Astra was released in 1985 by the progressive supergroup Asia. The album featured the return of John Wetton who was joined by the founding members Geoff Downes and Carl Palmer. Steve Howe, the original Asia guitarist was replaced by a hard-rock Swiss guitarist, Mandy Meyer. The album featured hit singles ‘Go’ and ‘Too Late’ charting on U.S. Mainstream Rock at #7 and #30. Astra itself peaked at #67 on the Billboard list. The album name was originally going to be called ‘Arcadia’ but the name was changed when the band learned that Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor of Duran Duran had put together a pop group with the same name.
Asia is an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled as a supergroup as it included former members of the world famous progressive rock bands such as Yes, King Crimson, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Uriah Heep, U.K, Roxy Music and Wishbone Ash.
Roger Dean is an English artist best known for his work on posters and album covers for rock groups and musicians.
