Asia (band)

(studio albums only). Yet more played as session, guest or live artists without formally joining Asia. Other musicians joined and left after a short time (including Greg Lake), without recording any material with the group. The 2001 Aura album showed a return to progressive rock form, but without recapturing the commercial success of the first album.

Downes' environmental single, "Who Will Stop The Rain" attracted some attention, but the "Aqua" club tour featuring Howe (whose presence was heavily promoted) angered even the band's most ardent supporters, when a clearly indifferent Howe only took the stage halfway through the show. "Aqua" 1992 featured sessions from Steve Howe and Carl Palmer, but John Payne's raspy voice was ill-suited to replace John Wetton. Enlisting new musicians, he led Asia through the 1990s with a series of well-produced but unremarkable albums. However, Downes found a new lease on life with Asia.

John Wetton left in 1992 to focus on writing new albums. Pat Thrall joined Downes, Palmer, and Wetton, who performed classic material and even King Crimson songs. "Days Like These" charted briefly in 1991, generating a small amount of MTV airplay. Geoffrey Downes revived Asia in 1989, to a mediocre reception even from its former fans. They toured the former Soviet Union in 1990, while "Then And Now" featured their previous hits and new singles.

Asia also made a contribution to the Sylvester Stallone film soundtrack to "Over The Top.". In 1985, this Asia line-up died, although Wetton resurfaced with a 1987 solo album, Wetton-Manzanera, based on Asia material. Yet the band enjoyed a modest hit single, "Go," with Meyer's guitar heroics center-stage. Mandy Meyer of Krokus provided more of a hard-rock guitar approach, in keeping with the trend.

The third Asia album, Astra, was a commercial failure, largely because Geffen cancelled the tour due to lack of interest. However, Howe would enjoy a brief success with GTR, another super-group formed with Steve Hackett of Genesis, and produced by none other than Geoffrey Downes. Thereafter, Asia reformed without Steve Howe, who also despaired that Yes had enjoyed a successful rebirth with Trevor Rabin as its new guitarist. In 1984, Wetton left the group briefly, while ELP frontman Greg Lake replaced him for the highly publicized "Asia in Asia" tour in Japan.

Unsurprisingly, John Wetton and Steve Howe quarrelled over the direction of Asia. Rolling Stone rightfully panned "Alpha" as an over-produced commercial album, while others lamented that Howe and Palmer were effectively reduced to session musicians. The power-ballad "Don't Cry" barely entered the Top Ten in 1983, while "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes," an affable John Wetton vocal performance, barely charted in the U.S. However, neither the second album, Alpha nor its singles did not repeat the chart success of the first.

tour also did extremely well, while the MTV channel played their videos on heavy rotation. The U.S. "Soul Survivor" also remains a memorable track, reminiscent of Yes. But in comparison with their next two "classic" albums, "Asia" did tend toward progressive rock, with the anthem "Wildest Dreams" showcasing Carl Palmer's superlative drumming.

One criticism remains that Wetton and Downes' songwriting relied too heavily on love balladry and keyboard hooks. Both songs featured Geoffrey Downes' keyboard wizardry, with John Wetton's throaty voice at the helm. sporting events. The singles "Only Time Will Tell" and "Heat of the Moment" became huge Top 40 hits, with the latter cracking the Top Ten, while remaining a stadium favorite at U.S.

Asia's eponymous debut album enjoyed considerable commercial success. Rolling Stone gave "Asia" an indifferent review, while still acknowledging the band's musicianship had been a cut above the usual AOR expectations. However, Asia clicked with fans of such early-1980s arena acts as Journey, Boston, and Electric Light Orchestra. The band's early offerings were considered disappointing by music critics and fans of traditional progressive rock, who found the music closer to radio-friendly AOR pop.

Future Yes guitarist Trevor Rabin considered joining the group, but dropped out early to concentrate on his solo career. Superstar rock drummer Carl Palmer joined the band later in the process. The latter group had formed the model on which Asia would base itself. Buggles/Yes keyboardist Geoffrey Downes and Yes guitarist Steve Howe formed Asia with bassist John Wetton, whose star had risen briefly as the frontman for King Crimson and UK.

Asia began with the apparent demise of Yes and Emerson Lake & Palmer, the two flagship bands of British progressive rock. Under the auspices of David Geffen's record empire, a supergroup would form from these ashes. It was formed in 1981 as a supergroup, with former members of Yes, King Crimson, Emerson Lake and Palmer, and The Buggles. 'Asia' is a progressive rock group. 2004 Silent Nation (Downes, Payne, Govan, Slade]].

2001 Aura (Payne, Downes, Howe, Crichton, Randall, Thrall, Govan, Slade, Sturgis, Colaiuta, Jardim, Levin). 1996 Arena (Downes, Payne, Sturgis, Ibrahim, Randall, Hotei, Jardim). 1994 Aria (Downes, Payne, Pitrelli, Sturgis). 1992 Aqua (Downes, Payne, Howe, Pitrelli, Palmer).

1985 Astra (Downes, Wetton, Meyer, Palmer). 1983 Alpha (Downes, Wetton, Howe, Palmer). 1982 Asia (Downes, Wetton, Howe, Palmer). Ian Crichton - guitarist from Canadian progressive rock band Saga.

Chris Slade - drums. Guthrie Govan - guitar. Luis Jardim - percussion. Elliot Randall - guitar.

Aziz Ibrahim - guitar. John Payne - bass and lead vocals. Michael Sturgis - drums. Al Pitrelli - guitar.

Pat Thrall - guitar. Mandy Meyer - guitar and vocals. Carl Palmer - drums (ex Emerson Lake and Palmer). Steve Howe - guitar and vocals (ex Yes).

Greg Lake - temporary replacement bassist, vocalist for 1983 Asian tour (ex Emerson Lake and Palmer). John Wetton - bass and lead vocals (ex King Crimson and UK). Geoff Downes - keyboards and vocals (ex Yes and The Buggles).