Asia

Asia - UK progressive rock band

Group from United Kingdom

Genres: hard rock, progressive rock, rock, Progressive rock, classic rock, 80s

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About Asia

There are multiple bands named Asia. 1. Asia are an English rock supergroup formed in London in 1981. The original lineup consisted of lead vocalist and bassist John Wetton (King Crimson, Uriah Heep, U.K.), guitarist Steve Howe (Yes), keyboardist Geoff Downes (Yes, the Buggles), and drummer Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer). Their self-titled debut album, released in 1982, remains their best-selling album and reached number one in several countries, with Billboard listing it as the top album in the U.S. that year. The lead single, "Heat of the Moment," is their most commercially successful song, reaching the top 40 in over a dozen markets, peaking at number four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. Asia underwent multiple lineup changes before the original four members reunited in 2006. A separate band called Asia featuring John Payne continues Payne's tenure as the group's frontman from 1991 to 2006. In 2013, the original lineup changed when Howe retired and was replaced by guitarist Sam Coulson. Billy Sherwood later replaced an ailing Wetton for a 2017 tour with Journey. The band went on hiatus afterward, returning in 2019 with Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal replacing both Sherwood on vocals and Coulson on guitar. In 2022, Marc Bonilla joined as guitarist and vocalist, but this lineup never performed or recorded. In 2024, Downes announced a new touring lineup including himself, Virgil Donati, John Mitchell, and Harry Whitley. Studio albums Asia (1982) Alpha (1983) Astra (1985) Aqua (1992) Aria (1994) Arena (1996) Rare (1999) Aura (2001) Silent Nation (2004) Phoenix (2008) Omega (2010) XXX (2012) Gravitas (2014) 2. Another band named Asia was a hard rock group from Rapid City, South Dakota, active in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Their music featured a style reminiscent of Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, focusing on epic, melodic rock compositions. The lineup included Michael English (vocals, bass, percussion), Larry Galbraith (vocals, guitars, mandolin), Mike Coates (guitars, mandolin, mellotron, piano, harpsichord, vocals), and Doug Johnson (percussion). They released two albums, "Asia" (1979) and "Armed to the Teeth" (1980), but remained largely obscure compared to the more commercially successful U.K. band of the same name.

Taken from Last.fm

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