In 1971, the British progressive rock band Yes dismissed keyboardist Tony Kaye and swiftly replaced him with Rick Wakeman, going on to record their acclaimed album Fragile. The move came just months after the group had achieved a breakthrough with The Yes Album, showing the band's willingness to overhaul its lineup even at the height of success, a pattern that would recur throughout their history.

Kaye's departure stemmed from creative differences, as he preferred to stick with his Hammond organ while other members wanted Mellotrons and synthesizers. Wakeman, still a busy session musician, joined the sessions on a flexible basis, and the band's chemistry was evident from their first day together, when they recorded the basis of "Roundabout" and "Heart Of The Sunrise". Released in November 1971, Fragile combined full-band epics with individual solo pieces and produced a surprise hit single in the edited version of "Roundabout", cementing the band's growing reputation.