IVOX RADIO Presents ● The Story & Music of Asia

ASIA Geffen Records Publicity Photo 1982 / credit: Willie Christie / IVOX MEDIA collection

Asia are an English rock supergroup formed in London in 1981. The most commercially successful line-up was its original, which consisted of four members of different progressive rock bands who had enjoyed great success in the 1970s: lead vocalist and bassist John Wetton (King Crimson and U.K.), guitarist Steve Howe (Yes), keyboardist Geoff Downes (Yes and the Buggles) and drummer Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer).

ASIA

Asia is the debut studio album by Asia, released in 1982 - Geffen Records.

Asia / station record collection

Their debut album, Asia, released in 1982, remains their bestselling album and went to number one in several countries. Billboard listed it as the top album in the U.S. in 1982. The lead single from the album, "Heat of the Moment", remains their top charting and best-known song, reaching the top 40 in over a dozen markets. It peaked at #4 in the U.S. on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

When Asia first appeared in the early '80s, the band seemed to be a holdover from the 1970s, when supergroups and self-important progressive rockers reigned supreme. Asia was presumed to be a progressive rock band at the time, as the band’s members came from the progressive bands King Crimson, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and Yes.

“Alpha” is Asia’s second studio album released in 1983 by Geffen Records / station record collection

Although Asia’s songs "Heat of the Moment", "Only Time Will Tell", "Sole Survivor" and "Time Again" featured stretches of indulgent instrumentals, the music was more pop oriented than progressive.

IVOX RADIO Presents ● “The Music of Asia” hosted by Louie Comella, on KWXY Music Radio 92.3FM ● 1340AM ● streaming at kwxy.com and ivoxradio.com