International Entertainment News: ASIA Hits the Road With YES For U.S. Tour

ASIA Hits the Road With YES For U.S. Tour

25-Date Tour, Featuring All Four Original Members of ASIA, Begins Tonight

YES' Steve Howe, Chris Squire and Alan White Joined by Benoit David and Oliver Wakeman, with Howe Performing in Both Bands!

It's a prog-rock fan's dream come true, with two legendary British bands on the same stage, playing hits like "I've Seen All Good People," "Roundabout" and "Heat of the Moment." Acclaimed British band YES launches their 25-city U.S. tour tonight in Indio, CA with Special Guest ASIA.

YES features the classic line-up of guitarist Steve Howe, bassist Chris Squire and drummer Alan White with new vocalist Benoit David and keyboardist Oliver Wakeman, son of the group's Rick Wakeman. Howe, a cornerstone member of both groups, will perform both sets, with his YES bandmates and with ASIA's other original members, including ex-YES and Buggles keyboardist Geoff Downes, ELP's Carl Palmer on drums and former King Crimson and U.K. bassist/guitarist/vocalist John Wetton.

"This is a monumental event and even though it will be a challenge, I am up for it," says YES and ASIA's Howe.

The tour includes stops at San Francisco's Warfield Theatre (July 2), Los Angeles' Gibson Amphitheatre (July 7), and Philadelphia's Tower Theater (July 28), before concluding in Bethlehem, PA on August 2. The summer dates come after a planned West Coast tour was postponed when YES' Chris Squire was hospitalized for leg surgery.

"People have been waiting for this for decades," adds ASIA's Wetton. "Since America was so important to the success of both bands, we feel it was the right time and place to launch it."

YES concerts have always been very special events, and this summer's U.S. jaunt will be no different. The group will perform selections from hit albums, including Fragile, Close to the Edge, Tales from Topographic Oceans and 90125 along with audience favorites like "Roundabout," "Owner of a Lonely Heart," "I've Seen All Good People" and "Yours Is No Disgrace," just some of the enduring classics that have made YES one of the most influential and groundbreaking groups in rock & roll.

This time around, Howe, Squire and White are also pulling out some rarely performed chestnuts, like 1980's "Machine Messiah" and "Siberian Khatru," expertly sung by David, a Montreal, Quebec, native and vocalist in several YES tribute groups, discovered by the band on the Internet. His ability to channel Anderson's distinctive singing voice has added an extra treat for true fans. ASIA's performance will feature many songs from their historic first album, the world's bestselling release of 1982. The supergroup's debut effort was #1 on Billboard's albums chart for nine weeks and included such smashes as "Heat of the Moment," "Only Time Will Tell" and "Sole Survivor."

After 23 years apart, the original line-up of ASIA reformed in 2006 and has conducted four successful world tours and, in 2008, released the critically acclaimed Phoenix album on EMI America Records. Collectively and individually, the four original members of ASIA have sold more than 120 million records.

As a dominant force for more than four decades, YES has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, stretching the boundaries of progressive art-rock with their dynamic instrumental contrasts and abstract lyrics. Their symphonic use of sound and innovative musical styles continues to make them one of the most successful and long-standing groups in rock history as they continue to add new, young fans to their following.

Says Squire: "This has turned out to be one of the best performing line-ups in YES' storied history. It feels like we're rediscovering these songs all over again."

YES & ASIA 2009 U.S. Tour

June 26: Indio, CA (Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino)
June 27: Las Vegas, NV (Thomas & Mack Center)
June 30: Snoqualmie, WA (Snoqualmie Casino)
July 2: San Francisco, CA (Warfield)
July 3: Saratoga, CA (The Mountain Winery)
July 5 Anaheim, CA (House of Blues)
July 7: Los Angeles, CA (Gibson Amphitheatre)
July 8: San Diego, CA (Humphrey's)
July 9: Phoenix, AZ (Dodge)
July 12: Denver, CO (Paramount Theatre)
July 14: Kansas City, MO (Uptown Theater)
July 15: Ft. Worth, TX (Bass Music Center)
July 16: Muskegee, OK (Civic Center)
July 18: Walker, MN (Moondance Jam)
July 20: Detroit, MI (DTE Energy Music Theatre)
July 21: Pittsburgh, PA (Chevrolet Amphitheatre)
July 22: Glen Allen, VA (Insbrook Pavilion)
July 23: National Harbour, MD (Sunset Concerts)
July 25: Cohassett, MA (South Shore Music Circus)
July 26: Jackson, NJ (Great Adventure Amphitheatre)
July 28: Philadelphia, PA (Tower Theatre)
July 29: Montclair, NJ (Wellmont Theatre)
July 31: Westbury, NY (Theatre at Westbury)
Aug. 1: Jamestown, NY (Savings Bank Arena)
Aug. 2: Bethlehem, PA (Muskfest)