John Wetton: Difference between revisions
m added King Crimson to intro section and added citation |
m minor ce |
||
(48 intermediate revisions by 33 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description| |
{{Short description|English musician (1949–2017)}} |
||
{{distinguish|text = [[John Whetton]] (runner)}} |
{{distinguish|text = [[John Whetton]] (runner)}} |
||
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}} |
||
Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
{{refimprove|date=January 2017}} |
{{refimprove|date=January 2017}} |
||
{{Infobox musical artist |
{{Infobox musical artist |
||
| name |
| name = John Wetton |
||
| image |
| image = John Wetton playing bass live (cropped).jpg |
||
| birth_name |
| birth_name = John Kenneth Wetton |
||
| birth_date |
| birth_date = {{birth date|1949|6|12|df=y}} |
||
| birth_place |
| birth_place = [[Willington, Derbyshire]], England |
||
| origin |
| origin = [[Bournemouth]], [[Dorset]], England |
||
| death_date |
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2017|01|31|1949|6|12}} |
||
| death_place |
| death_place = Bournemouth, Dorset, England |
||
| genre |
| genre = {{hlist|[[Progressive rock]]|[[hard rock]]|[[pop rock]]|[[jazz fusion]]|[[classic rock]]|[[Album-oriented rock|AOR]]}} |
||
| |
| occupation = {{hlist|Musician|singer|songwriter|producer}} |
||
| |
| instrument = {{hlist|Bass|vocals|guitar|keyboards}} |
||
| years_active |
| years_active = 1965–2017 |
||
| label |
| label = {{hlist|[[E.G. Records|E.G.]]|Atlantic Records|Geffen|Universal Records|[[Island Records|Island]]|[[Eagle Records|Eagle]]|Avalon|EMI|King Records|[[Frontiers Records|Frontiers]]}} |
||
| past_member_of |
| past_member_of = {{hlist|[[Mogul Thrash]]|[[Family (band)|Family]]|[[King Crimson]]|[[Roxy Music]]|[[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]]| |
||
[[U.K. (band)|U.K.]]|[[Wishbone Ash]]|[[Steve Hackett |
[[U.K. (band)|U.K.]]|[[Wishbone Ash]]|[[List of Steve Hackett band members|Steve Hackett Band]]|[[Asia (band)|Asia]]|[[Renaissance (band)|Renaissance]]|[[Qango (band)|Qango]]}} |
||
| website |
| website = [http://www.johnwetton.co.uk/ Official website] |
||
}} |
}} |
||
'''John Kenneth Wetton''' (12 June 1949 – 31 January 2017) was an English musician, singer, and songwriter.<ref name="MyOwn">{{cite book | |
'''John Kenneth Wetton''' (12 June 1949 – 31 January 2017) was an English musician, singer, and songwriter.<ref name="MyOwn">{{cite book |last=Dancha |first=Kim |title=My Own Time: The Authorized Biography of John Wetton |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U93yAQAACAAJ |publisher=Northern Line Publishers |year=1997 |isbn=9780965484718}}</ref> Although he was left handed, he was known as a dexterous right handed bass player and had a booming baritone voice.<ref name="BoffomuInt">{{cite web |last1=Curtiss |first1=Ron |last2=Weiner |first2=Aaron |title=John Wetton (King Crimson, U.K., Asia): The Complete Boffomundo Interview |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hcovFGVW44 |website=[[YouTube]] |date=3 June 2016 |access-date=3 June 2022}}</ref> He joined the band [[Family (band)|Family]] in 1971 for a short time before joining [[King Crimson]] in 1972.<ref>{{cite news |last=Slotnik |first=Daniel E. |title=John Wetton, Rocker with King Crimson and Asia, Dies at 67 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/31/arts/music/john-wetton-rocker-with-king-crimson-and-asia-dies-at-67.html |work=The New York Times |date=February 2017}}</ref> After the breakup of King Crimson at the end of 1974, Wetton was in [[progressive rock]] and [[hard rock]] bands including [[Roxy Music]] (1974–1975), [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]] (1975–1976), [[U.K. (band)|U.K.]] (1977–1980), and [[Wishbone Ash]] (1980–1981).<ref name="MyOwn" /> |
||
In 1981 he co-founded [[Asia (band)|Asia]] as lead vocalist and principal songwriter, which was considered to be a super group.<ref name="MyOwn"/> Their debut album "[[Asia (Asia album)|Asia]]" which was released in 1982 sold 10 million copies worldwide and was [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard magazine]]'s number one album of 1982.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/yearend_chart_display.jsp?f=The+Billboard+200&g=Year-end+Albums&year=1982 |title=The ''Billboard'' 200 – Year-end albums – 1982 |magazine=Billboard |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205011206/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/yearend_chart_display.jsp?f=The+Billboard+200&g=Year-end+Albums&year=1982 |archive-date=5 February 2009 }}</ref> He later formed the duo "Icon" with his Asia bandmate and songwriting partner [[Geoff Downes]] and had a successful solo career. |
|||
He later formed the duo Icon with his Asia band mate (and songwriting partner) [[Geoff Downes]]. From the 1990s he had a successful solo career. Wetton signed his name with his left hand<ref name=BoffomuInt>{{cite web |last1=Curtiss |first1=Ron |last2=Weiner |first2=Aaron |title=John Wetton (King Crimson, U.K., Asia): The Complete Boffomundo Interview |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hcovFGVW44 |website=[[YouTube]] |access-date=3 June 2022 |date=June 3, 2016}}</ref> but played bass right handed. |
|||
== Career == |
== Career == |
||
Wetton was born in [[Willington, Derbyshire|Willington]], Derbyshire |
