How can they have not even yet been nominated? Ridiculous. Now I must go vote for King Crimson.

Posted by Kailash on Saturday, 09.2.06 @ 21:52pm

For some reason Yes is being snubbed, it is something that happens and if it hasn't happened yet I'm sorry to say I don't think they will ever be inducted.

Posted by peter on Wednesday, 11.8.06 @ 06:35am

For Yes to not already be in the Hall of Fame points to some other factor. Arrogance, ignorance (let's be frank, stupidity) or denial of how influential and enormously successful Yes has been and how they still sell out a lot of arenas (over 35 years too). This isn't someone liking The Knack and LOverboy and wishing they got in. Yes has been dubbed a Supergroup time and time again. They have had #1 singles and a long list of songs that charted high in both rock and pop. They have sold millions of albums (tape, 8-track, cassette, cd's) and DVD's. They have made a movie or two. Even the artist who painted many of their album covers, Roger Dean has influenced millions. They have appealed to music majors at Berklee, dancers at the local disco, metal heads, philosophers and teenie boppers. The rock legends that have come out of Yes include: 5-time Best Overall Guitarist (Guitar Player magazine)-Steve Howe. Grammy-winning producer Trevor Horn, movie soundtrack mogul-Trevor Rabin, Pioneering keyboardist and rock bass legends Rick Wakeman and Chris Squire respectively. I actually have to stop because there are so many more superstars (Jon Anderson) and spawned supergroups (Asia) that I could go on forever.

Yes not in the Hall of Fame? That is quite literally and impossibly hard to ignore. One then must ask themselves: Why would Yes even want to be in a place so wrong and ignorant of such a juggernaut in the world of rock and popular music?

It must be a selfish sham.

Posted by The Truth on Tuesday, 11.14.06 @ 12:11pm

Yes has been in the top 5 of this poll:
http://www.rateitall.com/t-2529-deserving-of-the-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame.aspx
for over 2 years. After Van Halen gets in, then Yes will be near the top of the list of overlooked but most deserving bands.

Posted by Garrett on Wednesday, 11.29.06 @ 16:14pm

I've almost given up hope that Yes will be inducted. When it Finally does happen, it will almost feel like a token gesture.

All the musicians in and out of Yes are masters at what they do.

It seems virtuosity doesn't count for anything, but bad attitudes and four-letter words do.

Posted by Steve on Saturday, 12.30.06 @ 21:57pm

The RRHOF is a joke. Looking at future nominees it appears it is all about getting paying customers in the door. The influence of Yes is enormous and deserving. Now they have inducted Grand Master Flash.. Rock and Roll, I think not!

They will never get my money.

Posted by Charles on Monday, 01.8.07 @ 18:33pm

I don't think there can be any denying that the RRHOF comittee has an obvious bias against progressive rock. The only real prog band to make it is, predictably, Pink Floyd. I have no argument there but to ignore the impact that YES, Genesis, ELP, Crimson, Rush and others had on rock for the entire decade of the 1970s and beyond is ridiculous.

I think Yes and Genesis are the obvious choices based on the extent and quality of their work, the level of musicianship and their impact on the way albums and concerts are presented. Without these artists there would be no Radiohead or Tool, which I would suggest are the two greatest bands recording today. And to say that Howe, Squire and Wakeman haven't had a profound impact on how the guitar, bass and keyboards are played today in rock and roll would be a ridiculous lie.

The natural retort to those who don't get prog is that the music is "self-indulgent". This is a lazy and trite excuse for critical examination. Progressive rock, led by the aforementioned inovators, purposely and enthusiastically pushed the boundaries of rock to spaces and places it had never been before. Granted, they may have over-reached at times but without them we would still be hearing the same 3 major-chord progressions, wrapped around verse, chorus, verse, chorus, guitar solo, chorus.

Posted by SRM on Tuesday, 01.23.07 @ 14:50pm

The geatest most distinctive classic rock growl in history has been shamefully overlooked. The legendary JOE COCKER has a resume that far out paces many inductees. he has been making hit music for over 4 decades and still can outsing most performers half his age. Today justin timberlake is considered soulful to the young generation, but Joe cocker makes him sound like a "girlie man". Vocally Joe would blow him and most of his contempoaries off the stage. It is amazing how the RRHOF induction committee has forgotten about Joe who can't even get a nomination. His performance at Woodstock and his famous Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour are legendary rock events. At 62 years old he can still bring an audience to a frenzy as seen in his most recent tours. One of the few classic rockers who still has what it takes.

Posted by Tony on Saturday, 02.17.07 @ 09:06am

Like all the posts before me, I also find it incredulous that a supergroup like YES has been overlooked. Each member of YES can stand on their own merit. Not many other groups can boast that. And their influence on todays music and musicians, well, that list is almost endless. An egregious mistake has been made by the RRHOF.

Posted by Radioactive on Tuesday, 03.13.07 @ 07:29am

I HAVE PURCHESED EVERY YES ALBUM AND CD AND DVD PRODUCED IN AND ABOUT THIS BAND AND ALL THEIR SOLO ENDEVORS,AS A MUSICAN IM ABSOLUTLEY APPALLED THAT THESE ARTISTS WHO HAVE HAD MAJOR INFLUENCE IN MUSIC ALL OVER THIS PLANET SUCH ORIGINAL MASS APPEAL. SAME THING FOR EMERSON,LAKE AND PALMER .DONT LET THESE INOVATORS HANG IN THE WIND LET US RAISE THEM UP. IM SURE THEY DESERVE THIS JUST REWARD.THEY HAVE EARNED IT,...THANK YOU ALL MEMBERS OF YES PAST TO PRESENT .YOUR MUSIC INSPIRES ME ALL OF MY DAYS...THANK YOU

Posted by don pruitt on Friday, 03.16.07 @ 13:54pm

Yes and King Crimson are the two prog rock acts if any that should get in in my opinion.

