Yes' Alan White on the Early Days: "People Thought We Were
Crazy"  If there exists one genre of popular music with the most
cantankerous and anal fans and critics, progressive rock would
take the prize. Some of rock's most talented musicians work in
the genre. They often bring experience from classical music and
a working knowledge of music theory. Some of the bravest musical
experiments were pioneered within the genre, yet rule-breaking
is received with much doubt. One long-suffering band of this
aspect of prog rock is the U.K. act Yes, which made its recorded
debut in 1969.  As much of a devoted following as Yes has, it
has often been haunted by criticisms of its ever-shifting
lineup. Then there's the arty ponderousness and its sellout for
new-wave pop appeal in the early '80s. When Alan White first
joined the band in 1972, replacing Bill Bruford, the first album
he participated in was Tales From Topographic Oceans, a double
LP of four songs that averaged 20 minutes. "A huge, long
project," he recalls of th