Wetton was born in [[Willington, Derbyshire|Willington]], Derbyshire and grew up in [[Bournemouth]], Dorset, where he attended [[Bournemouth School]]. His elder brother Robert was a classical organist and [[choirmaster]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://heavy.com/entertainment/2017/01/john-wetton-family-wife-mother-son-brother-lisa-peggy-dylan-robert/ |title=John Wetton's Family: 5 Facts You Need to Know |date=31 January 2017}}</ref> While practising organ Robert would have John play the bass parts on a piano, since their home organ did not have a pedalboard. John recalled that during the practices, "I got to like bass lines, because [[Bach]] bass lines are incredibly interesting. So I thought, this is good, I like bass lines, that's me."<ref name=BoffomuInt/> Though an enthusiast of classical music since childhood, he opted to go into rock and roll instead in order to avoid being compared with his brother.<ref name=BoffomuInt/> He played bass and sang in a number of early bands with [[Richard Palmer-James]], including The Corvettes, The Palmer-James Group, Tetrad, and Ginger Man.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.johnwetton.co.uk/biography.htm |title=Biography |publisher=Johnwetton.co.uk |access-date=5 June 2014}}</ref> A key early band he was in was the jazzy [[Mogul Thrash]]; after live work with [[Renaissance (band)|Renaissance]], he joined [[Family (band)|Family]] and also was in various recording sessions.<ref name="MyOwn" /> |
||
Wetton's big break came when his fellow Dorset native [[Robert Fripp]] invited him to join King Crimson in late 1972. |
Wetton's big break came when his fellow Dorset native [[Robert Fripp]] invited him to join King Crimson in late 1972. The incarnation of the band also included violinist [[David Cross (musician)|David Cross]], former [[Yes (band)|Yes]] drummer [[Bill Bruford]], and percussionist [[Jamie Muir]]. Being in the band solidified his ability as a lead singer and writer. Wetton's friend Richard Palmer-James also worked with the band as their primary lyricist. Wetton remained with the band until Fripp unexpectedly disbanded it in 1974.<ref name="AMGBIO">{{cite web |url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p4682|pure_url=yes}} |title=King Crimson Biography|access-date=19 August 2007 |website=Allmusic |author=Eder, Bruce}}</ref> King Crimson maintained their interest in improvisation throughout this period, but moved away from the classical, jazz and English folk leanings of their earlier work. The period of 1972–1974 featured a more aggressive fusion/[[avant-rock]] sound, led by Wetton's thunderous, melodic bass lines–whose "roaring and crunching" sound (enhanced with [[effects pedals]] and a rotating [[Leslie speaker]] cabinet, the latter of which was traditionally used with a [[Hammond organ]]) often verged on [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]].<ref>{{cite web|access-date=25 July 2019|url=https://www.treblezine.com/beginners-guide-king-crimson/|website=[[Treblezine.com]]|first=Langdon |last=Hickman|date=24 June 2019|title=A Beginner's Guide to the epic music of King Crimson |url-status=live|archive-date=24 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624153819/https://www.treblezine.com/beginners-guide-king-crimson/}}</ref><ref name=ls>{{cite magazine|first=Sid |last=Smith |author-link=Sid Smith (author)|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/an-extraordinary-life-john-wetton-1949-2017 |title=An extraordinary life: John Wetton, 1949-2017|publisher=[[LouderSound.com]]|magazine=[[Prog (magazine)|Prog]]|date=20 March 2017|access-date=24 July 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=25 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725042230/https://www.loudersound.com/features/an-extraordinary-life-john-wetton-1949-2017}}</ref> Fripp once compared playing onstage with Wetton and drummer Bill Bruford to working with "a flying brick wall".<ref name=ls/> |
||
After the dissolution of King Crimson, Wetton continued to work on various projects, including a tour with [[Roxy Music]]<ref>Stump, Paul – Unknown Pleasures: A Cultural biography of Roxy Music, Thunder's Mouth Press, New York, 1998, pps. 72, 154</ref> and two albums with [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]].<ref name="blows_6">{{cite web |url=http://www.uriah-heep.com/newa/heepstory6.php |title=''Uriah Heep Story p.6'' |author=Kirk Blows |publisher=www.uriah-heep.com |access-date= |
After the dissolution of King Crimson, Wetton continued to work on various projects, including a tour with [[Roxy Music]]<ref>Stump, Paul – Unknown Pleasures: A Cultural biography of Roxy Music, Thunder's Mouth Press, New York, 1998, pps. 72, 154</ref> and two albums with [[Uriah Heep (band)|Uriah Heep]].<ref name="blows_6">{{cite web |url=http://www.uriah-heep.com/newa/heepstory6.php |title=''Uriah Heep Story p.6'' |author=Kirk Blows |publisher=www.uriah-heep.com |access-date=15 March 2011}}</ref> While still with King Crimson, Wetton had been asked by Roxy Music to "sit in" on their auditions for a replacement bass player and give his recommendations; dissatisfied with all the applicants, he offered to do the 1975 tour with the group himself so as to give them time to find a good bassist.<ref name=BoffomuInt/> In 1977, after failed attempts to reunite King Crimson and to create a new band with [[Rick Wakeman]],<ref>"U.K. Humbled in the U.S.A.", ''Rolling Stone'', Sept. 21, 1978</ref> Wetton formed U.K. with his King Crimson rhythm section partner Bill Bruford. Wetton recruited Roxy Music keyboardist/violinist [[Eddie Jobson]];<ref name="MyOwn" /> Bruford brought in innovative guitarist [[Allan Holdsworth]] from his solo group. U.K. adopted a more composition-driven approach than King Crimson, per Wetton's preference.<ref name=BoffomuInt/> |