Posted by jim on Thursday, 03.22.07 @ 18:24pm

You forgot the premier "progressive" rock band -RUSH

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, 03.26.07 @ 19:01pm

Here are the Billboard album chart numbers from
1972-1994 for YES.
1972 Fragile 4
1972 Close to the Edge 3
1973 Yessongs 12
1973 Tales of Topographic Oceans 6
1974 Relayer 5
1977 Going for the One 8
1978 Tormato 10
1980 Drama 18
1983 90125 5
1987 Big Generator 15
1991 Union 15
1994 Talk 33
Those numbers are not good enough for the Rock-n-Roll hall of Fame.
Do you know how many Top 15 Albums "Grandmaster Flash","The Ramones" and "Patti Smith" have combined in the same time span?

Posted by anthony rubbo on Friday, 04.6.07 @ 18:24pm

Do you know how many more bands cite those bands as influences compared to Yes?

I've said it before and I'll say it 'till I'm blue in the face: record sales and album charts do not count for jack when it comes to real, definite influence.

Posted by William on Friday, 04.6.07 @ 23:11pm

"YES" --Have influenced many --and they have a sound that is distinctive to them.

--There is a underground progressive movement of many bands(YES influenced) and thanks to the internet fans can find them. Mass media and radio has dictated what you listen to in four minutes or less. Yes has had tons of influence. Not anyone can take on Yes music without having a great degree of skill and attention span for up more than three minutes.
I can get a group of thugs to learn the Ramones catalog of songs. And what does Grandmaster Flash do? Play a turntable?

I added the IMPRESSIVE Album chart numbers of Yes because I guess it means someone liked them.
There are artists out there that score on a couple of single hits over a span of four years and are exaulted.
1972 to 1991 YES attained chart numbers like that and did not influence anybody? There is no other genre of music that suffers the prejudice that progressive rock does.

Posted by anthony rubbo on Saturday, 04.7.07 @ 14:51pm

This is probably the tenth time I've been accused of being a radio junkie by some random idiot.

That would be why I've advocated King Crimson and the Melvins, huh?

The irony of talking about a "bias" toward progressive rock while mocking the achievements of the Ramones and Grandmaster Flash might be lost on you, but I'm relishing it.

Posted by William on Saturday, 04.7.07 @ 18:19pm

I'm not a random idiot you snob.
Don't worry no one is threatening your musical knowledge. Its safe and sound.
How nice of "YOU" to advocate King Crimson

When I stated that the mass media and radio dictate what YOU listen to. I meant it in general terms. Not toward you specifically.
What makes the Album chart sales relevant in the case of YES is that they are not a singles band.
They tour with or without an album release.

Do NOT underestimate the influence of YES.
Thats All.
Did you advocate ELP?
- The Ramones and Grandmaster Flash should have been honored AFTER --YES and ELP. The whole prog rock era was ignored.

Posted by ANTHONY RUBBO on Saturday, 04.7.07 @ 21:12pm

I don't hold a hefty stake in the Hall, but I don't think I'm underestimating Yes. Certainly I have a few I'd rather see before them, but I'd take them over, say, Rush.

But influence-wise, the Ramones and Grandmaster Flash nearly dominate their respective genres,whereas with something like prog, there are quite a few competing for the top spot.

Posted by William on Saturday, 04.7.07 @ 21:34pm

OK ,I do agree.
As stated.

Posted by anthony rubbo on Sunday, 04.8.07 @ 20:35pm

"Do you know how many more bands cite those bands as influences compared to Yes?"

You are an absolute idiot...Yes, no influence? Grandmaster Flash has had no influence in Rock...mb in Rap, but not rock. This is the RRHOF, is it not?

To say that Yes has had little influece is plain dumb. As for Rush, they are one of the greatest rock bands of all time, hnads down...plus they have the numbers to back it up....if you think being able to sell your music via albums and concert songs means nothing, that is plain dumb too...get out these blogs!

Posted by ANON on Tuesday, 04.10.07 @ 05:54am

William wouldn't know good music if it bit him in the ass.......

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, 04.16.07 @ 20:00pm

Go back to 4chan.

Posted by William on Monday, 04.16.07 @ 20:36pm

Yes won't get in anytime soon... because too many on the voting committee play favorites, having fixed ideas as to what true rock / rock and roll should be. - Yes struck out on a very individual path, and aspired to *art*; roundabout 1975 that began to be viewed as anathema to the 'true spirit of rock and roll', (most cliches are so for a reason) . On their own terms the band were very much rebels, ...but that had nearly everything to do with the *music*. While, of the image they portrayed, what had it to do with the proscribed and favored forms of 'the genuine article', or of genuine rock rebellion? (James Dean grooving on Yes music? Both he and the viewer alike would probably end up wincing.)

True, their music wasn't much about some youthful striking out against society, not overtly or implicitly backing any sort of minority or cause. Nor in their rebellion was the individual the main point, he/she was never the center of attention. (An important point I think.) - But maybe the main problem for Yes, as regards their HOF status, is that their music rebelled against the wrong thing; their rebellion was against the limited and prepossessing structures of rock and roll itself! - (Plus there's the whole matter of Yes' lyrical content... in all the documentaries I've seen, produced since the late 1980's, the spiritual aspect of '60's-'70's counter-culture is treated as a sideshow at best, if not ignored or outright ridiculed....) Initiated to the themes and concerns common to rock music, or soul, or punk music, disco, do-wop or any other style the Hall has seen fit to give honor, Yes is... well, an outsider. And that is how it stands.

