It has been confirmed that Steve Howe has quit Asia.

The legendary guitarist – best known for his work with Yes throughout the decades – has left the AOR/pomp band to concentrate on other projects. He re-joined Asia when the original line up of Howe, keyboard player Geoff Downes, drummer Carl Palmer and vocalist John Wetton reconvened in 2006.

Speaking as recently as the summer of 2012, Howe previously stated that although Yes “didn’t need Anderson or Wakeman” to make it work, Asia needed “all of the original guys”.

Yes, meanwhile, are to embark on a US tour where they will play their ‘Close To The Edge’, ‘Going For The One’ and ‘The Yes Album’ in full. The line-up which recorded 2011’s excellent ‘Fly From Here‘ album has already dissolved.