Asia are a legendary English progressive rock and classic rock supergroup formed in London, United Kingdom back in 1981. They were initially musically active between 1981 and 1986 before disbanding that year, but they’ve been performing again since 1989 onwards. They original line-up of the band represented a progressive rock supergroup given the fact that it consisted of 4 musicians stemming from 4 already well-established English progressive rock bands, more specifically guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Steve Howe from Yes, bassist and lead vocalist John Wetton from King Crimson, Uriah Heep, and U.K., drummer Carl Palmer (from the quite well established English progressive rock supergroup Emerson, Lake & Palmer), and keyboardist and backing vocalist Geoff Dawnes (from Yes and the Buggles).
Well known for a series of very beautiful, touching, yet also quite bittersweet hits released back in the 1980s such as Heat of the Moment, Only Time Will Tell, or Sole Survivor, this English progressive rock supergroup achieved both commercial success as well as critical acclaim early on throughout their musical journey with their debut self-titled studio album released in 1982 (which remains their best-selling record to this day). During the 1980s, the band also released two more studio albums, more specifically Alpha in 1983 and Astra two years later in 1985.
The 1990s saw the English progressive rock supergroup releasing new studio material as well, starting with their 1992 LP entitled Aqua (a personal favourite of mine) which includes the powerful ballad single Who Will Stop the Rain. Aqua was Asia’s first studio album with then new lead vocalist John Payne. Over the passage of time, this legendary English progressive rock supergroup released a total number of 13 studio albums, 2 EPs (i.e. extended-plays), 35 live albums (quite an impressive number), 13 compilations, 23 singles, and 13 music videos.
Asia – Aqua (1992), one of the finest studio albums ever released by this great and legendary English progressive rock supergroup. Image source: YouTube
Below you can listen to a personal selection of my most favourite songs by Asia. Thank you very much for your time, attention, and readership! All the best and rock on!
P.S. On a personal note, I must also mention the fact that I’ve been a big fan of their great music since my teenage years and, obviously, I have been regularly listening to them to this day and I will definitely continue to do so in the future as well. All the best once more!
Documentation sources and external links:
- Asia (band) on www.wikipedia.org (in English)
- Asia (Asia album) on www.wikipedia.org (in English)
- Aqua (Asia album) on www.wikipedia.org (in English)
- List of Asia band members on www.wikipedia.org (in English)
- Asia discography on www.wikipedia.org (in English)