The All New ASIA joins YES, THE JOHN LODGE BAND, and CARL PALMER’S ELP LEGACY with ARTHUR BROWN on the 2019 ROYAL AFFAIR TOUR, starting June 12th at the SANDS in Bethlehem, PA. New guitarist and vocalist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (ex-Guns N Roses) joins Billy Sherwood and founding members Carl Palmer and Geoff Downes in the new line-up of ASIA. Also, original guitarist Steve Howe will make a special appearance each night of the tour with ASIA. Tickets at Yesworld.com

The dragon has risen again.

Two years after the band’s successful US trek opening for Journey, an all-new ASIA line-up will return to concert stages across North America as special guests of the YES “ROYAL AFFAIR” tour. The influential British Rock band rose to the top of the charts with hits including “Only Time Will Tell,” and  “Heat Of The Moment,” returns with a new line-up that includes founding members Carl Palmer on drums, Geoff Downes on keyboards and current Yes bassist Billy Sherwood.   Joining the band for the first time is lead guitarist and vocalist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, an acclaimed solo artist and former member of Guns N Roses for eight years. Thal is also in the prog-rock band Sons Of Apollo.

Founding member and original guitarist Steve Howe will join ASIA on stage each night at the end to honor the memory of his friend, John Wetton.

Asia’s debut album exploded onto the music scene in April 1982, featuring six radio hits.  It became the best-selling album in the World in 1982.  Featuring Downes, Howe, Palmer and John Wetton on lead vocal and bass, Asia was the logical successor to their collective bands of the 70s: Yes, ELP, King Crimson, UK and Buggles.

The original line-up of ASIA reformed in 2006.  It was the first time the four original members had worked together in 23 years.  After Howe’s departure, the band regrouped in 2013, with guitarist Sam Coulson and a new studio album, Gravitas, followed. Tragedy struck in January 2017, when John Wetton lost a valiant battle against cancer.

“There is a great energy when we step on stage,” says Geoff Downes. “We can feel it and I know the fans can feel it.”  The band’s return to the concert stage cannot come soon enough.” Downes confirms: “It is what John would have wanted.”

As Carl Palmer has said: “Performing on stage is where this band truly comes into its element.  Seeing the fans reacting to our music is what makes it all worthwhile. It is the fuel that drives this train we call ASIA.”

Tour dates and tickets available: www.yesworld.com/live

NEW YORK, April 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ —  Pilato Entertainment