Asia

Formed in 1981, Asia harked back to '70s supergroups and prog rockers by featuring members of seminal art/prog rock bands King Crimson (John Wetton), Emerson, Lake & Palmer (Carl Palmer), and Yes (Steve Howe), along with Geoff Downes from the Buggles. A surprising pop element brought them to the top of the charts with their debut album, Asia, and its hit single, "Heat of the Moment," and Alpha, their second album, also had a couple of hits, but follow-up Astra flopped. The group disbanded in 1985, reuniting in 1990 with John Payne replacing Wetton and releasing Aqua (1992), Aria (1994), Arena (1996), Aura (2001), and Silent Nation (2004). Wetton was back in the lineup for Phoenix (2008), Omega (2010), and XXX (2012). ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine