Jump to content

Asia (band)

From Alfawiki
Asia
Company typeSupergroup
IndustryMusic
Founded1981 in London, England
Headquarters
London
,
England
ProductsMusic albums, singles, live performances

Asia is a British rock supergroup that originated in London in 1981. The lineup that brought them the greatest commercial acclaim consisted of four musicians from notable progressive rock groups of the 1970s: lead singer and bassist John Wetton (formerly of King Crimson, Uriah Heep, U.K.), guitarist Steve Howe (Yes), keyboardist Geoff Downes (Yes, the Buggles), and drummer Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer). Their 1982 debut album, titled Asia, stands as their highest-selling work, securing the number one spot on charts in several countries and topping the U.S. rankings according to Billboard. The album’s primary single, "Heat of the Moment", enjoyed significant popularity, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and claiming the top position on the Mainstream Rock chart.

After undergoing multiple personnel shifts, the original quartet reunited in 2006. Concurrently, Asia featuring John Payne operated independently, representing Payne’s period as frontman from 1991 until 2006. In 2013, Steve Howe stepped down and was succeeded by guitarist Sam Coulson. Following a lull in activity, Billy Sherwood joined in 2017 to substitute for an ill Wetton during a summer tour alongside Journey; Wetton passed away soon thereafter. The group then entered another hiatus before resurfacing in 2019 with Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal taking over from Sherwood and Coulson. In 2022, Marc Bonilla replaced Thal as guitarist and vocalist, although this formation did not engage in live performances or recordings. In 2024, Downes revealed a fresh touring lineup comprising himself, Virgil Donati, John Mitchell, and Harry Whitley.

Formation

The inception of Asia occurred in early 1981 amid the apparent dissolutions of two influential British progressive rock outfits: Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Following the breakup of King Crimson in 1974, bassist John Wetton engaged in various supergroup endeavors, including the short-lived British Bulldog with Bill Bruford and Rick Wakeman in 1976. In 1977, Wetton and Bruford reunited within U.K., joined by guitarist Allan Holdsworth and keyboardist/violinist Eddie Jobson. They released a self-titled album in 1978 before disbanding by January 1980. A proposed collaboration involving Wetton, Wakeman, drummer Carl Palmer, and guitarist/vocalist Trevor Rabin ultimately fell through when Wakeman exited prior to signing with Geffen Records.

In January 1981, A&R executive John Kalodner and Geffen Records facilitated a meeting between Wetton and former Yes guitarist Steve Howe to create new music. They were soon joined by Palmer and keyboardist Geoff Downes, also formerly of Yes. Other candidates auditioned included former members such as Roy Wood, founder of both The Move and ELO, as well as Trevor Rabin—who would later replace Howe in Yes in 1983. Rabin later attributed his stalled participation with Asia to a lack of chemistry among members.

Guided by label head David Geffen and Kalodner’s direction, Asia’s early recordings achieved considerable commercial success despite receiving mixed reactions from critics and progressive rock enthusiasts who disapproved of their pivot toward radio-friendly album-oriented rock (AOR). The band found an audience among fans of arena rock groups like Journey and Styx. Kalodner had introduced Wetton to Journey’s then-lead singer Robert Fleischman as a potential frontman for Asia; however, Fleischman amicably stepped aside after realizing Wetton’s voice was better suited for the band’s material.

Rolling Stone provided a lukewarm review of Asia’s debut but acknowledged that their musicianship surpassed that of typical AOR performers.

1981–1985: Breakthrough with "Heat of the Moment" and Initial Triumphs

Asia's self-titled debut album, released in March 1982, quickly became a commercial powerhouse, dominating the US album charts for nine consecutive weeks and selling over four million units domestically. Global sales surpassed 10 million copies, and the record continues to be available. Tracks such as "Heat of the Moment" and "Only Time Will Tell" achieved Top 40 status, propelled by heavy rotation on MTV and becoming popular anthems at major US sporting events. Notably, "Heat of the Moment" stood out as their most successful single, securing the number one spot on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks chart for six weeks and peaking at number four on the Hot 100.

The band's inaugural US tour experienced sold-out crowds at every show, beginning at Clarkson University in April 1982 and rapidly expanding to larger arenas due to overwhelming demand. In 1982, Asia earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, while MTV featured their videos extensively. Both Billboard and Cash Box recognized their debut album as the top release of the year. The distinctive band logo and album artwork were crafted by renowned illustrator Roger Dean.

