Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer, and John Wetton, the four original members of ASIA, return to the US and Canada for an extensive summer tour. The tour is a continuation of the group’s 25th Anniversary celebration, which began in August of 2006, with a highly successful 19 city US tour. ASIA is about to launch its fourth leg of the tour, since getting back together to mark both the anniversary of the band (2006) and the anniversary of its landmark debut album, ASIA. That album was released 25 years ago in 1982, and remains one of only 4 albums in history to stay at the Billboard album chart position of #1 for a staggering nine weeks!

Formed at the dawn of the MTV era, ASIA was the first supergroup of the 80s, featuring members from Yes, Emerson Lake & Palmer, King Crimson and The Buggles. The videos from the band’s first two albums were a staple part of the historic music channel’s initial programming.

The 2007 ASIA North American tour will launch on June 13th in Sarasota, Florida and will continue through the US until July 6th, when the group performs in Detroit. After a return to Europe to perform at outdoor festivals, ASIA continues its trek with a swing through Western Canada and the remainder of the United States, in August and September.

Performing material from the band’s first two albums (the only ones to feature this line-up), as well as rock classics made famous from the member’s other bands, ASIA has quickly become one of the most sought after tickets for the current summer season.

“It had to be all four of the original members if we were going to do a reunion, and here we are,” says John Wetton, of the band’s decision to re-form in 2006. Adds Geoff Downes: “It is the sum of the four parts that makes up what is ‘the ASIA sound’. That made for something very special because we are all very different in our own musical style.”

“It’s good to get back together and pull out that old repertoire,” says guitarist Steve Howe. “It’s a wonderful repertoire that sounds better if we play it than anyone else…”

“We have had the good fortune of being featured lately in some pretty hip films, including, The 40 Year Old Virgin,” says Wetton. “And that exposure has given us a whole new fan base of younger people. Now, at our shows, you see a spectrum of ages from teens to middle-aged adults. And, why not? The more the merrier.”

The group returns Stateside after successful, sold out tours of Britain, Japan and Latin America. The band has recently begun recording new material once again in the UK, and is about to release FANTASIA: LIVE IN TOKYO; a double live CD recorded this past spring in Japan. A DVD companion to the live album is scheduled for release in the fall of 2007. Both titles are on Eagle Rock.

The near two hour show features all of Asia’s biggest radio hits (“Heat Of The Moment,” “Only Time Will Tell,” “Sole Survivor,” “Wildest Dreams,” “Here Comes The Feeling,”), as well as several songs from its second album, including “Don’t Cry” and ”The Smile Has Left Your Eyes.” The band will also include some rare songs, such as “Ride Easy,” which was not originally released on any album. In addition, the fans have been treated to classic YES, ELP, King Crimson and Buggles hits, giving the show a full retrospective feel.

“The first ASIA album had this progressive rock side but it also had a commercial side,” says drummer Carl Palmer. “The music still holds up today, and that is something we are very proud of.”

“We had a window when we could make this happen, in terms of all four of us being available,” says keyboard player Geoff Downes. ”So, we just decided to go for it. We are very excited to being making music as the original ASIA, once again.”

2007 ASIA NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

Jun 13 Sarasota FL - Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Jun 14 Clearwater FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
Jun 15 Hallandale FL - Gulfstream Park 

Jun 16 Fort Pierce FL - Sunrise Theatre
Jun 17 Orlando FL - Hard Rock Live (Universal Studios)
Jun 20 New York NY - Irving Plaza
Jun 21 Albany NY - Alive At Five
Jun 22 Glenside PA - Keswick Theatre
Jun 23 Atlantic City NJ Trump Marina Hotel Grand Cayman
Jun 24 Ridgefield CT - The Ridgefield Playhouse
Jun 26 Alexandria VA - The Birch mere
Jun 27 Glen Allen VA - Inns brook Pavilion
Jun 28 New Brunswick NJ - State Theatre
Jun 29 Jim Thorpe PA - Penns Peak
Jun 30 Westbury NY - North Fork Theater at Westbury
Jul 03 Mason OH – Corwin Nixon Park
Jul 04 Milwaukee WI - Summerfest
Jul 05 Chicago IL - House of Blues
Jul 06 Detroit MI - General Motors Renaissance Centre

Aug 17 Edmonton AB - Winspear Centre
Aug 18 Calgary AB - Jubilee Auditorium
Aug 20 Vancouver BC - Commodore Ballroom
Aug 21 Portland, OR - Aladdin Theater
Aug 23 Agoura Hills CA - Canyon Club
Aug 24 San Diego CA - 4th & B
Aug 25 Cerritos CA - Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Aug 26 Corazon CA - Morongo Casino - Ballroom
Aug 27 San Juan Capistrano CA - The Coach House
Aug 29 Phoenix AZ - The Dodge Theatre
Aug 30 Tucson AZ - Fox Tucson Theatre
Sep 01 Las Vegas, NV - Mandalay Bay Hotel & Resort

More Dates To Be Announced.

For all things ASIA, please visit: www.originalasia.com