July 4 weekend is upon us, and in this town that means it is time for another edition of the American Music Fest. This festival, one of three big events held annually along our beloved river, is a great example of what happens when you try to book music to please everyone one: you end up with a line-up that satisfies no one.
We at Burg Life had heard rumors that the prog-rock supergroup Asia would be headlining the festival. I suppose this is great news if you long for the glory days of 1982 when Asia’s debut album reached #1 on the charts and marked the high point from which this band has slowly descended for nearly three decades. But is there really any appeal at all in that to the under 40 crowd?
But these guys have been at the top of the charts, right? Big time stars!! Surely there has to be something timeless in that. Not so fast…
Now we get into some really interesting rock and roll technicalities. Actually, Asia is not headlining American Music Fest. Instead we are getting a band known as “Asia featuring John Payne.” I know you may be confused, but this is indeed a different band than Asia. They currently have no overlapping members, and they’ve got a contractual agreement to use Asia as part of their name.
Each band has their own website with their own tour schedule. Asia is currently on a world tour playing in proper theaters and arenas. Asia Featuring John Payne, on the other hand, is currently rocking out on the casino and state fair circuit.
So, who is this John Payne fellow? He took over vocal duties for Asia when the original vocalist John Wetton left the group in the early 1990’s. During Wetton’s tenure with the band, Asia went three for three with albums that charted well and sold millions of copies. With Payne on the microphone, Asia received little attention from the public.
Fast forward to today. The original members of Asia have reunited and reclaimed their name. John Payne and three other guys who are not founding members of Asia are doing their best to ride on the prog rock coattails of a name most associated with 1982.
So, consider Sunday’s performance more of a tribute band than a reunion tour.
Welcome to Harrisburg, where we are not even classy enough to get the real Asia.
And if you really are jonesing to see the original Asia, you’ll have to check out Bethlehem’s musikfest where they are smart enough to avoid impostors.
Wow, I had no idea about the technicalities of rocknroll in 2009. Guess nothing’s taken for granted anymore. Thanks for the scoop… I’ll be staying home.
Actually Harrisburg did get the real Asia, last fall at the Whitaker center.
Asia with John Payne released 7 studio albums between 1991 and 2005, played a number of international tours in “proper theaters and arenas” and included founding member Geoff Downes during the entire time as well as contributions from founder Steve Howe and Carl Palmer.
At one point the Asia name was sold to Payne, who still retained it in 2006 when Downes jumped ship to reform the “Original Asia”. Payne negotiated a license with the Original Asia and has the right to tour and release albums under the name Asia Featuring John Payne. Most of the setlist his band is playing is music written and recorded during his period with the band.
And it’s quite good. I’m a fan of all eras of the band, and just saw the Original Asia play a terrific with Yes a few nights ago out here in LA. In August I’ll gladly see John Payne’s Asia play as well. Fans get twice the music.
It’s a shame that a lot of promoters are using the confusion to sell tickets to unsuspecting customers, who will undoubtedly be disappointed as you were if they are expecting the reunited band.
Asia’s operation during 1991-2006 with John Payne definitely kept the name alive and built long term awareness for the band which the reunited band was able to capitalize upon.
John Payne is great singer and artist love is music ,i enjoy is music with Asia then and now , love is voice i always be your fan
I hope Payne will be sing in Poland in this year. I hope John will be again in Asia. Long way from home, Heaven, Sad situation… great songs. Sorry for my English
Cheers from Poland.