The Retroscope: 15 May

15 May 1982: Asia scored a #1 hit on the US album chart with their self-titled album. It spent a total of nine weeks on top and became the best selling album for that year and was certified 4 x Platinum by the RIAA on February 1995. The band was comprised of relics from reveral veteran progressive rock bands such as bassist/vocalist John Wetton (Mogul Thrash, Family, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep, U.K. and Wishbone Ash), guitarist Steve Howe (Yes), keyboardist Geoff Downes (Yes and The Buggles) and drummer Carl Palmer (Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Atomic Rooster and Emerson, Lake & Palmer). The album features their biggest hit and signature rock ballad, “Heat of the Moment” achieved a #4 position in the US on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Back home in the UK the album peaked at #11 spending a total of 38 weeks in the UK album chart but managed to receive Gold Status on 18 October 1982. The track “Sole Survivor” also received heavy air play throughout the US as did “Wildest Dreams” and “Here Comes The Feeling”. The band has, however, endured many line-up cahnges throughout its career and in 2006 the original line-up reunited. Apparently a second band called Asia Featuring John Payne exists as well as a coninuation of John Payne’s career as Asia’s frontman since 1991 until Wetton’s prodigal return in 2006. Howe departed for the third time in order to pursue other projects and was replaced by YouTube guitarist Sam Coulson. The fate of many talented eighties acts I’m afraid. http://www.bubblews.com/news/516437-the-retroscope-15-may