Yes: Who Cares?

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock

Before I start this short post, let me state two things.

  1.  I speak ONLY for myself, not all of progarchy.
  2. Please don’t doubt my YesCred (see photo below)
IMG_1277 copy (1)
Well, it’s not complete.  I can’t find my copy of HEAVEN AND EARTH, for example.  And, I can’t find my copy of the book that has all of the Yes interviews in it–the one that explains the origins of each song.  Still, I bought each of these CDs, books, and videos because my soul said it was right and good, not because some PR guru told me to do so.

I’ve just seen the news that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has once again rejected Yes’s admission into its supposedly august confines.

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/12/17/460082433/cheap-trick-deep-purple-among-2016-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-inductees

Honestly, who cares?  I certainly don’t.

I thought it was really nice that Rush got in, but it had absolutely no affect on my love for Rush, one way or another.  Rush is Rush, whether the RnRHF recognizes the band’s brilliance or not.

The same is just as true for Yes.

For those of us who grew up with and on Yes, we have done so and chosen our loyalties based on our own personal standards.  If we’d run with the crowd, we’d not like Yes (or Rush).  We like some top 40 crud that mattered for all of two seconds.  Less if measured against all of western civilization.  We love Yes because they stand for something.  Succeed or fail, they tried, and they gave their all.

No one in Cleveland (or any other city) matters one iota to the legacy of Yes.  Yes is Yes.  It is what it is.  I’m sorry a board of civic leaders and PR corporate conformist types can’t see that–but should we expect them to?

Well, I know my answer.  It’s been way too long since I’ve listened to THE YES ALBUM.  Time to listen again.

Weirdos of the world, stay individual!

 

12 thoughts on “Yes: Who Cares?”

  1. I agree. The RORHOF ceased being relevant many, many years ago. While it would be nice to see Yes and other incredible bands inducted, the HOF’s blessings are not needed to enhance or encourage my respect or appreciation for them.

    jvb

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  2. VERY WELL SAID Sir-Brad!!! Almost precisely what I’ve always thought regarding the RRHOF MYSELF!!! Up until recently………..all these bands that had no where NEAR the credibility of a time-honored band such as RUSH,were EASILY voted IN to that place,YET………..they let RUSH stand out in the wind,rotting in the sun for all these years!!! Was it fair? Of COURSE NOT!!! Was it illogical??? Of COURSE it was!!! But all that plays to the “personal” choices of EACH individual (myself included!!!) So,once I let the “anger” I had for that place,go………I easily came to the realization that Whether RUSH was IN or OUT of that place………..WHO REALLY CARES??? Does it make them BETTER cuz they WEREN’T yet inducted? Nope!!! Does it make them better cuz they WERE FINALLY Inducted??? NOT in MY PERSONAL Opinion!!! RUSH is RUSH,no matter HOW You choose to slice it!!! Period!!! ~Peace~

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  4. Mick Holland's avatar Mick Holland

    fact one, Rush is the greatest band of all time period! fact two, the RRHOF is the most ridiculous thing in the history of the Earth, period… as for why Yes isn’t in, just ask yourself… why aren’t King Crimson, Jethro Tull, and Emerson Lake and Palmer in… because they don’t give a damn about the music we love… if they did, Green Day would never even have been considered, let alone accepted … get over it people… good music is NOT relevant to Jann Winter , only album sales… he was kool in the ’60’s, but now he’s just a corporate whore like all the rest…

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  5. Sadly, Progarchy never got behind Yes potential induction this year. I just checked the tags and I see no articles encouraging people to vote for Yes. But then I don’t think there were articles for Rush when they were up. Still, disappointing. Maybe Progarchy is the Switzerland of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Voting?

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    1. Mick Holland's avatar Mick Holland

      the public doesn’t get to vote on Hall inductees. The voting is done by the music press (not sure who), and other current Hall members.

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  7. Erik Heter's avatar Erik Heter

    We can have a Vulcan mind meld on this one, Brad.

    It’s not just that the RRHoF excludes a band as deserving as Yes, it’s also about the absolute crap that they do let in there. So many of the bands were either short lived, had one or two notable (not necessarily good, just notable) albums, or just generally failed to leave any kind of a lasting legacy. This is the worst kind of “Hall of Fame” I can imagine, as it routinely excludes the worthy while routinely admitting the unworthy.

    I suppose I could extend two middle fingers at the RRHoF, but honestly, they are not even worth that much consideration. They are a joke,and a bad one at that.

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  8. Brad, couldn’t agree more. It not event the Rock Hall, its just mostly highs profile acts. Yes should be in but your right. Who cares, didn’t change my Rush loyalties but was happy for the band as I think a little deep down it does give them some credibility with the in crowd. Enjoyed your book on NEP.

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