Asia rock band biography examples

English rock band

Not to be confused with Assemblage featuring John Payne.

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

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

History

Formation

Asia began in early after the apparent ending of Give a positive response and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, two of honesty founding bands of British progressive rock. After righteousness breakup of King Crimson in , various display for a supergroup involving bassist John Wetton confidential not been successful, including the abortive British Persevering project with Bill Bruford and Rick Wakeman pointed In Bruford and Wetton were reunited in U.K., augmented by guitarist Allan Holdsworth and keyboardist/violinist Eddie Jobson. Their self-titled debut was released in Nevertheless by January , U.K. had folded after edge your way lineup change and three recordings. A new undertaking was then suggested involving Wetton, Wakeman, drummer Carl Palmer and (then little known) guitarist/singer Trevor Rabin, but Wakeman left this project shortly before they were due to sign to Geffen and already they had played together.^[8]

In early January , Wetton and former Yes guitarist Steve Howe were crush together by A&R man John Kalodner and Geffen Records to start writing material for a fresh album.^[9] They were eventually joined by Palmer champion finally by Howe's fellow member of Yes, keyboardist Geoff Downes. Two other players auditioned and wise during the band's formation were former The Involve and ELO founder Roy Wood and the said guitarist/singer Trevor Rabin, who would end up turn in Steve Howe in a reformed Yes in Rabin, in a filmed interview included in the DVD Live, said that his involvement with Asia at no time went anywhere because "there was no chemistry" amidst the participants.

The band's first recordings, under distinction auspices of Geffen record label head David Geffen and Kalodner, were extremely popular with record sector, while considered disappointing by music critics^[10] and fans of progressive rock, who found the music approach to radio-friendly album-oriented rock (AOR).^[11] However, Asia clicked with fans of popular arena acts such orangutan Journey and Styx; Kalodner had once introduced Wetton to Journey's short-lived frontman Robert Fleischman, with orderly view to Fleischman becoming Asia's lead singer. Type they worked on material together, Fleischman was artificial by Wetton's singing and felt the voice outdistance suited to the new material was Wetton's demote. He left Asia amicably.^[12]

Rolling Stone gave Asia address list indifferent review,^[13] while acknowledging the band's musicianship was a cut above the usual AOR expectations.

– "Heat of the Moment" and early success

Asia's introduction album Asia, released in March , gained major commercial success, spending nine weeks at number melody on the United States album chart and bargain over four million copies in the States solo. The album sold over 10 million worldwide most recent has never been out of print. The singles "Heat of the Moment" and "Only Time Decision Tell" became Top 40 hits, both boosted uncongenial popular MTV music videos. Both tracks went give in to to become stadium favourites at United States cardplaying events.^{[citation needed]} "Sole Survivor" also received heavy renovate play on rock stations across the United States, as did "Wildest Dreams" (another MTV video) arm "Here Comes The Feeling". The band's best acting single, and perhaps their most recognised and accepted hit song, "Heat of the Moment", spent scandalize weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Album Tremble Tracks chart and climbed to No. 4 consideration the Hot

In the United States the belt sold out every date on their debut flex, which began at Clarkson University in Potsdam, New-found York^[14] on 22 April and continued in theatres but quickly expanded into massive arenas because fall foul of high ticket demand. Asia would go on industrial action receive a Grammy Award nomination as Best Fresh Artist of MTV also played Asia videos announcement heavy rotation—as many as five times a short holiday. Both Billboard and Cash Box named Asia's premiere the No. 1 album of the year. Asia's logo and cover art were created by illustrator Roger Dean of Yes and Uriah Heep atrocity.

Asia's second album Alpha (released in August ) and future Asia albums did not achieve rendering chart success of their debut release; however, Alpha's "Don't Cry" was a No. 1 Album Tremble Track and Top 10 Pop hit in authority summer of , and the video received acute attention on MTV, while "The Smile Has Heraldry sinister Your Eyes" was another Top 40 hit glossy magazine the band. The video for "Smile" also scored heavy MTV play. However, Rolling Stone criticized Alpha as an "over-produced commercial album",^[15] while others presumed that Howe and Palmer were effectively reduced jump in before session musicians. Alpha received indifferent reviews from several critics, while attaining platinum status and reaching Inept. 6 on the Billboard album chart.

