Los Angeles, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Serge Entertainment PR) - Classic AOR, hitmaking band ASIA Featuring John Payne will perform at the upcoming October Wildfire Benefit Concert in San Diego, CA held at the Qualcomm Stadium practice field on Saturday, October 24th at 9PM.
Doors open at 6:30PM. This concert will raise money for the RB United Fire Recovery Center. There are six centers set up by the city of San
Diego to directly aid victims of the wildfires and also assist with ongoing recovery efforts. ASIA Featuring John Payne will perform many of the hit songs plus some new material from their upcoming CD release to benefit the Center.
John Payne replaced vocalist/bassist John Wetton as the front man of the supergroup ASIA in 1992 at the invitation of keyboardist Geoff Downes.
ASIA extensively toured the world for the next 14 years performing new classics and old favorites. With John Payne fronting the band, ASIA released 8 stunning studio albums and several live recordings. In 2006, Geoff Downes left the band to reform the 1982 line up for their 25th anniversary. On the 9th of May 2006, John Payne, Geoff Downes, John Wetton, Carl Palmer and Steve Howe contractually agreed that John Payne would continue his 14 year legacy with ASIA as 'ASIA Featuring John Payne'. ASIA Featuring John Payne have commenced touring in North America and a new studio album, 'Architect of Time' is planned for release in late 2008.
ASIA Featuring John Payne Member Bios
Guitarist Guthrie Govan joined as ASIA's official guitarist in 1999 and remained with ASIA Featuring John Payne beginning in 2006. His stunning guitar playing is featured on the ASIA albums, AURA, AMERICA, SILENT NATION and ASIA Featuring John Payne EXTENDED VERSIONS. His performances both live and in the studio show him to be a truly world class guitarist. www.myspace.com/guthriegovaneroticcakes
Drummer Jay Schellen joined as ASIA's premiere drummer in 2005, toured in Europe with the band and recording the album ASIA Featuring John Payne EXTENDED VERSIONS for Sony in 2006 when he remained with ASIA Featuring John Payne. Before joining ASIA, Jay played drums for Hurricane, Unruly Child, Badfinger and Conspiracy with Chris Squire from Yes. www.jayschellen.com
Keyboardist Erik Norlander is the most recent addition to ASIA Featuring John Payne, joining the group in November of 2007. Erik's evocative synthesizer technique is reminiscent of the legendary Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson and Jon Lord while still very unique made him an obvious choice for the band. His works include over 25 releases with Lana Lane, Rocket Scientists and solo titles www.eriknorlander.com
Vocalist/bassist John Payne fronted ASIA for 14 years replacing John Wetton in 1992. 8 studio albums and 6 live albums followed including extensive world touring with the band. In 2006, John formed "ASIA Featuring John Payne" and is performing shows with his current lineup. Previous to ASIA, John sang with Roger Daltrey, CCCP, ELO Part 2 and more recently GPS plus being chosen as the Parson in Jeff Wayne's The War Of The Worlds stadium tour. www.johnpaynemusic.com
For more information about ASIA Featuring John Payne, please visit http://www.theasiaband.com and http://www.myspace.com/asiafeaturingjohnpayne. For more information about the October Wildfire Benefit Concert, please visit http://www.rbunited.com.
