HinweiseGenre : AOR
(VÖ 10.11.06)

John Wetton and Geoffrey Downes cut their musical teeth on English church music as young boys, each was gifted with an ear for a good tune, be it ABBA or the Beach Boys. As young men, they slugged it out in the trenches, reaching varying levels of success on their way to a date with destiny. John played and sang with KING CRIMSON, and UK, while Geoff got enormous exposure with the BUGGLES' massive hit “Video Killed The Radio Star” in 1979, later on joining the latest incarnation of YES for the release of “Drama”.

Like a "bolt from the blue", lightning struck in 1981 when they came together in the same group, a band whose moniker had to be as big as a continent in order to contain the talent within. With the band Asia - together with other bands like Journey, Foreigner, Boston - they epitomized the MTV friendly power rock explosion in the 80's, which focused on the musical creativity of some of the planet's greatest musicians and songwriters, proof of which is the enduring quality of the songs which are as fresh today as they were during those years.

Asia's eponymous release was the best selling album in the world in 1982, number 1 in the USA for 9 weeks, turning gold and platinum on every continent.. The second and third Asia albums were also big sellers worldwide and enjoyed several hit singles. Unfortunately, messers Wetton and Downes went their separate ways in 1985 and since then Asia has been through several incarnations.

Still – during the years - there was a consistent demand that Geoff and John should recreate the exceptional foundation upon which the Asia pyramid had been formed.

Wetton and Downes' paths crossed again as if by destiny and for the first time since 1990, they graced the same stage together during 2002's John Wetton fan convention in Philadelphia. Geoff consequently contributed to the writing and playing on Wetton's 2003 solo album, “Rock of Faith” and it became clear that the two had some unfinished business.

During 2004 they finally entered the studio with ideas and energy, sat round the same piano upon which they had written the 1980s anthems, and emerged with the first album of their renewed partnership christened “ICON”.

The album was easily their best artistic product for many years and immediately became very popular among the fans. John and Geoff have therefore decided to pursue this collaboration, giving birth to a brand new album which follows a very busy year made up of one EP, one acoustic album/DVD and one live album recorded during a series of successful European dates from Oct 2005 to spring 2006.

During summer 2006 the two artists followed their new spark of inspiration. In Geoff Downes' words: “John and I had to face and cross our individual Rubicons during critical moments in our lives when circumstances and fate entangled, obliging us to face defining moments of truth. Both of us realized that having examined our choices, it resolved to there being no choice at all. These experiences reminded us of an analogous set of historical circumstances faced by Julius Caesar in 49BC, similar in scope if not in scale, similar in style if not in substance. Inevitably our creative antennae were tweaked. The follow up to Icon should reflect autobiographical experience set against historical scenery”.

With the help of longtime John Wetton collaborators Steve Christey (JADIS) on drums and John Mitchell (ARENA, KINO) on guitars and Hugh McDowell (ELO), along with the special appearance of Anneke van Giersbergen (THE GATHERING) - who duets on “To Catch a Thief” and “Tears of Joy” – and violin 15-years old prodigy Katie Jacoby, John and Geoff cut the new album, “Rubicon” in the southern England countryside. A new stream of magical music is about to hit the fans in November 2006. But, not content with all this John and Geoff reconvened their old partners with ASIA, Carl Palmer and Steve Howe, reunited for a World Tour that started in September 2006. Don't miss them !