 Asia's debut album exploded onto the music scene in March
1982 with several Top 10 singles and sales exceeding 7 million copies. This "supergroup",
featuring bassist/vocalist John Wetton, drummer Carl Palmer, keyboardist Geoff
Downes, and guitarist Steve Howe, was the logical successor to their collective
bands of the 70s - Yes, ELP, King Crimson, and The Buggles.
The group came together in the spring of 1981. John Wetton's acclaimed
progressive rock band UK had collapsed a few years earlier. With the help of
manager Brian Lane, he wanted to form a new group with guitarist Steve Howe,
best known for his work with British Prog superstars, Yes. Drummer Carl Palmer
came into the fold next, having just completed a decade of platinum releases and
sold out tours with Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Keyboardist Geoff Downes, who
replaced Rick Wakeman in Yes for the Drama album, had previously been half of
the pop duo The Buggles. They stormed the charts in 1979 with the timeless
classic "Video Killed The Radio Star".
Labelled a "supergroup" by critics and the media from the onset, it was a tag
they had never asked for. Asia's music (and rockíníroll charisma) developed
organically and effortlessly. Though all four men had seen chart-topping success
in their previous bands, Asia had a special chemistry that fans and music
industry insiders were quick to recognize.
"The band sort of came together naturally," says Carl Palmer. " It wasn't
something which was forced. We all wanted to play together. We had a great time
doing it." The band was signed in the summer of 1981 by Geffen Records A&R whiz
John Kalodner, fresh out of a long affiliation at Atlantic Records.
The first Asia album went into production in June of 1981 with producer Mike
Stone at Marcus Studios and Virgin Townhouse in London. Stone, who had worked on
hits for Journey and Queen, also knew the band had an amazing musical ability.
The band spent five months writing, arranging, and recording nine songs for its
debut that included such classics as " Heat Of The Moment", "Only Time Will
Tell", and "Sole Survivor."
"I think that we all knew as soon as we recorded the first few songs that it was
going somewhere special," says Wetton. "I don't think we knew, however, until we
recorded 'Heat Of The Moment' that we had a monster on our hands. I think that
once we had done that, everyone knew that it was going to be successful."
As soon as the album was completed, Geffen knew it had a winner on its hands.
The upstart label immediately began turning the wheels of its enormous
promotional machine weeks before the LP's release, to help propel the album to
the top of the charts. Asia had only weeks to rehearse for a 30 city US tour
that commenced on April 22 in Potsdam, NY, of all places! By the time the band
reached the 12th stop on tour (Rochester, NY) on May 5th, the debut album had
already hit #1 on the Billboard charts.
Fortunately for the band, a new music media outlet called MTV premiered on cable
channels in 1981 throughout the US and in over 50 million households. (Downes'
hit song with The Buggles "Video Killed The Radio Star" was the first song ever
played on the exciting new channel). Asia, aware the network's impact on the
industry, began shooting videos as soon as the album was finished. The result
was a rock'n'roll marriage made in heaven.
"This is the REAL ASIA," says guitarist Steve Howe. "There have been other
versions of the band, but this original line-up is the one that the public truly
embraced. Since we only toured for a couple of years, it will be nice, finally,
to play for audiences all over the world, many of whom never had a chance to see
the group in concert."
An American tour was confirmed for Aug/Sept, along with a UK leg in Nov/Dec.
Media and concert promoter interest is overwhelming, indicative of the clout the
four men carry within the industry. The 2006/2007 World Tour will see Asia
regain their rightful spot as a part of rock and roll royalty.
The heat goes on, indeed!
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