It’s difficult to imagine a band with a better pedigree than the one Asia had when it formed in 1981. After the temporary, as it turned out, dissolutions of highly regarded progressive rock bands Yes, King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer as the 1970s drew to a close, a sort of supergroup rose from the ashes.
Asia, which will perform at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium on July 16, was a who’s who of progressive rock heroes unafraid to experiment with music. Former King Crimson bassist and vocalist John Wetton, guitarist Steve Howe (Yes), keyboardist Geoff Downes (Yes) and drummer Carl Palmer (ELP) came together at the dawn of the ’80s.
It’s reasonable to think that most fans expected some sort of complex, challenging prog-rock opus as their first album. The 1982 self-titled debut album defied those expectations and drove Asia to multiplatinum success. Even if you don’t know the name of the band, you’ve definitely heard Asia’s landmark single “Heat of the Moment.” The hard-rocking, surprisingly basic tune spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Album Rock Chart and made it into the top five on the pop charts. Another popular single followed, the more reflective “Only Time Will Tell,” which broke the top 10 on the pop charts.
All told, by the time the tour for Asia’s first album had ended, the album had sold 4 million copies in the U.S. alone, and 10 million copies worldwide.
The original version of Asia broke up in 1986 but reformed in 1989 around keyboardist Geoff Downes. They’ve been active since then, releasing 10 albums since the reunion.
Asia hasn’t been on the road for a few years due to the death of singer/bassist John Wetton. But in a news release announcing the tour, Downes referenced Wetton’s death as a partial inspiration for the current jaunt.
“I am convinced that John Wetton’s spirit is with us as we set out on this new adventure,” Downes said. “After all, it is the Year of the Dragon, just as it was in 1982, when we released our first Asia album. It’s as though it was meant to be.”
Want to go?
Who: Asia, with Focus, Wishbone Ash and Curved Air
When: Tues., July 16, 7 p.m.
Where: Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium
Tickets and info: crowdpleaser.com
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