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Asia
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Biography
Asia (founded in 1981) is a British progressive rock supergroup formed of fallen flagship progressive rock bands King Crimson, Yes and Emerson, Lake and Palmer.
The original members: John Wetton, formerly the vocalist/bassist of King Crimson, Family, Roxy Music; Steve Howe, formerly the guitarist of Yes; Geoff Downes, formerly keyboardist of Yes and The Buggles; and Carl Palmer formerly drummer of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, all had significant experience before being brought together. In 1980 Wetton and Howe were put together by music scout John Kalodner at Geffen Records and the two then started writing material for a new album. The year after Palmer joined along with Howe’s fellow Yes cohort Geoff Downes.
The band’s first musical releases were seen as disappointing by critics and progressive-rock fans, classed as easily accessible radio-friendly rock, although they found new interest from fans of popular classic rock acts Journey, Boston and Styx.
Asia’s debut self-titled album released March 1982 represented a huge commercial success for the band. The album spent nine weeks at No. 1 in the U.S. album chart, selling over 10 million copies worldwide and has never been out of print. Singles “Only Time Will Tell and “Heat of the Moment” contributed to this success becoming popular Top 40 hits, the latter of which, arguably Asia’s most recognised song, climbed to No. 4 on the Hot 100. After the release the band set out on a tour of various U.S. theatres however had to expand to massive arenas due to their popularity and high ticket demand, and went on to win a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1982.
Despite maintaining a devoted following and receiving considerable television and radio attention, none of Asia’s subsequent albums ever achieved the commercial success of the first. Their follow-up “Alpha” released July 1983, produced the singles “Eye to Eye”, “My Own Time” and “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes” which became huge fan favourites. Based on the ‘disappointing’ success of “Alpha”, Wetton was booted from the group in 1983 and replaced by former bandmate of King Crismon and ELP frontman Greg Lake only for Wetton to return in 1984 to start work on the new album.
Asia’s third album titled “Arcadia” before a change to “Astra” was released in November 1985 which performed worse than “Alpha” and “Asia” and resulted in the label cancelling the subsequent tour. The band went through a period of being more off than on, with line-up changes occurring frequently.
In 1990 Asia released “Then & Now”, a best-of album with four new tracks which received substantial airplay and led to two sold-out nights in the Soviet Union in front of 20,000 fans. The band toured here and there for albums “Aqua” in 1992, “Aria” in 1994, “Arena” in 1996, “Aura” in 2001 and “Silent Nation” in 2004.
2012 saw the return of the original Asia line-up and with it the album “XXX” which featured the popular ingle “Face on the Bridge”. Shortly after Howe announced his departure from the group to pursue other things, and the band introduced guitarist Sam Coulson who contributed to the 2014 album “Gravitas”.
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Live reviews
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I won't belabor the background of these icons of progressive rock - John Wetton, Carl Palmer, and Geoff Downs... sadly, Steve Howe decided to focus on solo work and Yes' tour (ironically - Geoff was on the same Yes tour... saw them only a month or so ago - thanks for coming back Geoff!). That said - the 27-year-old Sam Coulson not only filled the spot, but left his own mark as well. Coming in from touring with Carl Palmer's band, he was a perfect fit to a rockin' evening. I won't belabor the setlist - just to say that it ranged the entire expanse of their career, some, Wetton was clear to point out, that were written before Coulson was even born. :-) While I've seen each play separately in their own accord (except for Coulton), together as Asia, they exhibit true mastery. Some will say that Asia "sold out to pop" (well, Downes is credited with the very first music video with the Bangles...), it was obvious that each not only performed flawlessly, but they were having a lot of fun doing it! Of particular note - each time I have ween Wetton perform, he is not only a great bassist, but a true lyricist. You see and feel his emotion... especially in "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes"... However, Carl Palmer's drumming, and in particular, his extended solo, stole the show. I have to first state that I actually cringe at the "obligatory drum solo", as very few really make it worth one's while to listen. This was clearly amongst the best I've seen, and I've seen quite a few. Moves I've *never* seen before (LOVED his undulating one stick on a cymbal while tapping and maintaining the undulation with the other... hard to describe... incredible to watch. The show had pure energy from beginning to end... yeah, it may be pop... but it's glorious pop... :-) Check out my pics: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10204086142566810&set=a.1377867119689.54242.1022200766&type=1&theater¬if_t=like
By Anonymous -
Although Asia is considered a supergroup consisting of various members from well respected progressive rock bands, they have consolidated their sound into something unique and of their own.
The band’s members have performed in some of the highest caliber progressive rock bands out there. John Wetton played bass for King Crimson, Steve Howe played guitar for Yes, Geoff Downes played keyboards for Yes, and Carl Palmer played drums for Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. Each member brings their unique style to Asia, but as a collective they are able to create their own sound. Although Asia has some highly technical progressive rock elements to their music, they are able to play straight forward rock songs that will immediately grasp your attention such as “Heat of the Moment”.
Asia is absolutely fantastic live. Carl Palmer rocks away on his huge drum kit consisting of double bass drums and two gongs positioned behind him. Geoff Downes is surrounded by a tower of synthesizers, which allows him to create ethereal, ambient sounds on and produces incredibly catchy leads. John Wetton keeps the rhythm pulsing with his intricate bass playing and he manages to sing every note in the perfect timbre, reaching incredible vocal ranges. Steve Howe often plays simple, but catchy chord progressions that have a strong force. He often shreds a few solos on his guitar, but never manages to draw it out into irritable lengths like some progressive rock bands have been known to do.
Asia has been consistently releasing albums and touring since their formation. On their most recent tour you can expect them to play through their classic songs like “Only Time Will Tell” and “Sole Survivor”, as well as play through some of their newest tracks from their 2014 release, Gravitas.
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Awesome totallyawsome. Having a meet and greet with the band and having the priveledge of watching the show from backstage made it a dream come true. All the asia classics were performed as well as elp fanfare and buggles video killed the radio star. It was a celebration of life for john wetton and it was extraordinary and rare. Sound was spot on. I'll never forget it. Asia rocks!!!!
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They were great I would see them again songkick did not put that they were playing with journey but Asia was awesome I would see them again the venue was really good but Asia was playing all there hit songs and there last song heat of the moment they played it really well
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Past concerts
Asia tour dates and tickets 2023-2024 near you
Want to see Asia in concert? Find information on all of Asia’s upcoming concerts, tour dates and ticket information for 2023-2024.
Asia is not due to play near your location currently - but they are scheduled to play 2 concerts across 1 country in 2023-2024. View all concerts.
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Next 2 concerts:
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Popularity ranking:
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Concerts played in 2023:
2 concerts -
Touring history
2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 -
Most played:
- Los Angeles (LA) (35)
- Philadelphia (27)
- New York (NYC) (23)
- London (14)
- Baltimore (13)
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Appears most with:
- Yes (29)
- Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy (27)
- John Lodge (20)
- Journey (16)
- Uriah Heep (15)
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Distance travelled:
540,474 miles
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