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Asia
Asia live at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in 1983
Asia live at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in 1983
Musical Genre: Progressive Rock
Formed: 1981

Asia were formed in 1981 after John Kalodner introduced John Wetton and Steve Howe. They were joined by Carl Palmer and Geoff Downes, and they released their first, self-titled album in 1982, which instantly became a huge hit here in the United States, the #1 album of the year. 'Heat of the Moment' and 'Only Time Will Tell' were both hits.

In 1983 they released Alpha, with the hit 'Don't Cry', but the album didn't do nearly as well as the first one. This may have been part of the reason (never fully clear) why later that year John Wetton left the band, and Greg Lake joined up for the hugely publicized 'Asia in Asia' show that was broadcast live on MTV. John Wetton eventually came back to the band and Steve Howe left (there were rumours of problems between the two of them), to be replaced by Mandy Meyer, and they released Astra in 1985, a sadly underappreciated album that deserved to do far better than it did.

After that they took a haitus for a while until 1990, when they got back together (with Pat Thrall replacing Steve Howe) to record Then and Now and to tour extensively, and one of the shows was released as 'Live in Moscow', with one studio track, 'Kari-Anne'.

After that John Wetton decided to focus on his solo career and everyone pretty much went off their separate ways, but Geoff Downes decided to resurrect Asia with with John Payne on bass and vocals, beginning with the album Aqua in 1992. They continued to release albums with various lineups (the only constants being Geoff Downes and John Payne), even after a preposed reunion of the original lineup in 1999 fell through. Finally, in 2006, a reunion tour of all 4 original members was announced, and Geoff Downes and John Payne officially announced that they were dissolving their partnership.