The matter of their inclusion or not ultimately has to do with fashion, with changing styles, what's in and what's out. But from this perspective sez I, the band for years made great music, and did with a style and message all their own, years before the R n'R Hall of Fame was even a twinkle in I. M. Pei's eye.

Posted by Mark Sink #38 on Monday, 04.30.07 @ 23:41pm

"As for Rush, they are one of the greatest rock bands of all time, (blah-blah-blah...)"

(Ahem)- please take of the tin foil cone hat and stop channeling Rush every fucking chance you get - please?? Who brought up Rush?

Yes seems like too big of an icon and too much of a progressive patriarch to ignore much longer, in my pop layman opinion. I'd agree that The Ramones and Grandmaster Flash were more widely influential, but c'mon already - Yes seems obvious to me.

Posted by shawn on Tuesday, 05.8.07 @ 22:43pm

I'd take Yes over Ramones or Grandmaster Flash any day. The Rockhall's No Prog Rock Rule is getting more and more ridiculous with each passing year.

Posted by Dezmond on Wednesday, 05.9.07 @ 08:38am

I can't understand why Yes isn't in yet...

Posted by John - CT on Saturday, 06.2.07 @ 23:01pm

It's pretty clear why they aren't in: The people running the show HATE progressive rock. Even Pink Floyd would have been kept out if DSOM and The Wall hadn't become cultural icons.

Now everyone's entitled to their opinions, but these self-imposed representatives of the Rock and Roll community really need to start looking past their personal biases.

Posted by Tom W on Thursday, 06.7.07 @ 14:15pm

William said on 04.7.07 - "But influence-wise, the Ramones and Grandmaster Flash nearly dominate their respective genres,whereas with something like prog, there are quite a few competing for the top spot.

As far as influence, the Johnny (?) Romone quote I best remember, it's on video I recall, is the one where he says The Romones thought they were creating bubble gum music, but then someone told them it was punk. ...Half a dozen of one... half a week's worth of The Sundays, maybe... it's still (*just*) Rock 'n Roll to me. --- Maybe The Romones where another Sha Na Na revival... but stuck somewhere in the early-to-mid '60's?

Posted by Mark Sink #38 9 on Sunday, 06.24.07 @ 14:53pm

Grandmaster Flash gets in over Yes, what a joke....

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, 06.24.07 @ 15:33pm

Grandmaster Flash gets in over Yes, what a joke....

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, 06.24.07 @ 15:33pm

WOW THEY WEREN'T EVEN NOMINATED ITS REDICULES THAT BANDS SUCH AS

KANSAS, LOVE, HEART, RUSH, JUDAS PRIEST, BOSTON, B-52'S, YES, THE GUESS WHO, LOVIN SPPONFUL, STEPPENWOLF, GENESIS, OZZY OSBOURN, TEARS FOR FEARS, THE "5" ROYALES, BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS, The Zombies, The Turtles, The Monkees, X, AND KISS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Crickets aren't even in this web site!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by jOHN on Tuesday, 06.26.07 @ 18:56pm

You sure know how to list your old record collection, just like many baby boomers here...by the way, The Lovin' Spoonful ARE in the Hall.

Posted by Casper on Tuesday, 06.26.07 @ 20:26pm

Yes is not in the R&R Hall of Fame. Unbelievable.

Posted by Vexableman on Friday, 09.28.07 @ 12:23pm

Yes is not in because they do not think that Progressive Rock is Rock. Yet the highly talented Patty Smith get in. I live in Cleveland & I have never been there & will not go there, especially after the newest inductees were introduced, Madonna???? WTF. Call it the PoP music hall of fame, cause it ain't RnR

Posted by Marc on Monday, 10.1.07 @ 13:28pm

Yes should definately be in. They are the best ROCK band in the history. They are so good they coulkdn't just call it rock anymore, they had to find a new 'tag'. Prog rock has allways been neglected by so called experts. And Yes is the most important prog rock band.
They have sold lots of records, but more importantly, they have sold out arenas all over the world for 35-40 years now. They are BIG. (Didn't they sell oout MSG 7 days in a row back in the 70s). They are the musicians musicians.

Posted by Roger Hennie on Monday, 10.29.07 @ 04:23am

I suspect that Britney Spears will be inducted before Yes.
Long live stupidity!!

Posted by Roger Hennie on Monday, 10.29.07 @ 04:26am

This is reverse snobbery -- the fact that a band thought their music deserved more than throwing TV sets out of hotel rooms into swimming pools, nightly orgies with teeny boppers or injecting dope in their veins makes them seem "on the fringe" as serious rockers. It's not going to be too long until youth re-discover YES as they have the Beatles... What will the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame think then? You can't keep Yes down. I've some of the members of Yes, they are the hardest working band ever.

Posted by Susan Sheppard on Sunday, 12.9.07 @ 17:26pm

It has become so obvious that those who are behind the nominations and voting of the HoF have a serious bias against prog rock. Yes, Pink Floyd is in. That is their concession. But what they seem to ignore is the popularity, the influence, the raw talent that bands such as Yes and ELP and Rush and Kings Crimson and perhaps the most talented of all, Gentle Giant, have shown over the years. For these artists to not be considered, let alone inducted, in the face of some of the over produced pop artists who already have plaques in the HoF, just goes to show that this place is not about the music but about what a small group of biased individuals believe.