Released in August 1983, their sophomore album Alpha did not reach the commercial heights of its predecessor; however, its lead single "Don't Cry" topped the Album Rock Tracks chart and entered the Top 10 on pop charts, supported by significant MTV exposure. Another single, "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes," also made it into the Top 40. Despite achieving platinum certification and peaking at number six on Billboard, Alpha received mixed critical feedback, with some reviewers criticizing it as overly produced and diminishing the roles of members Howe and Palmer to mere session musicians.

In October 1983, John Wetton, the band's lead vocalist and bassist, departed following the underwhelming performance of Alpha. Reports vary on whether he resigned or was dismissed; Wetton later attributed his exit to struggles with alcohol dependency. According to Steve Howe’s 2021 memoir, tensions escalated due to Wetton's inconsistent live performances, culminating in confrontations over his onstage errors.

The planned US tour leg in late 1983 was canceled amid poor ticket sales reportedly tied to Wetton’s difficulties; this effectively marked his exit from the group. In December 1983, Greg Lake—formerly of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer—stepped in temporarily for concerts in Japan, including the high-profile "Asia in Asia" satellite broadcast from Nippon Budokan Hall. Lake accepted this short-term role due to a lucrative offer but declined permanent membership, citing artistic disagreements with Asia’s corporate rock style.

Following Lake’s departure in early 1984, Wetton rejoined on the condition that Steve Howe be removed from the lineup. The band contemplated continuing without a fixed guitarist, inviting guest musicians such as Jeff Beck and David Gilmour into recording sessions. At Geffen Records’ recommendation, Mandy Meyer from Krokus was recruited as a full-time guitarist, steering Asia’s sound toward a more direct hard rock approach. Meanwhile, Howe found temporary success with supergroup GTR alongside Steve Hackett, under producer Geoff Downes.

1985–1991: Astra, Disbandment and Subsequent Formations

The third studio album from Asia, originally named Arcadia, was retitled Astra after a naming dispute with a Duran Duran offshoot. Released in November 1985, it did not match the commercial success of the band's previous records, resulting in the cancellation of the intended tour by the label. The single "Go" reached number 46 on the charts and showcased notable guitar contributions from Mandy Meyer. Despite achieving visibility on MTV, this lineup disbanded in 1986. Wetton remarked that while Astra performed well in Sweden, its overall sales were modest.

In January 1987, Wetton partnered with guitarist Phil Manzanera to produce the Wetton-Manzanera album, utilizing material initially planned for Asia. That same year, Wetton also lent his talents to Phenomena's Dream Runner album, scoring a number one hit in South America with "Did It All for Love." Asia received credit for the Giorgio Moroder-produced song "Gypsy Soul" on the 1987 film Over the Top soundtrack; however, only Wetton was involved in this project.

An effort by Wetton and Downes in 1987 to revive Asia with guitarist Scott Gorham and drummer Mike Sturgis did not succeed due to the absence of a worldwide recording contract. Wetton and Palmer reunited for European tours in 1989; with Downes unavailable, keyboardist John Young stepped in. Guitar responsibilities transitioned from Alan Darby to Holger Larisch, while backing vocals were provided by Zoe Nicholas and Susie Webb. This configuration received favorable feedback from other band members.

Asia resurfaced in 1990 featuring Downes, Toto guitarist Steve Lukather, and session musicians to release Then & Now, a compilation combining greatest hits with four new songs. The single "Days Like These" enjoyed significant airplay on AOR radio stations, renewing public interest. Lukather disclosed that Wetton had invited him to join Asia but he declined due to commitments with Toto; he later contributed to Wetton's 1994 solo album Battle Lines. Instead, Pat Thrall joined Downes, Palmer, and Wetton for tours performing classic Asia tracks alongside material from King Crimson and U.K..

In November 1990, Asia performed two sold-out concerts before 20,000 fans in the former Soviet Union. "Days Like These" peaked at number 64 on US charts and reached number two on the Album Rock Tracks chart; however, a US tour was canceled amid promotional difficulties. Although Then & Now initially failed to enter the Top 100, it ultimately achieved RIAA Gold certification. Live recordings from these USSR shows included a bonus studio track titled "Kari-Anne," featuring the 1987 lineup of Wetton-Downes-Gorham-Sturgis with guest guitarist Francis Dunnery. Following a South American tour, Wetton left Asia in April 1991, disheartened by the band's limited success in the US.

