bit without disturbing this

new musical landscape. Maybe even a dabble into a ballet theme is opportune

and opens the door for visual expression. You don't see many Ballets with long,

luscious and lyrical Steve Howe solos. Much fertile ground here. There is so

much more yes music to be made. These are exciting times. The world needs

YES.

A trip to the Australian and Asian region would be infinitely appreciated. I know

we have been harping on this subject but we ache to hear the band live. It's a

long way to go we know. Holiday here. We have so much to offer. New Zealand,

featured in the Lord of the Rings, Australia, ancient and culturally diverse

peoplescape, and our neighbours in the Pacific and Indonesia, are steeped in

unique and diverse culture, are yet all in need of your messages, spirit,

inspiration and art. Did I mention great music? Great music. Let us make it

worth your while.

A dormant fountain of Yes affection is stilled by the lack of artwork on music

sales shelves (Down under). As sales are a measure of acceptance then

marketing needs to be used - as distasteful as that may be to artists. We can

purchase from AmazonCom, et. al., but does that help the thousand of fans here

that have forgotten Yes, which think you're gone? Local music sales catalogues

stop at Keys to Ascension! It (Web Sales) also distorts the sales statistics

geographically. I suspect this problem is echoed elsewhere? You need to sur-

vive and the world needs Yes.

We love you. Please make more Yes music and come down south and play for

us.

Steve Black, Sydney

A trip to the Australian and Asian regionwould be infinitely appreciated. I know wehave been harping on this subject but weache to hear the band live.


My suggestion is that if you want to keep Yes fans down here, pay us a visit

soon. Losing patience!

Michael John Segon, Australia


I would give you my first born child if it would help to get YES to tour Australia

and New Zealand!!( just don't tell my wife, OK?) The closest I've gotten to

seeing them was when the YESSONGS movie toured OZ - lets face it, as good

as the movie was, it has to be a pretty poor second choice to a real legendary,

live YES experience (according to all the YESFANS who have had the privilege).

Stephen Peake, Brisbane

I would dearly love YES to tour Australia and New Zealand. I would definitely

buy tickets to see them at Sydney.

Gregg Stagg Canberra

I have been a life long fan of Yes (32yrs). I first heard and saw them as a

teenager in England, my last concert being January 1972. I moved to Australia

in 1973 and just missed their last our to this land. I have waited ever since for

the next tour to take place. I have already made arrangements to travel the

length and breadth of the country to support the tour and if on the off chance

they made it to my home town of Perth then I would be bringing a huge

contingent of friends who I have introduced to the group. Whilst not being as

crazy as I am about Yes I know they would come for the curiosity value of

discovering why I place the group in such high regard.

The time is right. I see great opportunities in this country for Yes….

John McInerney Perth

I have already made arrangements to travelthe length and breadth of the country tosupport the tour. I would be bringing a hugecontingent of friends who I have introducedto the group.

A big production is not necessary. Just Yesand their instruments would be fine. Themusic speaks for itself.


I would dearly love YES to tour Australia New Zealand. I would definitely buy

tickets to see them at Sydney, or any other NSW venue. I saw them in the UK on

their 2000 tour and they were brilliant. It's obvious they have a strength of

support here. A big production is not necessary. Just Yes and their instruments

would be fine. The music speaks for itself.

Dave Eaton, Sydney

I would dearly love YES to tour Australia & New Zealand. I would definitely buy

tickets to see them at Perth. Western Australia.

Clive Jive, Perth

I would dearly love YES to tour Australia & New Zealand.

Rod Curran Nowra NSW

I would definitely buy tickets to see them at Auckland (NZ), Sydney and

Melbourne (Australia). I have seen Yes twice already but with a family now,

I cannot afford to travel to USA again to do so. Yes are the Topographic

soundtrack to my life!


YES is my favourite band. I have been a YES fan for 28 years. I am aware that

YES are still recording and touring. I would love to get YES out to Australia/New

Zealand this year.

Graeme Breckon. Auckland, NZ

Greetings YES YES YES...I mean is this Magnification in the making or

what...please register my name for a meet and greet and whatever else YES is

about to announce...Thanks for the message I await your reply in the Spirit of

Survival..cheers,

Steve Scott, New Zealand

Yes are the Topographic soundtrack to my life!


YES YES YES I receive your email re the yes down under tour. Please add me

to your support team. And keep me up to date.

David Brightmore NZ

I am a tropical Yes fan. I live here in Darwin and regret that most wet season

days. The music of Yes gets me through the swelter. I was 11 when they toured

here last. Not a fan then I'm afraid. Any way......keep up the good work and put

me down as a traveller who will be there buying tickets when the time comes.

Cheers, Glen Dooley, Darwin, Australia

I am very excited at the imminent return of Rick Wakeman and a possible

Australian tour. As this is the classic line-up that myself and friends would very

much like to see in concert, the time feels right for an Australian & New Zealand

tour.

Tony Greig, Brisbane

I have loved Yes ever since hearing Fragile when I was 13 years old believe it or

not and my life has never been the same since! They have been a true inspira-

tion in my life and will continue to be in which I hope to pass on my love for their

music and wondrous lyrics to my children! I would love to see them in Australia

and believe we do deserve a tour seeing as they have not stepped foot on oz

soil since before I was even born!!!!!!!! Now, am I a true supporter or what?????

Lisa Creazzo, Adelaide

I would dearly love YES to tour Australia & New Zealand. Saw them in 72' still

have not heard anyone sound like that, still reeling from that performance.

Peter Keown, Brisbane

I hope to pass on my love for (YES) musicand wondrous lyrics to my children!

Produced by YESFANZ. Design by Justin Heffernan 2002.

All content copyright YESFANZ 2002.

Documents

Your music inspires us in a magicalmembers.optusnet.com.au/hugh.black/yes/brochure.pdf · 2006-10-02 · inspires us in a magical way when we play your recordings, but that pales