Steve Howe Talks About 'Roundabout' 

Fragile is a masterpiece.

I can remember Fragile coming out, buying it and being enthralled as only a 15 year old boy can be! I saw the tour in Bristol and it was magical. They really were the most incredibly talented group, individually and collectively.

Fragile and Close to the Edge… My favorite two Yes LP’s! Everyone in the band was at the peak of their game and they pushed each other in such a good way, masterpiece level!

It’s so great to see Steve still so energised by his craft. And of course a legacy to be so incredibly proud of. Shout out to Eddie Offord too.

Kicked the prog door wide open for millions of rock fans.

Saw him at The Albert Hall recently, and he was bouncing around like a young kid, and played fantasticly...so good to see him so happy...

It was excellent hearing him speak about Yes. Brilliant Artist for the ages.

Incredible beyond belief talent, I was hooked from the very first album, love Yes.

I didnt care much for the album when it came out, but as a young guitarist, the challenge of playing the songs on that album changed my perspective immediately! Roundabout was extremely interesting but I had a more fondness for south side of the sky. Taking the lead solo near the end of that song was where I fully appreciated his artistry. Moving forward to gates of deliruim and sound chaser I strongly suggested for my then band members to step up the game!

He is a Phenomenal guitar player. As-a-kid, I remember the Jazz Musicians in NYC telling me: "Rock-players are good, (not great) Except Steve Howe from Yes . . . that guy can play with anyone" "He is a master guitarist" - True story.

Steve is my all time favorite guitar player - - and I've been playing for over 50 years.

I think YES was one of my first live concert experiences . . . either YES or King Crimson . . . back in 1972. Was a great album to listen to after smoking a little of this or that. I just played it on Amazon HD a couple days ago for grins.

I first listened to that at the time and went 'wow' 'this is amazing' . Some 50 plus, years later, .................I still do! The whole band literally kicked arses sonically - on that record and even set some new standards for popularly recorded music ......

True legend. One of the finest guitarist ever.

He's a classic geezer. He's a genius and as happy playing Chet Atkins numbers to a handful of people as the stadiums I think. Marvellous chap

Greatest guitarist of all time. He's the reason I started playing guitar... and he's the reason I stopped.

I saw Yes on their Relayer tour back in the 70s. Fantastic show and the entire band was on their game. Soon was absolutely magical. I remember they had three giant snakes above Alan White that would bob around in a threatening manner once in awhile. It was quite the spectacle.

“Clap” was my personal favorite from Mr. Howe. A very gifted musician who influenced many.

Steve is timeless. I will always remain hungry for Steve's awesome guitar work. It's timeless.

Steve has been a favorite since High school, and to this day really enjoy listening to his talking about making all that wonderful music

I have listened to Roundabout since it came out over 50 years ago and it is and always will be my favorite song of all time !!

So happy to say I saw Yes live a handful of times.., and each and every time they were amazing...

Saw YES in 78' or 79' cant' recall for sure at the Springfield Civic Center Mass. And the warm up band was "Donavan"...Great concert unforgetable!

Starship trooper is the most awesome track ever. Makes my hair stand on end on back of my neck . Along with yours is no disgrace. Absolute classic.

What a wonderful artist and such a great sound - one of a kind player!

Thank God for guys like Steve Howe, he doesn't know it, but he was also a great baby sitter for us, we spent hundreds of hours sitting around with him, learning to play his guitar parts!!!! Thanks for posting!!!

The first day I heard Roundabout was a Saturday afternoon at a friends house. 3 or 4 of us and we played the whole album over and over until we left. So different and mind blowing.

I first heard Roundabout on AM radio, WABC 770, in 1971. I used to get upset when the radio station played the shortened version of Roundabout. Fragile was the very first album I ever bought, and I still have it. Steve Howe in my opinion doesn't get half the recognition he deserves. So sad that the RRHOF only inducted Yes after Chris Squire had passed. They should have been inducted long before some of the other bands who were in there ahead of Yes. Same for ELP, it is a crime that they are still not in the RRHOF. The 2nd album I bought was ELP's Brain Salad Surgery, I still have that one too. I feel blessed to have had such music during my "formative" years, and feel so sad for the kids who have any form of rap music as their formative music.

Steve you are one greatest, so unique, thanks for your contributions. Blessings to you and yours!

It's great to see so many of the old skeletons still breathin', speakin', and even kickin'. I'm one of 'em. Back in the '60's and '70's, I always thought we'd all be dead by the year 2000.

I saw YES at the Cow Palace in Oakland California in 1974 and it changed my life. He wore this Egyptian kind of kilt and little cape and sandals. My first guitar effect was a volume pedal because of Steve.

One of my favorite Yes songs. I saw them in St Petersburg in the early 70’s. They were amazing on stage. Great memories.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Sept. 30th, 1972 at the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium playing the Fragile album. I saw Steve Howe play with YES that day so satisfied I saw him play.

