Steve Howe Leaves Asia's Legacy to Sam Coulton
Supergroup Asia have posted the following on their official website:
Steve Howe
Departs From Asia
"ASIA announces that guitarist Steve Howe has
relinquished his position in the band, in order to concentrate fully on his work
on other projects. Steve said, "Myself and the band wish to thank their fans for
the enthusiasm shown during the original members’ reunion. I will continue with
Yes, and with my trio and solo guitar work. I wish my friends continued
success".
In 2006 the original band reunited for a tour of USA,
which was followed by four world tours and several continental tours. The
reunited band has played over 300 shows and released three new studio albums,
three DVDs and a number of live albums. The track ‘An Extraordinary Life’, from
2008’s album ‘Phoenix’ was chosen as the theme music for America’s Got
Talent.
ASIA formed as a supergroup of stunning pedigrees,
bringing together songwriter, lead vocalist and bassist John Wetton [King
Crimson, UK], keyboardist Geoff Downes [Yes, The Buggles], drummer
extraordinaire Carl Palmer [ELP] and Steve Howe [Yes]. Their self-titled debut
album was the biggest selling album in the world in 1982 and monopolized the
Number 1 slot in the Billboard charts for 9 weeks. The album is still in the top
3 Geffen sales of all time, with Guns ’n’ Roses and Whitesnake! With tracks like
mega-hit ‘Heat Of The Moment’, ASIA helped to create the MTV phenomenon. The
band’s work perfected the use of videos that encompassed stories and messages,
examples being the work for ‘Wildest Dreams’, , ‘Only Time Will Tell’, ‘The
Smile Has Left Your Eyes’ and ‘Don’t Cry’. ‘Heat Of The Moment’ is still a radio
fixture and has been in top TV and films including ‘40 Year Old Virgin’, ‘South
Park’, ‘Cold Case’, ‘The Matador’ and countless others.
The end of Steve’s time with the band marks the start
of a new chapter for ASIA and a further announcement regarding new personnel,
2013 live appearances and new material is forthcoming."
ASIA Announce
New Guitarist and 2013 Plans
"If 2012 was a year to remember for ASIA, with the
release of the acclaimed studio album ‘XXX’ marking the band’s thirtieth
anniversary, then 2013 is set to be another. John Wetton, Geoff Downes and Carl
Palmer are delighted to announce that not only do they have an incredible talent
in place to step into Steve Howe’s shoes, but also that their first
international show with newcomer Sam Coulson will be a high profile performance
at Sweden Rock 2013. Sam is a wonderful player, world-renowned amongst guitar
virtuosos. Additionally, a new studio album, to be entitled ‘Valkyrie’, will be
recorded for Frontiers Records during 2013 continuing the band’s relationship
with the label.
John Wetton said, “ASIA is ready to take its next
steps along this remarkable road. We cannot wait to perform again for the fans
and also to unveil some of the new material, of which we are very proud”. Geoff
Downes said, “We look forward to writing another chapter in Asia’s history”.
Carl Palmer commented, “We’re all looking forward to the next decade of great
ASIA music”.
With a new guitarist in place, Sweden Rock confirmed
and more high profile live dates to come, plus a new album slated for release,
the ASIA trajectory continues: onward and upwards!
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