Drummer Carl Palmer has revealed that he and supergroup Asia were “wracked with nerves” as “anything could have gone wrong” during their groundbreaking 1983 live satellite concert.
The landmark Asia: Live from the Budokan Arena in Tokyo, Japan concert made history when it was the first gig to be broadcast live between Japan and MTV America on December 6, 1983.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Star, Asia drummer Carl Palmer has reflected on the historic moment as the band prepare to release a deluxe boxset celebrating the concert.
“Looking at it now, it’s nice to remember it, but at the time, it was quite scary,” said Carl.
“Anything could have gone wrong. We could have lost the satellite signal. We could have had feedback onstage.”
Despite their worries about something going wrong, the supergroup – featuring music icons including special guest Greg Lake, drummer Carl Palmer and Yes’s Steve Howe and Geoff Downes – delivered hit after hit including Heat Of The Moment, Sole Survivor and Only Time Will Tell to a delighted crowd.
(Image: Getty Images)
“Anything could have gone wrong, but everything went absolutely right,” said Carl.
“At the time you don’t enjoy it, because you’re worried about all these things that could happen. At the time it was quite nerve wracking.”
Masterminded by Record Executive David Geffen, the concert was an incredible way to end two years of touring for the group, following the release of their successful eponymous debut album in 1982 and the follow-up Alpha in 1983.
(Image: Getty Images)
“We went over and played the concert in the Budokan and it was broadcast live back into America and it was absolutely sensational.
“It all went to clockwork. The quality was superb. The band was great and we had a great time doing it.”
The landmark concert can now be enjoyed all over again by Asia fans, as the band prepare to release Asia: Live At The Budokan, Tokyo, 1983, as a deluxe box set containing two coloured vinyl records, two CDs, a 40 page book, Blu-Ray DVD, memorabilia and much more, on June 10, 2022.
It will also be available as a gatefold record, CD and to listen to via streaming platforms, with Carl saying: “We have to thank a lot of the people at BMG. John Wilson especially. Everything was done on quite a high level.
“All in all, it was exciting to put it together – it really was.”
That’s not all, as Asia are preparing to tour America in August 2022 with their new lead singer Marc Bonilla, with Carl hoping to bring the tour to the UK in the future.
There will also be a special treat in store, as fans can witness heritage footage from the concert as part of the upcoming tour too – with Carl revealing that is has inspired plans to bring back his late musical partners Keith Emerson and Greg Lake on a digital screen, as part of his ELP Legacy concerts in the future.
(Image: Mondadori via Getty Images)
“I’m actually going to be appearing with Greg [Lake] and Keith [Emerson] on film,” said Carl.
“They’ll be on screens of roughly about 14 foot high by about eight feet wide. They’ll have one screen each and I’ll be on the stage.
“I’m going to play things like Lucky Man and Knife Edge, I’m going to play these tunes with Greg and Keith, as I can do that now with technology. Not with a hologram – using footage from the Royal Albert Hall. All this is possible now.
“It’s like years ago – people didn’t think having a satellite broadcast could work – but it did work.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
