john wetton and geoffrey downes – hollywood calls upon british rock music
“HEAT OF THE MOMENT” RE-RELEASED ON FRONTIERS RECORDS
This week’s biggest grossing US film is “40 Year Old Virgin”, a riotous comedy starring Steve Carell [star of the US version of BBC’s award winning “The Office”], which has opened in the UK this week amid great expectations.
As the title suggests, the film charts the progress of 40 year-old Andy Stitzer who has never had sex. Andy’s walls are adorned with posters of the British super group Asia, whose self titled album was the biggest selling album in the world in 1982, number 1 in the USA for 9 weeks and critically recognised as a masterpiece of stadium rock. Even the Beatles could not boast a debut album reaching no.1 in USA. The Spice Girls repeated the feat in the nineties.
“Heat of the Moment” was one of Asia’s several hits, topping many worldwide singles charts. Its memorable intro, chorus hooks and general feel-good delivery are instantly recognisable and the song is prominently used in “40 Year Old Virgin”.
“Heat of the Moment” is also featured in Pierce Brosnan’s latest film, “The Matador” which is due for US release on November 4.
John Wetton and Geoffrey Downes composed all of Asia’s many hits during the eighties, a catalogue which endures through regular worldwide licensing to film, TV and compilation albums. 2005 saw the release of their widely acclaimed reunion project, “Icon”, which saw the pair reunite with Universal records for the USA release, Marquee Avalon in Japan and Frontiers Records in Europe.
Frontiers Records scheduled the release of Wetton Downes’ new single version of “Heat of the Moment” on August 29. The success of “40 Year Old Virgin” has added to the newsworthy nature of this release, endorsing the value to the UK economy of the success of British music.
John Wetton and Geoffrey Downes are planning a new DVD featuring acoustic treatment of their hit songs to be recorded in a very special location and with some very special guests this fall. Also they are set to return to the stage on October 30 at the UNITED FORCES OF ROCK FESTIVAL to be held at the Rockfabrik in Ludwigsburg in Germany on October 30th 2005, performing an electric set with their band.
Plans for 2006 include worldwide touring and a follow up to Icon. John and Geoff are available for TV / radio / press interviews by arrangement with their managmente and authorised representatives below.
Notes:
1. Asia’s classic line up was
a. John Wetton;
i. Also played with King Crimson, Family, UK, Uriah Heep, Roxy Music, Wishbone Ash [bass / vocals],
b.Geoffrey Downes;
i. Also played with The Buggles, Yes [keyboards],
c.Steve Howe;
i. Also played with Yes [guitar],
d.Carl Palmer;
i. Also played with Emerson Lake and Palmer [drums].
2.John Wetton’s signature voice is widely renowned as “The Golden Voice of Rock and Roll”.
3.The Buggles’ number 1 hit “Video Killed the Radio Star”, co-written by Geoff Downes and Trevor Horn, was the first song ever played on MTV, Geoff’s hands being the first frame of the first video.
4.All of Asia’s hits featured thought provoking promotional videos, regularly played on MTV, this year packaged for DVD release by Universal.
5.“Heat of the Moment” was featured in the landmark episode of South Park in which Kenny dies and Cartman visits the White House where he leads the senate in a unique rendition of the song.