Produced by Joseph Cottrell, Wayne Hall, Doug Curran and Jeffrey Crecelius
This week, we return to our occasional series on YesKit, this time featuring the instrument Tony Kaye used, briefly, in 1968 before he upgraded to a Hammond M100. It was the 1960s iconic keyboard, the British-made Vox Continental. The story of this revolutionary instrument is fascinating and we are indebted to the undisputed expert in the field, Chris Dale, for a great overview I read out at the end of the episode. It was huge fun to both research and then chat about the Vox Continental and I’m sure you will enjoy Mark’s demonstrations as much as I did.
How did it become the most iconic keyboard of the 1960s?
What was the keyboard Tony Kaye had when he joined Yes?
Why did he disguise it?
Please do add your own comments below.
Yes – The Tormato Story & Tales from Topographic Oceans – Yes Album Listening Guide
Produced by Joseph Cottrell, Wayne Hall, Doug Curran and Jeffrey Crecelius
This week, I have been researching one of the sets of photos that will be in the Barry Plummer book – Master of Images. It was labelled ‘Roundhouse’ but, as you will hear, that wasn’t as straightforward a venue as I thought it was going to be.
Once I get it all sorted out, I was delighted to discover that there is a crowd recording of the concert available over at:
After I told the story about what I found out, Mark and I compared notes on this early outing for songs from The Yes Album. It’s a fascinating concert to listen to and we both spotted some great features.
How many Roundhouses were there?
Which one is this?
How does Steve Howe fit into his new-ish band role?
Uploaded to Forgotten Yesterdays by Geoffrey Mason
Here is a comment from Clive Ayer:
I grew up a couple of miles away from The Roundhouse, Dagenham. I believe it is still there. A lot of major bands played there early in their careers, including Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. On the centenary of its opening, just after lockdown, The Boomtown Rats, among others, played a free celebration concert, along with a few other artists. This was held down the road in Parslows Park. It was surprisingly good. The Roundhouse itself stopped hosting gigs many years ago.
As for the red and white poster for the Yes gig seen here, I did try to buy it but was outbid by an extremely determined collector.
With regard to Mark’s comments regarding Iron Maiden (a band local to the area), they released an EP in 1979, before they had a record deal, called The Soundhouse Tapes. I used to work with their singer’s girlfriend and regularly saw them at a different local pub. She brought a stack of them into work for anyone to help themselves to, but I didn’t bother as I wasn’t much of a fan. It’s now worth a fortune. One copy could pay for a handful of Yes Roundhouse posters! I think that’s what he was thinking about when he mentioned the Roundhouse and Iron Maiden.
Yes – The Tormato Story & Tales from Topographic Oceans – Yes Album Listening Guide
Produced by Joseph Cottrell, Wayne Hall, Ken Fuller and Jeffrey Crecelius
Limited edition box set
It’s time to post our full review of the latest Yes album, Aurora. Mark and I spoke – quite a lot – about the record and our reactions to it. As you will hear, we both like it a lot and we go into depth about why. There are a couple of aspects I’m not so keen on and there is even a [Shock! Horror!] minor disagreement between your two favourite podcast co-hosts!
However, we agree that Aurora has some wonderful features and it’s a hugely enjoyable record.
Produced by Joseph Cottrell, Wayne Hall, Ken Fuller and Jeffrey Crecelius
It’s been a week of huge contrasts. Aurora was released and Mark and I chat about the physical copies later in the episode but I also had the news from Clive Ayer that Yes’ first manager, Roy Flynn, died this week. Clive kindly agreed to come and share his recollections of Roy but before. Here are two tributes, the first from Yes’ current management team and the second from Dave Watkinson:
All of us at QEDG are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Roy Flynn, Yes’s very first manager, there at the beginning, “beyond and before,” when everything was still forming, still becoming.
Roy believed in the band at a time when the path was uncertain, when the music was still finding its voice. He gave not just guidance, but energy, faith, and his own resources, helping to spark something that would grow far beyond those early days.
In those first steps, from small stages to a recording contract, he helped set the course, quietly shaping the direction of a journey that would travel many roads.
He saw the light in it, the possibility, the dream… and helped carry that “astral traveller” out into the world.
His time with Yes was only a moment in the greater story, but like all true beginnings, it mattered, deeply and permanently. The echoes of that belief remain, still moving, still reaching.
We send our love and condolences to his family and friends. And with gratitude, we remember Roy.
One of those who stood at the dawn, when the music first turned and began to flow, when “love makes the world go round,” and the journey of Yes first found its wings.
Martin Darvill
Chairman, QEDG Management
We are all very thankful for his dedication, money, foresight, and for unknowingly helping start such an important band.
We look back fondly to those early days, so fresh and new, with big dreams and relentless energy.
Thank you, Roy.
David
Clive Ayer kindly sent these photos of the Order of Service from Roy’s funeral. All Yes fans are welcome to contribute to Lawrence Nurses in memory of Roy. He also commented:
Roy Flynn’s funeral was last Friday. Please see the images of the order of service. It was a beautiful day.
If anyone would like to donate to the Lawrence Nurses, please use the QR code. Roy’s family asked those attending to donate to this wonderful charity, which helped care for him at the end of his life, rather than send flowers.
Limited edition 2LPSpecial Edition CD DigipakLimited edition box set
Enrich your Prog year with iconic images of Yes in the 1970s, taken by the legendary rock photographer, Barry Plummer.
Enjoy 12 beautiful colour and black and white photographs of Yes in the studio and live, capturing the essence of the world’s greatest progressive rock band. With this limited-edition calendar on your wall throughout 2026, you’ll agree that Barry Plummer is, indeed, the Master of Images!
(A flat shipping fee will be added at checkout depending on your location.)
Produced by Joseph Cottrell, Wayne Hall, Ken Fuller and Jeffrey Crecelius
Mark and I are looking forward to talking about the new Yes album, Aurora, next week but this time, we have gone right back to the first ever Yes compilation album, Yesterdays, because we mentioned the first song on the record a couple of weeks ago, in the context of The New Age of Atlantic album.
We enjoyed listening to the 1975 release again, particularly the first and last songs. There is a bit of audio geekery and lots of enthusing about this great collection from us both.
Please do let us know what you think of Yesterdays and what’s in your deadwax, of course.
Enrich your Prog year with iconic images of Yes in the 1970s, taken by the legendary rock photographer, Barry Plummer.
Enjoy 12 beautiful colour and black and white photographs of Yes in the studio and live, capturing the essence of the world’s greatest progressive rock band. With this limited-edition calendar on your wall throughout 2026, you’ll agree that Barry Plummer is, indeed, the Master of Images!
(A flat shipping fee will be added at checkout depending on your location.)
