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Official Press Release. Memorial concert will be held in memory of JOHN WETTON
We are delighted to announce that a memorial concert will be held in memory of JOHN WETTON (Family, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep, UK, Wishbone Ash, Asia) on August 3rd, 2023 at Trading Boundaries in East Sussex. The event will see friends and family of the late lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist gather together to celebrate the life of this extraordinary musician. An all-star line-up of legends, who were friends and collaborators of John’s, will perform songs from throughout his incredible career. The memorial event will be hosted by Progs editor, Jerry Ewing, alongside Geoffrey Downes Official Geoff Downes (The Buggles, Asia, YES), Steve Hackett [Genesis, GTR] and artist Roger Dean - Official Page.The list of performers who wish to pay tribute to John is growing by the day.
The event will be live streamed globally, and you can purchase your tickets here:
https://www.tradingboundaries.com/concert/#clip=6zxahuj3zjsw
All proceeds will be donated to Macmillan Cares Locally, at the Macmillan Unit Christchurch hospital to assist them in continuing their wonderful work that benefitted John, and his loved ones.
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ASIA
ASIA IN ASIA LIVE AT THE BUDOKAN ARENA, TOKYO, DECEMBER 1983 DELUXE BOX SET, 2LP, 1CD & DIGITAL Released on 10th June 18th March 2022: Multi-platinum selling English supergroup ASIA announce they are to release ASIA In Asia – Live At The Budokan, Tokyo, 1983, as a Deluxe box set containing: 2LP, 2xCD, 40 page 12” book, Blu-ray video, printed memorabilia and ‘ASIA’ pin badge, through BMG Records on 10th June 2022. Also available as a 2LP Gatefold, 1CD and Digital Formats. Pre-order here: https://asiaband.lnk.to/budokanPR
ASIA In Asia – Live At The Budokan, Tokyo, 1983 Tracklist (2 x LPs, CD1 & CD2) 1. Introduction From Mark Goodman (MTV) 2. Time Again 3. The Heat Goes On 4. Here Comes The Feeling 5. Eye To Eye 6. Steve Howe Solo (Sketches In The Sun) 7. Only Time Will Tell 8. Open Your Eyes 9. Geoffrey Downes Solo (Ihiri - The Setting Sun / Bolero) 10. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes 11. Wildest Dreams 12. Carl Palmer Solo 13. Heat Of The Moment 14. Sole Survivor 15. Cutting It Fine 16. Daylight ASIA In Asia – Live At The Budokan, Tokyo, 1983 is available as a Deluxe box set containing: 2LP, 2xCD, 40 page 12” book, Blu-ray video, printed memorabilia and ‘ASIA’ pin badge, as well as 2LP, 1CD & Digital formats on 10th June 2022 through BMG Records. Pre-order here: https://asiaband.lnk.to/budokanPR
About ASIA ASIA was a true rock ‘supergroup’ bringing together the talents of John Wetton, Carl Palmer, Geoff Downes and Steve Howe who had already amassed tens of millions of record sales with their collective bands of the 70s. Leaving behind their progressive roots, ASIA embraced the commercial FM rock sound that dominated US airwaves and took that, and the new MTV video channel, by storm. The single Heat Of The Moment was a world-wide monster smash and their eponymous 1982 debut album spent an incredible 9 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard chart as ASIA became the biggest selling album of the year and world tour dates sold out. A second album, Alpha, was released in 1983. The four original members reconvened in 2006 for a world tour, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of that incredible success, and the album Phoenix followed.
While the members were still heavily involved in other projects, they came together again to record Omega in 2010 and XXX in 2012, both albums were acclaimed by their faithful fans and supported by more world tours. Steve Howe stepped back from ASIA to concentrate on his work with YES and was absent for 2014’s Gravitas. Following this tour came the news of John Wetton’s treatment for cancer, a fight he sadly lost in 2017. Website: https://originalasia.com/ Facebook – Original Asia Twitter - @OriginalAsia Instagram - asiatheband For music and more information please contact: sharon@thepublicityconnection.com Tel: (020) 8450 8882 Facebook: thepublicityconnection Twitter: @PRConnect Website: www.thepublicityconnection.com
ASIA
ASIA, one of the greatest and best-loved supergroups to emerge during the 1980s is currently preparing for an extensive 40th Anniversary celebration, due to kick off in summer 2022. Featuring founding members Carl Palmer (ELP, Crazy World of Arthur Brown) and Geoff Downes (Yes, The Buggles) the group will also include long time bassist/ vocalist Billy Sherwood (Yes) and newest member, guitarist/ lead vocalist Marc Bonilla, (Solo artist, Keith Emerson Band). The band is currently being booked for a US tour to start late summer this year.
“40 years of ASIA is a real musical milestone for us,” says Geoff Downes. “The success we experienced with our early albums has carried us through and gave us the foundation when we reformed in 2006. ASIA has been together ever since, although we lost John in 2017 to cancer. Still, we have endured and will carry on now with Marc Bonilla, who we know will be a great addition to the band.”
“The fans have never left ASIA,” says drummer Carl Palmer. “That first ASIA album with all those radio and MTV hits weaved the fabric of the music scene in the early 1980s. Those great songs like ‘ Heat Of The Moment,’ ‘Sole Survivor,’ and ‘Only Time Will Tell,’ still hold up today. When we play those songs and our other hits, we can see the entire audience singing along.”