Recently I rediscovered YES. Amazing band. One of my all time favorite shows was an informal acoustic show Steve Howe gave while in Farmingdale Long Island in a small music venue called The Downtown. He sat on a stool with fans all around him. He just got his signature Martin. What a gentleman.

A lot of great guitarists have graced this planet. Steve is one of those guys that actually stretched the boundaries of guitar playing...on a number of levels.

No matter if YES, ASIA, GTR or even QUEEN... Steve Is a so skilled guitarist!!! My favorite musician. Kind regards from México

The marriage of prodigious ability and top level intellect. A master in every sense of the word.

Dedicated, talented, stable. Married to the same girl since 1968. Reminds me of the guys from Rush.

My very first record I bought, still as great today as it was then.

One of the greatest guitarists of the last 60 years. Why doesn't Steve Howe get talked about more? Fragile was an amazing album and Roundabout one of the top 10 or so songs of all time

I sat with my guitar in my bedroom in 1973 and laboriously learned the intro to Roundabout. The fingerpicking exercise led me to abandon picks and use fingers only ever since. Thank you Mr. Howe.

I met him many years ago - he was in a band called Bodast with Dave Curtiss and then did a couple of recordings with Curtiss Maldoon. He was a very nice guy and an extremely accomplished guitarist.

My dad told me he would listen to Roundabout over and over as a teenager. I made copies of his Yes albums when I was 19 and wouldn't you know it, Roundabout was one of my favorite songs.

I went through 3 vinyl copies of Fragile. I just wore them out. When I actually got to see Yes play the entire record live, I cried. I remember the first time I heard Roundabout. I was a young teenager and it changed my life. I'm a keyboard player and that one song has always been important to me.

The "I Get Up, I Get Down" segment from "Close to the Edge" was originally his guitar?!? That keyboard/choral arrangement was the first piece to actually take my breath away! Thanx, Mr. Howe!

I didn't realise that Eddie Offord had been so influential.

Thank you for sharing this. Learned a bit and was lovely hearing his enthusiasm and clarity even at this stage of life/career.

You have a right to be proud of the masterpiece that is YES' fourth album: "Fragile". It is the wonder of 1971, following closely on the heels of YES' third album: The Yes Album, which was a triumph, and the first YES album you played on. Your playing was breakout, with so many cool guitar styles and sounds, you took us to where no music had gone before, and we all rocked out with it for the last 51 years, and it never sounded better! Even the young folks today are appreciating the genius of YES, and you, Steve. Now I am 61, and I listen to YES every day in my car from Bluetooth on my smartphone (smartphones were science fiction 50-years ago in 1972). phone and RU-vid. YES music stimulates my intellect, makes me smart and happy. It also expands consciousness, and aids in spiritual evolution. Peace.

Eddy Offord also produced Emerson, Lake and Palmer album Trilogy. Great producer if your going 70's Progressive Rock. Nice to hear Steve give him credit.

This man has left me speechless with his live performances where every note at any speed and any style is crystal clear. LEGEND!💯

It is amazing to see how many "first-time-listen/reaction" videos are on RU-vid that feature Roundabout, and the stunned look on the reactors faces as they realize how brilliant the song is and how talented the band is.

Unbelievably talented musician. Glad I saw yes in Tampa 1972

Absolutely wonderful to hear Steve STILL getting so excited and amped up talking about his craft after so many decades! He truly loves what he does! And so do We Fans! Stay Groovy Everyone and Keep Strutting!

This record started my guitar adventure 🎶👍👍

It’s a most unique and beautiful piece . Thank you for sticking your neck out and sharing your vulnerability with the world .it is truly iconic .

The best overall guitarist. And certainly the best guitar 'composer' of all time. IMPO.

Outstanding musician. What a complete and unique guitarist. Mega respect for Mr. Howe.

Steve Howe playing with Randy California,with the Night of the Guitars,Playing All Along the Watchtower,Steve Howe is incredible.

There are some songs that just immediately start playing an earworm in your head anytime you hear them. Every time I see or hear the word "roundabout" or drive through one, this song is immediately stuck in my head for a long while after. I started humming it to myself just from seeing the thumbnail of this video.

watching him play 2 guitars in Roundabout is cool to see and how well he does it

Great interview with the amazing Steve Howe. I love yes! Have most of their records,and saw them up in Washington state 1976. Best concert ever! WOW!

Fragile is, IMHO, one of the best albums ov ALL time! By ANY standard. Amazing still to this day.

Thanks, Steve Howe! Major influence for me personally.🙌👍🎸

My first experience of the song Roundabout was when i was a kid and it was played in a planetarium show, in the Boston Museum of Science, when I was on a field trip there.

