In 1981 a supergroup formed by four alumni of the leading 1970s British progressive rock bands exploded onto Top-40 radio, arena stages around the world, and then-emerging MTV with the hit singles “Only Time Will Tell” and “Heat of the Moment” from their quadruple-platinum self-titled debut album, Asia. The original lineup of John Wetton (King Crimson), Steve Howe (Yes), Geoff Downes (The Buggles and Yes) and Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer) had a string of sellout concerts, radio hits, heavy-rotation MTV videos, and platinum-selling albums through the mid-1980s.
Subsequently ASIA went through multiple lineups, always retaining supergroup status by drawing new members from the ranks of leading bands, never completely fading from view but never quite duplicating their overwhelming early success. Then in 2006, the four original members reunited to record new music and to show another generation of audiences what the excitement had been about in the beginning.
The State Theatre is proud to bring the original ASIA (with YouTube guitar sensation Sam Coulson replacing Howe) to its stage on September 18, 2014, at 8:00 PM. Concertgoers can expect to hear the hits, tunes from the new album Gravitas, and some classics from the members’ other bands played at astonishingly high levels of musicianship. If you enjoyed the State’s sellout shows with Kansas and Blue Oyster Cult, you won’t want to miss this showcase of classic arena rock in the intimate setting of Friedman Auditorium.
Tickets will be priced at $38 in the balcony, $43 in the orchestra, and $48 for the Gold Circle and are available from the Theatre’s box office (814-272-0606) or website. Complete concert information can be found at: http://thestatetheatre.org/asia/ . For interviews, stories, press passes, and complimentary tickets please send all requests to Greg@thestatetheatre.org.