1991–2006: Downes/Payne period

After Wetton's exit, vocalist and bassist John Payne joined Asia and co-led the group alongside Downes with new members until 2006. Their debut album under this lineup, Aqua (June 1992), featured contributions from Downes, Payne, Howe, Palmer, and guitarist Al Pitrelli. Howe returned during recording sessions but Palmer soon departed to focus on an ELP reunion, appearing on only three tracks. Drummers Simon Phillips and Nigel Glockler completed the recording process. The Aqua tour heavily emphasized Howe's return and was successful enough to sustain the band’s momentum. The touring lineup of 1992–93 included Downes, Howe, Payne, guitarist Vinny Burns, and drummer Trevor Thornton; both Howe and Burns left before a European festival circuit in 1993 and were replaced by guitarist Keith More.

The 1994 release Aria once again featured lead guitarist Al Pitrelli, but it struggled commercially; its supporting tour was limited to just four shows with ex-Simply Red guitarist Aziz Ibrahim stepping in mid-tour for Pitrelli. Drummer Michael Sturgis—who had been involved since the unsuccessful 1987 reunion attempt and during Aqua sessions—made his first full album appearance here. Aria was issued in the United States in May 1995.

In late 1995 or early 1996, an incident at Electric Palace studio uncovered previously unreleased tracks which were released as two albums: Archiva 1 and Archiva 2, compiling songs from Asia’s first three albums under Downes/Payne leadership.

The February 1996 album Arena featured Downes, Payne, Sturgis, Ibrahim, and guest guitarist Elliott Randall. Released through Resurgence Records without an accompanying tour due to low public interest, promotion was limited to a single radio performance.

An acoustic live album recorded in Germany during 1997 but released in 1999 showcased performances by Downes, Payne, Ibrahim, and drummer Bob Richards. That same year saw the release of Anthology, a compilation spanning six albums; however, early tracks had to be re-recorded due to legal action initiated by Wetton.

A proposed reunion of most original members excluding Howe did not come to fruition in 1999 because Howe was committed to Yes at that time. Meanwhile, Wetton and Palmer formed the short-lived group Qango, which included Dave Kilminster on guitar.

Also in 1999, Asia released Rare, an instrumental collection consisting of compositions created for David Attenborough’s documentary Salmon: Against the Tides as well as an unreleased CD-ROM game soundtrack.

In 2000 Geffen/Universal issued a compilation titled The Very Best of Asia: Heat of the Moment (1982–1990), featuring rare early B-sides alongside hits.

The 2001 album Aura embraced a more progressive rock direction but failed to regain commercial traction. It featured three session guitarists including Ian Crichton along with guest appearances from former members Howe, Thrall, Sturgis, and Randall. The single "Ready to Go Home" saw limited release. The lineup stabilized with Downes, Payne, guitarist Guthrie Govan, and drummer Chris Slade, who had briefly joined in 1999.

Asia resumed touring between 2001 and 2002 for the first time since 1994 with dates including performances across the United States. The live album and DVD titled America: Live in the USA captured their October 2002 performance at the Classic Rock Festival held in Trenton, New Jersey.

During summer of 2003, Downes and Payne embarked on the "Asia Across America Tour," delivering acoustic sets requested by fans throughout various US locations.

Departing from their tradition of naming albums beginning and ending with "A," Asia released Silent Nation in 2004 via SPV/Inside Out Records; it unexpectedly gained traction online. That year also included an acoustic tour featuring only Downes and Payne. In 2005 the full band toured Europe and North America but encountered poor attendance figures stateside.

Drummer Slade exited in August 2005 and was succeeded by Jay Schellen. Work commenced on an anticipated album tentatively titled Architect of Time, slated for early 2006 but ultimately shelved. Approximately half of this material surfaced on Window to the Soul released in August 2006 under the new band name GPS—named after Govan, Payne, and Schellen—who continued performing as Asia Featuring John Payne starting in 2007.

Meanwhile, Wetton and Downes issued archival Asia recordings under their duo name as Wetton/Downes in September 2002 before reuniting for a full-length studio album titled Icon released August 2005; this was followed by two sequels: Icon II: Rubicon (2006) and Icon 3 (2009).

2006–2013: Reunion of the "Original Asia" Lineup

At the start of 2006, Downes departed to participate in a reunion of Asia's initial lineup, an event that John Payne described as "painful." The remaining members (excluding Downes) briefly continued performing before transitioning into the band known as GPS.

