June 28, 1998
More than 3,500 people converged on Montage Mountain to hear the sounds of progressive rock bands Yes and the Alan Parsons Project on a Sunday night in Scranton.
The Alan Parsons Project opened the show with hits such as “Eye in the Sky” and “Don’t Answer Me.”
Yes followed with a theatrical stage show that fans looked forward to. The group played such songs as “And You and I,” “Rhythm of Love,” “Yours Is No Disgrace,” “Open Your Eyes” and a cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “America.”
In the crowd that night was Ross Keiper of Myerstown, who told a reporter from The Scranton Times that he had seen Yes in concert 25 times since 1970. He said he was excited to see the band at Montage because it was “a natural setting for good music and memories.”
Jon Anderson, frontman for Yes, belts out a song much to the delight of the Montage Mountain audience on Sunday, June 28, 1998. Times-Shamrock Archives
Another fan, Shelly Mix of Harrisburg, said she was there because of the voice of Yes lead singer Jon Anderson.
“He sings like a bird,” she said.
Tickets for the concert cost $17.50 to $32.50.
In 2018, Yes celebrated its 50th anniversary with a tour and the release of the Yes50 Live album. This year, the band launched the “Royal Affair Tour” in Bethlehem that featured the band Asia and appearances by John Lodge of the Moody Blues and Arthur Brown.
The Alan Parsons Live Project will play Scranton Cultural Center at The Masonic Temple on Sunday, Sept. 22, followed by dates in Beverly, Massachusetts, and Philadelphia.
Songs Mentioned –
Alan Parson Project
YES
Brian Fulton has been the librarian at The Times-Tribune for the past 15 years. On his blog, Historically Hip, he writes about the great concerts, plays/musicals and celebrity happenings that have taken place throughout NEPA. He is also the co-host of the local history podcast, Historically Hip. He competed and was crowned grand champion on an episode of NPR quiz show “Ask Me Another.” Contact: bfulton@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9140; or @TTPagesPast
