Both Asias hitting the road for the 40th

Much rather see Carl and his band at this point. Better than the other two options in my opinion.

 

Where does Pat Thrall fit into timeline?

 

I just find it hilarious that you essentially have twice the odds of Steve Howe in some sort of "Asia" band due to this situation and he is in neither

 

He's essentially an "emeritus" member of the Downes/Palmer version of the band. The last time they toured, he was a featured performer on several shows.

As I recall, Howe doesn't get along with Payne, so if you're waiting for Howe to appear at an Asia featuring JP show, you're going to be waiting for a long time.

 

You may have that backwards. Actually Howe got along fine with Payne (and obviously appeared on a few of those albums). Wetton never met Payne but despised him, and Downes abruptly abandoned him and cut off all contact. But Steve never said anything negative about Payne. Unless that is a recent development.

 

He was hired around the same time Geoff rejoined for the release of Then and Now. As far as I know, Pat was only with them for the brief tour that resulted in Live in Moscow and Live in Nottingham.

 

Basically after Downes returned for the release of Then and Now and its related shows including Live in Moscow. But he dropped out soon after when Wetton left again.

 

I might be wrong, but I swear I read a post-reunion interview where Howe said he thought Payne lacked talent and devalues the Asia name by using it. I suppose it could have been Downes or Wetton who said it, but I think it was Howe.

 

Anything is possible... but that really sounds like something Wetton would 've said. Geoff tends to completely avoid discussing Payne.

 

Astra's excellent. More proof that, as great as in undoubtedly is, Steve Howe wasn't a vital component.

 

That was an album of acoustic covers shelved in lieu of the EDM-flavored Anaphylaxis.

 

John Payne joined Bev Bevan's ELO Part 2 but quit to join Asia. I remember him moaning ELO 2 never paid him for his time with them.

 

LOL I should have seen that one coming

 

I agree that Astra is a good album, but Meyer isn't anywhere near Howe's class.

 

Haters are always going to hate, but the Payne-era Asia produced far more interesting albums than the MOR output of Downes and Wetton following their reunion….and I say that as a big fan of John Wetton.

Having said that, there’s no way on earth that either version of Asia should even be thinking of hitting the road under that name.

 

Wow. You should trademark that quote. Just kidding.

Back in 2015, I borrowed all the John Payne-ASiA albums from a friend (apart from Silent Nation) and was all ready to be a fan of this Asia....however, overall, I didn't really care for his vocal approach. Maybe it was me, but it sounded like he recorded one line at a time. Odd. The vocal performances just didn't flow like Wetton. No hate.

 

Maybe it helps put food on the table.

 

No John Wetton no Asia. Sorry, but both versions of the band are not worthy of the band's name.

 

Steve Howe is a genius but Mandy's playing on Astra is excellent so I don't miss Steve's presence on the album, at all

 

Happy to disagree. I'm glad John's songs will be getting regular live outings.

 

The name is everything. There's no shortage of acts touring the globe who -- honestly -- really aren't the band their name indicates they are. But that's what puts butts in seats. Yeah, it's completely silly, but that's the way it is.

The average person has no idea who the members of Foreigner were, or how many original members are currently touring in that band (the answer is zero). There's a quote from Joey Molland of Badfinger in their Behind The Music, in response to criticism of him using the band name (either billed as Joey Molland's Badfinger, or often just Badfinger), where he states he'd much rather perform under just his own name...but then he'd probably be playing to three or four people on a good night.

There's a responsibility that lies on the ticket purchaser, to educate him or herself about what they're buying. And in today's world, that sort of information is simple to obtain. It takes a minute or two, tops, to get informed who's in a band before spending the money. If someone's okay going to see "Asia" featuring none of the original members, that's...well, that's unfortunate, of course...but if they know what they're getting, and it's all above board legally, then I guess there's no real harm being done.

 

Agreed. And those of us who live on forums like this sometimes forget that there are tons of people who don’t give a rat’s you-know-what about who is or isn’t in a band. They're looking for a solid evening of entertainment, or want to hear songs they grew up with. Payne, Wetton, Howe, Lake... doesn’t matter to them. Just play the hits and don’t water down the beer.

I’ve told the story before about seeing Little River Band in a small, nearby town pre-Covid. I used to swear I’d never go see what, to me, was somewhat of a tribute band featuring only one member who came in toward the end of their glory years. But it was 15 minutes away and we’re a bit starved for entertainment out here.

The venue was sold out (casino... not huge but a decent enough size) and people seemed to enjoy it, singing along with all the hits, played mostly by guys who weren’t on the original and, in some cases, might have been toddlers when the songs were written. (And yes, I sang along, too... may Birtles, Goble and Shorrock forgive me.)

I didn’t see any protestors out front with shirts saying “No Shorrock, No LRB!”. Those who had unbending convictions about how illegitimate this lineup might be opted to stay home.

Always a fun conversation here on the forum about what constitutes a legitimate lineup of a given band, but we might be in the minority.

Saw this in the memes thread today. This is what some bands face (like Molland’s situation) if they don’t take advantage of name recognition:

 

Like it or not though, a lineup with two original members of a quartet will always have a fair claim to that band's name. I'd rather John Wetton hadn't died also. But I would rather see Palmer playing Asia songs with a credible lineup than doing instrumental versions of ELP songs again (though I'd turn up for either).

 

I really like Live In Moscow. The crowd is what wanting real peace sounded like.

Yeah, Thrall's guitar sound is hair-band galore, but whatever.

 

This has become the best thread on SH Forums in many a year . . . or at least since Bad English.