 Journey, Queen and Foreigner, 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 LPs release, to help propel the album to the top of the charts, only weeks after its release in February 1982. Asia had only weeks to rehearse for a 30 city US tour that commenced on April 23 in Utica, NY, of all places! By the time Asia reached the 11th stop on tour (Rochester, NY) on May 5th, the debut album had already hit #1 on the Billboard charts.
Then, almost six months to the day after the release of the debut Asia album, a new music media outlet called MTV premiered on cable channels 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 music TV network was on the way, began shooting videos as soon as the album was finished. The result was a rock’n’roll marriage made in heaven.
Asia became one of the most played acts during the first year of MTV. Since most people were intrigued with the new concept, viewership often reached several hours a day. "You're looking at a parallel success here," says Wetton. "MTV and Asia were successful at the same time and we both came out the same year and yes, of course, MTV was instrumental in Asia's success, but then, Asia was also instrumental in MTV's success."
Throughout most of '82, Asia ruled the radio airwaves and MTV; sold out every date on its tour; and the LP, Asia, crushed all the competition at record stores around the world. The music industry had been in a major slump that year, and less than 15% of releases in 1982 made a profit. Asia was one that year's big exceptions. By the time the band released its second album, the debut album had sold over 6 million copies worldwide and was the best seller of 1982. It had stayed at the #1 spot for an incredible 10 weeks!
The band toured non-stop and continued to see the huge success they had initiated grow even larger. They won almost every BEST NEW ACT award the industry had to offer in 1982, despite the fact that critics were not necessarily always kind to the band.
The success, however, was too much, too soon. By the time they assembled to begin their second album in the winter of 1983, cracks had already begun to appear in the foundation. Creative tensions and egos, - not to mention the pressure of having to top the best selling album of the previous year - made the second album's recording sessions far less enjoyable than the first.
The second album, Alpha, did ship platinum and scored the hits "Don't Cry" and "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes", but Geffen's hands on pressure to score undeniable radio pop hits was starting to show. Critics again were unkind, but that was nothing new. The songs, however, did not have the same lasting power as those on the first album. " We had a precious success," remembers Wetton. "We came in at the top, but it was an illusion to think we'd stay there. The band was still finding its feet as a musical entity."
During the tour that followed, personal conflicts started pulling the band apart. Shortly after a huge MTV and Westwood One Radio Network simulcast of the band's sold out show at Tokyo's Budokan arena had been announced in October of 1983, Wetton left the band. He was replaced at the last moment for the successful Asia In Asia broadcast, (as well as a series of Japanese dates), by Palmer's ex-ELP band mate, Greg Lake. (Lake briefly attempted to become a member of the band, but the musical fit wasn't right).
The band was re-constructed in 1984, with Wetton back on board, but Steve Howe departing to form GTR with Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett. Mandy Meyer replaced him, and in 1985, the group released its third album, Astra. The album had a minor hit with "Voice Of America" and went gold, but compared to the massive success of the first two albums, the members viewed Alpha as a non-success.
They toured for Astra, but soon after, Asia fell apart. Although no formal break up announcement was made, within months, the members were all off doing different projects. "We broke up too soon," remembered Carl Palmer during an interview in 1990. We were unique then, and we still are: English rock with a technical side; sophisticated rock mixed in with melodies and singles. It was taboo in those days, and you very rarely hear that today either."
Palmer regrouped in 1987 with Keith Emerson and unknown bassist named Robert Berry to form 3; Wetton formed a musical project with his Roxy band mate, Phil Manzanera; and Downes did a myriad of projects including working with both Mike Oldfield and Greg Lake, as well as producing Steve Howe's’ new band, GTR. He also released an experimental instrumental solo album called The Light Program under the moniker, New Dance Orchestra.
