Geoff Downes calls a truce with Yes fans - sort of . . . - National Classic Hard Rock

Yes keyboardist Geoff Downes has offered a somewhat tentative olive branch to some Yes fans after engaging in an online war of words with them over the last few days via his blog. "I’ve been told in no uncertain terms by the ‘powers-that-be’ that I’m going to have to tone down the content of this blog considerably," he wrote earlier today. "It is tantamount to a massive cyber ‘rap across the knuckles’ for yours truly."

Downes initially posted yesterday after reading some particularly savage online reviews of the opening dates of Yes' current summer tour with Styx, which kicked off on Monday. Yes is on the road promoting its new album Fly From Here.

Now….I’ve noticed a few unsavoury reviews of the first few shows, (yes I read everything on these boards – believe me!) and I have a few words to say to these over-critical Muppets, who in fact think they know more about how Yes should be than the band. In fact, I shall call them The “Yuppets” from now on! Ya know, I don’t come along to their workplace and bug them about doing their job, right? Just coz they spent a few lousy bucks on a CD which they moan about the price…go figure! Most of them moan about the price of the beer and hotdogs. Ya know, WTF has that got to do with Yes?

That touched off a firestorm of controversy on Facebook, Twitter, and on several Yes and progressive rock-related websites. That did not escape Downes' notice, and in a further post yesterday he openly took some of those fans to task, while admitting that perhaps the opening shows of the tour weren't everything they could have been.

Ya know, to be honest, I’m not so feckin arrogant that I dismiss any criticism about performances from you folks out there. In fact, there were some very valid points raised in terms of the preparation for this tour. Maybe, we (I) weren’t as well-prepared as we (I) could have been, maybe more rehearsal time would have been in order, etc. etc., and therefore I’m not wholly surprised that some of the fans may feel a bit short-changed on the evidence of those shows, particularly the opening night in Camden, which was a bit shaky to say the least (particularly from my standpoint). However…

I do take exception to constant personal attacks on individual members of the band. Some people painting the picture that the band is a bunch of washed-up old geezers picking up paydirt. All of that is quite annoying and unnecessary. And, it’s very deconstructive. If you actually care about the band and the music, then I suggest constructive opinions are all very welcome. See, we’re all very serious about the music deep down, so comments like these are just blind, ill-informed conjecture by a minority of saddos. We of course want all the fans to be happy about the shows, and the new album. We aim to please, and if you’re happy – we’re happy.

But rightly, I think people who paid their money should expect a high quality performance every time. No doubt about that. Hey, you have to start somewhere though, and no doubt in my mind, the band will get stronger by the show. I take the points though, and sympathise with the disenchanted to some degree, if that’s the way you feel – but, it’s now in the past. Nothing’s going to change that. We are all entitled to our opinions – it’s a free world. As my old manager used to say: “A difference of opinion makes horseracing possible!”

Now I know I’m getting a bit of banter going on this forum from the Yuppets, and hope everyone will take it in the spirit in which is intended. But, have any of you ever been over to the progressiveears.com site? Man, there are some VERY weird and nasty people over there who should all be exterminated in my book….

The fallout from that post evidently led to some internal discussions with management/legal types in the Yes organization, and today Downes took a slightly more concilliatory tone, even as he posed a vital and interesting question.

OK. This the deal…

I’ve been told in no uncertain terms by the ‘powers-that-be’ that I’m going to have to tone down the content of this blog considerably. It is tantamount to a massive cyber ‘rap across the knuckles’ for yours truly. So from now on you will not be hearing me using the dreaded ‘Y—-t’ word, nor in fact will I be in any way critical of the comments on the forum. In short, you folks will be able to say whatever you like about me and the band, and I will just have to sit back and smile back politely through my gagging order. And judging by some of the comments, I’m sure that suits some of those folks out there very sweetly. It’s probably for the best though, and I apologize if I’ve offended anyone along the way. HOWEVER, one thing I will say before I leave this subject once and for all….

I have a logistical question for all of you. Here it is… “Why should I contribute financially towards the upkeep of a forum on Yesworld (which I am now required to do as a member of band), to enable certain people to slag me off publicly?” I’ll repeat that in the short form. “Why am I paying out my hard earned cash to get shafted in broad daylight?”. Ya see, some guy posted the other day, simply: ‘Geoff sucks’. So, can anybody give me a good reason why I should be shelling out financially to give that fellow a platform for his asinine opinions? It really astonishes me as to why the band would want to be paying to run these people’s negative comments. If I had my way, I would cut the ‘live’ feed, and have the moderators weed out all deconstructive comments before allowing any of the posts to go through. Why? Because I don’t think a handful of vandals out there know how to behave and be respectful. Unfortunately though, they spoil it all for the numerous true fans who have valid points to present. But hey, they do this kind of censorship in the media as standard practice. I guess it’s a bit like the ‘gagging order’ I am now operating under OK well enough of all that nonsense…for now!

The Yes/Styx Progressive U.S. Tour runs through August 3.

Tour dates for the Styx/Yes "Progressive U.S." Tour:

Tuesday, July 5 PNC Bank Arts Center Holmdel, NJ+

Thursday, July 7 CMAC Performing Arts Center Canandaigua, NY+

Friday, July 8 MGM Grand Theatre at Foxwoods Resort Mashantucket, CT*

Saturday, July 9 Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion Gilford, NH*

Monday, July 11 Nikon @ Jones Beach Theater Wantagh, NY+

Tuesday, July 12 Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Bethel, NY+

Thursday, July 14 Verizon Wireless Amp at Encore Park Alpharetta, GA*

Friday, July 15 Amphitheater at the Wharf Orange Beach, AL+

Saturday, July 16 The Woods at Fontanel Nashville, TN*

Monday, July 18 Starlight Theatre Kansas City, MO*