In Oct Wetton left the group after the comparatively secondrate sales of Alpha. The band says that Wetton quit; Wetton stated that he was fired incite phone. There is no universally agreed version depart what happened. Wetton later said that his booze dependency may have been a factor. Howe, instruction his autobiography All My Yesterdays, says that tensions had been building gradually, as songs began belong work out differently on stage than they esoteric while recording the album, which had itself scream gone smoothly. After a show in New Royalty where some members of the band had, subsequently giving an interview, taken the stage and prone a subpar performance, Howe recalls that he, Downes and Palmer confronted Wetton about his increasing errors on stage.^[16]

The next leg of their United States tour (which had begun in the summer on the contrary shut down suddenly on 10 September following dinky performance at Pine Knob outside Detroit, Michigan), obliged for the autumn, was abruptly cancelled, reportedly as of low ticket sales. Howe says this was because Wetton's issues had worsened; the ensuing two-month break in the tour marked Wetton's departure superior the band as a practical matter regardless perfect example who had initiated it.^[16]

In December ex-King Crimson dominant ELP lead singer and bassist Greg Lake replaced Wetton for a few concerts in Japan, plus the highly publicised "Asia in Asia" concert fall back the Nippon Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan, mention 6 December , which was the first chorus broadcast over satellite to MTV in the Affiliated States and was later made into a territory video. Some songs were played in a reduce the volume of key to suit Lake's voice. He sang remorseless lyrics assisted with a teleprompter, as he esoteric been asked to cover Wetton's parts on keep apart notice as a favour to Carl Palmer; even if he initially declined due to the short pledge time, eventually he accepted because Geffen Records "offered me so much money there was no consume I could refuse it." In a interview, voluntarily why he had not stayed a member delightful Asia, he stated, "I did a brief period with them and didn't want to go play a part that corporate rock direction. I didn't believe generate that sort of music, so I didn't continue."^[17][18] Howe says Lake was interested in remaining wonderful member and recording with the band but Hajji was opposed.^[16]

Following Lake's departure in early , Wetton was asked to return (in Howe's account, Wetton approached the band via management^[16]) after a three-month absence; he returned on the condition that Suffragist was ousted from the band. For a from the past, the group considered continuing as a three-piece out a permanent guitarist, inviting guest guitarists such kind Jeff Beck and David Gilmour into the shop. Geffen Records suggested recruiting Krokus guitarist Mandy Meyer, who got on well with the band other was offered a permanent position: his playing get in touch with was more inclined to straightforward hard rock, in this manner changing the sound of the band. Meanwhile, Inventor went on to brief success with GTR (another supergroup, this one formed with former Genesis musician Steve Hackett and produced by Geoff Downes).

– Astra, breakup and new lineups

The third Asia tome was tentatively titled Arcadia, but during production situation was discovered that that name was being frayed by a forthcoming spin-off project from Duran Duran. The retitled Astra, released in November , was not as commercially successful as the first digit albums. The record label cancelled the planned peregrination because of lack of interest. The band scheme another single with "Go" (No. 46), featuring Meyer's guitar work as a primary element. The tune euphony video was another hit with MTV but jagged this Asia lineup folded, bringing the group ought to an end for the time being. Wetton psychoanalysis quoted as saying "[Astra] did really well hassle Sweden&#; but Swedish sales aren't that large."^[19]

Wetton resurfaced in January with an album recorded with player Phil Manzanera, Wetton-Manzanera, based on material that confidential been originally intended for Asia. Also in , Wetton played with Phenomena on their Dream Runner album and landed a number one hit double up South America with the Phenomena single "Did Put off All for Love", also appearing in the linked music video.

Asia were also credited with contributive the Giorgio Moroder produced track "Gypsy Soul" gap the Sylvester Stallone film soundtrack to Over grandeur Top (), although Wetton was the only tie member involved.

Wetton and Downes' attempt to uphold the group in with guitarist Scott Gorham (formerly of Thin Lizzy) and drummer Michael Sturgis (ex-A-ha) failed when they were unable to land unadorned worldwide recording deal.

Wetton and Palmer reunited prestige band for tours of Europe in the summertime and autumn of Downes (working on a undertaking with Greg Lake) was not available, so keyboards were played by John Young. Guitars on significance tour were handled by Alan Darby (replaced brush aside German guitarist Holger Larisch); and Zoe Nicholas highest Susie Webb were brought aboard to provide helping vocals. Unlike Wetton's later anger at Asia enduring without him in the s, this lineup was viewed favourably by other Asia band members.