||
After the break-up of U.K., Wetton released his first solo album, ''[[Caught in the Crossfire (album)|Caught in the Crossfire]]'' (1980). Later |
After the break-up of U.K., Wetton released his first solo album, ''[[Caught in the Crossfire (album)|Caught in the Crossfire]]'' (1980). Later in the year he had a brief stint in [[Wishbone Ash]], appearing on their album ''[[Number the Brave]]'' (1981). In late 1981 he had a meeting with [[Geffen Records]]' president [[John Kalodner]] who took him to task for playing bass in [[Bryan Ferry]]'s [[backing band]], feeling he should be fronting a group himself. At Kalodner's insistence Wetton started writing with former Yes guitarist [[Steve Howe (guitarist)|Steve Howe]], with a view to forming their own band. Joined by keyboardist [[Geoff Downes]], and drummer [[Carl Palmer]] (of [[Emerson, Lake & Palmer]]), the band became Asia<ref name="MyOwn" /> and they produced one of the bestselling albums of the 1980s. Their self-titled debut album ''Asia'' sold over 10 million copies worldwide, making the band a household name across the globe. Wetton worked with Asia until 1983, when he was fired (at the insistence of Geffen Records) for then-unknown reasons, but at least in part due to lower-than-expected sales of the ''[[Alpha (Asia album)|Alpha]]'' (1983) album. He returned to Asia in 1985 (with [[Mandy Meyer]] replacing Steve Howe on guitar) completing ''[[Astra (album)|Astra]]'' (1985).<ref>"Asia: Continental Drift?", ''CREEM'' Magazine, April 1986</ref> |
||
In the late 1980s, a collaboration between Wetton and Roxy Music guitarist [[Phil Manzanera]] was released as ''Wetton/Manzanera'' (1986). Around |
In the late 1980s, a collaboration between Wetton and Roxy Music guitarist [[Phil Manzanera]] was released as ''[[Wetton/Manzanera]]'' (1986). Around that time, Wetton began working with Downes and Palmer to restart Asia. Some of the material they recorded was featured on 1990's ''[[Then & Now (Asia album)|Then & Now]]'' CD, including a radio hit in "Days Like These". |
||
In the 1990s Wetton focused on his solo career. In 1999, an aborted attempt to reform Asia resulted in Wetton and Carl Palmer forming a short-lived progressive group dubbed [[Qango (band)|Qango]] with [[John Young (British musician)|John Young]] and [[Dave Kilminster]]. Qango performed several shows in the UK, and recorded a live album, ''Live in the Hood'', before disbanding. |
|||
[[File:John Wetton and Geoff Downes 7070.jpg|thumb|John Wetton (left) and Geoff Downes performing in 2005]] |
[[File:John Wetton and Geoff Downes 7070.jpg|thumb|John Wetton (left) and Geoff Downes performing in 2005]] |
||
In the early 2000s, Wetton reunited with Geoff Downes for Icon. In 2006, a reunion of the original Asia line-up (Wetton, Downes, Howe, Palmer) finally occurred. A studio album titled ''[[Phoenix (Asia album)|Phoenix]]'' (2008), the original band's first since 1983's ''[[Alpha (Asia album)|Alpha]]'', was released in April 2008 and peaked at No. 73 on the [[Billboard 200]] albums chart in the United States.<ref>''Billboard'' magazine, April 2008</ref> The original line-up released two more studio albums, ''[[Omega (Asia album)|Omega]]'' (2010) and ''[[XXX (Asia album)|XXX]]'' (2012) before Howe departed in January 2013 to focus on Yes. With new guitarist [[Sam Coulson]], Asia released ''[[Gravitas (Asia album)|Gravitas]]'' in March of 2014. |
In the early 2000s, Wetton reunited with Geoff Downes for Icon. In 2006, a reunion of the original Asia line-up (Wetton, Downes, Howe, Palmer) finally occurred. A studio album titled ''[[Phoenix (Asia album)|Phoenix]]'' (2008), the original band's first since 1983's ''[[Alpha (Asia album)|Alpha]]'', was released in April 2008 and peaked at No. 73 on the [[Billboard 200]] albums chart in the United States.<ref>''Billboard'' magazine, April 2008</ref> The original line-up released two more studio albums, ''[[Omega (Asia album)|Omega]]'' (2010) and ''[[XXX (Asia album)|XXX]]'' (2012) before Howe departed in January 2013 to focus on Yes. With new guitarist [[Sam Coulson]], Asia released ''[[Gravitas (Asia album)|Gravitas]]'' in March of 2014. |
||
In 2013, |
In 2013, Wetton guested on the album ''[[Grandine il vento]]'' with Renaissance, with whom he had played live 42 years before. In the same year, he toured with ''[[American Idol (season 6)|American Idol]]'' finalist Leslie Hunt's [[District 97]] which was based in [[Chicago]], to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the King Crimson album ''[[Larks' Tongues In Aspic]]''. |
||
Wetton |
Wetton worked extensively as a [[session musician]] with musicians including [[Brian Eno]], [[Bryan Ferry]], and [[Ayreon]]. |
||
==Death== |
==Death== |
||
Wetton died in his sleep from complications of [[colorectal cancer]] at the Macmillan Unit at [[Christchurch Hospital, Dorset|Christchurch Hospital]] in [[Christchurch, Dorset]], on 31 January 2017. He was survived by his wife Lisa, son Dylan, brother Robert and mother Margaret (Peggy).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/asia-forntman-ex-king-crimson-bassist-john-wetton-dies-1964154 |title=Asia frontman, ex-King Crimson bassist John Wetton dies – NME |date=2017-01-31 |newspaper=NME |language=en-US |access-date=2017-01-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://teamrock.com/news/2017-01-31/john-wetton-dies-aged-67 |title=John Wetton dies aged 67 |date=2017-01-31 |newspaper=Prog |language=en-GB |access-date=2017-01-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/john-wetton-frontman-asia-key-prog-rock-figure-dies-aged-67-1604062 |title=John Wetton, frontman for Asia and key prog rock figure, dies aged 67 |first=Josh |last=Robbins |date=31 January 2017 }}</ref> |
