Asia (band)

Not to be confused with Asia featuring John Payne.

Asia
  • Original lineup in 1982
  • (clockwise from bottom left): John Wetton, Carl Palmer, Geoff Downes, Steve Howe
Background information
OriginLondon, England
Genres
DiscographyAsia discography
Years active
  • 1981–1986
  • 1989–present
Labels
Spinoffs
Spinoff ofYes
Members
Past members
Websiteoriginalasia.com

Asia are an English rock supergroup formed in London in 1981. The most commercially successful lineup was its original, which consisted of four members of different progressive rock bands who had enjoyed great success in the 1970s: lead vocalist and bassist John Wetton (King Crimson, Uriah Heep and U.K.), guitarist Steve Howe (Yes), keyboardist Geoff Downes (Yes and the Buggles) and drummer Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer). Their self-titled debut album released in 1982, remains their best-selling album and went to number one in several countries. Billboard listed it as the top album in the U.S. in 1982. The lead single from the album, "Heat of the Moment", remains their top charting and best-known song, reaching the top 40 in over a dozen markets. It peaked at #4 in the U.S. on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

The band underwent multiple lineup changes before the original four members reunited in 2006. As a result, a band called Asia Featuring John Payne exists as a continuation of John Payne's career as Asia's frontman from 1991 until Wetton's return in 2006.[2] In 2013, the original lineup was broken once again when Howe retired from the band and was replaced by guitarist Sam Coulson.[3] After a few years of inactivity, Billy Sherwood (of Yes, World Trade and Circa:) replaced an ailing Wetton (who died shortly thereafter) in Asia for a summer 2017 tour with Journey.[4][5] Following the end of the tour, the band went on hiatus again, re-emerging in 2019 with Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal replacing both Sherwood on vocals and Coulson on guitar.[6] In 2022, Marc Bonilla joined the group as guitarist and vocalist in place of Thal.[7] In 2024, Downes announced a new touring line-up of himself, Virgil Donati, John Mitchell and Harry Whitley.

  1. ^ Deggans, Eric (1998). "Asia". In Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel (eds.). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. pp. 44–45.
  2. ^ "ASIA Featuring John Payne Official Website | Classic and Modern Progressive Rock". Theasiaband.com. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  3. ^ "ASIA Announce New Guitarist and 2013 Plans". Originalasia.com. 10 January 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  4. ^ "ASIA's JOHN WETTON Dies After Battle With Cancer". Blabbermouth.net. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  5. ^ "A PERSONAL STATEMENT FROM JOHN WETTON". Johnwetton.com. 11 January 2017. Archived from the original on 26 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  6. ^ "YES Announces "The Royal Affair Tour" Launching June 12 In Bethlehem, Pa". Yesworld.com. 2 April 2019.
  7. ^ "ASIA with original members Carl Palmer & Geoff Downes Announces 40th Anniversary Celebration". Cision/PR Newswire (Press release). Cision Distribution/Pilato Entertainment. Retrieved 28 January 2022.