Classic Rock Band ‘Asia’ Forced to Replace Guitarist After Performance in Upstate New York
via Frank Pettis / YouTube
Sudden Change After First Show
Asia Featuring John Payne, a spinoff of the progressive rock band ASIA, has replaced its guitarist after only one concert in Upstate New York. The group announced that Francis Dunnery has left the tour following his debut performance with them on Saturday in New Paltz, N.Y.
“Sometimes on paper things seem perfect but in reality just don’t work out. On Monday I reached out to Frank and stopped the torture of being a guitarists ventriloquist,” Payne said Wednesday. “We both agreed that covering Asia’s works from 1982 to 2006 was not Frank’s wheelhouse. Dear Francis Dunnery is just that, he’s Francis Dunnery and we were trying to hammer a round peg into a square hole!”
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Payne and Dunnery Part on Good Terms
Payne described Dunnery as a “superb” guitarist, pointing to his work with It Bites and Robert Plant, and emphasized their friendship. He said the split was amicable, thanked Dunnery, and apologized to fans expecting him at future shows.
Dunnery, who has also played with The Syn, Santana, and Lauryn Hill, confirmed the decision was mutual. “John needs a guitar player who can come in and play all the styles and all the sounds that are on the (Asia) records and unfortunately that’s not what I do. There are much better people at doing that than me. It is impossible for me to adapt to that role, I don’t have the personality or the playing style to fulfill what he needs,” Dunnery posted on Instagram.
No Hard Feelings
“Although John and I are very good mates I’m afraid I can’t fulfill what he needs musically and he can’t afford to carry someone who isn’t 100% at this stage of the game,” he continued. “I love old John. He’s a good lad. There are absolutely no weird or hard feelings and I wish him and the band all the success in the world. But now I have to close this brief chapter and go back to my crazy life.”
Payne announced that Jeff Kollman, a longtime guitarist-vocalist with a history in the band dating back nearly two decades, will step in as Dunnery’s replacement.
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The Band’s Long History
Asia was formed in 1982 by Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer, and John Wetton. Known for hits like “Heat of the Moment,” “Sole Survivor,” and “Only Time Will Tell,” the group became one of the most recognized rock bands of the 1980s.
Payne joined in 1991, replacing Wetton as lead singer and bassist, recording eight albums before starting his own version of the group in 2007. The current lineup features Ryo Okumoto, Thomas Lang, and Aaron Olsen, with the tour set to resume Aug. 12 in Texas.