On 9 May 2006, an agreement was reached among John Payne, Geoff Downes, John Wetton, Carl Palmer, and Steve Howe allowing Payne to carry on his 15-year association with Asia under the name Asia Featuring John Payne. This ensemble made their debut in 2007 with Payne handling vocals and bass, Guthrie Govan on guitar, Erik Norlander on keyboards, and Jay Schellen on drums. Concurrently, Downes, Wetton, Palmer, and Howe resumed activities under the original Asia banner.

Reflecting this division, the official websites distinguish the two entities: the reunited Asia acknowledges only albums released before and after Payne’s tenure, while Asia Featuring John Payne claims the era spanning from Aqua (1992) through Silent Nation (2004). The latter group’s live performances include material from both prior to and during Payne's involvement.

In early 2006, Downes and his original bandmates convened to officially reform Asia for a 25th-anniversary project comprising a CD, DVD, and global tour. They appeared on VH-1 Classic in October 2006 and embarked on a primarily U.S.-based tour billed as "The Four Original Members of Asia." Their setlist featured nearly all tracks from their debut album alongside selections from Yes, ELP, King Crimson, and the Buggles to showcase each member’s musical legacy. Guitarist Steve Howe remarked in 2006, "This is the real Asia."

The tour launched on 29 August 2006 in Rochester, New York. To coincide with these events, Geffen/Universal issued The Definitive Collection in September, which reached No. 183 on U.S. charts—marking the band's first chart presence since 1990. A Best Buy exclusive edition included a DVD compiling all their music videos.

Extending into 2007, the reunion tour focused mainly on clubs and theaters with many sold-out dates including all seven shows in Japan. That year also saw the release of Fantasia: Live In Tokyo on CD and DVD via Eagle Records as a celebration of both anniversary and tour success.

Mid-2007 marked the first time since 1983’s Alpha that all four original members recorded new material together. The band continued touring until Wetton underwent major heart surgery later that year, which postponed several scheduled performances to 2008.

Their studio album Phoenix was released by Frontiers Records on 14 April 2008 (and by EMI/Capitol in North America on 15 April), followed by an international tour. This 12-track record includes songs influenced by Wetton’s health struggles ("An Extraordinary Life"), energetic rock numbers like "Never Again," and ballads such as "Heroine." The cover artwork was created by Roger Dean. Phoenix achieved strong sales across American, European, and Japanese markets, debuting at No. 73 on the Billboard 200—the band’s first studio album to chart since 1985.

As a concluding highlight for their tour, they performed the entire debut Asia album live for the first time during a show in San Francisco on 5 May.

In summer 2009, Asia toured across the U.S. alongside Yes; Asia opened with a 55-minute set predominantly featuring early material plus one track from Phoenix, while Yes delivered a longer closing performance. Their setlist incorporated covers from The Buggles ("Video Killed the Radio Star"), King Crimson ("The Court of the Crimson King"), and Emerson, Lake & Palmer ("Fanfare for the Common Man"). Ian McDonald made guest appearances toward the end of this tour.

By late 2009, work commenced on a follow-up to Phoenix. Wetton reported that vocals had been completed for several songs; Carl Palmer was nearing completion of his parts; Steve Howe had rejoined following touring commitments with Yes. This effort culminated in the release of Omega in the UK on 26 April 2010.

Celebrating their thirtieth anniversary, Asia released XXX in July 2012. They performed four concerts in Japan that September before launching a North American tour in October. However, part of their UK tour was cancelled due to Palmer suffering a serious E. coli infection.

2013–2017: Howe's Departure, Gravitas, and a Period of Inactivity

Steve Howe officially left Asia on 10 January 2013 to dedicate his efforts to other endeavors, including his work with Yes, effectively bringing the original lineup reunion to a close. Asia pressed on with guitarist Sam Coulson joining the band and commenced production on the album Gravitas. This refreshed lineup also performed live throughout 2013.[1]

Howe cited conflicting schedules between Yes and Asia as the primary reason for his exit, explaining that balancing both became impractical after five years. He commended Asia’s achievements during his tenure, especially highlighting their three albums, with particular appreciation for XXX.