Websites
The Asia Web Site
Official Site. Run by Fan. The band has contributed to this site. News, Tour Dates, Bio, Discography, FAQ, Mailing List Info, Photos, Merchandise Info, Forums, Links. Webmaster Dave Gallant has run the Asian Armada newsletter for years, and is in contact with many band members past and present.
The Official Original Asia Members Web Site
Official Site. The band has contributed to this site. News, Tour Dates, Bio, Discography, Interviews, Song Lyrics, Photos, Sound Files, Links. Run by Carl Palmer's management company.
Bill's Music Page
Run by Fan. Sound Files, Links.
Where Are They Now? - Yes members - Asia
Run by Fan. News, Links.
The Riders Asia Page
Run by Fan. News, Bio, Discography, Photos, Sound Files, Guest Book, Links. A little out of date but some good information there.
Ladies of the Lake - Photo Galleries - Asia
Run by Fan. Photos.
Asia Lyrics
Song Lyrics.
Asia ARTISTdirect Page
Tour Dates, Bio, Discography, Photos, Sound Files, Merchandise Info, Links.
Rolling Stone: Asia
Discography, Photos, Sound Files, Links.
Asia warns us to seize the 'Heat of the Moment'
Articles.
Asia (Band) From Wikipedia
Bio, Discography, Links.
Asia Photos
Photos, Merchandise Info. Asia Photos and information on how to buy them via Paypal.
Asia Main - iSOUND.com
Discography, Reviews, Photos, Merchandise Info, Forums.
Asia Discography, MP3 and Reviews
Bio, Discography, Reviews, Sound Files, Links.
Asia - Aura Review
Reviews.
Asia - The Very Best of Asia review on PopMatters
Reviews.
Asia - Anthologia Review on PopMatters
Reviews.
Asia Lyrics on Opendb
Discography, Song Lyrics.
Asia antiMUSIC Page
Bio, Song Lyrics, Guitar Tabs, Merchandise Info, Forums, Links.
Mailing Lists
Asian Armada Newsletter
Official moderated newsletter from Dave Gallant, webmaster of The Asia Site. Dave is in touch with many band members past and present, so this is a great source of any and all Asia-related news. To subscribe, follow the link above or e-mail Asian_Armada-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Asia-fans
Low traffic unmoderated discussion list. To subscribe, follow the link above or e-mail Asia-fans-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Asia Fan Club
Low-traffic unmoderated discussion list. To subscribe, follow the link above or e-mail asiafanclub-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
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Find Music
Find ASIA CDs, tapes, records, and related merchandise at GEMM
Discography
Then & Now (8/7/1990)
Original Release Date: 8/7/1990. Geffen Records. United States.
Asia (10/25/1990)
Original Release Date: 1982. Geffen Records. United States.
The album that started it all!
Live In Moscow (6/23/1992)
Original Release Date: 6/23/1992. Rhino. United States.
Live 1990 recording with John Wetton on vocals. Also contains the studio track 'Kari-Anne.'
Aqua (11/15/1994)
Original Release Date: 1992. Rhino. United States.
The first John Payne era CD.
Astra (2/14/1995)
Original Release Date: 11/1/1985. MCA Special Products. United States. Original recording remastered
Their great third album, which deserved far more attention than it got.
Alpha (3/19/1996)
Original Release Date: 1983. Geffen Records. United States.
Their sadly under-appreciated second album, featuring 'Don't Cry', 'The Smile Has Left Your Eyes', and more.
Arena (6/18/1996)
Caroline Distribution.
John Payne era.
Archiva, Vol. 1 (9/3/1996)
Caroline Distribution. Import.
John Payne era.
Archiva, Vol. 2 (9/17/1996)
Original Release Date: 9/17/1996. Resurgence UK. United Kingdom. Import.
One of the better John Payne-era albums. Previously unreleased material.
Now Nottingham Live (5/5/1997)
Original Release Date: 4/22/1997. Resurgence UK. United Kingdom. Import.
Live performance recorded in Nottingham on June 23, 1990, featuring John Wetton, Geoff Downes, and Carl Palmer.
Best of Asia - Archives (11/4/1997)
Original Release Date: 11/4/1997. Cass Records USA. United States.
Not really a 'best of' but a collection of John Payne era songs from Archiva volumes 1 and 2.
Live in Koln (11/25/1997)
Original Release Date: 10/28/1997. Resurgence UK. United Kingdom. Import.
John Payne era performance recorded October 5, 1994.
Live in Osaka (1998)
Original Release Date: 9/23/1997. Blueprint. United Kingdom. Import.
2 cd John Payne era set but with Steve Howe as a guest.
Live in Philadelphia (1998)
Original Release Date: 12/18/1997. Blueprint. United Kingdom. Import.
John Payne era live recording from 1992. Features a guest appearance by Steve Howe.
Anthology (2/23/1999)
Original Release Date: 2/9/1999. Original Masters UK.
WARNING: Do not confuse this one with Anthologia! This is pure Payne-era, with the old tracks re-recorded with John Payne on vocals. If you're looking for the original versions you remember look elsewhere.
Live Acoustic (12/14/1999)
Original Release Date: 12/14/1999. Import.
John Payne era recording from September 1997.
Live at the Town and Country Club (2/8/2000)
Original Release Date: 2/8/2000. Valley Media, Inc. Import.
Live performance recorded on November 10, 1992 in the U.K. featuring Steve Howe.
Rare (5/2/2000)
Original Release Date: 5/2/2000. Resurgence UK. United Kingdom. Import.
John Payne era, but instrumental. Features score to the movie 'Salmon - Against The Tides' and a project recorded for a video game.
Collection (5/16/2000)
Original Release Date: 5/16/2000. Connoisseur Coll.. Import.
'Best of' John Payne-era CD featuring re-recordings of John Wetton era hits.
The Very Best of Asia: Heat of the Moment (1982-1990) (6/6/2000)
Original Release Date: 6/6/2000. Interscope Records. United States. Original Recording Remastered.
Greatest Hits plus all 3 existing rare B-sides ('Daylight', 'Lying To Yourself', and 'Ride Easy').
Archiva, Vol. 2 (9/12/2000)
Original Release Date: 9/17/1996. Teichiku. Japan. Japanese import.
One of the better John Payne era CDs.
Axioms (3/23/2001)
Teich. Japan. Japanese import.
John Payne era compilation. Contains 2 bonus tracks.