Posted by Mark R. Turner on Thursday, 12.13.07 @ 19:52pm

I think it's time for people to stop being upset about talented groups like "YES" not being inducted into the HOF. Most people who grew up listening to rock know that they and other well-known groups should be shoe-ins for induction.
What people should be upset about is how the Hall of Fame has lost its way from its original intentions of who can be eligible. The HOF used to represent integrity for their earlier selections of inductees. These earlier members were truly influenced by one genre, ROCK & ROLL, which is what The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was originally all about...celebrating the bands and musicians who, influenced by the pioneers of Rock, created great enough songs to be honored in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
So, again, don't be sad for YES, King Crimson, or the many other bands that deserve to be recognized as great artists. They don't need to be associated with this organization. Be sad that this once credible establishment has turned into just another corporate money maker driven by greed to get as many people in their doors as possible by inducting artists like Madonna, and the Hip Hop groups who have virtually no connection to Rock & Roll.

Long live Rock & Roll. Sadly, short lived the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Posted by Gary_John on Friday, 12.14.07 @ 07:50am

I can't really add any more to the example already given as to why YES should be in the Music Critics Hall of Fame. I'm just one more fan the band raising my hand to vote for them as the most deserving bands in the world. I'm sure some day they will be inducted. Funny, bands like The Sex Pistols and The Ramones are in and when the music critic's darling,"Punk" emerged in the 70s, YES was one the bands sited as a reason for the doors needing to be kicked in. Those bands are gone and YES is still around. And when the are inducted, it will put a fine point on what is so glaringly obvious to Rock music fans.

Posted by Greg Bumgardner on Sunday, 02.10.08 @ 13:30pm

Yes Should be not only in the hall of fame as a group but individually also. How could a group as talented and popular as them not be in ON THE FIRST BALLOT!!! Lets stop with the grand master flash stuff and put in one of the greatest and most influential bands of all time in!!!

Posted by jeff Kenyon on Tuesday, 02.19.08 @ 11:12am

I remember learning to play guitar in the early 80's. Playing songs by Kiss, the Who, and some other blues influenced stuff...then a friend (a far better player than I) showed me Yes...the sonud blew me away. I had to make that sound! But it was far too complicated for my untrained musicality to handle. It forced me to get better. It forced me to learn how to actually play my instrument. I sought out music theory and knowledge. I had to learn many styles of music to understand what was going on in Yes' music.

I play music in the US Army now, and it was all that searching and seeking and striving to play that helped me earn that honor.

I am but one musician inspired and challenged by the music of Yes. I know there is uncountable numbers of others out there. This band deserves the recognition that has been bestowed upon so many others of considerably inferior musicianship.

Posted by Frank Esquer on Wednesday, 04.9.08 @ 20:32pm

i have thought about a trip to the r&r hall of shame---but now not untill yes is in there. they lose my money & time till then.

Posted by hotrod bill on Thursday, 06.5.08 @ 10:47am

Face it folks... there are reasons that bands such as Genesis, ELP, Jethro Tull, Procol Harum, King Crimson, Yes, the Strawbs, Gentle Giant, Alan Parsons (he produced/engineered a little thing called "Dark Side of the Moon," too, remember?) and many others are NOT in the Hall--they are not seen as the "voice of the common man," according to Jann Wenner and his compatriots. Somehow if Rock meshes with the blues, or folk, or jazz it's OK... but mix classical with rock and somehow that is illegitimate. Hence, prog rock is kept out by those who have contempt for the genre because of its classical roots (hence the overused description that it's "overblown, indulgent," etc.). Yes has sold the albums, made the impact, re-invented itself and has excelled in the multi-media universe- even today, 35+ years after their birth... all the while releasing albums and continuing to tour. It is systemic bias. But, perhaps after one truly prog rock band gets in, maybe we will see the likes of others admitted. That is my hope.

Posted by Music Lab on E-Music on Saturday, 07.5.08 @ 14:05pm

Don't know if they should be in or not. They're right on the bubble, IMO. Loved those Roger Dean album covers, though.

Posted by Paul in KY on Thursday, 07.10.08 @ 13:02pm

This is all about Jann Wenner and Rolling Stones' persecution of "progressive rock" since day one. Yes, ELP, Genesis, and King Crimson are but the most noticeable exclusions. Rolling Stone has been bashing prog rock bands since they first broke new ground in the early seventies. They were unique and brought a whole new sound to the table. These bands were once referred to as "classical rock" at the time because no one had heard their like before and as such defied classification. You know how every kid in America has those little Casio keyboards in their basements? Well back in the day, the Moog synthesizer was new, bulky, and expensive. And only a handful of bands were visionary enough to include these new sounds into the musical mainstream. This is what's known as "influence". But ultimately this isn't about influence, record sales ( although my personal favorite Yes has sold roughly 35 million records worldwide), and creativity. This is about Wenner and his magazine's relentless dislike of music they simply can't understand. Make no doubt about it: this is Rolling Stone's Hall of Fame. Through the years we've seen one act wonders make the cover of RS, as well as manufactured pop tarts and puff pieces on fluff acts that read as if they came from a record company's PR department. And ultimately it's not so much as the folks that haven't gotten in, so much as it is the dizzying array of indefensible acts who shouldn't as much be allowed in the city of Cleveland, not to mention one of it's best known attractions.
Soon Genesis will be in, but not because of it's Gabriel/Steve Hackett days, but because of they pop phenom they morphed into as Phil Collins' backup band. Hey Jann...step down. A lot of us are sick of your exclusion of some of the most truly deserving acts just because you've been out of the loop. Bands comprised of actual musicians should not be excluded simply based on your lack of repect. Step aside Jann; your time in the sun is over.
Or as Peter Gabriel put it all those years ago "If you think that it's pretentious/you've been taken for a ride".

