In summer 2012, singer Jon Davison of mostly-local Yes tribute band Roundabout was tapped by the actual Yes, to tour as a temp replacement for singer Benoit David (who replaced founding vocalist Jon Anderson).

Davison will still be manning the mic on March 8 when Yes plays the Pechanga Theater at Pechanga Casino in Temecula, where the band will perform three vintage albums in their entirety: The Yes Album (1971), Close to the Edge (1972), and Going For the One (1977).

The band's ever-fluid lineup for the show will include Davison, bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White, and keyboardist Geoff Downes.

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“These albums we all easily agreed on, they are complete works in themselves,” says guitarist Steve Howe, who notes that several of the songs have rarely been performed live.

“I believe the only song not performed in concert is ‘A Venture’ from The Yes Album,” says Chris Quire by way of clarification. “And probably the most tricky of all the songs planned for this set is ‘Turn of the Century’ from the Going for the One album.”

Alan White chimes in. “This is a great opportunity to show the growth of Yes in these different eras, and to relive the memories of these times.”

Certified platinum, The Yes Album features such signature songs as “Yours Is No Disgrace” and “I’ve Seen All Good People.” Close to the Edge was on the U.S. charts for 32 weeks, peaking at #3 and featuring the epic prog-rock suites “Close To The Edge” and “You And I.” The lesser-listened-to Going For the One went gold, hit #8 on the U.S. chart, and featured two charting singles: “Wonderous Stories” (which hit #6) and the title track (#24).

Roundabout has served as somewhat of a recruitment camp for Yes members.

In May 2010, Roundabout singer/guitarist Johnny Bruhns was invited to join the Yes spinoff band Yoso, featuring Yes members Tony Kaye and Billy Sherwood, along with Toto singer Bobby Kimball.

Bruhns first encountered Yes members at Acoustic Music San Diego in Normal Heights, where Yes moonlighters Chris Squire and Alan White performed with their band the Syn in February 2006. “Steve Nardelli, who sang lead, came without his acoustic guitar, [and] the Syn’s management had asked to borrow mine for him...that’s what started my relationship with the Yes extended family.”

Bruhns — who mainly plays Steve Howe’s parts in Roundabout — sat in for Howe when Yes was preparing for a 2008 tour. “The fact that I’m also influenced by [latter-day Yes guitarist] Trevor Rabin was much appreciated at our rehearsals,” he says.

As for meeting Howe, Bruhns says, “Wow, I wish I had a better report on the man. He was not having a happy night there in Mesa, Arizona. When I told him who I was and what I had started doing, he let out a grunt of displeasure and turned away. I asked him to wait and told him a story about what he meant to me. I’d headlined with a band at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano 11 days before, not knowing that he’d played there, which apparently was the reason he perked up...he didn’t seem to appreciate it, but I was thankful he listened just the same.

“I’ve never really been able to connect with my hero, sadly, but there’s still hope.”

Roundabout members also backed up Yes bassist Chris Squire on October 20, 2012, at Hollywood’s Key Club, including singer Jon Davison, guitarist Johnny Bruhns, and keyboardist Matt Brown, as well as Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.