Forum Home Forum Home > Progressive Music Lounges > Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Why did Yes name themselves Yes?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Why did Yes name themselves Yes?
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123>
Author
Message Reverse Sort Order
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
ssmarcus View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: September 05 2019
Location: Israel
Status: Offline
Points: 261 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ssmarcus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Why did Yes name themselves Yes?
    Posted: March 03 2021 at 07:17
Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

Originally posted by A Crimson Mellotron A Crimson Mellotron wrote:

This just came to my mind out of nowhere... And I have no idea what's the story behind Yes naming the band like that?
Who came up with this and why did they go with it? Big smile
Because it's a big improvement over Mabel Greer's Toyshop. Smile

lol ClapClapClap
Back to Top
SteveG View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: April 11 2014
Location: Kyiv In Spirit
Status: Offline
Points: 20609 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SteveG Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 23 2021 at 12:01
Why? Because Genesis was already taken.

Edited by SteveG - February 23 2021 at 12:02
This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State.
Back to Top
ExittheLemming View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 19 2007
Location: Penal Colony
Status: Offline
Points: 11415 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote ExittheLemming Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 23 2021 at 10:12
Originally posted by Psychedelic Paul Psychedelic Paul wrote:

Originally posted by A Crimson Mellotron A Crimson Mellotron wrote:

This just came to my mind out of nowhere... And I have no idea what's the story behind Yes naming the band like that?
Who came up with this and why did they go with it? Big smile
YES were originally known as Mabel Greer's Toyshop, but they wanted to come up with a shorter name. Jon Anderson wanted to call the new band "Life", and then Chris Squire suggested "World", and Peter Banks simply replied "Yes", and the band YES was born. After all,  it's easier to design the logo for a 3-letter band name. Smile


Germaine Greer's Toyshop would have been, at the very least, a funnier name.
Back to Top
AFlowerKingCrimson View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 02 2016
Location: Philly burbs
Status: Offline
Points: 18358 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AFlowerKingCrimson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 23 2021 at 08:51
Originally posted by Lieutenant_Lan Lieutenant_Lan wrote:

Well if someone asks your favorite band and you say Yes. They'll say it wasn't a yes or no question. So to bother people and to make you ask questions.

I think that depends on the person you ask and whether they know the band or not.
Back to Top
Psychedelic Paul View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: September 16 2019
Location: Nottingham, U.K
Status: Offline
Points: 40379 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Psychedelic Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 23 2021 at 01:29
Originally posted by A Crimson Mellotron A Crimson Mellotron wrote:

This just came to my mind out of nowhere... And I have no idea what's the story behind Yes naming the band like that?
Who came up with this and why did they go with it? Big smile
YES were originally known as Mabel Greer's Toyshop, but they wanted to come up with a shorter name. Jon Anderson wanted to call the new band "Life", and then Chris Squire suggested "World", and Peter Banks simply replied "Yes", and the band YES was born. After all,  it's easier to design the logo for a 3-letter band name. Smile
Back to Top
Frenetic Zetetic View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: December 09 2017
Location: Now
Status: Offline
Points: 9233 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Frenetic Zetetic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 23 2021 at 00:21
Originally posted by cstack3 cstack3 wrote:

I'm 65 years young, and remember a time when some referred to the band as "The Yes!"  

For example, on Sept 22, 1972, I saw a fresh young band, the Eagles, open for Yes on their CTTE (Yessongs) tour.  

After a very rousing set, one of the Eagles (Don Henley?) came out and said something like "And now, we would like to introduce you to our good friends, The Yes!" 

Makes sense, as the band (especially Banks and Squire) were huge fans of The Who!  I don't think it was ever formalized, but I also had friends who called them "The Yes."  

You're twice my age and we both love YES just as much. Envious that you got to see them live in the golden era! Same with my father lol.

"I am so prog, I listen to concept albums on shuffle." -KMac2021
Back to Top
cstack3 View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar
VIP Member

Joined: July 20 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Status: Offline
Points: 7281 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cstack3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2021 at 23:14
Originally posted by AFlowerKingCrimson AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:

Originally posted by cstack3 cstack3 wrote:

I'm 65 years young, and remember a time when some referred to the band as "The Yes!"  

