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6 Comments

  1. Doug
    September 18, 2016 @ 11:06 am

    Corrections: 1-you misspelled Wakeman as Wakemen in the last paragraph. 2-the group name is “Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe,” not “Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman & Howe.” Note the difference. 3-The album did not take 4 years to make. The 90125 tour didn’t end until Feb. 1985 and Big Generator was released in Sept. 1987. Yes spend some of the two and a half years in between those dates working on BG.

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  2. Matthew
    March 25, 2018 @ 1:47 am

    I was the violist in the string quartet that performed the intro to ‘love will find a way’
    Me and the 3 other members recorded the intro at a branch of MTV studios in NYC in 1987
    We got paid $100 each and got to speak to John Anderson on speaker phone and he raved about our playing.. it all seemed so cool as classical musician I’m also a huge fan of YES
    We were told it was just a promotional incentive and an experiment and it would never be used illegally or on the album big generator, it wasn’t until three months ago that I was listening to big generator for the first time. It was the first time I had ever heard big generator I don’t know why I didn’t know anything about the CD – album that’s what we called it in the day well lo and behold after hearing ‘love will find away’I was thinking boy the string Quartet sure sounds familiar and I found the demo tape we recorded and they used it on their album without telling us they didn’t even list our names we were all students at the Juilliard school we just put the group together in one hour walked in to MTV studios and record it several times
    We were told it was just for a possible promotional video for MTV as we were videotaped and that sounded great although it was never used or shown on MTV but what really sucks Is we were lied to and never paid any royalties or any negotiated fee at all for being on this album our names are not listed on the credits It is definitely us I have the demo on cassette tape we were blatantly lied to!!! It’s only on the CD it’s not on the video and I want answers I feel very violated and taken advantage of so many years of gone by and I’ve only been able to contact one member of the string Quartet who posted it on Facebook I want answers anybody have any suggestions I love the rock group yes and I have no ill will towards anybody I just want what is owed to us we were lied to and that sucks it’s a great song and we did a terrific contribution On the album but were never told that we were on it.any suggestions from anybody thank you so much if anyone can help my name is Matthew

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  3. Matthew
    March 25, 2018 @ 2:10 am

    Also, I’m sure the John Anderson and the rest of the incredibly talented members of YES would never intentionally trying to screw anybody over there such wonderful human beings and their music is absolutely so heartfelt and pro yet and genius and they just kick some serious butt I’m very proud to be on that CD but I’m sure the band would agree that we should’ve been paid and not like to fight either MTV or some smooth talking Sharkey that want to pinch a nickel

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  4. Matthew
    March 25, 2018 @ 2:12 am

    Sorry I’m sure that was a little difficult to read I swear I’m not stoned or drunk I’m using voice text and Siri likes to translate her own language I think she’s from planet zoot

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    • Adam Poloney
      May 18, 2019 @ 2:55 pm

      I love that song, and your fine musicianship is part of the reason. That introduction into the song is beautiful.

      Contact the band (without an attorney) and see if they reach back to you. It’s reasonable enough to expect a credit listing on future distribution. Also “reasonable compensation”. Defined by industry standards. Good luck.

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  5. Jeremy Shirland
    August 31, 2019 @ 2:39 pm

    If you were paid for your services, that’s it. It could have sold 10,000,000 copies, and your $100 is what you get paid. Session players aren’t paid royalties, as they are subcontracted. $100 in 1987 is about $225 now – which is about what you’d be paid to fulfill a similar service.

    Chances are, it was a promo track, and someone liked it so much that it was repurposed.

    Be happy you played on a great song.

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