All YES concert tours are special events for their legions of fans, and “The Royal Affair Tour” was no exception, conceived as a wonderful celebration of the best of British progressive music. Guests on the tour were Asia (with YES keyboardist Geoff Downes and a special appearance by Steve Howe), John Lodge of The Moody Blues and Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy featuring Arthur Brown.
Personnel
Guitar
Drums
Keyboards
Bass, Vocals
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Drums
Recommended Versions
Available as:
1CD digi sleeve with 12-page booklet
2LP with 12″ Booklet
Streaming
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THE ROYAL AFFAIR TOUR - LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS
The album, recorded at the Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas on 26 July 2019 during “The Royal Affair Tour”, features many classic tracks across the period 1970–1980. The set opened with “No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed,” the Richie Havens cover from YES’ second album Time And A Word (1970). “Tempus Fugit” was taken from Drama (1980), Geoff Downes’ first as a member of YES, while “Going For The One,” “I’ve Seen All Good People” and “Siberian Khatru” are from some ofYES’ iconic mid-70s albums. The set included a rare live performance of YES’ cover of Paul Simon’s “America” and John Lodge shared vocals on YES’ cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Soon-to-be YES drummer Alan White played on the original studio recording.
The set reaches a climax with two of the best-loved YES tracks, “Roundabout” and “Starship Trooper,” always a high note on which to close the set.
“The Royal Affair Tour” also featured an exhibition of original art by Roger Dean whose artwork is synonymous having designed the iconic YES logo and the band’s best-loved album covers. Roger Dean recently painted The Royal Affair Tour – Live From Las Vegas album artwork live on Facebook while also fielding questions from fans.
Tracklisting
- No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed
Richie Havens
- Tempus Fugit
Geoff Downs/Trevor Horn/Steve Howe/Chris Squire/Alan White
- Going For The One
Jon Anderson
- I’ve Seen All Good People
Jon Anderson/Chris Squire
- Siberian Khatru
Jon Anderson/Steve Howe/Rick Wakeman
- Onward
Chris Squire
- America (including Southern Solo)
Paul Simon/Steve Howe
- Imagine
John Lennon/Yoko Ono
- Roundabout
Jon Anderson/Steve Howe
- Starship Trooper
Jon Anderson/Steve Howe/Chris Squire