Information
- • Hometown: - London, England
- • Nationality: - English
- • Years Active: - 1981–1986 • 1989–Present
- • Genre(s): - Progressive Rock • Art Rock • Arena Rock • Hard Rock • Pop Rock
- • Label(s): - Geffen • Great Pyramid • Musidisc • WEA Japan • Mayhem Recordings • Resurgence • Snapper • Inside Out • Frontiers • EMI America • King • Sony Music Entertainment
- • Associated Acts: - Yes • Emerson, Lake & Palmer • World Trade • Qango • King Crimson • Wetton/Downes • Asia featuring John Payne
- • Website: - originalasia.com
Biography
Asia are an English rock supergroup formed in London in 1981. The most commercially successful line-up was its original, which consisted of four members of different progressive rock bands that had enjoyed great success in the 1970s: lead vocalist and bassist John Wetton of King Crimson and U.K., guitarist Steve Howe of Yes, keyboardist Geoff Downes of Yes and the Buggles, and drummer Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Their debut album, Asia, released in 1982, remains their best selling album and went to number one in several countries. 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 and peaking in the U.S. at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
The band underwent multiple line-up 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. In 2013, the original line-up was broken once again when Howe retired from the band and was replaced by guitarist Sam Coulson. 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. 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.
• For more information goto their Wikipedia page Click Here
Band Members
- • Geoff Downes – keyboards, backing vocals (1981–1986, 1990–present)
- • Carl Palmer – drums, percussion (1981–1986, 1989–1992, 2006–present)
- • Billy Sherwood – bass (2017–present, guest: 2004), backing vocals (2019-present), lead vocals (2017-2019), guitar (guest: 2004)
- • Marc Bonilla – lead vocals, guitar (2022–present)
Videos
"Heat of the Moment" is the first single released by English progressive rock supergroup Asia from their 1982 debut album.
Heat Of The Moment
"Only Time Will Tell" is the second single released by the rock band Asia from their successful first album, Asia (1982).
Only Time Will Tell
"Don't Cry" is the first hit single from progressive rock band Asia's second album Alpha. "Don't Cry" reached #10 on the Billboard.