Wetton died in his sleep from complications of [[colorectal cancer]] at the Macmillan Unit at [[Christchurch Hospital, Dorset|Christchurch Hospital]] in [[Christchurch, Dorset]], on 31 January 2017, at the age of 67.<ref name="BoffomuInt"/> He was survived by his wife Lisa, son Dylan, brother Robert, and mother Margaret (Peggy).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/asia-forntman-ex-king-crimson-bassist-john-wetton-dies-1964154 |title=Asia frontman, ex-King Crimson bassist John Wetton dies – NME |date=2017-01-31 |newspaper=NME |language=en-US |access-date=2017-01-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://teamrock.com/news/2017-01-31/john-wetton-dies-aged-67 |title=John Wetton dies aged 67 |date=2017-01-31 |newspaper=Prog |language=en-GB |access-date=2017-01-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/john-wetton-frontman-asia-key-prog-rock-figure-dies-aged-67-1604062 |title=John Wetton, frontman for Asia and key prog rock figure, dies aged 67 |first=Josh |last=Robbins |date=31 January 2017 }}</ref> |
||
Geoff Downes |
Geoff Downes: {{quote|It is with great sadness and a heavy heart, that I have to report we have lost my dearest friend, brother, bandmate and long term musical collaborator [...] He will be remembered as one of the world’s finest musical talents, and I for one of many was wholly blessed by his influence [...] Life will not be the same without him. And words are not really enough to describe the loss I feel right now.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Geoffrey.Downes.Official/posts/1840872812794814 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/1402124763336290/1840872812794814 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Geoffrey Downes Official|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=4 June 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>}} |
||
[[Billy Sherwood]], who was Wetton's producer, co-songwriter and co-performer on his 2011 solo album ''[[Raised in Captivity]]'', replaced him in Asia. On June |
[[Billy Sherwood]], who was Wetton's producer, co-songwriter, and co-performer on his 2011 solo album ''[[Raised in Captivity]]'', replaced him in Asia. On 17 June 2017, Asia performed a special concert in Wetton's memory, titled ''An Extraordinary Life'' (full title: ''An Extraordinary Life - An Interactive Celebration of the Life & Music of John Wetton''), in reference to the eponymous song from the Asia album ''[[Phoenix (Asia album)|Phoenix]]''; fan-submitted performances were shown on a large video screen above the stage. Some King Crimson songs were also performed at the event.<ref name="An Extraordinary Life">{{cite web|url=https://originalasia.com/an-extraordinary-life-celebration/|title="An Extraordinary Life" Celebration|date=8 March 2017|access-date=4 June 2019}}</ref> |
||
Asteroid [[72802 Wetton]], discovered by [[Marc Buie]] at [[Kitt Peak National Observatory]] in 2001, was named in his memory.<ref name="MPC-object" /> The official {{MoMP|72802|naming citation}} was published by the [[Minor Planet Center]] on 18 May 2019 ({{small|[[Minor Planet Circulars|M.P.C.]] 114955}}).<ref name="MPC-Circulars-Archive" /> |
Asteroid [[72802 Wetton]], discovered by [[Marc Buie]] at [[Kitt Peak National Observatory]] in Arizona in 2001, was named in his memory.<ref name="MPC-object" /> The official {{MoMP|72802|naming citation}} was published by the [[Minor Planet Center]] on 18 May 2019 ({{small|[[Minor Planet Circulars|M.P.C.]] 114955}}).<ref name="MPC-Circulars-Archive" /> |
||
==Influence== |
==Influence== |
||
Artists who have cited Wetton as an influence |
Artists who have cited Wetton as an influence or have expressed their admiration for him include [[Billy Sheehan]],<ref>{{cite web |access-date=7 March 2017 |url=http://teamrock.com/feature/2015-11-21/billy-sheehan-10-live-albums-that-changed-my-life |title=Billy Sheehan: 10 Live Albums That Changed My Life |date=21 November 2015 |first=Joe |last=Bosso |quote=[...] John Wetton is the singer here, and man, what a voice he has. And his bass tone! I love [[John Entwistle]]’s tone – I got a lot from him, and from [[Jack Bruce]], too – but John Wetton is what I was going for. I remember playing a couple of gigs with Marshalls, and I thought, ‘Yeah, this is John Wetton’s tone.’ |website=TeamRock.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406133558/http://teamrock.com/feature/2015-11-21/billy-sheehan-10-live-albums-that-changed-my-life |archive-date=6 April 2016}}</ref> [[Juan Alderete]] of [[The Mars Volta]] and [[Racer X (band)|Racer X]],<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Bill |last=Murphy |title=JUAN ALDERETE {{!