Lake’s revelation about how the supergroup came to life

Lake’s Revelation: The Birth of a Supergroup

In a stunning interview that has sent waves through the music world, legendary musician and founding member of progressive rock supergroup *Asia*, John Wetton, offered an inside look at the formation of one of rock’s most iconic supergroups. In his exclusive revelation, Wetton delved into the circumstances that led to the creation of *Asia*, and how a combination of artistic ambition, industry forces, and personal connections sparked the union of members who would go on to dominate the charts in the early 1980s.

The band, which formed in 1981, was a collaboration between Wetton, keyboardist Geoff Downes (known for his work with *Yes* and *The Buggles*), guitarist Steve Howe (formerly of *Yes*), and drummer Carl Palmer (a founding member of *Emerson, Lake & Palmer*). The supergroup’s formation was not just a random assembly of musical talent, but rather a combination of both personal and professional circumstances that shaped their sound and success.

#### The Genesis of *Asia*

Wetton, reflecting on the moment when the idea of *Asia* first emerged, recalled that the band’s creation was partly a result of his frustration with the direction of his own career and the evolving state of progressive rock in general. By the late ’70s, the genre had seen significant changes, with the art rock and symphonic sound of bands like *Yes*, *Genesis*, and *Emerson, Lake & Palmer* giving way to the rise of punk rock, new wave, and the growing dominance of the radio-friendly, commercially viable music of the early ’80s.

For Wetton, who had been struggling to establish a definitive musical identity following his departure from *King Crimson*, the timing was crucial. After a series of failed attempts to establish a solo career and a less-than-satisfying period with *UK*, Wetton had the idea to bring together musicians from some of the most respected progressive rock bands of the time, merging their virtuosity with a more accessible, pop-oriented sound.

“I wanted to create something that would appeal to the masses, but still retain that musicianship and depth that I loved about progressive rock,” Wetton shared. “There was a lot of experimentation happening in the industry, but I felt like the heart of rock music had been lost in a sea of simplicity and trends.”

The fusion of musical styles that Wetton envisioned would ultimately come together in *Asia*, blending the complexity of progressive rock with the polish and accessibility of mainstream pop. But the key to the band’s formation, according to Wetton, was the serendipitous collaboration with his soon-to-be bandmates.

#### Building the Band

The formation of *Asia* was not an overnight decision. Wetton first approached Palmer, whom he had known for years from their time working together in *Emerson, Lake & Palmer*. Palmer, who was eager to break free from the confines of ELP’s bombastic style, was immediately intrigued by the idea of a more streamlined and commercially-oriented project. Wetton and Palmer then turned to Howe, who had been a key member of *Yes* but had grown weary of the band’s increasingly convoluted music. Howe’s desire to find something new and fresh made him an ideal candidate for *Asia*.

Downes’ involvement came about through his work with Trevor Horn on *The Buggles* project, and he was also no stranger to the progressive rock scene, having worked with *Yes* on their *Drama* album. His keyboard style, which could seamlessly blend intricate melodies with a strong pop sensibility, made him a perfect fit for Wetton’s vision of *Asia*.

Despite their vastly different musical backgrounds, the four musicians found an unexpected harmony in the studio. Each member brought his own unique strengths to the table, but Wetton was the glue that held them all together, steering the band’s sound toward a mix of classic rock, pop sensibility, and progressive instrumentation. “We were like four distinct parts coming together to form something new,” Wetton remarked. “None of us knew exactly what it would sound like, but we all believed in the concept.”

#### The Sound of *Asia* and Its Impact

When *Asia* released their self-titled debut album in 1982, the music world was taken by surprise. The album’s polished sound and catchy, radio-friendly hits like “Heat of the Moment” and “Only Time Will Tell” marked a departure from the sprawling, intricate epics that had defined much of progressive rock. But underneath the commercial sheen, the album was filled with the musical sophistication that Wetton and his bandmates had built their careers on.

Critics and fans alike were divided by the band’s blend of pop accessibility and prog-rock chops. Many fans of *Yes* and *ELP* were initially skeptical of the band’s more streamlined approach, but the success of the album, which went on to sell over 10 million copies worldwide, proved that there was a massive audience for their brand of accessible yet intricate rock. The album topped the charts in multiple countries, and “Heat of the Moment” became a massive hit, solidifying *Asia* as a musical force to be reckoned with.

In his interview, Wetton was candid about the pressures that came with the band’s immediate success. “We went from being these obscure, high-profile musicians in our respective bands to suddenly being thrust into the limelight as a mainstream act,” he explained. “It was overwhelming at times, but it was also incredibly rewarding.”

#### The Legacy of *Asia*

The band’s success didn’t last forever. Subsequent albums like *Alpha* (1983) and *Astra* (1985) struggled to match the commercial success of their debut, and internal tensions eventually led to lineup changes. However, *Asia*’s influence on the rock scene of the 1980s remained undeniable, blending the realms of progressive rock with the era’s more polished, radio-friendly sounds.

Looking back, Wetton expressed pride in what the band accomplished. “We did something that no one else had really done before,” he said. “We took the foundation of progressive rock and made it relevant to a whole new generation of listeners.”

John Wetton’s recent revelation serves as a reminder of the pivotal role that *Asia* played in bridging the gap between progressive rock and mainstream pop. In the years that followed, the band’s music would inspire countless artists and remain a key part of the soundtrack to the early ’80s rock scene. For Wetton and his bandmates, *Asia* was not just a project—it was a moment in time when musical genres collided, creating something uniquely unforgettable.