Aura (6/5/2001)
Original Release Date: 6/5/2001. Spitfire. United States.
John Payne era.
Asia Enso Kai (Live in Tokyo) (6/26/2001)
Original Release Date: 6/12/2001. Pilot. United States.
Recording from the "Asia in Asia" show featuring Greg Lake on vocals.
Budokan 83 (6/28/2001)
Vivid Sound. Japan. Import.
Live CD with Greg Lake on vocals.
Alpha (12/4/2001)
Original Release Date: 1983. Japan. Japanese limited edition import.
Packaged in a miniature LP sleeve.
Asia (12/4/2001)
Original Release Date: 1982. Japan. Japanese limited edition import.
Packaged in a miniature LP sleeve.
Astra (12/4/2001)
Original Release Date: 11/1/1985. Japan. Japanese limited edition import.
Packaged in a miniature LP sleeve.
Wherever You Are (1/15/2002)
Original Release Date: 1/15/2002. CD single.
John Payne era.
Alive in Hallowed Halls (3/9/2002)
Original Release Date: 1983. Zoom Club. Original recording remastered. Import.
Live performance of the original lineup recorded in Detroit in 1983, from Carl Palmer's personal archives.
Aria (4/17/2002)
Original Release Date: 5/1/1994. Navarre Corporation. Original recording remastered.
John Payne era. Contains one bonus track: 'Reality'.
Anthologia: The 20th Anniversary/Geffen Years Collection (1982-1990) (6/25/2002)
Original Release Date: 6/25/2002. Geffen Records. United States.
ALL the Geffen-era Asia crammed onto 2 cds. Contains Asia, Alpha, Astra, the new tracks from Then & Now, and the 3 B-sides: 'Daylight', 'Ride Easy', and 'Lying To Yourself'.
Best of Asia: Live (7/9/2002)
Original Release Date: 7/9/2002. Germany. Import.
John Payne era.
Universal Masters Collection (8/13/2002)
Original Release Date: 7/23/2002. Umvd Import. The Netherlands. Import.
17 track best of compilation.
Quadra (9/3/2002)
Original Release Date: 8/13/2002. Zoom Club. United Kingdom. Import limited edition boxed set.
Four CD set featuring live performance recordings: the Stanley Theater, Pittsburg, PA, April 4th, 2002, The Centrum, Worcester, MA, August 22, 1983, and The Frankfurt Music Hall, Frankfurt Germany, December 13th, 1990. Includes a 7-page full color booklet with an exclusive interview with Carl Palmer and previously unpublished photos from his personal collection.
Bedrock in Concert (10/1/2002)
Classic Rock Legends. Import.
Live CD with bonus DVD with full length concert and 2 rare videos ('Praying For a Miracle' and 'Kari-Anne').
Now - Live in Nottingham (2003)
Original Release Date: 4/22/1997. Blueprint. United Kingdom. Import.
Live recording featuring John Wetton, Geoff Downes and Carl Palmer.
Aura (1/30/2003)
Original Release Date: 6/5/2001. Universal/Absolute. Import.
Limited digipack edition.
Live in Nottingham (7/29/2003)
Classic Rock Legends. Original recording remastered. Enhanced CD.
America - Live in the USA (7/29/2003)
Original Release Date: 2002. Classic Rock Legends. Import.
Live John Payne era recording of the 20th anniversary concert in New Jersey.
Dragon Attack (8/12/2003)
Original Release Date: 7/22/2003. United States.
Live CD featuring Geoff Downes, Carl Palmer, and John Wetton.
20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Asia (9/23/2003)
Original Release Date: 9/23/2003. Geffen Records. United States. Original recording remastered.
The Asia Story, featuring John Wetton (9/30/2003)
Original Release Date: 9/9/2003. Retro Music. 2 CD set.
Disc 1 is Asia live from the Live in Moscow recording (including 'Wildest Dreams', which wasn't on the regular red cover release of that cd) and Disc 2 is John Wetton's Arkangel solo cd with bonus tracks 'Magazines' and 'Woman'.
Quadra (12/2/2003)
Shadows. Import.
Four disc set featuring live recordings from The Stanley Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA, 4/25/82, The Centrum, Worcester, MA, 8/22/83 & the Frankfurt Music Hall, Frankfurt, Germany, 12/13/02 with photos and interview with Carl palmer.
Aria/Aqua (1/27/2004)
Original Release Date: 2/18/2003. Recall Records. United Kingdom. Original recording remastered.
Two John Payne era CDs.
Live in Buffalo (1/27/2004)
Original Release Date: 5/20/2003. Trademark of Quality. Import.
Live recording of Buffalo, NY show featuring original members John Wetton, Geoff Downes, and Carl Palmer.
Live in Hyogo (3/9/2004)
Original Release Date: 3/9/2004. Trademark of Quality. Import.
Live recording featuring John Wetton, Geoff Downes, and Carl Palmer.
Live in Massachussettes '83 (6/15/2004)
Original Release Date: 6/15/2004. Trademark of Quality. Import.
Silent Nation (8/31/2004)
Original Release Date: 8/31/2004. Inside Out U.S.. United States.
Fortunately (IMHO) the last John Payne era CD.
Silent Nation (8/31/2004)
Original Release Date: 7/20/2004. Inside Out U.S.. United States. Special Edition with bonus DVD featuring making of Silent Nation documentary.
Thankfully (IMHO) the last of the John Payne era.
Long Way from Home (1/20/2005)
Spv/Ioma. Import.
CD Single from Silent Nation.
Dragon Attack (2/24/2005)
Original Release Date: 7/23/2003. Voiceprint/Trademark of Official Quality. United Kingdom. Import.
Live recording from 1990 featuring John Wetton, Geoff Downes, and Carl Palmer.
Silent Nation (3/3/2005)
Seoul. Asian import.
Last John Payne cd with one bonus track.
Archiva, Vol. 1/Archiva, Vol. 2 (3/8/2005)
Recall Records UK. United Kingdom.
Combination of the 2 John Payne era releases.
Gold (6/14/2005)
Original Release Date: 6/14/2005. Geffen Records. United States. Original recording remastered.
Contains every song from the Geffen-era albums, plus the 3 known B-Sides, 'Daylight', 'Ride Easy', and 'Lying To Yourself'. Basically the same track-listing as Anthologia, but remastered.
Anthology (6/28/2005)
Original Release Date: 6/28/2005. Inside Out U.S.. United States.
John Payne era recording with re-recordings of the old songs with him on vocals. If you're looking for the original recordings you remember look elsewhere!
Best 1200 (6/30/2005)
Universal. Limited edition import.
Best of CD.
Live at Budokan (8/15/2006)
Import.

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