}} Slouching Towards Bedlam |quote=[...] On the funk-flavored screamer "Ilyena," he dials in a distortion-kissed tone that lies somewhere between [[the Jesus Lizard]]'s [[David Wm. Sims|David Sims]] and Brit Legend John Wetton (he acknowledges both as influences) [...] |magazine=[[Bass Player (magazine)|Bass Player]] |date=2008}}</ref> [[Michael Sweet]] of [[Stryper]],<ref>{{cite web |access-date=15 July 2017 |url=https://www.facebook.com/TheMichaelSweet/posts/863014023851064 |title=Michael Sweet's Facebook |website=[[Facebook]] |date=19 May 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170715120450/https://www.facebook.com/TheMichaelSweet/posts/863014023851064 |archive-date=15 July 2017 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Ron Anderson (musician)|Ron Anderson]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maYku2xtAMk|title=Remembering John Wetton King Crimson's Greatest Bass Player.|last=Anderson|first=Ron|date=31 January 2017|website=YouTube|location=Brooklyn, New York|format=video|access-date=14 November 2017}} <!-- Proof of its reliability: http://www.ronanderson-molecules.com/blog/mylungpuppy/ --> </ref> and Joseph D. Rowland of [[Pallbearer (band)|Pallbearer]].<ref>{{cite web |access-date=7 March 2017 |title=Interview: Joseph D. Rowland (Pallbearer) |url=http://www.invisibleoranges.com/interview-joseph-d-rowland-pallbearer/ |date=14 August 2014 |first=Dan |last=Lawrence |website=[[Invisible Oranges]] |quote=[...] John Wetton from King Crimson and Asia is another person that I really look up to as a player. [...] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308045140/http://www.invisibleoranges.com/interview-joseph-d-rowland-pallbearer |archive-date=8 March 2017}}</ref> After Wetton's death, [[Eric Clapton]] published a short instrumental tribute entitled, "For John W."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/eric-clapton-john-wetton-song/|title=Eric Clapton Releases Song for John Wetton|last=Lifton|first=Dave|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=3 February 2017 |language=en|access-date=2019-02-06}}</ref> |
||
==Band timeline== |
==Band timeline== |
||
{{div col}} |
|||
* [[Mogul Thrash]] (1971) |
* [[Mogul Thrash]] (1971) |
||
* [[Gordon Haskell]] (1971) |
* [[Gordon Haskell]] (1971) |
||
Line 70: | Line 69: | ||
* [[I Wish You Would (album)|Jack-Knife]] (1979) |
* [[I Wish You Would (album)|Jack-Knife]] (1979) |
||
* [[Wishbone Ash]] (1980) |
* [[Wishbone Ash]] (1980) |
||
* |
* Solo (1980–2017, ''his death'') |
||
* [[Asia (band)|Asia]] (1981–1983, 1984–1986, 1989–1991, 2006–2017) |
* [[Asia (band)|Asia]] (1981–1983, 1984–1986, 1989–1991, 2006–2017, ''his death'') |
||
* [[Qango (band)|Qango]] (1999–2000) |
* [[Qango (band)|Qango]] (1999–2000) |
||
* [[Icon (Wetton and Downes album)|Icon]] ([[Wetton Downes|Wetton/Downes]]) (2002, 2005–2009) |
* [[Icon (Wetton and Downes album)|Icon]] ([[Wetton Downes|Wetton/Downes]]) (2002, 2005–2009) |
||
{{div col end}} |
|||
{{#tag:timeline| |
{{#tag:timeline| |
||
ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20 |
ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20 |
||
Line 201: | Line 201: | ||
|- |
|- |
||
|1994 |
|1994 |
||
|'' |
|''Voice Mail'' / ''Battle Lines'' |
||
|Pony Canyon / Magnetic Air Records |
|Pony Canyon / Magnetic Air Records |
||
|- |
|- |
||
Line 316: | Line 316: | ||
| rowspan="2" |[[Family (band)|Family]] |
| rowspan="2" |[[Family (band)|Family]] |
||
|''[[Fearless (Family album)|Fearless]]'' |
|''[[Fearless (Family album)|Fearless]]'' |
||
| |
| UK No. 14, US No. 177 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|1972 |
|1972 |
||
|''[[Bandstand (album)|Bandstand]]'' |
|''[[Bandstand (album)|Bandstand]]'' |
||
| |
|UK No. 15, US No. 183 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|1973 |
|1973 |
||
| rowspan="9" |[[King Crimson]] |
| rowspan="9" |[[King Crimson]] |
||
|''[[Larks' Tongues in Aspic]]'' |
|''[[Larks' Tongues in Aspic]]'' |
||
| |
|UK No. 20, US No. 61 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|2012 |
|2012 |
||
Line 341: | Line 341: | ||
|1974 |
|1974 |
||
|''[[Starless and Bible Black]]'' |
|''[[Starless and Bible Black]]'' |
||
| |
|UK No. 28, US No. 64 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|2014 |
|2014 |
||
Line 353: | Line 353: | ||
|1974 |
|1974 |
||
|''[[Red (King Crimson album)|Red]]'' |
|''[[Red (King Crimson album)|Red]]'' |
||
| |
|UK No. 45, US No. 66 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|1975 |
|1975 |
||
Line 371: | Line 371: | ||
|[[Roxy Music]] |
|[[Roxy Music]] |
||
|''[[Viva! (Roxy Music album)|Viva!]]'' |
|''[[Viva! (Roxy Music album)|Viva!]]'' |
||
|UK No. 6, US No. 81 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|1978 |
|1978 |
||
| rowspan="4" |[[U.K. (band)|U.K.]] |
| rowspan="4" |[[U.K. (band)|U.K.]] |
||
|[[U.K. (album)|''U.K.'']] |
|[[U.K. (album)|''U.K.'']] |
||
|UK No. 43 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|1999 |
|1999 |
||
Line 384: | Line 384: | ||
|1979 |
|1979 |
||
|''[[Danger Money]]'' |
|''[[Danger Money]]'' |
||
|US No. 45 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|1979 |
|1979 |
||
|''[[Night After Night (U.K. album)|Night After Night]]'' |
|''[[Night After Night (U.K. album)|Night After Night]]'' |
||
|US No. 109 |
|||
|Live |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|1979 |
|1979 |
||
Line 398: | Line 398: | ||
|[[Wishbone Ash]] |
|[[Wishbone Ash]] |
||
|''[[Number the Brave]]'' |
|''[[Number the Brave]]'' |
||
|UK No. 61 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|1982 |
|1982 |
||
| rowspan="6" |[[Asia (band)|Asia]] |
| rowspan="6" |[[Asia (band)|Asia]] |
||
|''[[Asia (Asia album)|Asia]]'' |
|''[[Asia (Asia album)|Asia]]'' |
||
| |
|UK No. 11, US No. 1 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|1983 |
|1983 |
||
