Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
Produced by Joseph Cottrell, Wayne Hall, Ken Fuller and Jeffrey Crecelius
This week, Mark and I spoke to the redoubtable David Watkinson who has published another fabulous Yessay (see what he did there?) on Forgotten-Yesterdays.com. This time, it’s about a subject that might appear a bit dry – the band’s accounts books from 1969-1970. In fact, there is a huge amount that can be gleaned from the documents as you will hear in this episode. Can you guess what are the largest – and the most bizarre – expenses the band incurred at this time? Prepare to be amazed, as they say.
- Yes were into Coke!?!
- Which member of the band was an official Director of the first ever Yes limited company?
- Why was there a separate charge for taking a bath?
See if you agree with us and then leave a comment below.
You might – or might not – want to read Dave’s Yessay before listening to us banging on about it. If you do, you can use the link below:
Dave’s Page on Forgotten Yesterdays:
https://forgotten-yesterdays.com/yessays.asp
Yes – The Tormato Story & Tales from Topographic Oceans – Yes Album Listening Guide
Available now!
YMP Patrons:
Producers:
- Joseph Cottrell
- Wayne Hall
- Ken Fuller
- Jeffrey Crecelius
Patrons:
| Aaron Steelman | Lind |
| Al Dell’Angelo | Lobate Scarp |
| Barry Gorsky | Mark Baggs |
| Bill Whittaker | Mark James Lang |
| Bob Martilotta | Mark Slater |
| Brian Harris | Martin Kjellberg |
| Brian Sullivan | Michael Handerhan |
| Chris Bandini | Michael O’Connor |
| Craig Estenes | Miguel Falcão |
| Dave Owen | Paul Hailes |
| David | Paul Tomei |
| David Heyden | Rachel Hadaway |
| David Pannell | Robert Nasir |
| David Watkinson | Robert Vandiver |
| Declan Logue | Ronnie Neeley |
| Dem | Scott Colombo |
| Doug Curran | Simon Barrow |
| Fergus Cubbage | Stephen Lambe |
| Fred Barringer | Steve Dill |
| Gary Betts | Steve Luzietti |
| Geoff Bailie | Steve Perry |
| Geoffrey Mason | Steve Rode |
| Guy DeRome | Steve Scott |
| Henrik Antonsson | Steven Roehr |
| Hogne Bø Pettersen | Terence Sadler |
| Todd Dudley | Thomas DeVries |
| John Cowan | John Thomson |
| John Holden | John Viola |
| Jamie McQuinn | Tim Stannard |
Discover more from Yes Music Podcast
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
4 replies on “Dave Watkinson’s financial forensic detective work in the Yes archives – 690”
Kevin and Mark (and Dave)
I had to listen to this one given the obscurity of the topic. I admire Dave for the dedication of his fandom and also because he has found a way to make time to pursue his interests and share the fascinating results. Loved the Warriors book, by the way!
The episode made perfect listening while I was out with ‘The Boy’.
Of course when I saw the references to ‘Coke’ I expected the decadent extravagances of YesWest
I have often wondered about the financial arrangements around running a band. Many rock biographies from this period recount artists and bands getting ripped off, running foul of the taxman or filling stadiums on sell-out tours while living hand-to-mouth.
Rickie McPhails autobiography describing managing Genesis from high school to early success is filled with interesting details about financial arrangements and the procurement of instruments and equipment from other bands…
Marks comment on the reliability of band vans in UK is insightful. Every band has their own story of breakdowns, strandings and accidents..
From David’s account it seems like Yes management was generally benign in the early days. Nobody getting ripped off. That is good to hear.
Rick tells some howlers about Brian Lane, but seems to hold him in some affection.
So a fascinating episode and a big thanks to Dave for sharing the results of his research.
Thank you Alan.
You cover a lot there, The Warriors story is definitely one to read before this article actually, it would flow well.
I have that Genesis book signed and met him while at Trading Boundaries for the John Wetton gig. Lovely chap and yes early Genesis have similar stories and costs, vans, equipment and more.
I think Brian got things done for Yes, he was good at his job, you have to be may things running a band and of course it was competitive. Deal a day Brian eh?
The Coke thing was funny and lighthearted, the documents are so interesting maybe one day at an event Yes can see them again along with the fans?
fascinating chat lads. It would have been good to hear more about the cost of living back then to give some context and a bit of fun.
Hi Jeremy,
Pleased you enjoyed it. I did mention a few costs as a comparison but fans would want the tour things not seen before first. The figures shown now for living a life in 1969 seem crazy eh?
Imagine the costs for the current tour!