Posted by Walston on Friday, 08.8.08 @ 11:18am

Great post Walston

By the way I realized prog rock band Strawbs don't have a page on this site we need to get one up and running

Posted by Keebord on Thursday, 08.28.08 @ 13:06pm

Aside from the ones truly deserving, starting with Elvis and the Beatles, this is one institution in which I, for one, would want little or no part of. It's almost an embarrassment to be inducted, especially if you look to the likes of both the Ronettes and Phil Spector being included. This abomidable list goes on and on.

The Yes musicians can rest easily in the fact that they are amongst the virtuosos of rock, consistently and fluently partaking in highly advanced melodies, progressions, key changes, transitions and lyrics. If this is "self indulgence" to those at the Hall, then you can have the Hall. For me, it's incredible music for the ages. Long live Anderson, Squire, Howe and the rest! Down with Jenn Wenner and his highly biased cronies who see rock and roll as little more than boundless anger backed with a beat.

Who needs the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Posted by Gig on Sunday, 09.7.08 @ 11:21am

This band stand as the absolute definitions of "self-indulgence" and "instrumental wankery."

No way are they at the front of the prog queue, but they're certainly ahead of the deeply mediocre Genesis.

Posted by Liam on Sunday, 09.7.08 @ 11:47am

I had signed a petition this year to get them inducted and even sent the HoF a letter listing 5 acts that should be considered. I'm not taking any shots at Genesis or Rush, because I included both of them as future considerations. While I still hope for their worthy induction, I do know this- they're in MY Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!

Posted by Bill Langan on Friday, 09.12.08 @ 19:59pm

I am tired of labels. All the bands mentioned in this thread (Yes, Rush, ELP, King Crimson, Kansas, etc...) that have been ignored, probably don't give a flip about being in the Hall of Fame. That is what makes them great. They do it because it is in them to do it. They create because it gives them joy to do so. It is the air they breathe. Lucky for us, it is the air we breathe also. I would rather buy a Rush tee-shirt than a ticket to the Hall of Fame. I would rather listen to a Porcupine Tree cd than travel to that building.
As the commercial goes...
Rush tee shirt...$40.00
Porcupine Tree cd...$16.00
non-commercial music...priceless
Keep on going Hall of Fame, I hope you live on for 100 years, and that prog rock dances on your grave after you die out!

Posted by Robert on Monday, 09.22.08 @ 21:43pm

saw gary moore and i saw power.saw stevie ray and i saw love and soul shining through.saw steve howe and i saw genius! he does solo acoustic outings in nashville once in awhile, there music is so technical leaps and bounds above the masses most cant phathom until they witness the bond between steve howe and his hundred or so guitars.squire on bass anderson ,oh im not here to educate turns out i'm here to laugh and the unknowing .as for this rap and disco garbage i have a multidigit IQ so i cant relate.dance as if no ones watching- sing if no ones listening, but for gods sake dont waste this philosophy on rap.

Posted by segovia on Monday, 09.22.08 @ 22:47pm

Two words keep Yes and all the others out - "Jann Wenner". This pompous, self-important creator of "Rolling Stone" magazine thinks only his opinion counts. It's his HOF, not the peoples', so our opinion does not matter. As far as I'm concerned, The R&RHOF is a private endeavor, and does not reflect the true state of our passion for our favorites. It's all about Jann. To hell with him. Yes are in "MY" HOF, and will be forever.

Posted by Steve on Tuesday, 09.23.08 @ 13:53pm

simply beyond comprehension that Yes is not there.

Posted by TimO on Tuesday, 09.23.08 @ 15:04pm

Kailash and Peter,

it is not accurate to say Yes are being snubbed.

It is clear that the Nominating Committee has discussed them, but many people within it find them unpalatable.

The idea that King Crimson have been snubbed, however, is quite possible. The fact that King Crimson have never been discussed by the Committee shows a possibility of deliberate exclusion at that level for personal or other reasons.

Posted by taite on Wednesday, 10.8.08 @ 22:03pm

The absence of Yes is irrefutable proof that the Hall hates prog.

Posted by Randy on Sunday, 11.2.08 @ 17:26pm

This is a pissing match with Jann Wenner. Yes has always been a problem for the mainstream elite. They are without a doubt one of the most influential bands in rock history. Without them, the prog rock genre may not have germinated. Bands like Rush, Dream Theater, etc. were very heavily influenced by them. The fact they didn't sell as many units as GrandMaster Flash has nothing to do with it. This snub negates any credibility with the RHOF in my book.

Posted by Zibby on Monday, 11.10.08 @ 10:33am

You can't say "No" to "Yes"

Posted by Semaj Dnob on Saturday, 11.22.08 @ 15:05pm

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHAAAAA

Posted by king floyd on Saturday, 11.22.08 @ 20:32pm

YES should have made it many, many years ago, along with Deep Purple, ELP and the Moody Blues.

