BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A music group with a prog-rock background that topped the charts in the early 1980s is back on the road with a revamped lineup and will stop at Wind Creek Event Center in July, it was announced.
Asia, the arena-rock band that rose from the ashes of progressive rock heavyweights Yes and Emerson, Lake and Palmer to have the hits "Heat of The Moment," “Don’t Cry” and "Only Time Will Tell," will perform at the event center at 8 p.m. July 13.
Tickets, at $39.50-$99.50, go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, April 26, at the Wind creek website.Wind Creek Event Center website
Tickets, at $39.50-$99.50, go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, April 26, at the Wind Creek website.
The band will feature original member Geoff Downes, who played keyboards and also played in the Buggles and Yes. Joining him will be John Mitchell on guitar, Harry Whitley on lead vocals and bass and Virgil Donati.
Downes said in a statement that original guitarist Steve Howe is busy touring with Yes and original drummer Carl Palmer is busy with the Return of Emerson Lake and Palmer.
Original vocalist John Wetton died in 2017 and Downes said the new lineup came together last August as a concert held in Wetton’s memory, and it “really reminded me how much Asia’s music belongs on the stage. The response to it all was literally…spine-tingling.”
“I am convinced that John [Wetton’s] spirit is with us as we set out on this new adventure.”Asia keyboardist Greg Downes
“I am convinced that John [Wetton’s] spirit is with us as we set out on this new adventure,” Downes said in a release.
“After all, it is the Year of the Dragon — just as it was in 1982 when we released our first Asia album. It’s as though it was meant to be. Looking forward to seeing you there, my friends — bring it on!”
Opening for Asia will be Focus, Martin Turner of Wishbone Ash and Curved Air.
Asia's self-titled debut album zoomed to No. 1 and stayed there for nine weeks, selling 7 million copies, with all of the hits as well as singles "Sole Survivor" and "Wildest Dreams."
“Heat of the Moment” and “Don’t Cry” both hit No. 1.
Billboard named the debut disc Album of the Year, and it was followed by a second disc, "Alpha," that also went platinum and had hits with the power ballads "Don't Cry" and "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes."
The band released a dozen more albums through 2014.