I have been a fan of classic yes since 94. The older I get the more my appreciation for their music grows. There is so much depth to it, it’s just unbelievable.

in 1971 Steve Howe was one of the reason to comeback to my classical guitar, Steve Howe found his match in Rick wakeman they were the fathers of classical rock fusion

I ❤ Steve Howe…. What a fantastic musician and all around cool guy. I remember as a kid looking at the Yes record sleeves my parents had out and how neat I thought the artwork was

TURN OF CENTURY is one of the best musics i listen in my life, big Thanks to so special and historic band!

What a wonderful artist, even a little trumpet in there too 😊

One of my favourite songs.

Around 1981, my parents bought our first VHS machine .. It was definitely an exciting time for a kid of 14, and while we were in the store, they told me that I could pick two VHS tapes to buy : so I chose Lucio Fulci's horror masterpiece "Zombie" and the other was Yes' "YesSongs" live concert ... I had always had a good relationship with my parents, all things considered, but that Yes VHS - with Steve Howe and his mastery of the guitar - was something that really bonded my Dad ( who played guitar and loved Chet Atkins ) and myself ( who was just starting out and loved this new thing called metal ) .. We literally wore that tape out, Dad sitting with his acoustic figuring out how to play Clap and Roundabout ... Without that VHS, I'm not sure I would have had the same lifelong friendship that I did with my Dad

One of my all time favourite guitarists can play it all, amazing guitarist, produced some superb stand alone guitar moments, one of the all time greats, so much better than the ten a penny shredders, he is just class

He damn well should be proud of Fragile. It’s a top five of all time. Just mesmerizing. Thanks Mr. Howe

They were playing it at hall of fame with geddy lee. And I noticed .Rick wakemans left hand crossing over his right to hit all those keys

I seen Yes play in kansas city and st louis back then at least 30 times! Wish i had bought a t-shirt

Priceless memories.

What passes for music today is ghastly. We were blessed to grow up in the Rock 'n Roll renaissance. Yes was incredible.

That was the coolest thing I have heard all week. Brilliant, succinct, exegesis. Bits of the music swirled in my head as he spoke.

It's great to actually hear Steve Howe speak. Extremely tight and musically complex. To me they really launched prog rock as a thing. While other bands compete in listen-ability, depth, and audacity. I don't think anyone quite matched Yes in terms of tightness and musical complexity. And if they did, I haven't found them as listenable.

One of a kind genius!

And we're very happy you did, what a track.

It's criminal he's so often left off of greatest guitarist lists. So underappreciated were his contributions to the mainstream, but hailed were his efforts when the conversation shifted to the progressive side of things. I enjoy all his work immensely.

I seen him live at the Magic Bag in Detroit some 30 yrs.ago...A fan yelled out "I love you Steve !" He replied back -"I cant say that I share the same sentiment" lol..Great ground- breaking Player, but thats what I always remembered about him too ..

Steve Howe . A Giant amongst his contemporaries. I remember purchasing Fragile . Everything from the Cover. The Music. That intro to Round a Bout. So Catchy. Steve Howe is right up there. Very gifted and Tasteful. Especially the Classic Lineup. You had Steve Hacket with Genesis. David Gilmour with Pink Floyd. Robert Fripp with King Crimson . Steve Howe with YES. Zappa. Doesn't get better. Howe stands with them all. Pillars of Prog .

Steve Howe, to me, is by far the best guitar player that has ever walked the planet...God Blessed Him beyond that of which we know musically...So Etheric and technical and spiritual beyond the dream state...Pure Love, Steve Howe Changed my life as a musician. He's all in "ONE". I have been fortunate enough, to have worked with musician's, and producers who have worked with YES as members in my bands. So We Are All Family With YES. Thank you all members of YES for bringing, and sharing the best Music Human Beings Have Ever Heard....Yes is the Band to share with the youth of today. So they know what real music is, and where it can take you.

Impossible to listen to Steve talk and not love him even more. The best guitarist I know of

You're stranded on a desert island, yet somehow there's a CD player and electricity. At least you'll have cold beer and Fragile and Close to the Edge. Thanks Steve and the band, you done good.

*What a legend, man*

Yes is one of the greatest bands of all time!! Period!

2:00 The fact that Steve wrote this on a guitar is just insane if you've ever tried to play it, its damn tricky and makes more sense on the organ

Epic song from my teen years.

👍oh yeah !!! both the song & the album are great...🌠

I had all the albums by Yes in back the seventies and Fragile was the absolute favourite. My girlfriend at the time (Hi Sarah 😉) loved it as well and would always ask me to play it when we were spending time together. Can't believe it's almost fifty years now since we were listening to it - a true masterpiece.

Siberia khatru off 'yes songs live is just too much - amazing,I learned it,...woa!

I bought another copy of Fragile Seeds busted up the spine

I've listened to Fragile and Close to the Edge at least twice a year since the 80's.

It's wonderful to hear that you were vibing on the tightness of R&B. When Slave had their 70's hits, they were heavily influenced by Chris Squire's bass sound. Full circle...

If your not talking about music with steve then he doesnt want to talk to you at all. He is the music.

Legend.

What a great guitarist.GOD Bless Steve Howe.