The legendary supergroup begins a new chapter in its celebrated history
Frontiers Music Srl announces the signing of legendary English rock supergroup Asia, for an exciting new chapter in their celebrated history.
2024 was the Year of the Dragon – and with it came a powerful rebirth: a new Asia lineup featuring founding member, keyboardist Geoffrey Downes, acclaimed drummer Virgil Donati, virtuoso guitarist John Mitchell, and stunning vocal newcomer and bassist Harry Whitley. This new chapter promises to reignite the band’s iconic spirit, stepping into a promising new creative era.
“Asia is thrilled to have recently signed a new deal with Frontiers Music Srl. Having been loyally supported by the label throughout the ASIA reunion period from 2005-2015, we are now entering an exciting new chapter in the band’s 45-year history with a sequence of live albums, DVDs & a brand new studio album scheduled for a 2026 release. It’s very much a homecoming for the band, and so we are greatly looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership with them in the future. Watch this space!” Downes says.
In the Summer of 2023, Downes spearheaded a memorial concert to remember and celebrate the life of his late, much-loved friend and ASIA co-founder member, the great John Wetton. At the concert, he invited rock ‘n roll veteran John Mitchell, who had played with both Wetton and Downes in Icon and in Wetton’s own band, to join him on stage, taking on lead guitar duties. The duo was joined by newcomer Harry Whitley, whom Downes had discovered and whose vocal talents so closely resembled those of Wetton’s, it was nothing short of spine-tingling.
In 1982, Dowes, John Wetton, Carl Palmer, and Steve Howe became the founding fathers of supergroup Asia, responsible for a string of multi-million-selling albums and chart-topping hits across the globe. The group’s self-titled 1982 debut album was the biggest-selling album in the world that year. The band dominated the airwaves and for many, “Heat Of The Moment,” “Only Time Will Tell,” and “Sole Survivor,” amongst others, were the soundtrack to their youth.
Another multi-million seller, Alpha followed in 1983, and in 1986 Astra completed the trio of MTV era hits. Greg Lake briefly joined the band for a Japanese tour, where Asia’s show from the fabled Budokan was the first intercontinental simulcast.
In 2006, the founding members reformed Asia and released several new albums before John Wetton’s untimely passing in 2017. Since John’s passing, Geoff and Carl have toured with Sam Coulson, Billy Sherwood, Ron Bumblefoot Thal, and Steve Howe guesting.
Busy touring the globe, Palmer is now immersed in a project very dear to his heart, the Return Of Emerson Lake & Palmer, while the legendary Steve Howe remains at the helm of progressive rock legends, Yes. Geoff made the decision to take a fresh, new-looking Asia back out on the road, recruiting Mitchell and Whitley as new members and bringing in the drumming excellence of the incomparable Virgil Donati, who had played with Wetton in the UK.
Asia has entertained and delighted a multitude of audiences over the last 40 years. Some of the world’s greatest musicians have taken up the Asia baton during that time. However, Downes believes that the time is right to bring a fresh, new-looking Asia out into the light.