For example, on Sept 22, 1972, I saw a fresh young band, the Eagles, open for Yes on their CTTE (Yessongs) tour.  

After a very rousing set, one of the Eagles (Don Henley?) came out and said something like "And now, we would like to introduce you to our good friends, The Yes!" 

Makes sense, as the band (especially Banks and Squire) were huge fans of The Who!  I don't think it was ever formalized, but I also had friends who called them "The Yes."  

I'm a bit younger than you but I remember some guy in my class in Jr. High when mentioning bands his brother or someone told him about saying something like "and also the Yes." That was probably not too long before the 90125 album came out(maybe 5 or 6 months before it). After that I would say no excuse. I also don't know why my eighth grade teacher said "and a little bit of Yes in there as well" after I mentioned them when he wanted names of rock bands. It seems he was judging them based on his perceived popularity of them or something. Was Yes ever an obscure band. 

Anyway, that happened not too long after 90125 and they were pretty big then but I guess he didn't think so or maybe he didn't turn on the damn radio at the time. Oh well. Anyway, I can see people calling them the Yes because of the Yes album. Pink Floyd were briefly called the Pink Floyd. Initially Yes were called Yes! but after two months the exclamation mark was dropped.

Thanks, great comments and good history!! Clap

Many bands in the psychodelic and proto-prog era seemed to use "The...." in their name, didn't they?  The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Guess Who, The Grateful Dead, The Yardbirds and so forth.  It doesn't seem to be a naming convention that has carried on to our modern era.  


Edited by cstack3 - February 22 2021 at 23:16
I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!!
Back to Top
AFlowerKingCrimson View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: October 02 2016
Location: Philly burbs
Status: Offline
Points: 18358 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote AFlowerKingCrimson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2021 at 19:29
Originally posted by cstack3 cstack3 wrote:

I'm 65 years young, and remember a time when some referred to the band as "The Yes!"  

For example, on Sept 22, 1972, I saw a fresh young band, the Eagles, open for Yes on their CTTE (Yessongs) tour.  

After a very rousing set, one of the Eagles (Don Henley?) came out and said something like "And now, we would like to introduce you to our good friends, The Yes!" 

Makes sense, as the band (especially Banks and Squire) were huge fans of The Who!  I don't think it was ever formalized, but I also had friends who called them "The Yes."  

I'm a bit younger than you but I remember some guy in my class in Jr. High when mentioning bands his brother or someone told him about saying something like "and also the Yes." That was probably not too long before the 90125 album came out(maybe 5 or 6 months before it). After that I would say no excuse. I also don't know why my eighth grade teacher said "and a little bit of Yes in there as well" after I mentioned them when he wanted names of rock bands. It seems he was judging them based on his perceived popularity of them or something. Was Yes ever an obscure band. 

Anyway, that happened not too long after 90125 and they were pretty big then but I guess he didn't think so or maybe he didn't turn on the damn radio at the time. Oh well. Anyway, I can see people calling them the Yes because of the Yes album. Pink Floyd were briefly called the Pink Floyd. Initially Yes were called Yes! but after two months the exclamation mark was dropped.
Back to Top
cstack3 View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar
VIP Member

Joined: July 20 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Status: Offline
Points: 7281 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote cstack3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2021 at 19:20
I'm 65 years young, and remember a time when some referred to the band as "The Yes!"  

For example, on Sept 22, 1972, I saw a fresh young band, the Eagles, open for Yes on their CTTE (Yessongs) tour.  

After a very rousing set, one of the Eagles (Don Henley?) came out and said something like "And now, we would like to introduce you to our good friends, The Yes!" 

Makes sense, as the band (especially Banks and Squire) were huge fans of The Who!  I don't think it was ever formalized, but I also had friends who called them "The Yes."  
I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!!
Back to Top
Lieutenant_Lan View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: February 20 2021
Location: North Carolina
Status: Offline
Points: 365 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lieutenant_Lan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 22 2021 at 18:11
Well if someone asks your favorite band and you say Yes. They'll say it wasn't a yes or no question. So to bother people and to make you ask questions.
Back to Top
Progosopher View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: May 12 2009
Location: Coolwood
Status: Offline
Points: 6467 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Progosopher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 09 2020 at 23:02
Originally posted by A Crimson Mellotron A Crimson Mellotron wrote:

Originally posted by Mirakaze Mirakaze wrote:

It's a bit easier to market than a band called "No", isn't it now?