The recording sessions for Gravitas wrapped up by December 2013, followed by the filming of the "Valkyrie" music video in January 2014. The album’s artwork was created by long-term collaborator Roger Dean. Released on 24 March 2014, Gravitas attained the Number 1 spot on the Progressive Rock Chart for emusic.[2]

After completing the Gravitas tour, Asia entered an almost three-year hiatus prompted by John Wetton’s cancer treatments. On 5 December 2016, the band announced a forthcoming US tour as opening act for Journey, scheduled to begin on 15 March 2017 at Yakima Valley Sundome in Washington.[3] Shortly afterward, on 9 December, they revealed plans to release Symfonia: Live in Bulgaria 2013, a live album recorded alongside the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra.[4]

2017–2018: Wetton's Passing and Touring with Journey

On 11 January 2017, John Wetton announced his inability to participate in the upcoming Journey tour dates due to ongoing chemotherapy treatments. In response, Billy Sherwood, who had collaborated with Downes in Yes and co-wrote and produced Wetton’s Raised in Captivity, stepped in as his substitute. Although there was initial consideration to cancel the tour, Journey's management insisted it proceed, resulting in Sherwood’s last-minute engagement.

Wetton passed away on 31 January 2017 at age 67. Reflecting on this period, Palmer remarked, "We used Billy and had a phenomenal time... John would have loved to be on that tour." On 17 June 2017, Asia organized An Extraordinary Life, a tribute concert honoring Wetton’s musical contributions and legacy, featuring dedications from fans displayed during the event.

Following Wetton’s death, Downes disclosed that work had been underway for another Asia album intended as a final homage to Wetton; however, it remained uncertain whether any recordings had been completed. By August 2017, Palmer indicated there were no immediate plans to continue Asia’s activities due to members’ commitments elsewhere and the need for time to process.

2019–2023: Personnel shifts, collaboration with Yes, and 40th Anniversary Tour

On April 2, 2019, Asia revealed plans to participate in The Royal Affair Tour, a 26-date North American summer trek alongside Yes, John Lodge, and Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy. Steve Howe made guest appearances during parts of Asia's set. That year, the band also announced that Sam Coulson had amicably departed to pursue solo endeavors, with Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal stepping in as guitarist and lead vocalist. Meanwhile, Billy Sherwood continued on bass while transitioning to backing vocals. Coulson publicly shared his exit via Twitter on the same day.

In 2019, an investigation by the New York Times identified Asia as one of the artists whose original recordings were reportedly lost in the 2008 Universal fire. Universal Music contested the extent of the damage and has not confirmed the fate of Asia's master tapes. Geoff Downes expressed confidence, citing reliable sources that Asia’s masters remained intact.

Asia announced a 40th Anniversary Tour in 2022 featuring guitarist and vocalist Marc Bonilla. Unfortunately, the tour was canceled after Alan Parsons, the opening act, withdrew due to surgery. By February 2023, Carl Palmer indicated that no further band activities were scheduled for that year.

2024–present: Major lineup revision and forthcoming releases

During their summer 2024 US tour, Asia performed without Carl Palmer, who mentioned intentions to revisit the band's catalog in future projects. This tour introduced a revamped lineup comprised of Geoff Downes on keyboards, Virgil Donati on drums, John Mitchell handling guitar duties, and Harry Whitley covering bass and lead vocals.

In June 2025, Asia secured a deal with Frontiers Music to produce multiple albums, including a fresh studio release slated for 2026.

Personnel

Geoff Downes stands as the longest-tenured member and is unique for appearing on every studio album except during his hiatus between 1989 and 1990 due to other commitments.

The founding lineup remained intact from 1981 until John Wetton’s departure in 1983. They briefly reunited in 1984 without Steve Howe and again in 2006 when Downes brought back the original members until Howe left in 2013. John Wetton passed away in 2017.

Various short-term contributors and session musicians have been involved with the band without appearing on studio recordings; notable collaborators include Greg Lake, Robert Fleischman, Tony Levin, Steve Lukather, and Simon Phillips.

Lineup

Current members

  • Geoff Downes – keyboards, backing vocals (1981–1986, 1990–present)
  • Harry Whitley – lead vocals, bass (2024–present)
  • John Mitchell – guitar, backing vocals (2024–present)
  • Virgil Donati – drums (2024–present)

Discography

Studio albums

Soundtracks and other appearances

See also

  • Rodney Matthews, renowned fantasy artist responsible for several Asia album covers during the 1990s.

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named originalasia.com
  2. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  4. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Asia_(band)&oldid=80531"