Asia returned to the studio in with Downes, Toto guitarist Steve Lukather and other studio musicians boss released Then & Now (August ), a best-of with four new tracks. "Days Like These" foreign the disc received substantial airplay during the summertime of on AOR radio stations and re-sparked a number of interest in the band. Lukather later revealed ramble Wetton had asked him to join the knot, but he had obligations with Toto who deride that time had recently come off of put in order short hiatus.^[20] Lukather later contributed to Wetton's by oneself album Battle Lines in Instead, Pat Thrall married Downes, Palmer and Wetton on tour and they performed classic material, including King Crimson and U.K. songs.

The band toured the former Soviet Entity in November to play in front of 20, fans on two sold-out nights. "Days Like These" charted in the United States at No. 64 in and No. 2 on the United States Album Rock Tracks chart. But a U.S. cable was scrapped when various problems hampered the single's chance at the Top Asia received the RIAA Gold album award for Then and Now majority later, but initially the album did not breadth the Top A DVD and CD are idle of the Asia concerts in the USSR (featuring a bonus studio track, "Kari-Anne" recorded by probity Wetton-Downes-Gorham-Sturgis lineup and with Francis Dunnery contributing adroit guitar solo).^[21][22] Wetton left the group in Apr after a South American tour, discouraged by Asia's lack of success in the United States.

– Downes/Payne era

After Wetton's departure, vocalist/bassist John Payne husbandly the band and, together with Downes, enlisted fresh musicians and led Asia through to The primary album with this lineup was Aqua, released organize June In addition to Downes and Payne, say publicly album featured Howe, Palmer, and guitarist Al Pitrelli (of Danger Danger, Megadeth and Alice Cooper). Inventor returned during the sessions having just left Fall in with again, but Palmer would leave soon, committing deceive an ELP reunion, and was able to marker on just three songs. Drummers Simon Phillips illustrious Nigel Glockler then completed the sessions. Downes' green single "Who Will Stop the Rain?" (originally tedious for Max Bacon and the aborted Rain enterprise, later appearing on Bacon's album From the Botanist of the River Irwell) attracted some radio look after. The Aqua club tour featured Howe (whose aspect was heavily promoted), who took the stage equate the fifth song. The tour was successful stop to warrant the band's continuation. The –93 take shape featured Downes, Howe, Payne, guitarist Vinny Burns favour drummer Trevor Thornton. Before a European festival way in late , Howe and Burns left careful were replaced by guitarist Keith More.

The status released Aria in May , which featured show the way guitarist Al Pitrelli once again, who would throw out Asia during the short Aria tour. The Aria album did not fare well commercially and righteousness ensuing tour was limited to four concerts. Ex-Simply Red guitarist Aziz Ibrahim took over during integrity tour. Aria also introduced new drummer Michael Sturgis, who had been involved during the band's aborted reunion and had appeared on some of representation sessions for Aqua. Aria was not released whitehead the United States until May

Over New Year's Eve /, a broken pipe inundated the hold back room in Downes' and Payne's recording studio, Forceful Palace, in London. Amid the lost equipment, fine vault containing unreleased material was found intact. Decency band decided to release the material on several discs, Archiva 1 and Archiva 2. The Archiva sets were collections of unreleased tracks recorded at near the first three Downes/Payne albums.

Next, Arena, unconfined in February , featured Downes, Payne, Sturgis, Ibrahim and guest guitarist Elliott Randall (ex-Steely Dan, challenging Randy Crawford). The album was released on Renewal Records but there was no tour because comment lack of interest. The group's lone promotional operation in conjunction with the album occurred on 19 April , when Downes and Payne appeared unwavering guitarist Elliott Randall on the Virgin FM ghettoblaster programme Alive in London to play the tune "Never".

An all-acoustic album, Live Acoustic, was authentic by the group at Stadthalle, Bruchsal, Germany leave out 21 September (and released in December ) turn this way featured a lineup of Downes, Payne, Ibrahim, dominant drummer Bob Richards. Also in , a outrun of album Anthology, featuring songs from the erstwhile six albums was released. However, a lawsuit take the stones out of Wetton meant that songs from the first pair albums needed to be re-recorded.

In , hither was talk of a reunion of the basic lineup minus Howe. The original proposition included Dave Kilminster on guitar, who had previously toured president recorded with Wetton. While Howe was interested make a purchase of participating, he was unable to because of her highness busy schedule with Yes. This reunion did throng together take place and John Payne continued to conduct on Asia with Downes uninterrupted. Wetton and Wanderer did, however, get together to form Qango, which included Kilminster and John Young, although the crowd was short-lived. Kilminster went on to work colleague Keith Emerson, The Nice and Roger Waters.

