Asia's first three albums... (Astra, Alpha, and Asia) in reverse order.
These are my original copies as I got them back in the 1980s.
I was in second year high school when Asia's self-titled debut came out. Had to go to Dau in Pampanga to buy a copy of this record (from an American serviceman based at the old Clark Air Base). Two of my classmates and I went to Dau to buy records, comics, and porn. Hahaha.
Asia was a huge supergroup back then - John Wetton of King Crimson, Carl Palmer of Emerson Lake and Palmer and Steve How of Yes and Geoff Downes of The Buggles and Yes. And I thought that the covers of the Asia albums, also done by Yes cover artist Roger Dean was much better. Although the band was still progressive rock, their songs were shorter, and had this New Wavish energy that made it perfect for MTV.
I also remember that this Japanese anime film World War X used the entire first album of Asia as its soundtrack. That's how huge this album was.
I lost track of the band post-Astra (this was way before the internet). I was working in the music business when I came across their Aqua album at HMV in Hong Kong. I was pleasantly surprised to see them still around a decade after I was introduced to the band. Except that John Wetton was no longer the bassist and vocalist. It was now John Payne. Although Howe and Palmer were featured in the album, they weren't like permanent members of the band. Nevertheless, I collected all their new albums -- Aria, Arena, Aura, Silent nation and the return of the original line-up for Phoenix, Omega, and xxx.
Even during the Payne era, I would write the webmaster of their unofficial site that was created and curated by a fan (eventually, it became the official site). There was a chance to meet John Wetton several years ago, but my schedule for traveling to London did not match his. Sadly, Wetton passed away a few years ago.
But that has not dampened by being a fan of this childhood favorite of mine. I only have good memories.
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