The 5th album from Yes, Close to the Edge, was released on this day in 1972. The epic 18 minute title song that fills side one of the lp composed by Jon Anderson and Steve Howe is said to have been a song Anderson conceived of while reading Lord of the Rings with a symphony by one of his favorite classical composers playing in the background. It also drew inspiration from the novel Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. Side two only had two songs; And You and I, and Siberian Khatru. Despite not being an 'airplay friendly' album with several more and shorter songs, Close to the Edge became the group's best selling album. It was also the final album featuring Bill Bruford. Allan White took over as drummer for the 1972-73 tour the group did in support of the release.
Other Noteworthy Classic Rock events on September 13 include...
1941 Blood Sweat & Tears David Clayton Thomas born.
1944 Chicago's Peter Cetera born.
1957 Drummer Vinnie Appice (Dio, Black Sabbath) born.
1961 Metallica & Megadeath's Dave Mustine born.
1965 Zak Starkey (Who, Oasis) born.
1969 John Lennon, Eric Clapton, The Doors, Alice Cooper, Alan White, Klaus Voorman, Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Bo DIddley came together in concert in Toronto. Highlights are released on Plastic Ono Bnad: Live Peace in Toronto album in December. It was the first live album released by a Beatles member and pre-dated future live releases of music by group.
1974 Fleetwood Mac releases Heroes Are Hard To Find.
1974 Supertramp releases Crime Of The Century.
1974 Jackson Browne releases Late For The Sky.
1976 Lynyrd Skynyrd releases One More For The Road.
1983 Huey Lewis & The News release Sports.
1989 Sting opens in Three Penny Opera in Washington, DC.
1991 Alice Cooper releases Hey Stoupid.
1995 Blues Traveler's John Popper popped for dagger and hollow point bullets after expired registration traffic stop in New Jersey.
2015 REO Speedwagon guitarist Gary Richrath dies.
2017 Eddie Vedder joins Pete Townshend and Billy Idol on The Real Me during Chicago Quadrophenia concert.
2018 Eddie Money dies of escophigal cancer...