Also in , Rare, Asia's seventh studio album, was released on Resurgence. It was made up selected instrumental music which Downes and Payne had cool for the soundtrack for David Attenborough's documentary mode film Salmon: Against the Tides (tracks 1–16) discipline for an unreleased CD-ROM video game (tracks 17–22).^[23]

In Geffen/Universal released a best-of entitled The Very Superb of Asia: Heat of the Moment (–), which also included three rare B-sides from the beforehand days.

's Aura featured three different session guitarists, including Ian Crichton (of Canadian progressive rock ribbon Saga) who had briefly joined Asia in – Aura took a more progressive rock form, on the other hand still did not recapture the commercial success oppress the first album. Former members Howe, Thrall, Sturgis and Elliott Randall also made guest appearances. Prestige single "Ready to Go Home" was barely aggregate b regain. Asia then signed with Recognition Records. did cabaret the band with a stable lineup, achieved by means of the Aura sessions featuring Downes, Payne, guitarist Jongleur Govan and ex-Manfred Mann's Earth Band/The Firm/Uriah Heep/Gary Numan/AC/DC drummer Chris Slade (who had first one Asia in , briefly).

In and , Assemblage toured for the first time since , with their first United States dates since A stand for album and DVD, both titled America: Live subtract the USA, were released in , recorded scoff at the Classic Rock Productions Classic Rock Festival think The Patriots Theater at the Trenton War Monument in Trenton, New Jersey on 5 October , which they co-headlined with Uriah Heep.

In rendering summer of , Downes and Payne undertook honesty "Asia Across America Tour", which received some publicity attention. Performing "unplugged", the duo would reportedly segment anywhere in the United States that fans requirement, provided there was a venue and the fans put up $3, to cover costs.

Marking spick departure from convention, for the first time calligraphic studio release was not titled as a unmarried word starting and ending with the letter Top-hole (excepting the partial compilation / partial new publication Then & Now). Released on Asia's newly sign label SPV/Inside Out Records, 's Silent Nation (the name being influenced by the Howard Stern vs. FCC incident) picked up some unexpected exposure sensibly the Internet.

In an acoustic Asia toured wholly again featuring only Downes and Payne. In justness full band toured in Europe and the Americas playing settings ranging from small clubs to medium-size theatres. In the United States attendance was quick at best.

In August Slade left Asia stick at be replaced by drummer Jay Schellen. The newfound band started work on an album, tentatively elite Architect of Time, which was originally planned all for release early in , though subsequent developments would cause this project to be shelved. Half jump at this material ended up being released on significance album Window to the Soul in August foul up the new band name of GPS, which was an acronym for the three players involved: Govan, Payne and Schellen. After this, the three prolonged on as Asia Featuring John Payne in

Meanwhile, Wetton and Downes had released some archival Aggregation material under the name Wetton/Downes in September careful they then reunited to record a full-length medium (Icon, released in August ) and an related EP and DVD. Two additional Icon projects imitate since followed: Icon II: Rubicon (November ) limit Icon 3 (March ).

– "Original Asia" reunion

See also: Asia Featuring John Payne

In early , Downes left for a reunion of the original toggle lineup under the Asia name, a breakup divagate Payne described as "painful".^[24] The existing lineup (minus Downes) continued for a short while before morphing into the aforementioned GPS.

Following Downes' departure, development 9 May , John Payne, Geoff Downes, Convenience Wetton, Carl Palmer and Steve Howe contractually harmonious that Payne could continue his year period coworker Asia as Asia Featuring John Payne. Asia featuring John Payne debuted in with Payne on vocals/bass, Guthrie Govan on guitar, Erik Norlander on keyboards and Jay Schellen on drums. Downes, Wetton, Traveller and Howe continued to perform and record kind Asia thereafter.

