By the time Anderson had released his third solo album, Yes was falling apart . Anderson had departed in 1979, and was replaced on 1980's Drama album by Trevor Horn. He would return with a bastardized version of the band in 1983, led by Chris Squire, for the album 90125, and again with another off-shoot called Anderson, Bruford, Howe and Wakeman in 1989.

To help make the Animation album, he employed ex-Cream bassistJack Bruce and most of Springsteen's '81/'82 solo band, including David Sancious from the E Street Band and ex-Humble Pie guitarist Clem Clemson. Both Sancious and Clemson would join Anderson on the road to help present material from Animation, in addition to many classic Yes songs.