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Tales from Topographic Oceans
Listening guide
We spoke to publisher and Yes author Stephen Lambe this week about his (relatively) recent book Rock Classics – Yes 90125. The book delves deeply into the story of the 1983 album that became Yes’ best selling record of all time and saw the rebirth of the band after the events following the Drama tour. It could all have been very different if Trevor Rabin, Chris Squire, Tony Kaye and Alan White had stuck with their original plans of creating a much more stadium rock orientated band called Cinema. Stephen Lambe helps us to discover the unsung hero of the album’s creation and the man who was responsible for bringing Jon Anderson back into the fold. Listen out for that later on in the episode and get hold of a copy of Stephen’s book at Burning Shed or your favourite retailer.
- Who is the unsung hero of 90125?
- Did the members of Cinema want it to morph into Yes?
- What are the keys to the longevity of the album?
Let us know if you agree with us!
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Check out the progress on my other podcast – https://anthem52.com/
Yes – The Tormato Story
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Theme music
The music I use is the last movement of Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. This has been used as introduction music at many Yes concerts. My theme music is not take from a live concert
6 replies on “Stephen Lambe on his book – Rock Classics – Yes 90125 – 651”
Really interesting chat. There’s a lot I don’t know about how this album was created so it was good to hear Stephen’s expertise.
I was thinking, maybe we should arrange a meet up locally. You’re in Stratford Kevin, Stephen’s in Tewkesbury and I’m in Cheltenham.
Cinema. Just to add that on the day Jon Dee and I went along to see them, and the only reason our visit time came to an end was that they had a meeting with the record company within half hour of us leaving.
They sounded tight, powerful, tuneful and excited about what they were, and the future, but not only in my ears, but the record companies ears, it had almost all of the winning package. It was just missing that, something, the last sparkle on top of a phenomenal band.
I don’t need to fill in the rest eh?
Oh links with Joe Cocker. He sang on stage with The Warriors with Jon Anderson. He also had a Marquee residency like YES.
Congratulations on the book, what a great time it was in the 1980s.
Very true – and yet it was a year before anyone acted on that, assuming you went in the Summer of 1982 and Jon didn’t come back until June / July 1983! It’s clear what the record company response was when they visited – a hard no! It may have been that they kept the dialog open, but the impression I got from Phil Carson was that there was very little interest from Atlantic of any sort at that point. But that didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm, thankfully.
Hi Kevin, Mark and Stephen.
Great episode about a period of the bands history that I enjoy hearing more about. Stephen’s anecdotes and insights were both humorous and intriguing. I look forward to getting the book. I have just bought Dave Watkinson’s …
I actually don’t remember hearing 90125 until several years after its release. I recall a British Rock Magazine called ‘Kerang’ ran a feature on Trevor R. shortly before 90125 was released, with Trevor explaining how the new album would be the heaviest rock sound yet heard from Yes. That kinda put me off, but a few years later I bought 90125 The solos album which I really liked, and got me into the new sound of the band.
I wonder if anybody has that old Kerrang article?
Great show team. Really enjoyed it.
I have that and can visualise that it too, a fine full colour article. Trevor was sat on the flight case, and yeah City of Love in mind I guess.
Such an exciting time back then.
Regarding a link between Jesus Christ Superstar and Yes. Here goes… Rick Wakeman and Time Rice working together on Rick’s 1984.
Great Show always.