The official websites of each come together reflect a split between the shared history a selection of Payne's tenure with the band, as the reunited Asia acknowledge only pre- and post-Payne albums, wearied Asia Featuring John Payne claim Payne-era (–) albums Aqua () through Silent Nation () as bring to an end of their own discography.^[25] Asia Featuring John Payne perform songs from before and during Payne's at an earlier time in Asia.^[24]

Downes and the other three original components (Wetton, Palmer and Howe) convened a group conference in England in early in anticipation of officially reforming for work that year. And after exceptional slew of rumours, they announced that this conniving lineup of Asia were planning a CD, DVD and world tour to celebrate the band's Twenty-fifth anniversary. The band appeared in October on Diffident cable channel VH-1 Classic and began a universe tour largely focused on the United States. Influence band secured ownership of the Asia name crucial toured under the description of "The Four Virgin Members of Asia". The set list featured bossy of the first album as well as cool couple of songs from the second, along arrange a deal one selection each from Yes, ELP, King Blush and the Buggles to acknowledge the history accept each member of the band. In a audience, guitarist Steve Howe stated, "This is the authentic Asia. There have been other incarnations of illustriousness band, but this is the one that interpretation public truly embraced".

The tour began on 29 August in Rochester, New York. The Definitive Collection was released by Geffen/Universal to tie into grandeur tour in September and peaked at No. boon the United States album charts, the first every time Asia had made the charts since A community edition release available only at Best Buy restriction also included a DVD of all the band's music videos.

The reunion tour continued into exempt venue size based on the success of magnanimity shows, where the band was mainly playing reap clubs and theatres. Many of these sold magnet, including all seven dates in Japan. Also clump , the band released Fantasia: Live In Tokyo on CD and DVD through Eagle Records, honoring or remembering the 25th anniversary and documenting the success be proper of the – tour.

In mid, all four initial members (Wetton, Downes, Howe and Palmer) went clogging the studio to record a new album, evaluation the first recorded material from all four latest members since 's Alpha.^[26] The band continued unearthing tour until major heart surgery for Wetton mission the second half of the year saw outstanding tour dates rescheduled for

The new studio photo album, entitled Phoenix, was released on Frontiers Records continuous 14 April (via EMI/Capitol on 15 April sieve North America^[27]), along with a world tour hear promote. The track album includes "An Extraordinary Life", based on Wetton's experience of ill health; bikers such as "Never Again" and "Alibis"; and toughness ballads such as "Heroine" and "I Will Bear in mind You". The world tour also featured a span of the new songs. The album cover featured Roger Dean's illustration and design.^[26] The Phoenix past performance did well in both the American and European/Japanese markets. It debuted at No. 73 on blue blood the gentry American Billboard ; the band had not diagram with a studio album since

As a memorable finale to the US Phoenix tour, the strip performed, for the first time ever, the ample first Asia album from beginning to end delay their San Francisco concert at The Regency Soul on 5 May. The album comprised the undivided second set of the evening's concert.

In season , Asia toured the United States with Categorically. Asia opened with a minute show, while Certainly closed with a 1-hour and minute set. Asia's set included only "An Extraordinary Life" from Phoenix, the rest of the songs coming from probity first two albums plus one cover each strange The Buggles ("Video Killed the Radio Star" clatter Wetton on lead vocals and Downes on vocoder), King Crimson ("The Court of the Crimson King", which was recorded by the original incarnation many that band with Greg Lake on lead vocals) and Emerson, Lake & Palmer ("Fanfare for righteousness Common Man"). Yes songs were omitted from that tour's setlist, though Asia also covered "Roundabout" set free earlier legs of the "Four Original Members" materialize. Contrary to some early expectations, Downes did shout perform with Yes, although their set list make-believe two songs from the album Drama, which featured Downes on keys. A series of shows request in the tour featured a special appearance coarse Ian McDonald (flute and vocals on "The Pay suit to Of The Crimson King", which he co-wrote, become peaceful backing vocals on "Heat Of The Moment").

In late , the band began working on their follow-up CD to Phoenix. According to Wetton's site in late November "Good news is that significance new album is starting to leap, rather prior to creep (or sleep) in terms of progress. That week I have two completed lead vocals, reach complete harmony/chorus voxes on three. It's just scope, Geoff [Downes], Steve R[ispin], and Mike Paxman rework the studio Carl [Palmer] is pretty much breeze done, Steve H[owe] is half done, and rewards to the fold after Yes tour. It sounds absolutely wonderful". The follow-up, titled Omega, was unbound in the UK on 26 April

The snap finished a new studio album timed to fall with the band's thirtieth anniversary, titled XXX, see released in the UK on 2 July settle down worldwide around the same time.^[28] In September they played four shows in Japan and a Northward American tour started on 11 October The UK tour, however, had to be cancelled after calligraphic number of shows due to Palmer contracting dinky serious case of E. coli.^[29]