|''[[Alpha (Asia album)|Alpha]]'' |
|''[[Alpha (Asia album)|Alpha]]'' |
||
| |
|UK No. 5, US No. 6 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|1985 |
|1985 |
||
|''[[Astra (album)|Astra]]'' |
|''[[Astra (album)|Astra]]'' |
||
| |
|UK No. 68, US No. 67 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|1987 |
|1987 |
||
Line 419: | Line 419: | ||
|1990 |
|1990 |
||
|''[[Then & Now (Asia album)|Then & Now]]'' |
|''[[Then & Now (Asia album)|Then & Now]]'' |
||
|US No. 114 |
|||
|US No. 114, JP No. 24, Half-studio album, half-compilations |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|1991 |
|1991 |
||
Line 462: | Line 462: | ||
|2008 |
|2008 |
||
|''[[Phoenix (Asia album)|Phoenix]]'' |
|''[[Phoenix (Asia album)|Phoenix]]'' |
||
|US No. 73 |
|US No. 73 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|2009 |
|2009 |
||
Line 520: | Line 520: | ||
|Asia |
|Asia |
||
|''[[Gravitas (Asia album)|Gravitas]]'' |
|''[[Gravitas (Asia album)|Gravitas]]'' |
||
|US No. 159 |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|2016 |
|2016 |
||
Line 551: | Line 551: | ||
* ''[[In Your Mind (album)|In Your Mind]]'' (February 1977); UK No. 5, US No. 126, Aust No. 1 |
* ''[[In Your Mind (album)|In Your Mind]]'' (February 1977); UK No. 5, US No. 126, Aust No. 1 |
||
* ''[[The Bride Stripped Bare (album)|The Bride Stripped Bare]]'' (September 1978) |
* ''[[The Bride Stripped Bare (album)|The Bride Stripped Bare]]'' (September 1978) |
||
* ''Live At The Royal Albert Hall 1974'' (2020) |
|||
; With [[Phil Manzanera]] |
; With [[Phil Manzanera]] |
||
* ''[[Diamond Head (Phil Manzanera album)|Diamond Head]]'' (1975) |
* ''[[Diamond Head (Phil Manzanera album)|Diamond Head]]'' (1975) |
||
Line 575: | Line 576: | ||
* ''Classical Music And Popular Songs'' (2000): lead vocals on track 2. |
* ''Classical Music And Popular Songs'' (2000): lead vocals on track 2. |
||
* ''The Old Road'' (2008): lead vocals on tracks 4 and 8, bass guitar on tracks 4 and 6. |
* ''The Old Road'' (2008): lead vocals on tracks 4 and 8, bass guitar on tracks 4 and 6. |
||
; With [[Galahad]] |
|||
* ''Year Zero'' (2002): Joint lead vocals on "Belt Up" and "Take a Deep Breath and Hold on Tight". |
|||
; With Daniele Liverani |
; With Daniele Liverani |
||
* ''Genius A Rock Opera – Episode 1'' (2002) |
* ''Genius A Rock Opera – Episode 1'' (2002) |
||
Line 592: | Line 595: | ||
; With [[Renaissance (band)|Renaissance]] |
; With [[Renaissance (band)|Renaissance]] |
||
* ''[[Grandine il vento]]'' (2013) |
* ''[[Grandine il vento]]'' (2013) |
||
===Writing=== |
|||
; With [[David Cassidy]] |
|||
* ''[[David Cassidy (album)|David Cassidy]]'' (1990) |
|||
== References == |
== References == |
||
Line 618: | Line 625: | ||
{{John Wetton}} |
{{John Wetton}} |
||
{{Asiaband}} |
{{Asiaband}} |
||
{{Wishbone Ash}} |
|||
{{U.K.}} |
{{U.K.}} |
||
⚫ | |||
{{King Crimson}} |
|||
{{Uriah Heep}} |
{{Uriah Heep}} |
||
{{ |
{{Roxy Music}} |
||
{{ |
{{King Crimson}} |
||
⚫ | |||
{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
||
Line 631: | Line 638: | ||
[[Category:2017 deaths]] |
[[Category:2017 deaths]] |
||
[[Category:English rock bass guitarists]] |
[[Category:English rock bass guitarists]] |
||
[[Category: |
[[Category:British male bass guitarists]] |
||
[[Category:English baritones]] |
[[Category:English baritones]] |
||
[[Category:English operatic baritones]] |
[[Category:English operatic baritones]] |
||
Line 642: | Line 649: | ||
[[Category:Musicians from Bournemouth]] |
[[Category:Musicians from Bournemouth]] |
||
[[Category:People from Willington, Derbyshire]] |
[[Category:People from Willington, Derbyshire]] |
||
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in England]] |
|||
[[Category:Metal Mind Productions artists]] |
[[Category:Metal Mind Productions artists]] |
||
[[Category:Deaths from colorectal cancer]] |
[[Category:Deaths from colorectal cancer in England]] |
||
[[Category:Progressive rock musicians]] |
[[Category:Progressive rock musicians]] |
||
[[Category:Progressive rock bass guitarists]] |
[[Category:Progressive rock bass guitarists]] |
Revision as of 04:27, 18 June 2024
This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2017) |
John Wetton | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | John Kenneth Wetton |
Born | Willington, Derbyshire, England | 12 June 1949
Origin | Bournemouth, Dorset, England |
Died | 31 January 2017 Bournemouth, Dorset, England | (aged 67)
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
|
Instrument(s) |
|
Years active | 1965–2017 |
Labels | |
Formerly of | |
Website | Official website |
John Kenneth Wetton (12 June 1949 – 31 January 2017) was an English musician, singer, and songwriter.[1] Although he was left handed, he was known as a dexterous right handed bass player and had a booming baritone voice.[2] He joined the band Family in 1971 for a short time before joining King Crimson in 1972.[3] After the breakup of King Crimson at the end of 1974, Wetton was in progressive rock and hard rock bands including Roxy Music (1974–1975), Uriah Heep (1975–1976), U.K. (1977–1980), and Wishbone Ash (1980–1981).[1]
In 1981 he co-founded Asia as lead vocalist and principal songwriter, which was considered to be a super group.[1] Their debut album "Asia" which was released in 1982 sold 10 million copies worldwide and was Billboard magazine's number one album of 1982.[4] He later formed the duo "Icon" with his Asia bandmate and songwriting partner Geoff Downes and had a successful solo career.
