Editing Asia (band) (section)

===1985–1991: ''Astra'', breakup and new lineups===
The third Asia album was tentatively titled ''Arcadia'', but during production it was discovered that that name was being used by a forthcoming [[Arcadia (band)|spin-off project from Duran Duran]]. The retitled ''[[Astra (album)|Astra]]'', released in November 1985, was not as commercially successful as the first two albums. The record label cancelled the planned tour because of lack of interest. The band charted another single with "[[Go (Asia song)|Go]]" (No. 46), featuring Meyer's guitar work as a primary element. The music video was another hit with MTV but in 1986 this Asia lineup folded, bringing the group to an end for the time being. Wetton is quoted as saying "[''Astra''] did really well in Sweden&nbsp;... but Swedish sales aren't that large."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://live.1065thearch.com/listen/artist/8f695099-c714-4ad0-8888-36eca37fee84|title=Listen Live {{!}} 106.5 The Arch|website=Listen Live {{!}} 106.5 The Arch|language=en-US|access-date=20 November 2018}}</ref>

Wetton resurfaced in January 1987 with an album recorded with guitarist [[Phil Manzanera]], ''Wetton-Manzanera'', based on material that had been originally intended for Asia. Also in 1987, Wetton played with [[Phenomena (band)|Phenomena]] on their ''Dream Runner'' album and landed a number one hit in South America with the [[Phenomena (band)|Phenomena]] single "Did It All for Love", also appearing in the related music video. 

Asia were also credited with contributing the [[Giorgio Moroder]] produced track "Gypsy Soul" to the [[Sylvester Stallone]] film soundtrack to ''[[Over the Top (1987 film)|Over the Top]]'' (1987), although Wetton was the only band member involved.

Wetton and Downes' attempt to restart the group in 1987 with guitarist [[Scott Gorham]] (formerly of [[Thin Lizzy]]) and drummer [[Mike Sturgis|Michael Sturgis]] (ex-[[A-ha]]) failed when they were unable to land a worldwide recording deal.

Wetton and Palmer reunited the band for tours of Europe in the summer and autumn of 1989. Downes (working on a project with Greg Lake) was not available, so keyboards were played by [[John Young (British musician)|John Young]]. Guitars on the tour were handled by Alan Darby (replaced by German guitarist Holger Larisch); and Zoe Nicholas and Susie Webb were brought aboard to provide back-up vocals. Unlike Wetton's later anger at Asia continuing without him in the 1990s, this lineup was viewed favourably by other Asia band members.

Asia returned to the studio in 1990 with Downes, [[Toto (band)|Toto]] guitarist [[Steve Lukather]] and other studio musicians and released ''[[Then & Now (Asia album)|Then & Now]]'' (August 1990), a best-of with four new tracks. "[[Days Like These (Asia song)|Days Like These]]" from the disc received substantial airplay during the summer of 1990 on [[Album-oriented rock|AOR]] radio stations and re-sparked some interest in the band. Lukather later revealed that Wetton had asked him to join the band, but he had obligations with Toto who at that time had recently come off of a short hiatus.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lukather |first1=Steve |title=The Gospel According to Luke |last2=Rees |first2=Paul |date=September 17, 2019 |publisher=[[Post Hill Press]] |isbn=9781642932850}}</ref> Lukather later contributed to Wetton's solo album ''Battle Lines'' in 1994. Instead, [[Pat Thrall]] joined Downes, Palmer and Wetton on tour and they performed classic material, including [[King Crimson]] and [[U.K. (band)|U.K.]] songs.

The band toured the former [[Soviet Union]] in November 1990 to play in front of 20,000 fans on two sold-out nights. "Days Like These" charted in the United States at No. 64 in 1990 and No. 2 on the United States Album Rock Tracks chart. But a U.S. tour was scrapped when various problems hampered the single's chance at the Top 40. Asia received the RIAA Gold album award for ''Then and Now'' years later, but initially the album did not reach the Top 100. A DVD and CD are available of the Asia concerts in the USSR (featuring a bonus studio track, "Kari-Anne" recorded by the 1987 Wetton-Downes-Gorham-Sturgis lineup and with [[Francis Dunnery]] contributing a guitar solo).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.relayer35.com/Yescography/LiveMockba.htm|title=Live Mockba 09-X1-90|work=relayer35.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Asia-Live-In-Moscow-1990/release/1561759|title=Asia (2) - Live In Moscow 1990|work=Discogs|date=27 August 2008}}</ref> Wetton left the group in April 1991 after a South American tour, discouraged by Asia's lack of success in the United States.