Posted by Dick on Wednesday, 01.14.09 @ 10:47am

was just at the Hall of fame today........that Yes, Deep Purple, & KISS to name but 3 are not in the hall is the biggest travesty.
And don't get me started on ELO, E.L.P and even ABBA (possibly the biggest selling act of the 70's)

Posted by dubois on Saturday, 02.7.09 @ 22:24pm

A lot of good comments here that I agree with. What about a law suit by yes, elp , etc. By being biased they are liable for damages. Other half of fames look at facts etc and have consistant rules for inclusion. Does anyone know if non-inclusion restricts advertizers etc not to carry their cd's t-shirts, etc?

Posted by bruce on Friday, 03.6.09 @ 11:22am

I once heard that Rolling Stone had some kind words for "Close to the Edge" when it came out, but has bashed the album since then. Can anyone confirm this and point me to a source?

Posted by Cory Cosens on Thursday, 03.12.09 @ 12:12pm

Yes has always been in a league of their own. Something has kept them out all these years - it's anybody's guess who/what/why. Perhaps the foundation are confused about "which Yes" to induct. There have been MANY personnel changes in the band. The "Fragile/Close To The Edge" Yes is an entirely different band from the "Owner Of A Lonely Heart/Trevor Rabin/90125" Yes. However, when they inducted George Clinton/Parliament/Funkadelic there were many, many people onstage all receiving HOF trophies. Yes have been so influential I think they should simply induct all members. Here's another snag: both Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes would go in as members of Yes (under the previous logic of inducting all members), yet they arguably deserve to be recognized as The Buggles for being the inaugural music video band with Video Killed The Radio Star. Additionally, Horn deserves recognition from the Hall as an innovative producer. It's a weird situation. Lastly, when Ahmet Ertegun was living, he must have done something to keep Yes from being nominated. He was one their biggest champion, both during the 70's and then in the 80's when they made their celebrated comeback. At some point during the years it took them to follow up with "Big Generator" Mr. Ertegun became fed up with them to the point of writing them off forever. It was at this point I think they may have ruined their chances. Under the current hierarchy headed by Mr. Wenner, I don't see them having much of a chance either. Rolling Stone was never that enamored with Yes - remember they were the 1st mainstream rock publication to label them "boring old farts" when punk/new wave began to take over our consciousness in the late 70's/early 80's. It's a shame the politics are standing in their way, because they UNDOUBTEDLY deserve to be inductees for their innovations and massive influence, not to mention many, many years of excellent music.

Posted by Vince on Sunday, 03.15.09 @ 21:23pm

It's absurd that Yes is not in the Hall. The early band's influence is still apparent in theme-like albums by contemporary acts like The Decemerists. Their omission undermines the credibility of the Hall - period.

Posted by Jon on Sunday, 03.29.09 @ 08:06am

This may sound obvious, but I don't see many musically complex bands in the RHOF. I think YES is just too sophisticated musically to fit in with all of the pop-icons in the RHOF.

The powers-to-be of the RHOF are very biased towards basic pop and basic rock n roll. Music that is deeply textured and has all the roller coaster/cosmic space woven into the melodies isn't what these dummies voting for RHOF inductees want.

YES like their cousins, King Crimson and Genesis wrote full-length novels of music while most of their rock n roll relatives were writing sentences and making a song out of one or two musical phrases.

The RHOF just wants their meat please. No thank you to drinks, hor' deurs, after dinner drinks and desserts. No fine dining at the RHOF, its the Burger King of the music business.

Posted by Ed on Wednesday, 06.10.09 @ 18:07pm

Your right Ed, progressive rock in itself is too sophiscated for people like Jann Wenner to understand.

Posted by Keebord on Wednesday, 06.10.09 @ 18:13pm

That's because people like Jann Wenner and others are a bunch of ignorant in-bred hicks

Apologies for the crude comment but sometimes that's the best way to get your point across

Posted by Mongoose on Wednesday, 06.10.09 @ 18:15pm

It's not a matter of a group or artist being "too this" or "too that". It's a matter of a select few forcing their will (and personal opinion) on the rest of us. It shouldn't be about Rolling Stone magazine (which, by the way, lost all credibility with me by putting that "mutt" American Idol runnerup on the cover) & "friends"...there just seems like there's a better way of voting with more qualified participants.

Also, any group or artists who claim it's not important to them are LYING (that includes the Sex Pistols...if they really didn't care, they just simply wouldn't have shown up and not made any statements). I do think though that after years of frustration, some just shrug it off.

That's one person's opinion, anyway...

Posted by Gitarzan on Wednesday, 06.10.09 @ 18:31pm

Cheers to Gitarzan for a sensible comment.

Jeers to Ed, Keebord, and Mongoose for theirs. Really, that's why people laugh at progressive rock fans. They just don't get it. This part was particularly good...

"YES like their cousins, King Crimson and Genesis wrote full-length novels of music while most of their rock n roll relatives were writing sentences and making a song out of one or two musical phrases."

Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, and Leonard Cohen are far more erudite and professional writers. None of them wrote emotionally void, sci-fi, pseudo-Ayn Rand bullcrap. Neither did they write pointlessly and vaguely "complex" songs. They did what was "right" emotionally and artistically for the song.

Yes' music will never mean anything next to Mozart, Wagner, or Satie. Give up that ridiculous argument.

See points 1, 4, and 5 in my post here (the very bottom): http://www.futurerocklegends.com/artist.php?artist_id=Kraftwerk

Why is this so difficult to understand?

The people I know who listen to progressive rock and buy into the "complexity" argument are guys with extremely long hair, black t-shirts, and black pants. They usually listen to metal as well. They always use the words "complex" and "philosophical" without ever expounding much on those concepts. Yep, that sure is the image that comes to mind when one mentions "sophistication". Give me a break.

