ON THIS DAY 1/12/1973 Yes

On this day, 1 December 1973, progressive rock band Yes played Cardiff’s Capitol Theatre, on their Tales Of Topographic Oceans Tour.

The tour starting 13 Nov 1973 in the UK ended April the following year in Rome, Italy.

Rick Wakeman had tried to quit the band pre-tour but was persuaded to see out the tour. It was during this tour at a date in Manchester he took delivery of a Indian dinner whilst playing Topographic Oceans.

The tour featured an elaborate stage designed by Roger Dean and his brother Martyn with fibreglass structures, dry ice effects, a rotating drum platform surrounding White, and a tunnel that the band emerged from. During one show, the structure around White that opened and closed failed to operate, leaving him trapped inside. White claimed the incident was the inspiration behind a scene depicted in the rock mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap.

The Cardiff gig featured an encore performed to half the audience as people left the theatre only for the band to re-emerge to perform the classic Yours Is No Disgrace, something they rarely did throughout the 70 dates worldwide.

Lineup

Jon Anderson
Vocals

Steve Howe
Guitars

Chris Squire
Bass

Rick Wakeman
Keyboards

Alan White
Drums

Set list

1. The Firebird Suite

1. Siberian Khatru

1. And You and I

1. Close to the Edge

1. The Revealing Science of God (Dance of the Dawn)

1. The Remembering (High the Memory)

1. The Ancient (Giants Under the Sun)

1. Ritual (Nous sommes du soleil)

1. Roundabout

1. Yours Is No Disgrace