By 1990, Wetton, Palmer and Downes were ready to give it another go. They regrouped with American guitarist Pat Thrall (known for his work with Pat Travers and Glenn Hughes) and recorded new material, which came out in a collection on Geffen, called Then & Now, which also featured their biggest single hits. " We were so musically compatible", said Wetton, at the time. " We had tried other things and had been frustrated by them. (1990) seemed to be the right time for Asia again."
They were placed on a summer tour of Europe with the unlikely headliners, The Beach Boys. The tour played to 25,000 seat open arenas, and to say the band was nervous about the audience reaction prior to the tour would be an understatement. They didn't have to worry, however,….. Asia got overwhelming positive response on every show of that tour.
" Each of us had been doing mainly studio work just prior to that tour," says Downes. " When it gets right down to it, we all missed playing together and the feeling of a band, the excitement of playing live and getting on a big stage again."
The reunion lasted nearly two years, including a memorable show that was filmed in Moscow's Red Square. " What I remember about that show," jokes Palmer, today, " is that we had Gorbachev’s limo and we had to wait two hours for lunch from McDonald's!"
Shortly after the show in Russia, the band took another break. Palmer had the chance to reform Emerson, Lake & Palmer and did so in late 1991. Wetton decided to launch his long awaited solo career, which left Geoff Downes to carry on with Asia, on his own. In 1992, he enlisted newcomers John Payne on bass and vocals and Al Pitrelli (from Alice Cooper's band) on guitar. Although Carl Palmer played drums on the band's September, 1992 release, Aqua, he was replaced for the fall tour with Trevor Thorton.
Proving that Asia was indeed a band that played musical chairs, Pitrelli quickly exited in October of 1992, and was replaced with founding member, Steve Howe. Between 1993 and 1998, Downes and Payne continued to release Asia albums and toured with various other members. Palmer had a successful run again with ELP between 1992 and the fall of 1998, when that band, too, decided to stop.
Suddenly, Palmer, Wetton and Downes were all available again to regroup as Asia. The members all exchanged phone calls, and by Christmas of 1998, Asia was back again!
The band began rehearsing in England in February of 1999, with the addition of Dave Kilminster (from Wetton's solo band) on guitar. " Playing together again has been great," said Wetton. " These rehearsals are like the early rehearsals of the band in 1981. The magic is still there." The band announced plans for a world tour to begin on June 11th, 1999. Among the venues to be played was Los Angeles’ famed Greek Theater. After a world tour, the band had hoped to record a new album and Geoff Downes and John Wetton had already begun writing songs again.
Said Carl Palmer: "There's some new material that is being rehearsed and recorded which will be played on the upcoming tour. I would say that there would be a new Asia album in the works for the year 2000. That's where we are at the moment."
Unfortunately that is as far as it went. Almost as quickly as the whole project had begun it came crashing down with the announcement by Geoff Downes that he was abandoning the reunion. The event which so many had hoped for would have to wait.
Shortly thereafter Carl Palmer and John Wetton reunited in a new band called Qango. The band, which also featured guitarist David Kilminster and keyboard player John Young, played a series of showcase dates in the UK in February 2000 which featured classic ELP, ASIA, and King Crimson material, along with some new songs.
The shows were packed and well received, prompting the band to do several encores, each night. " It was a wonderful feeling to be back on stage playing this material with our new band," said Palmer. "The shows went down very well and have made us excited about continuing with more tours and the recording of new material," added John Wetton. Once again, however, the reunion was shortlived and, after the triumphant UK tour, Qango went their separate ways.
Today the original members are busy with their individual projects. John Wetton is recording and touring again as a solo artist, Steve Howe continues his role as the lead guitarist for Yes, Geoff Downes has just released a new album and begun a 2001 tour with his modern Asia lineup and Carl Palmer has announced that he will be touring with his own band "Palmer" in 2001.
As for any possible reunion of the original Asia founders in the future, there are no plans in the works at this time. Then again, this is a band whose lineup is always in motion and surprises are never far away. Is there hope for the many fans who dream of an Original Asia reunion? Only Time Will Tell! |