Posted by Elastic Man on Wednesday, 06.10.09 @ 22:34pm

I've considered this "snubbing of progressive" issue where the Rock Hall Of Fame is concerned for awhile now; and I've come to the conclusion that it's sort of a red herring. If you define "progressive" as music that goes beyond the traditional two and a half minute song structures of a verse,chorus and another verse while lyrically going beyond boy meets girl leaves girl; then progressive really began as psychedelic in the mid 60s with groups like The Grateful Dead & The Jefferson Airplane. Then in 67' The Doors came along with their 1st album containing several songs over 7 minutes long.

I think 66'-67' is the time where prog began, it's just the name "progressive" wasn't what it was initially referred to.

If you also consider that British bands like Pink Floyd and Traffic were combining traditional rock with other musical forms like jazz and writing "cosmic" type lyrics in 67' as well, then this whole notion of "progressive" bands being excluded from The Hall Of Fame starts looking less valid.

The Dead & the Airplane are in. The Doors are in, and so is Traffic & Floyd. The Hall obviously considers those bands to be 1st wave prog. The only other 1st wave prog band not in really is The Moody Blues which is a shame.

Bands like Yes, ELP, Genesis are excluded probably cause they're condsidered 2nd wave.

Bands like Kansas, ELO, Styx, Rush are 3rd wave & have 0 chance whatsoever.

Posted by Arrow Man on Thursday, 06.11.09 @ 00:11am

^Truth well spoken.

Addendum to my hostile first post: I don't hate the type of progressive rock espoused here, I like King Crimson, Robert Wyatt, and Genesis, I just find the arguments and point of view misguided to the point of sheer silliness. There's a seeming inability to suss out any kind of musical radicalism that isn't based on the vague term "complexity".

For example: I would consider The Who Sell Out their definitive art-rock statement, far superior to the self-conscious serious works Tommy, Lifehouse, or Quadrophenia (in my opinion, narrative doesn't hold up on album.) Sell Out is an example of what art-rock really means but because it's composed of pop songs the hard heads here would completely disagree, missing out on perhaps the first post-modern masterpiece of popular music. They may like it just because it's the Who but it can't be as good as Tommy because it lacks...what's that word again?...oh, "complexity". Sell Out paints a great portrait of 60s youth and has far more to say than any Yes or ELP record. THAT'S complexity in my humble opinion.

Posted by Elastic Man on Thursday, 06.11.09 @ 03:40am

I've considered this "snubbing of progressive" issue where the Rock Hall Of Fame is concerned for awhile now; and I've come to the conclusion that it's sort of a red herring. If you define "progressive" as music that goes beyond the traditional two and a half minute song structures of a verse,chorus and another verse while lyrically going beyond boy meets girl leaves girl; then progressive really began as psychedelic in the mid 60s with groups like The Grateful Dead & The Jefferson Airplane. Then in 67' The Doors came along with their 1st album containing several songs over 7 minutes long.

I think 66'-67' is the time where prog began, it's just the name "progressive" wasn't what it was initially referred to.

Posted by Arrow Man on Thursday, 06.11.09 @ 00:11am
--------------------------------------------------
Please look up:

Ahmad Jamal - "But Not For Me/Jamal Live at the Pershing Room" - 1958

Check out Jamal's version of "Poinciana" - no lyrics, but well over 7 minutes long

the album sold a fair amount at that time, when rock was just kicking in, despite it being a full length jazz album.

Posted by Cheesecrop on Thursday, 06.11.09 @ 18:49pm

Great line from "Who Sell Out" song; Tattoo

"so me and my brother borrowed money from mother and got ourselves a tatoo, but his tatoo was of a lady in the nude and our mother thought that was extremely rude"

Correct, it is the best work The Who ever did and is timeless. It sounds more contemporary than any Who recording made after that one and that was in 1967. Second fav song on "Sell Out" "Our Love Was, Is". Pete and Rog sang such nice harmony together.

Posted by Ed on Thursday, 06.18.09 @ 17:15pm

Yes, Yes deserve induction(pardon the intentional redundancy). They do have a good influence factor on bands like Rush, Dream Theater, and Porcupine Tree to name a few.

Posted by Dude Man on Thursday, 07.23.09 @ 22:51pm

I love Yes, and I wish they were in the Hall. But you have to ask, "which Yes?" Isn't this part of the problem? Do you pick their supposed "best" lineup of Anderson-Bruford-Squire-Wakeman-Howe? What about Kaye and White? (I won't even suggest Rabin because Yes without Steve Howe is, well, No.) Can a band with so many personnel changes really be inducted? As I recall, when the Eagles went in, they chose the last (at the time) lineup, with Joe Walsh and Tim Schmit, though other members were in the band during their real heyday.

Posted by Bill on Tuesday, 08.18.09 @ 13:31pm

YES should have made it years ago, along with Deep Purple and the Moody Blues.

Posted by mark (and the gang) on Thursday, 08.20.09 @ 10:02am

No.

Posted by sookie on Thursday, 08.20.09 @ 11:47am

I forgot that Primus also list Yes as an influence.

Posted by Dude Man on Monday, 09.7.09 @ 10:04am

Yes was one of the only progressive rock bands to have made it to the pop music world and back, not to mention everything in between. Every band member in the band from 1969 until 2009 was a virtuoso in his own instrument and had a very succesful solo career. See Rick Wakeman, or Steve Howe, or even Chris Squire, they all had a hit single or album. Why wasn't Yes added to the R&R Hall of Fame? If any progressive rock band should be inducted, it should be Yes, if not only for their sheer eclecticism and success.

