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The English rock group Asia are one of the only bands in music history that can truly call themselves a prog-rock super-group. Members of Asia had previous experience in some of the biggest and most innovative prog bands of the 70's, including Yes, King Crimson, Emerson, Lake and Palmer and Uriah Heep. The collective of talented musicians all found themselves without bands in the late-70's, after it seemed that music fans had gotten their fill of 20 minute long Moog and drum solos. Asia shuffled through several line-up changes before hitting their stride, and the original nucleus of the band was Yes drummer Bill Bruford and King Crimson bassist John Wetton. The duo of virtuoso musicians briefly played together under the name UK in 1978, but that broke up in 1980. In 1982, the collection of musicians released the self-titled Asia, which met an interesting reception upon its debut. Critics were looking for the ultimate prog-rock opus, especially when the band retained the skills of Yes's signature psychedelic cover artist Roger Dean. But Asia had actually delivered a set of Top 40 ready arena rock, much closer to then-dominant acts like Journey or Boston than In the Court of the Crimson King. And, while the critics may have panned it, fans were ready for accessible anthems like "Heat of the Moment" and "Only Time Will Tell" and Asia would ultimately sell over 10 million copies worldwide. Asia also benefited from heavy exposure on early MTV, when the station would give almost any music video daily repeating airings due to lack of material. Videos like "Don't Cry" and "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes" are imprinted on the mind of anyone who had basic cable back in 1983. The band never matched the commercial success of Asia, but their album Alpha is considered by many fans to be the band's best. Today, two versions of Asia are recording and touring, both to sell-out crowds worldwide.

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