The classic rock supergroup Asia won't be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the release of their debut album quite like they planned with their fans in the UK. The band have abruptly cancelled all of their upcoming overseas dates due to drummer Carl Palmer's bout with E. coli.

The group released a new album titled 'XXX' this year and have been touring to promote that, as well as to mark the 1982 release of their self-titled debut, a multi-platinum hit that contained the classic hits 'Heat of the Moment,' 'Only Time Will Tell' and 'Sole Survivor.'

Asia teamed former Yes guitarist Steve Howe and keyboardist Geoff Downes, King Crimson veteran John Wetton and ELP drummer Palmer for a group that played melodic pop rock songs with the instrumental ability of progressive rock. Though the group has undergone various member changes over the decades, the original lineup reunited several years ago and has remained intact ever since.

Howe says that's the way it will remain. Although Yes continue to record and tour in the absence of several historically key members, he doesn't think that's possible for Asia. ”Yes and Asia are very different kinds of creatures, really," he observes (quote via Classic Rock magazine). "It must be personalities. Asia doesn’t work unless it is the original guys.”

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