Career
Wetton was born in Willington, Derbyshire and grew up in Bournemouth, Dorset, where he attended Bournemouth School. His elder brother Robert was a classical organist and choirmaster.[5] While practising organ Robert would have John play the bass parts on a piano, since their home organ did not have a pedalboard. John recalled that during the practices, "I got to like bass lines, because Bach bass lines are incredibly interesting. So I thought, this is good, I like bass lines, that's me."[2] Though an enthusiast of classical music since childhood, he opted to go into rock and roll instead in order to avoid being compared with his brother.[2] He played bass and sang in a number of early bands with Richard Palmer-James, including The Corvettes, The Palmer-James Group, Tetrad, and Ginger Man.[6] A key early band he was in was the jazzy Mogul Thrash; after live work with Renaissance, he joined Family and also was in various recording sessions.[1]
Wetton's big break came when his fellow Dorset native Robert Fripp invited him to join King Crimson in late 1972. The incarnation of the band also included violinist David Cross, former Yes drummer Bill Bruford, and percussionist Jamie Muir. Being in the band solidified his ability as a lead singer and writer. Wetton's friend Richard Palmer-James also worked with the band as their primary lyricist. Wetton remained with the band until Fripp unexpectedly disbanded it in 1974.[7] King Crimson maintained their interest in improvisation throughout this period, but moved away from the classical, jazz and English folk leanings of their earlier work. The period of 1972–1974 featured a more aggressive fusion/avant-rock sound, led by Wetton's thunderous, melodic bass lines–whose "roaring and crunching" sound (enhanced with effects pedals and a rotating Leslie speaker cabinet, the latter of which was traditionally used with a Hammond organ) often verged on heavy metal.[8][9] Fripp once compared playing onstage with Wetton and drummer Bill Bruford to working with "a flying brick wall".[9]
After the dissolution of King Crimson, Wetton continued to work on various projects, including a tour with Roxy Music[10] and two albums with Uriah Heep.[11] While still with King Crimson, Wetton had been asked by Roxy Music to "sit in" on their auditions for a replacement bass player and give his recommendations; dissatisfied with all the applicants, he offered to do the 1975 tour with the group himself so as to give them time to find a good bassist.[2] In 1977, after failed attempts to reunite King Crimson and to create a new band with Rick Wakeman,[12] Wetton formed U.K. with his King Crimson rhythm section partner Bill Bruford. Wetton recruited Roxy Music keyboardist/violinist Eddie Jobson;[1] Bruford brought in innovative guitarist Allan Holdsworth from his solo group. U.K. adopted a more composition-driven approach than King Crimson, per Wetton's preference.[2]
After the break-up of U.K., Wetton released his first solo album, Caught in the Crossfire (1980). Later in the year he had a brief stint in Wishbone Ash, appearing on their album Number the Brave (1981). In late 1981 he had a meeting with Geffen Records' president John Kalodner who took him to task for playing bass in Bryan Ferry's backing band, feeling he should be fronting a group himself. At Kalodner's insistence Wetton started writing with former Yes guitarist Steve Howe, with a view to forming their own band. Joined by keyboardist Geoff Downes, and drummer Carl Palmer (of Emerson, Lake & Palmer), the band became Asia[1] and they produced one of the bestselling albums of the 1980s. Their self-titled debut album Asia sold over 10 million copies worldwide, making the band a household name across the globe. Wetton worked with Asia until 1983, when he was fired (at the insistence of Geffen Records) for then-unknown reasons, but at least in part due to lower-than-expected sales of the Alpha (1983) album. He returned to Asia in 1985 (with Mandy Meyer replacing Steve Howe on guitar) completing Astra (1985).[13]
In the late 1980s, a collaboration between Wetton and Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera was released as Wetton/Manzanera (1986). Around that time, Wetton began working with Downes and Palmer to restart Asia. Some of the material they recorded was featured on 1990's Then & Now CD, including a radio hit in "Days Like These".
In the 1990s Wetton focused on his solo career. In 1999, an aborted attempt to reform Asia resulted in Wetton and Carl Palmer forming a short-lived progressive group dubbed Qango with John Young and Dave Kilminster. Qango performed several shows in the UK, and recorded a live album, Live in the Hood, before disbanding.
In the early 2000s, Wetton reunited with Geoff Downes for Icon. In 2006, a reunion of the original Asia line-up (Wetton, Downes, Howe, Palmer) finally occurred. A studio album titled Phoenix (2008), the original band's first since 1983's Alpha, was released in April 2008 and peaked at No. 73 on the Billboard 200 albums chart in the United States.[14] The original line-up released two more studio albums, Omega (2010) and XXX (2012) before Howe departed in January 2013 to focus on Yes. With new guitarist Sam Coulson, Asia released Gravitas in March of 2014.
