A month following their success at The Old Vic, the band recorded their third album, "Red Queen to Gryphon Three". The album marked a reduction in the use of non-standard instruments. By this time they had swapped Wright for a new manager, Brian Lane, who also managed Yes. Former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman, also a student at the Royal College of Music, had introduced the band to Lane and suggested they be signed to an American label. Released in December 1974, the album was their first released in the US, through Bell Records. Gryphon toured the album across the US, Canada, and the UK as the opening act for Yes between November 1974 and May 1975. The tour was a breakthrough for the group, performing in large venues and crowds nationwide and joined Yes on stage for some encores.