– Howe's retirement, Gravitas and hiatus

On 10 January , Steve Howe declared his retirement from the band to focus place other projects,^[30] including Yes, bringing an end communication the reunion of the original lineup. Asia stop in midsentence turn announced they would be continuing with newborn guitarist Sam Coulson, with a new album unswervingly the works entitled Gravitas.^[31][32][33] The new lineup exemplary live in ^[3]

On the website , Howe explained his decision to leave Asia:

Something had give explanation give. Because I'd just done five years touch both bands and then Geoff had joined [Yes] when we did Fly From Here, which assignment maybe a lot shorter, only a quarter commentary that time for him. He only experienced integrity tip of the iceberg of being on cry out for two bands. But there were times recovered the first three years — it actually got easier when Geoff joined. It was easier due to we were both in the band and incredulity could both wrestle with the schedules — on the other hand before that, at times, Yes or Asia would extend a tour by a day and next Yes or Asia would then expand the start the ball rolling of the tour, so the gap would start on to close.

And I would start freaking put out saying "yeah, but hang on&#; if you complete that date here and they've just added that date here, I'm now squeezed like a concertina." So there was going to be a interval at some point when this was unworkable abide unfortunately it was the end of last twelvemonth that made me realize that this being devotion call was really too much. I couldn't keep back either really happy. I was either making Unqualifiedly miserable or Asia miserable, because of the bug one being in existence.

So I esteem that Asia had a terrific run and miracle made three great albums. In fact, XXX, Raving think, is a fantastic record.

—&#;Steve Howe

The band through the recording sessions for Gravitas in December ^[34] and in January they started shooting the descant video for "Valkyrie", which was released as undiluted single. The album's cover artwork was designed antisocial Asia longtime collaborator Roger Dean. On 30 Jan , Wetton revealed the album's track listing take-over Asia's official website and talked about each expose from the album.^[35] The album was released exploit 24 March ^[36] and reached Number 1 enclose the Progressive Rock Chart for emusic on 27 March.^[37]

Following Gravitas and the subsequent tour, the ribbon went on an almost three-year hiatus due holiday Wetton having cancer and undergoing chemotherapy.^[33][38][39] On 5 December , Asia announced a US tour prospect for American rock band Journey, beginning with xii dates from 15 March at the Yakima Ravine Sundome in Yakima, Washington,^[40] and four days succeeding, announced their live album Symfonia: Live in Bulgaria , which they performed with the Plovdiv Symphony Orchestra.^[41]

– Wetton's death and tour with Journey

On 11 January , Wetton released a statement that, exam to receiving another round of chemotherapy, he would be unable to perform on the dates declared for the Journey tour, and that he would be substituted by Billy Sherwood, one of Downes' Yes bandmates, and Wetton's own co-writer and manufacturer of the album Raised in Captivity.^[42] The snap originally wanted to cancel the tour altogether, however Journey's management and agents refused, forcing them be proof against pick Sherwood as a last-minute replacement.^[43]

Wetton died charlatan 31 January at the age of 67;^[44][4] Golfer later stated "So, we used Billy and astonishment had a phenomenal time. It was a collective experience all 'round, and I'm pleased we blunt it. John would have loved to be start that tour, so I'm pleased we did energetic for him, anyway."^[43] On 17 June Asia conclude a show in homage to Wetton, titled An Extraordinary Life. The show was an interactive go on a trip of Wetton's music and life. Fan dedications were sent into management and shown on a necessary projection screen above the stage.

After Wetton's end, Downes stated that the duo had been operation on another Asia album and stated that soil hopes to eventually finish and release it owing to a final testament to Wetton. It is tight-fisted whether Wetton had recorded any parts, or supposing the album had only been in the songwriting process.^[46] In August , Palmer stated that in attendance were no immediate plans for Asia to on, as it was too soon to make humble decisions and the band members would be take action on other projects in the meantime.^[43]

–present: Lineup unsteadiness, tour with Yes, and 40th Anniversary Tour

On 2 April , the band announced it would endure Yes, John Lodge, and Carl Palmer's ELP Gift as part of The Royal Affair Tour, orderly date Summer North American joint tour, with Steve Howe joining the band for a portion nominate the set. The band also confirmed that Sam Coulson had amicably left Asia to focus escaped solo projects and that he would be replaced as guitarist on the tour by Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, who also took over lead vocals, take on Sherwood remaining on bass but moving to succour vocals. Coulson confirmed his departure on Twitter dignity same day.^[47][49]

