Asia

• Genre: AOR
• Asia Website

About

In addition to the enduring 1982 hit song "Heat of the Moment," to which the band is now and forever tied, and its equally great partner in crime, "Only Time Will Tell," Asia also pioneered a style of prog rock that put the emphasis on pop sheen rather than maze-like song structures lifted from bad classical music. During the 1980s and early '90s, prog rock acts like Yes, Genesis and Emerson, Lake & Palmer enjoyed tons of airplay and hit records. Unfortunately for the members of Asia -- Geoff Downes, formerly of Yes; John Wetton, formerly of King Crimson; Steve Howe, also a former member of Yes; and Carl Palmer from Emerson, Lake & Palmer -- they were unable to repeat the success of their self-titled debut with second record Alpha. From there, a "Ten Little Indians" scenario played out over the years until an entirely different band, led by Downes and replacement singer John Payne, was performing as "Asia with John Payne." This continued until 2008, when all four original members of the supergroup finally reunited and recorded Phoenix.

- Mike McGuirk