Group "Asia": unique representatives of art-rock

Today, many fans of rock know about such a unique phenomenon as the group "Asia". However, even among them, you can count only a few who really appreciated the work of this legendary team. For some reason, it takes a secondary position in comparison with the grandees of art-rock, but the true admirers of this style believe otherwise.

"Asia" group: sunrise on the wave of art-rock

If you look at the history of the development of such a musical trend as rock, at the dawn of the 80s, several main directions were formed, which were followed by many today's idols. Especially popular was heavy metal and thrash metal, but against the backdrop of all this art rock, which makes the listener think about music, developed no less successfully, despite the fact that Yes and King Crimson times seem to have passed.

No matter how it is! These two groups, their participants and creativity served as the basis for creating such a successful team as Asia. The group is positioned today as one of the brightest representatives of the second wave of art rock of the 80s.

Influence from outside

Not to mention Yes and King Crimson, it's worth mentioning separately that since its inception in 1981 the group has been influenced by such grandees as ELP and UK. In addition, the producer of the newly created project was taken by none other than Mike Stone, once distinguished himself with unique works with the bands Queen and Foreigner. Not surprisingly, the new project received a rather interesting sound, which was simultaneously between all and at the same time was not like anyone.

Asia. Group. Biography

The starting point in the history of the Asia group is 1981. In 1980, the then-known vocalist and bass player John Wetton, who had been in the compositions of such grandees as Uriah Heep, UK, King Crimson, Wishbone Ash and Roxy Music, recorded the album Caught In The Crossfire. As he claimed, he lacked something - he wanted something more solid and permanent.

It was at this time he got acquainted with the representative of the record company Atlantic Records, John David Kalondner, who advised John to build his own team, and as the first member of the new project, Wetton invited a keyboard player named Jeff Downes, who did not differ in technique, Selection of timbres for the general sound of the group.

Guitarist became a former member of the group Yes Steve Howe, and the drums were entrusted to Carl Palmer (ELP - Emerson, Lake & Palmer). This was at the time of the creation of the group "Asia". The composition speaks for itself. Is it necessary to explain that it was under his influence that the group's work was formed, directed solely at art-rock?

The self-titled debut album "Asia" released in 1982. He was waiting for an unprecedented success. The circulation amounted to 10 million copies, and the plate itself became multi-platinum. This album stayed on the tops of the British charts for as long as 9 weeks.

After such commercial success the group "Asia" in support of the album went on a world tour, which became a real sensation. Known is the fact that incomes only in Britain were so great that the musicians had to leave the country in a hurry to avoid paying taxes at that time amounting to about 90% of the concert fees.

Dashing 90s

In the 90s the band actively toured the world. Most concerts were held in Brazil, Japan, Germany and England.

However, our listener also got it. How can I not remember two amazing concerts at the Olimpiisky Sports Complex in Moscow, the first of which took place in 1991?

The audience literally roared with delight, when such world-renowned hits as Only Time Will Tell and Heat Of The Moment were performed. At the same time, a clip was filmed for the famous song Praying For A Miracle, which showed a harsh Soviet reality and was almost banned from the then USSR. But everything worked out, and the video was successfully demonstrated even on Soviet television. Nevertheless, the fact remains, however that may be wanted.

On the other hand, Asia has become one of those groups that visited the Soviet Union in the first wave on a par with Metallica and Pantera. And for that time it was truly a terrific event.

Decay and reunion

Despite all the successes, the band ceased to exist for a while, and a new and, I must say, long-awaited album was released only in 2008. It was called Phoenix. Quite a symbolic name, because the phoenix bird, burned, reborn from the ashes. And the group "Asia". That the public that critics took a new job is simply enthusiastic. Yes what to say? On the Billboard internet chart, the album entered the TOP-10.

The concerts are organized very simply. The emphasis is not even on the light show, but on the technique of performance and the material being delivered. Not surprisingly, all the attention of listeners is focused on music and people who perform it. And if you take into account the age of the current art-rockers, so in general, many marvels are given, as "old men" can perform such virtuosic parties. We must pay tribute to - this technology is not owned by all modern musicians.

The most famous compositions

The group "Asia" songs performs virtuoso. They are popular with numerous fans and are released regularly. Not to mention the above-mentioned hits, it's worth mentioning Com Compos The Feeling (something like a 70s symphonic progression), Do not Cry, Kari-A "ne, Who Will Stop The Rain? and many others.

Unfortunately, the general public does not know the group, but real art lovers revere these musicians very high, despite even a small number of albums released. It's important not the quantity, but the material itself. Well, the group "Asia" that neither the song - a hit.

It is worth noting that the serious influence on the team was provided by musicians of that time (Yes, King Crimson, Rush, ELP). And the group itself has become a starting point for many other performers. In our time, interest in art-rock, as such, is somewhat weakened, but the classics of the genre are always in demand. And the constant re-release of the albums of the Asia group is a clear confirmation.