New guitarist departs from classic rock supergroup following a single performance: Unable to acclimate to the position
After just one concert, Asia Featuring John Payne has announced the departure of their electric guitarist, Francis Dunnery. The news comes as a surprise to fans, as the band was set to continue their tour tomorrow, August 12.
Dunnery, who joined the band in July 2025 at the invitation of John Payne, the group's frontman and bassist, had a short stint with the band. He played only one show with Asia Featuring John Payne on August 2, 2025, in New York.
According to reports, the decision to part ways was mutual. Dunnery felt he could not adapt to the role required to cover the full range of Asia's styles from 1982 to 2006, while Payne expressed the need for a guitarist who could play all the styles and sounds on the records.
Payne took to Facebook to express his reasons for ending Dunnery's tenure, stating that he stopped Dunnery from continuing the "torture of being a guitarist's ventriloquist."
Despite the sudden departure, Dunnery has no hard feelings towards Payne and wishes the band success. He admits that it wasn't the right fit for him to play the electric guitar in Asia Featuring John Payne.
In a positive turn of events, Payne has recruited Jeff Kollman as the new electric guitar player for Asia Featuring John Payne. Kollman, who has a busy career, having worked with Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats, Glenn Hughes' solo band, and UFO offshoot Mogg/Way, is expected to bring a fresh energy to the band.
Asia Featuring John Payne was formed in 2007 as a supergroup, with Payne taking over from John Wetton, who was replaced a decade earlier. The band's shows have focused on Payne-era material, charting his stay in the band between 1991 and 2006.
The original Asia band, formed in 1981 by John Wetton, Steve Howe, Geoff Downes, and Carl Palmer, has seen many lineup changes since its formation. Guthrie Govan, who joined Asia at the same time as Payne, is one of the musicians who have been part of the band's evolution. However, Brian May and Steve Lukather reportedly turned down the gig.
Asia Featuring John Payne's next show is tomorrow, August 12. Fans are eagerly waiting to see the new lineup in action and hear the band's classic hits.
[1] Payne, J. (2025). Statement on Francis Dunnery's departure from Asia Featuring John Payne. Facebook. [4] Anonymous (2025). Asia Featuring John Payne part ways with electric guitarist Francis Dunnery after one show. Billboard.
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