Posted by What on Monday, 09.28.09 @ 10:37am

"Why wasn't Yes added to the R&R Hall of Fame?"-What

The average number of stars a Yes album gets from Rolling Stone is 2.5 and on their main page on RS's site they mentioned Yes's, "often overbearing pretentiousness" and being "bizarre and fleeting -- if totally unrealistic --"

Posted by Dude Man on Monday, 09.28.09 @ 10:45am

Three words describes why Yes won't get into the RRHOF and it's a shame:

Jann hates prog!

Posted by Jann hates prog on Wednesday, 09.30.09 @ 23:31pm

The Rock Hall is a subjective sham. They simply do not like art rock/progressive bands.

Posted by Tippersnore on Sunday, 11.8.09 @ 18:52pm

Tippersnore,

The RRHOF has Genesis as one of its nominees for 2010. Genesis are in the Prog?ART Rock vein.

Posted by Aaron O'Donnell on Monday, 11.9.09 @ 08:23am

> Genesis are in the Prog?

The pop prog years with Collins on lead vocals made the difference I'm afraid.

With crap like Madonna in the RaRHoF, I actually wish my favorite bands like Yes, Procol Harum, ELP and Deep Purple don't make it.

DEAN

Posted by Dean on Sunday, 11.29.09 @ 14:50pm

The R&R HOF is a joke.

I love and seen YES so many times over the years.
All Yes fans know that they're not for everyone but for so many us they really did it up greatly live and in the studio.
Time will be very kind to Yes moreso than many other groups in the so called Rock and Roll Hall of Lame

Posted by Francesco Di Pacelli on Saturday, 12.19.09 @ 07:05am

Yes not being in the RRHOF makes the hall meaningless. The fact that Genesis got in in probably because of their pop hits...this is now as irrelevant as the Grammy's or other crap that I don't even pay attention to. Oh and btw - - I am in the music industry

Posted by mm on Monday, 04.5.10 @ 20:51pm

"I can get a group of thugs to learn the Ramones catalog of songs. And what does Grandmaster Flash do? Play a turntable?" - anthony rubbo

I get a bit annoyed sometimes about the complaints about rap ("But I got a dance at the prom because of Boston and REO Speedwagon! That's, like, so rock 'n' roll!") I wonder how many people have realized the irony of declaring war against a rebellious artform (since, you know, rebellion and going against the grain was what rock was founded upon) whilst wanting to induct soulless, unimportant, redundant classic rock acts (no, I don't put Yes in that category.) Get out of the 60's and 70's already. And what's with the punk bashing? Three or four chords was what rock was founded upon, and sometimes it feels much better and moves you more than technically challenging stuff. Denying The Ramones' influence, and thus their place in the Hall, is a waste of time.

"As the commercial goes...
Rush tee shirt...$40.00
Porcupine Tree cd...$16.00
non-commercial music...priceless
Keep on going Hall of Fame, I hope you live on for 100 years, and that prog rock dances on your grave after you die out!" - Robert

Good man. Thank you for giving Porcupine Tree some love; very underrated. I'd like the Hall to shut it's doors now, though. Sell everything and donate the proceeds to charity, that would be the honorable thing to do at this point.

I'm not even that big a fan of prog (though as I said, I love Porcupine Tree, and love Pink Floyd.) With that said, snubbing most of a genre due to personal taste (they've done this with other subgenres as well) almost completely destroys the Hall's credibility. Yes are very talented musicians, and if what Anon said is correct, they've influenced Rush, who I know are very influential. Yes to Yes (pun intended), King Crimson, ELP and Rush, maybe to Jethro Tull and no to Kansas and Styx (sorry, no innovation to speak of and no lasting influence.)

Posted by Sam on Sunday, 04.25.10 @ 19:06pm

Yes not being in the RRHoF is just silly. Not popular enough?? They sold out Madison Square Garden several times in their heyday!! Without advertising. And large arenas all over the world. And they did so for at least 3 decades!

While a number of other artists in the RRHoF are touring Norway with a couple of hundred people in the audience, a prog band like Genesis plays for 500.000 in Rome. And prog rock is practically left out of RRHoF. This was the rock style of the 70s. Pop and disco is not rock.

Posted by roger on Monday, 08.23.10 @ 05:53am

Genesis are in the Hall, and "rock" is a broad definition, so pop and disco could fit. Otherwise, I fully agree with you. Yes is way overdue.

Posted by Sam on Tuesday, 08.24.10 @ 20:04pm

Yes Resumes

VOCALS

Jon Anderson - Yes, The Warriors, Jon & Vangelis

Trevor Horn - The Buggles, Yes, The Art of Noise

GUITAR

Peter Banks - Yes, Empire

Steve Howe - Yes, Asia

Trevor Rabin - Yes

KEYBOARDS

Tony Kaye - Yes, Badfinger, Badger, Johnny & the Hurricanes

Rick Wakeman - Yes, The Strawbs

Patrick Moraz - Yes, Refugee, The Moody Blues

Geoffrey Downes - Yes, The Buggles, Asia, Icon

BASS

Chris Squire - Yes, Syn, The Selfs

DRUMS

Bill Bruford - Yes, King Crimson

Alan White - Yes, The Plastic Ono Band

OTHER

GUITAR AND KEYBOARDS

Billy Sherwood - Boston, Blue Oyster Cult, Yes, Asia, Rush

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 08.25.10 @ 05:05am

Roy,

You forgot about GTR as part of Steve Howe 's resume

Posted by Aaron O'Donnell on Wednesday, 08.25.10 @ 15:44pm