For other people of the same name, see John Payne.

John Payne was the lead singer and bassist of Asia from 1992-2006. Payne was mainly a session musician, mainly on guitar, before joining Asia in 1992. He was considered for a position in ELO Part II on guitar and vocals. When asked to join Asia by Geoff Downes, he had to learn the bass guitar fast, including all of Asia's hits.

Payne and Downes continued together as Asia for several years, but without a stable line-up around them, until they stuck with Guthrie Govan (guitar) and Chris Slade (drums) in 1999. The same line-up existed for over 5 years, until Chris Slade was replaced by Jay Schellen in late 2005. In February 2006, Downes and Payne separated: Payne, Govan and Schellen formed a new band, GPS, while Downes joined a reunion of the original Asia line-up, including John Wetton.

Asia Studio Albums featuring John Payne

• Aqua, 1992
• Aria, 1994
• Arena, 1996
• Archiva 1, 1996
• Archiva 2, 1996
• Rare, 1999
• Aura, 2000
• Silent Nation, 2004