As the decade turned from the 70s to the 80s, the ailing genre known as prog rock had lost much of its widespread popularity. Bands such as Pink Floyd, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, and Yes all still enjoyed critical success, but as the 70s gave way to punk and ultimately synth pop, it was clear that popular tastes had changed.
Yes had certainly been around the musical block a few times, with a revolving roster of band members that included Steve Howe, Bill Bruford and Rick Wakeman, in what felt like the musical equivalent of sliding doors.
