Episode 68: Harry Whitley of Asia

Born in 1995 near Wrexham in North Wales, Harry Whitley is a singer and multi-instrumentalist. Whitley’s love affair with music began at the tender age of five when he started piano lessons. His talent soon became clear, and he went on to pass all grades of classical and jazz piano with flying colors. As his love of music grew, he began to master a variety of other instruments, including guitar, bass, and drums. His teenage years saw Whitley gig with a variety of semi-professional bands around his local area and further afield in Wales, culminating in him playing keyboards for a Deep Purple tribute band at just 16! Whitley was first introduced to the music of Asia and John Wetton by his former tutor, Timothy Jones. It was love at first listen. Whitley says, “I always enjoyed the dramatic feel of Asia’s music. To an aspiring musician, Geoff (Downes) was the bee’s knees - so much energy, so many ideas, and so many keyboards!” He continues, “I soon realized just how great the Asia songs were, and of course, there was that voice. John Wetton’s voice was everything I loved about Greg Lake and Phil Collins combined, accompanied by his monstrous, driving bass playing.”

In the wake of the 2020 pandemic, Whitley established his own YouTube channel and began uploading his performances as a way of promoting his music. After receiving a positive response from viewers, he was inspired to launch a foray into a variety of different musical genres. To do this, he leaned on the artists who have inspired him since he first stepped up to a keyboard: Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson, Randy Newman, Steve Lukather, Tony Banks, and of course, John Wetton and Geoff Downes.

Whitley uploaded several Asia covers to his YouTube channel and soon noticed how these videos were performing far better than any others. It didn’t take long for Harry’s performances to come to the attention of Geoff Downes - and at that moment, the die was cast. When a charity tribute concert was planned to celebrate the life of John Wetton, Downes invited Whitley to step up and take charge of the Asia lead vocals. Alongside Billy Sherwood (Yes) on bass, Jay Schellen (Yes) on drums and John Mitchell (It Bites, Frost) on guitar, Whitley took his place on stage next to Geoff Downes. Downes commented “Harry Whitley is an extraordinarily talented musician. He is most definitely up there with the best of the many great artists that I’ve had the privilege of working with over the years. A rare jewel in the crown of the music world.”

Recently completing his first US tour with Asia in the summer of 2024, look for the band to hit the road again in 2025 and record new studio material as well!