Right now, I can imagine a band calling themselves 'No' but you are right for sure.
I remember t-shirts in the 70s that had No and Maybe printed on them in the Yes logo style. That's a sure sign of success.
The world of sound is certainly capable of infinite variety and, were our sense developed, of infinite extensions. -- George Santayana, "The Sense of Beauty"
Back to Top
essexboyinwales View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member


Joined: April 27 2015
Location: Bridgend
Status: Offline
Points: 5003 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote essexboyinwales Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 09 2020 at 07:25
Originally posted by cstack3 cstack3 wrote:

Originally posted by A Crimson Mellotron A Crimson Mellotron wrote:

This just came to my mind out of nowhere... And I have no idea what's the story behind Yes naming the band like that?
Who came up with this and why did they go with it? Big smile


Legend has it that their guitarist, Peter Banks, came up with the name.  It was short and very positive.  


Here, this is brilliant history!  Peter also came up with the Yes logo:




No, no no no, no,.no, nono, no..yes!😄
Back to Top
Frenetic Zetetic View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: December 09 2017
Location: Now
Status: Offline
Points: 9233 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Frenetic Zetetic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 09 2020 at 04:29
Originally posted by chopper chopper wrote:

Having a band name that you have to explain is a right pain in the ***. We were once briefly called "Red Mullet Fantasy" (the result of a slightly drunken meal at a local Indian restaurant where it was on the menu and someone said "that's a good name for a band!).
We once entered a battle of the bands contest where we were billed as "Red Mullet Factory".

Many years ago I was in a band called Hoozhoo and nobody could ever spell it properly.

Or all the pop punk bands with numbers in their names, etc.

"I am so prog, I listen to concept albums on shuffle." -KMac2021
Back to Top
Woon Deadn View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: March 30 2010
Location: P
Status: Offline
Points: 1007 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Woon Deadn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 09 2020 at 03:47
In Russian language there are no articles (like a/an/the in English), no [w] sound and (usually) no copula in the present tense. Hence we e.g. have Kvin (or Kuin).

To demonstrate these features, the sentence "ya inzhener" - I am an engineer - is sometimes used. I still long for a band, album or tune named "I engineer".


Edited by Woon Deadn - November 09 2020 at 03:51
Favourite Band: Gentle Giant
Favourite Writer: Robert Sheckley
Favourite Horror Writer: Jean Ray
Favourite Computer Game: Tiny Toon - Buster's Hidden Treasure (Sega Mega Drive/Genesis)
Back to Top
chopper View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator

Joined: July 13 2005
Location: Essex, UK
Status: Offline
Points: 20030 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote chopper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 09 2020 at 03:11
Having a band name that you have to explain is a right pain in the ***. We were once briefly called "Red Mullet Fantasy" (the result of a slightly drunken meal at a local Indian restaurant where it was on the menu and someone said "that's a good name for a band!).
We once entered a battle of the bands contest where we were billed as "Red Mullet Factory".

Many years ago I was in a band called Hoozhoo and nobody could ever spell it properly.
Back to Top
Frenetic Zetetic View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: December 09 2017
Location: Now
Status: Offline
Points: 9233 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Frenetic Zetetic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 09 2020 at 03:06
Originally posted by cstack3 cstack3 wrote:

Originally posted by Frenetic Zetetic Frenetic Zetetic wrote:

Originally posted by cstack3 cstack3 wrote:

Originally posted by AFlowerKingCrimson AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:

It was going to be life, world or Yes. They wanted a one word name. Peter Banks came up with Yes because he convinced the rest of them that because it was only three letters it would take up more space and appear larger on posters for their shows.

Thanks, good history! 

I remember the early 1970s, when "Yes" were sometimes referred to as "The Yes."  When I saw the CTTE show in Chicago (22 Sept 1972), the US band The Eagles opened.   When they finished, one of the band members introduced the band as "...our friends, the Yes!"  

