Here Comes the Feeling

Hey there, Zoo Freaks! Your favorite hippie DJs from The Zoo Crew are spinning some righteous vibes tonight on THE ZOO radio station, and we’ve got a killer track for you: “Here Comes the Feeling” by Asia, straight off their iconic debut album, Asia. This song’s got a story that’s as wild as a summer festival. Did you know it was a reworking of a tune John Wetton, Asia’s lead singer and bassist, originally crafted with the French progressive rock band Atoll in 1979? That earlier version, called “No Reply,” was shelved until it popped up as a bonus track on Atoll’s 1993 reissue of their album Rock Puzzle. Wetton and guitarist Steve Howe gave it a fresh coat of paint for Asia, turning it into the epic album closer we’re grooving to now. The track’s heavy synths, Howe’s slick guitar, and those soaring vocal harmonies make it a perfect send-off for the album, with a sound that one fan on ProgArchives called “an optimistic way to close.”

Let’s dive into another cool tidbit about “Here Comes the Feeling.” According to Wikipedia, this song was part of Asia’s debut album, which was a massive hit, topping the U.S. charts for nine weeks in 1982 and selling over 10 million copies worldwide. The album’s producer, Mike Stone, brought a “Journey-esque” polish to the sound, which you can totally hear in the stadium-ready energy of this track. John Wetton himself said in an interview that Asia’s sound “blew synthesizers out of the water,” pushing back against the synth-pop wave of the early ’80s with their prog-rock roots. Fun fact: the song also got some love in Asia’s 1983 live performance at the Budokan in Tokyo, captured in the Asia in Asia release, where it was a crowd-pleaser alongside hits like “Heat of the Moment.” Check out the Asia Fan Club for more on that epic show!

Now, let’s talk about how Asia came to be. This English rock supergroup formed in London in 1981, bringing together four heavyweights from the progressive rock scene. John Wetton, who’d been laying down vocals and bass for bands like King Crimson, Uriah Heep, and U.K., was the driving force. He teamed up with Steve Howe, the guitar wizard from Yes, who’d been crafting intricate riffs for years. Geoff Downes, another Yes alum and keyboardist from The Buggles (yep, the “Video Killed the Radio Star” guys), brought his synth magic. Rounding out the lineup was Carl Palmer, the drumming powerhouse from Emerson, Lake & Palmer. It all started when A&R man John Kalodner and Geffen Records got Wetton and Howe together to write new material, and the chemistry was instant. By early 1981, Palmer and Downes joined, and Asia was born, ready to blend their prog roots with radio-friendly rock.

Wanna connect with Asia and their fans? Head over to their official website for tour dates and news, like their upcoming gigs at Trading Boundaries in the UK this April. Follow them on Facebook for updates and throwback pics, or check out their Instagram for behind-the-scenes vibes. They’re also active on X, sharing posts about their 40th-anniversary celebrations. For the ultimate fan experience, join the Asia Fan Club, where you’ll find details on events like the 2023 John Wetton memorial concert. There’s also a dedicated Facebook page by The Publicity Connection for Asia’s latest PR buzz. So, Zoo Freaks, keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let’s keep the good vibes flowing with “Here Comes the Feeling”!