In December the multi-platinum selling English supergroup released its most ambitious collection to date: a 10-CD boxset The Official Live Bootlegs Volume 1 . Issued through BMG Records on December 3rd., the expansive set chronicles five complete performances of the original line-up captured between 1982 and 2010. The collection celebrates the huge appeal of the concert tours that followed ASIA’s first two albums in 1982 and 1983. The success continued following ASIA’s 25th anniversary reunion in 2006 and three more highly acclaimed albums. The slipcase boxset features 5 x 2CD concerts from 1982 (Buffalo, NY, USA), 1983 (Worcester,
Original Members
Carl Palmer and Geoff Downes
MA, USA), 2007 (São Paulo, Brazil), 2008 (Tokyo, Japan) and 2010 (London, UK). The bootleg collection follows a previous 5 CD box set of studio recordings released in April, 2021.
ABOUT ASIA: Geoff Downes (The Buggles, Yes, keyboards), Steve Howe (Yes, guitars), Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, drums) and John Wetton (King Crimson, UK, bass/vocals), took the world by storm with their eponymous debut album, globally the biggest-selling album of 1982, and the single Heat Of The Moment. ASIA was a true ‘supergroup’ pooling the talents of its four members who had already amassed tens of millions of record sales with their collective bands of the 70s. Leaving behind their progressive roots, ASIA embraced the commercial FM rock sound that dominated US airwaves and took that, and the new MTV video channel, by storm. The single Heat Of The Moment was a world-wide monster smash and their eponymous 1982 debut album spent an incredible 9 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard chart as ASIA became the biggest selling album of the year and world tour dates sold out.
A second album, Alpha, was released in 1983, followed by Astra in 1985. The four original members reconvened in 2006 for a world tour, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of that incredible success, and the album Phoenix followed. While the members were still heavily involved in other projects, they came together again to record Omega in 2010 and XXX in 2012, both albums were acclaimed by their faithful fans and supported by more world tours. Steve Howe stepped back from ASIA to concentrate on his work with Yes and was absent for 2014’s Gravitas. Following this tour came the news of John Wetton’s treatment for cancer, a fight he sadly lost in 2017. Asia was special guest of Journey for an extensive US tour in 2017, and in 2019 the band toured with Yes within the Royal Affair tour. “We are planning an extensive tour to celebrate our 40th,” adds Downes, “and the music will feature all the hits the fans have embraced. Stay tuned! It will be show you won’t want to miss.” https://asiaband.lnk.to/OLB1PR Contact: Bruce Pilato Pilato Entertainment Marketing & Media LLC 585-721-6029 Bruce@pilato.com
Official Press Release File on the 5th year after John Wetton's Passing.
Five years have gone by since the day that broke the hearts of countless John Wetton fans. Five years since John said goodbye, changing life as we know it, and leaving a void behind which could be filled only by the immortal notes of his music.
Five years that saw the world going through an unprecedented test and being frozen in its steps, for long, silent months.
As the planet laid dormant and ran frantic at the same time, the world of JW took a respectful step back, putting projects on hold and waiting for everything to heal. However, the die was cast and the quiet times gave many of John’s friends, family and associates a chance to reflect and pay tribute, contributing their personal stories to the creation of the ultimate homage to his immense creative talent.
Like in all the best stories, there’s laughter, tears, love, passion, angels and demons, the roller coaster of, you guessed it, an extraordinary life.
It’s taken a while we know, but at last we have some very positive news for you about John Wetton An Extraordinary Life, the book. After three years of interviewing almost 70 musicians who worked with John, his friends and family, author Nick Shilton has delivered the text – and now our chosen publisher is getting everything together and will announce full details of exactly what it’ll be and where you can get it, in a few weeks – of course we’ll let you know first.
We can tell you that we’ve recently worked on a different book with the publisher and, not to make a Fanfare out of it, the book turned out to be a magnificent piece of Works…
The ride is on us, we hope you’ll enjoy it.
Thoughts from Dylan Wetton
Dear Dad,
It doesn’t feel like you have been gone for five years.
I know you are always watching over me and your guiding hand will forever be on my shoulder.
Not one day goes by where I don’t have to think about you.
I really miss you and will forever love you, Until we meet again in paradise.
Thoughts from Lisa Wetton
It’s hard to believe that we have arrived at the 5-year anniversary of John's passing. Despite all the unexpected challenges the world is facing, here we are.
Dylan, Robert and I look forward to sharing our own personal stories with you, as we carry him in our hearts every day. It is a pleasure to also share the personal recollections and never before told anecdotes-from earliest experiences right through to his last days. The incredibly moving response from the plethora of people that were involved in John's life will give you new insights into the man behind the magnificent songwriter/performer that is John Wetton.
Today, let us forget about pandemics and politics, taxes and weather. Today, let’s all play our favourite John Wetton songs, raise a glass of cheer and think about these lyrics:
“All of the good times, and all of the bad Responsibility is totally mine I know I rightly stand accused But I believe that I can change Yes, I can change my world Go seize the day Wake up and say This is an extraordinary life Enjoy today Come what may This is an extraordinary life”.
Thoughts from Geoff Downes
Right now I am thinking back to what is exactly 5 years since we lost my great friend and musical collaborator, John Wetton. Not a day goes by without raising a thought to his memory. I miss his company greatly, not just in musical terms but also his wonderful sense of humour and friendship. That is something I will always cherish. But with that sadness, comes great joy that I was blessed with his presence in my life. The many songs we wrote together are timeless, and will hopefully be played, enjoyed and remembered for all eternity. That alone is cause for celebration. So John, I salute you dear friend. “Ride Easy” and “Till We meet Again”. GD x
We share this brand-new version of "Valkyrie" by Moravius to mark the 5th anniversary of John's passing.
CLICK BELOW:
https://us.docs.wps.com/l/sAEVxRziJ25yAAdKtjtmrpxQ
Asia 80's
ASIA Post Reunion
