Asia are a British
progressive rock band. The band was formed in 1981 as a
supergroup of four members from different progressive rock bands:
John Wetton (former bassist/vocalist of bands including
King Crimson,
Family,
Roxy Music,
Uriah Heep,
UK and
Wishbone Ash),
Steve Howe (guitarist of
Yes),
Geoff Downes (keyboardist of
Yes and
The Buggles) and drummer
Carl Palmer (of
Emerson, Lake & Palmer,
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, and
Atomic Rooster). With their debut album
Asia from 1982 reaching No. 1 in several countries, Asia ranks as one of the most popular progressive rock bands in history.