I know Peter Banks was very favorably impressed by Pete Townsend and The Who, so that may have figured into it a bit.  

Yes (lol!) I remember hearing this, as well (regarding potential Yes band names). What a positive group of young lads, lol!

I've played in more than a few bands....the advantage of the name "Yes" is that it is easy to pronounce drunk! 

I'm serious!!  

As someone that has played semi-professionally in rock and metal bands since 2006, nobody understands (and learned this the HARD WAY) now more than myself! LOL

WE ARE PSYCHOTHERATROXICAUST AND THIS NEXT TRACK'S OFF OUR NEW RECORD ENCAPSULATED DECIMATION!!! (all of that was made up but it's an accurate representation of the un-marketability of most rock and metal LOL).

Yes is a genius band name. How many times have you asked someone what time it was, and they were hammered and just said "Yes" because they didn't understand the question?

Is this the band?

"Yes!"

What time is it?

"Yes!"

LOL.


Edited by Frenetic Zetetic - November 09 2020 at 03:07

"I am so prog, I listen to concept albums on shuffle." -KMac2021
Back to Top
cstack3 View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar
VIP Member

Joined: July 20 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Status: Offline
Points: 7281 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote cstack3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 09 2020 at 02:53
Originally posted by Frenetic Zetetic Frenetic Zetetic wrote:

Originally posted by cstack3 cstack3 wrote:

Originally posted by AFlowerKingCrimson AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:

It was going to be life, world or Yes. They wanted a one word name. Peter Banks came up with Yes because he convinced the rest of them that because it was only three letters it would take up more space and appear larger on posters for their shows.

Thanks, good history! 

I remember the early 1970s, when "Yes" were sometimes referred to as "The Yes."  When I saw the CTTE show in Chicago (22 Sept 1972), the US band The Eagles opened.   When they finished, one of the band members introduced the band as "...our friends, the Yes!"  

I know Peter Banks was very favorably impressed by Pete Townsend and The Who, so that may have figured into it a bit.  

Yes (lol!) I remember hearing this, as well (regarding potential Yes band names). What a positive group of young lads, lol!

I've played in more than a few bands....the advantage of the name "Yes" is that it is easy to pronounce drunk! 

I'm serious!!  
I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!!
Back to Top
Frenetic Zetetic View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: December 09 2017
Location: Now
Status: Offline
Points: 9233 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Frenetic Zetetic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 09 2020 at 00:40
Originally posted by cstack3 cstack3 wrote:

Originally posted by AFlowerKingCrimson AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:

It was going to be life, world or Yes. They wanted a one word name. Peter Banks came up with Yes because he convinced the rest of them that because it was only three letters it would take up more space and appear larger on posters for their shows.

Thanks, good history! 

I remember the early 1970s, when "Yes" were sometimes referred to as "The Yes."  When I saw the CTTE show in Chicago (22 Sept 1972), the US band The Eagles opened.   When they finished, one of the band members introduced the band as "...our friends, the Yes!"  

I know Peter Banks was very favorably impressed by Pete Townsend and The Who, so that may have figured into it a bit.  

Yes (lol!) I remember hearing this, as well (regarding potential Yes band names). What a positive group of young lads, lol!

"I am so prog, I listen to concept albums on shuffle." -KMac2021
Back to Top
Enchant X View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: July 31 2014
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 870 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Enchant X Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 08 2020 at 20:56
Originally posted by cstack3 cstack3 wrote:

Originally posted by Awesoreno Awesoreno wrote:

Ironically, it's Eagles, not "The Eagles," but many people get it wrong (understandably). Hehe. Funny that one of them said "the Yes" then.

Funny, they are constantly referred to as "The Eagles" by the media.  

I suspect the media calls them The Eagles and not Eagles because so many of them went on to successful solo careers so "THe Eagles" makes a little more sense ... BTW I love Eagles one of the few non prog bands I've got plenty of time for. Tongue 
Back to Top
Enchant X View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: July 31 2014
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 870 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Enchant X Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 08 2020 at 20:46
I suspect the name YES sounds a lot more positive than calling yourself NO Wink 
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.242 seconds.
Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.