YES WAS A DEFINITE NO

    I have been listening to the Rock Group YES for as long as I can remember with that special sound from the albums FRAGILE and ROUNDABOUT to name a couple. It has lost allot since the lead singer Jon Anderson left the band but they have continued to play many venues. About 2 years ago I saw them in a free concert sponsored by a radio station and had the fortunes of hanging out with them after the show at their hotel. They were personal, very friendly and down right happy to sign autographs and take pictures. Alan White the drummer was the best and I talked with him at length about his days with JOHN LENNONs Elephants Memory and Chris Squire was feeling no pain as he hung out with some of his friends and fans .Steve Howe was the most reclusive and we were very lucky to get an autograph as he flew thru the lobby and just wanted to be left along. Well YES was YES then but something has changed in 2 years. There were 5 of us waiting patiently outside where they were playing yesterday when first we came across 2 fans who were tending a meet and greet for 250 dollars each which was offered to the people in the first 4 rows. 500 dollars for both. 

    What happened to just being nice and not trying to make a buck on those who have bought your records and pay also for the shows. They arrived one by one in separate cars with Steve Howe stopping for us and signing  some albums before going inside and then out again to have his cigarette breaks. Thought maybe the toughest signing was a good sign but were heard thru the autograph channels that they refused everyone in Tampa the night before. Soon Chris Squire looking aged not like a good wine responded to our requests with deaf ears and remarks from one of his handlers( Who we saw smoking some medical Marijuana before haha) remark ? They are Ebayers 101 and need to know which stars are who" They went in the stage door and then was the end of it. People should know that getting autographs is getting tougher due their greed of signings and many feeling that anyone getting an autograph is selling in on EBAY but the fact was yes there was 2 who did initially but when they last members came to our attention the 3 of us were just collectors. For now on YES is a NO and until people stop listening to those who do not appreciate the people who are waiting for them regardless for themselves or doing a service for someone who will never have a chance to meet them , this will continue to get worse every day.