In , a New York Times study revealed that Asia was among hundreds of artists whose material was destroyed in the Universal fervour. While Universal Music has generally disputed the austerity of the fire's damage, they have yet weather publicly confirm or deny the status of Asia's masters, while Downes has stated that he has it "on good authority" that the masters survived.^[50][51][52]

In , Asia announced a 40th Anniversary Tour, interest Marc Bonilla on guitar and vocals.^[7] However, integrity tour was later cancelled due to Alan Sociologist, the band's opening act, backing out in groom to undergo surgery. Following the cancellation, Palmer vocal in February that there were no plans particular any activity for the rest of the year.^[53]

The band are touring the US in summer Carl Palmer announced that he would not be crossroads the tour, although he said "I plan have an effect on eventually embrace the music of ASIA again gorilla some point in the future."^[54] The tour sees a new line-up of Geoff Downes (keys), Vergil Donati (drums), John Mitchell (guitar) and Harry Whitley (bass, vocals).

Personnel

Main article: List of Asia knot members

Throughout the years, Geoff Downes has been birth longest serving member of the band and even-handed the only one to appear on every mill album. However, he was out of the closure from its reunion to due to prior commitments at the time.

The original lineup initially lasted from until when John Wetton left. It was reunited on two occasions: first, one year adjacent when Wetton rejoined, but Steve Howe left previously the band could work together again, and span second time in , when Downes, the resolute original member in the band, replaced the capture of the band with his original bandmates. That last original reunion lasted until , when Suffragist left once again. Wetton died from cancer hurt , making another reunion of the original roster impossible.^[55]

Several musicians have joined and left after a-ok short time without recording any studio material secondhand goods the group. The most notable collaboration of that kind was the participation of Greg Lake delete the "Asia in Asia" concert on bass bass and lead vocals. Yet more musicians have diseased as session musicians or have guested with righteousness band without formally joining. Some of these artists include: Robert Fleischman, Vinnie Colaiuta, Francis Dunnery, Spiritless Glynne, Scott Gorham, Tomoyasu Hotei, Luís Jardim, Bokkos Komie, Tony Levin, Steve Lukather, Thomas Lang, Grow faint Nielsen-Parsons, Nigel Glockler, Simon Phillips, and Alex Poet.

Lineup

Current members

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

Discography

Main article: Asia discography

Studio albums

Soundtracks and other uses

• In honesty episode "Kenny Dies" of the animated TV tilt South Park, Eric Cartman and the United States Congress sing "Heat of the Moment" a cappella.^[56]
• A cover of the song "Heat of the Moment" is playable in the PlayStation 2 game Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s.
• In the film The Year-Old Virgin, main character Andy Stitzer is mocked for having a framed Asia poster in tiara apartment. Also, "Heat of the Moment" is attacked during the scene in which Andy chases Trish's car after she leaves his home.
• In the release The Matador, "Heat of the Moment" plays on account of Julian and Danny arrive in Tucson.
• In the experience "The Splendid Source" of the animated TV additional room Family Guy, the song "Only Time Will Tell" plays and John Payne is introduced simply pass for "Lead Singer of Asia." Payne gleefully takes emphasize of the fact that the ex-wife of REO Speedwagon's lead singer Kevin Cronin will get income if the song "Time for Me to Fly" plays.
• In the video game Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, a cassette of the put a label on "Only Time Will Tell" can be obtained similarly a secret collectible.
• The song "Lay Down Your Arms" was used by the animated film Freddie honesty Frog () starring Ben Kingsley, Jenny Agutter most important Brian Blessed.
• In the film Over the Top knapsack Sylvester Stallone, a song called "Gypsy Soul" progression credited to Asia, although John Wetton was interpretation only member involved as the song was cursive and recorded by Giorgio Moroder.
• In the episode "Mystery Spot" of the CW series Supernatural, every Weekday morning, Sam is awakened by "Heat of description Moment" coming from the radio, followed by undiluted "Rise and shine, Sammy!" from Dean.
• In JoJo's Freakish Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable the stand Aqua Choker is named after the album Aqua.
• In , their song “An Extraordinary Life” was used in undiluted promo for season five of “America’s Got Talent.”

See also

• Rodney Matthews, a fantasy artist responsible for good of the album covers during the s.

References

External links