August, 2002
YES 2002 TOUR - PART 4
Onward through the tour we go. Thank God for the fans who
support the band, every time we get on stage, there you guys are.
We were in New York after some great times in Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, Jones Beach and places in between. New York is such an amazing trip. The show here at Radio City went well, one of our best.
On to Philly, what a wonderful scene. We got presented with a special "YESDAY" on the 7th at the City Hall, met the Mayor and some really great folks who help run the City. It seems as we keep going, a lot of fans become all sorts of professional people, from doctors to counselors, to even astronauts. Amazing, but pretty logical at the same time.
We had the craziest time ever at Washington Airport. Talk about 'cattle', 70 people waiting very quietly to get on the plane were told, "everyone go to gate 11," so we all move from gate 3. One hour later just before we are to board, "everyone please go to gate 2"... no not possible. SouthWest should get a better system going.
Eventually we get to West Palm Beach. Two days off, really cool and romantic for me and Janeeeeee. Rick is as happy as ever, Alan's seeing his son Jesse into college here, Chris was swimming in the ocean, the Jane and I sipping drinks on the beach, Steve sun-worshipping... oh, this is the life. Rick as usual went playing golf "Midday" (mad dogs and English men), got very red and 'hot'… always happens.
I'm sorry, but I really don't enjoy those eBay fans who just make money out of hustling us at the airports and sometimes hotels. Not many, but they don't act like they have respect for you… "please sign this now and this and this and a photo to show I was with you", etc. On and on they go. Please leave us alone.
We got this wonderful plaque at the gig here in West Palm Beach from these NASA guys, it seems they sent up a cassette of 'UNION" on one of the flight 10 years ago. What a special thing to do, thanks, you guys. We might send it to the EMP centre in Seattle for everyone to see.
On to Texas... very BIG Texas... very rainy. Janeee and me saw these beautiful eagles last night, 2 of them circling above us. We are at this place called The Woodlands for a gig, should be great. We've become lovers of thunder and lightning. We've started wishing for it, we don't get that much where we live, so it's so special for us.
This tour has been really good for the band, we are playing better than ever. "Awaken" has this magical power, we've got to that place playing it were we dream it more than play it. It's amazing to me at times where it all comes from.
Rick has cornered the market for writing the silly stuff for the tour. It is so funny, I've told him we should write some musicals together, we'll see...
 |