Asia....rising from the rubble of prog rock?? - Progressive Rock Music Forum

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cstack3

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Topic: Asia....rising from the rubble of prog rock??
Posted: November 22 2011 at 13:38

So says Gibson Guitar Company! Asia was a powerhouse band, but would we consider them one of the "Ten Greatest Super Groups?"

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/supergroups-1121-2011/

Asia

Rising from the rubble of prog rock, which had been hammered to bits by the punk explosion, Asia boasted a spectacularly talented lineup in the persons of Steve Howe (Yes), John Wetton (King Crimson), Carl Palmer (ELP) and Geoff Downes (The Buggles). Releasing their debut album in 1982, the band scored a massive hit – as well as endless rounds of MTV airplay – with the arena-ready pop song, “Heat of the Moment.” Critics were never enamored of Asia, but the band’s debut remains emblematic of a certain brand of ’80s rock. The group has survived in myriad incarnations through the years.

lazland

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Posted: November 22 2011 at 13:46

I would, certainly as a "super group" as I understand the phrase.

I've always liked Asia.

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Posted: November 22 2011 at 13:48

I agree with Lazarus.

The Miracle View Drop Down

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Posted: November 22 2011 at 14:02

Asia *are* the rubble of prog rock... Tongue

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cstack3

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Posted: November 22 2011 at 14:04

lazland wrote:

I would, certainly as a "super group" as I understand the phrase.

I've always liked Asia.

Truly, a band with some incredible music! But, would we agree with Gibson and consider them one of the Ten Greatest Super-Groups?

That's where I would waffle a bit...Asia were VERY popular back in the '80's, with some good AM radio hits, but so were Saga, GTR, and post-Gabriel Genesis.

Not sure that I'd put them on the same pedestal as Cream for example. I'd name Yes or Genesis before I'd name Asia.

lazland

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Posted: November 22 2011 at 14:10

cstack3 wrote:

lazland wrote:

I would, certainly as a "super group" as I understand the phrase.

I've always liked Asia.

Truly, a band with some incredible music! But, would we agree with Gibson and consider them one of the Ten Greatest Super-Groups?

That's where I would waffle a bit...Asia were VERY popular back in the '80's, with some good AM radio hits, but so were Saga, GTR, and post-Gabriel Genesis.

Not sure that I'd put them on the same pedestal as Cream for example. I'd name Yes or Genesis before I'd name Asia.

But Charles, Yes & Genesis were not supergroups, at least not in the context I understand the word.

Supergroups were acts that brought together a mix of artists from previously very successful acts. Another example would be GTR, which brought Hackett & Howe into the same "supergroup".

Cream were a supergroup - look at the background of Baker, Clapron, and Bruce.

Yes & Genesis were original bands, who started off as being completely unknown.

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Posted: November 22 2011 at 14:34

The Miracle wrote:

Asia *are* the rubble of prog rock... Tongue

Asia has its moments. But I agree with you, because these moments are far too few. And besides, with a lineup like that, they were expected to do much more than what they did.

They are probably the biggest supergroup that wasn't releasing Prog albums.

There's a point where "avant-garde" and "experimental" becomes "terrible" and "pointless,"

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Posted: November 22 2011 at 14:36

lazland wrote:

cstack3 wrote:

lazland wrote:

I would, certainly as a "super group" as I understand the phrase.

I've always liked Asia.

Truly, a band with some incredible music! But, would we agree with Gibson and consider them one of the Ten Greatest Super-Groups?

That's where I would waffle a bit...Asia were VERY popular back in the '80's, with some good AM radio hits, but so were Saga, GTR, and post-Gabriel Genesis.

Not sure that I'd put them on the same pedestal as Cream for example. I'd name Yes or Genesis before I'd name Asia.

But Charles, Yes & Genesis were not supergroups, at least not in the context I understand the word.

Supergroups were acts that brought together a mix of artists from previously very successful acts. Another example would be GTR, which brought Hackett & Howe into the same "supergroup".

Cream were a supergroup - look at the background of Baker, Clapron, and Bruce.

Yes & Genesis were original bands, who started off as being completely unknown.

Indeed, Yes, Genesis and King Crimson were the breeding ground for supergroup-members to come, as was Spock's Beard (Nick, Neal) in the 90s. Oh, actually Dream Theater is also breeding ground for such supergroups, right ?

There's a point where "avant-garde" and "experimental" becomes "terrible" and "pointless,"

-Andyman1125 on Lulu

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Posted: November 22 2011 at 14:40

It's kinda ironic how most "super" groups actually never came close to the caliber of the "not super" groups that their members came from.

Maybe a better term would be compound groups.

Edited by Midnight Lightning - November 22 2011 at 14:42

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Posted: November 22 2011 at 15:07

''Splinter groups'' was the term that used quite a bit.

