by Nicholas Paladino, Cherry Hill, N.J.

It was a Saturday, February 16, 1974 at the Spectrum. Yes was on their Tales from Topographic Oceans tour. A friend and I were sitting at his house when a friend of ours stopped by with two tickets to the evening show that he could not use and he wanted to sell them, $10 a piece. We bought them and went to the show. The tickets were front row center.

To this day my eyes well up and I get goose bumps telling this story. I tend to relive the memory. They played all of Tales and Close to the Edge with “Roundabout” for the encore. This was truly the most magical moment in music I have ever experienced. On that night there were no words spoken, no movement, just jaw dropping amazement the entire show. I cherish this memory and feel so fortunate to have been able to have been there.