Probably the best supergroup ever was formed to play at the event to aid the victims of the Japanase earthquake in the early 90's

Keith Emerson,Jeff Baxter,Simon Phillips, Joe Walsh,John Entwistle

It could only have one name!

The DVD was recently re-released.It's worth having!

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Posted: November 22 2011 at 15:28

I've liked Asia too.......I remember that debut album and I just loved it. But seeing them perform on TV a couple months ago at some 2010 music festival....Ooofahh!! That was horrible, Wetton was just aweful on vocals, barely moved a muscle, and poor Howe looked like a skeleton with a bit of skin to it.

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Posted: November 22 2011 at 16:55

what about UK they are a quite good supergroup, i would say with one very good album comprised of members of previous bands,

cstack3

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Posted: November 22 2011 at 16:58

lazland wrote:

cstack3 wrote:

lazland wrote:

I would, certainly as a "super group" as I understand the phrase.

I've always liked Asia.

Truly, a band with some incredible music! But, would we agree with Gibson and consider them one of the Ten Greatest Super-Groups?

That's where I would waffle a bit...Asia were VERY popular back in the '80's, with some good AM radio hits, but so were Saga, GTR, and post-Gabriel Genesis.

Not sure that I'd put them on the same pedestal as Cream for example. I'd name Yes or Genesis before I'd name Asia.

But Charles, Yes & Genesis were not supergroups, at least not in the context I understand the word.

Supergroups were acts that brought together a mix of artists from previously very successful acts. Another example would be GTR, which brought Hackett & Howe into the same "supergroup".

Cream were a supergroup - look at the background of Baker, Clapron, and Bruce.

Yes & Genesis were original bands, who started off as being completely unknown.

OK, thanks my friend! Point well taken, and I agree with your logic. I was quite excited when Asia first broke out, and they were very popular for quite a stretch. I've often considered Wetton to be (arguably) the "most successful prog bassist" due to his stint in Asia, following KC. Not sure how many would agree with me, but he did sell a ton of records.

However, if we dial it back enough, Yes were started with guys from Mabel Greer's Toy Shop, The Syn etc. And, ELP was cobbled together with a bit of The NIce, KC and Crazy World of Arthur Brown!! They all came from somewhere!

My own favorite "group that should have become a super group" was the late, great U.K.! My God, that was some music!

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Posted: November 22 2011 at 19:40

lazland wrote:

I would, certainly as a "super group" as I understand the phrase.

I've always liked Asia.

I don't disagree, to be honest.

But we have to really decide that just because it is a "supergroup" and it has people that are famous, that it is also "progressive" and deserves the credit and the reputation.

I am not sure that they deserve that, because unlike the originals they were a part of, by comparison this was just songs for the populace and a chance for some of those folks to make some money. Goodness .. didn't Picasso, Cocteau and Satie do a play on two on the stage with their own work? ... so what?

You gotta be jaded, when you have worked for 10, 15 years, not made a penny, have a wife and a kid, and you don't have a house ... so helping get some money is probably a good thing, and I would not object, and neither would you.

Some of the "purist" thinking is scary ... but it should not be the definition of "progressive".

Again, a "style" is NOT a process, and thus the definition of this is invalid for music history. Style is a RESULT, of what was done, and in this case the combination of folks and work. And it is mostly an academic and commercial definition for the sake of education and money and has nothing to do with the music itself!

The group is fine and the music is fine. But I prefer Tales, and Close to the Edge ... etc, etc ...

Edited by moshkito - November 23 2011 at 17:10

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Posted: November 22 2011 at 20:57

I never cared for Asia, as a band or a continent.

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Posted: November 22 2011 at 20:58

I am all for these artists to make money, I hope they make a gazillion $$.........but because of the style of music they play to accomplish this, some people label them sellouts or simply....pop music.....and so the purists do not give them the time of day.

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Posted: November 22 2011 at 20:59

The Dark Elf wrote:

I never cared for Asia, as a band or a continent.

Now that is simply uneducated......some of the best food in the world comes from Asia!!!!

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Posted: November 22 2011 at 22:32

Asia? Bland boring pablum. They deserved the famous review that was given to GTR.

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cstack3

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Posted: November 22 2011 at 22:44

aginor wrote:

what about UK they are a quite good supergroup, i would say with one very good album comprised of members of previous bands,

Yes, thanks, I sure agree!! They put on an AMAZING show! The ability of Wetton to play very complicated bass lines while singing was just uncanny! He was one of the very best at that skill!

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Posted: November 23 2011 at 02:53

I admired (but didn't love) the song-writing on the 1st Asia album - these were premeditated radio salvoes all brilliantly crafted and arranged for maximum consumption. Say what you like about a band you could be forgiven for thinking was designed by suits, it was for a short while, brilliant pop music.