In 2013, Wetton guested on the album Grandine il vento with Renaissance, with whom he had played live 42 years before. In the same year, he toured with American Idol finalist Leslie Hunt's District 97 which was based in Chicago, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the King Crimson album Larks' Tongues In Aspic.
Wetton worked extensively as a session musician with musicians including Brian Eno, Bryan Ferry, and Ayreon.
Death
Wetton died in his sleep from complications of colorectal cancer at the Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital in Christchurch, Dorset, on 31 January 2017, at the age of 67.[2] He was survived by his wife Lisa, son Dylan, brother Robert, and mother Margaret (Peggy).[15][16][17]
Geoff Downes:
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart, that I have to report we have lost my dearest friend, brother, bandmate and long term musical collaborator [...] He will be remembered as one of the world’s finest musical talents, and I for one of many was wholly blessed by his influence [...] Life will not be the same without him. And words are not really enough to describe the loss I feel right now.[18]
Billy Sherwood, who was Wetton's producer, co-songwriter, and co-performer on his 2011 solo album Raised in Captivity, replaced him in Asia. On 17 June 2017, Asia performed a special concert in Wetton's memory, titled An Extraordinary Life (full title: An Extraordinary Life - An Interactive Celebration of the Life & Music of John Wetton), in reference to the eponymous song from the Asia album Phoenix; fan-submitted performances were shown on a large video screen above the stage. Some King Crimson songs were also performed at the event.[19]
Asteroid 72802 Wetton, discovered by Marc Buie at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona in 2001, was named in his memory.[20] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 18 May 2019 (M.P.C. 114955).[21]
Influence
Artists who have cited Wetton as an influence or have expressed their admiration for him include Billy Sheehan,[22] Juan Alderete of The Mars Volta and Racer X,[23] Michael Sweet of Stryper,[24] Ron Anderson,[25] and Joseph D. Rowland of Pallbearer.[26] After Wetton's death, Eric Clapton published a short instrumental tribute entitled, "For John W."[27]
Band timeline
- Mogul Thrash (1971)
- Gordon Haskell (1971)
- Family (1971–1972)
- Larry Norman (1972)
- King Crimson (1972–1974)
- Roxy Music (1974–1975)
- Uriah Heep (1975–1976)
- U.K. (1977–1980, 2011–2015)
- Jack-Knife (1979)
- Wishbone Ash (1980)
- Solo (1980–2017, his death)
- Asia (1981–1983, 1984–1986, 1989–1991, 2006–2017, his death)
- Qango (1999–2000)
- Icon (Wetton/Downes) (2002, 2005–2009)
Discography
Solo
Studio albums
Years | Titles | Labels |
---|---|---|
1980 | Caught in the Crossfire | E'G/Polydor Records |
1987 | Wetton/Manzanera (with Phil Manzanera) | Geffen Records |
1994 | Voice Mail / Battle Lines | Pony Canyon / Magnetic Air Records |
1997 | Arkangel | Eagle Records |
1998 | Monkey Business 1972 - 1997 (with Richard Palmer-James) | Blueprint |
Chasing the Deer (Soundtrack EP) | ||
2000 | Welcome to Heaven / Sinister | Avalon Records |
2003 | Rock of Faith | Giant Electric Pea |
2011 | Raised in Captivity | Frontiers Records |
Live albums
Years | Titles | Labels |
---|---|---|
1995 | Chasing the Dragon (Live in Japan) | Eclipse Records |
1996 | Akustika: Live in America | Blueprint |
1998 | Live in Tokyo 1997 | |
Hazy Monet (Live in New York City USA, May 27, 1997) | ||
1999 | No Mans Land (Live in Poland) | Giant Electric Pea |
Sub Rosa (Live in Milan July 5, 1998) | Blueprint | |
2000 | Live at the Sun Plaza Tokyo 1999 | |
2002 | One Way or Another (with Ken Hensley) | Classic Rock Legends |
More Than Conquerors (with Ken Hensley) (CD/DVD) | ||
2003 | Live in Argentina 1996 | Trade Mark of Official Quality |
Live in Stockholm 1998 | Blueprint | |
Live in Osaka 1997 | Trade Mark of Official Quality | |
Live in the Underworld (CD & DVD) | Classic Rock Legends | |
2004 | Amata | Metal Mind Records |
Agenda | ||
2009 | Amorata (DVD) | |
2014 | One More Red Night – Live in Chicago (with District 97) | Primary Purpose |
2015 | Live via Satellite | |
New York Minute (with Les Paul Trio) |
- Compilations
- King's Road, 1972–1980 (1987) E'G/Virgin Records
- Anthology (2001) NMC
- ...Caught in the Crossfire... (2002) Digimode Entertainment UK. Not to be confused with Wetton's 1980 first solo album. 17 tracks from various Wetton projects including Wetton/Manzanera (1987) and Battle Lines (1994).
- The Studio Recordings Anthology (2015)
As band member
Years | Bands | Titles | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1971 | Mogul Thrash | Mogul Thrash | |
1971 | Family | Fearless | UK No. 14, US No. 177 |
1972 | Bandstand | UK No. 15, US No. 183 | |
1973 | King Crimson | Larks' Tongues in Aspic | UK No. 20, US No. 61 |
2012 | Larks' Tongues in Aspic – 40th Anniversary edition – box set | ||
1992 | The Great Deceiver | Live, Recorded 1973–1974 | |
1997 | The Night Watch | Live, Recorded 23 November 1973 | |
1974 | Starless and Bible Black | UK No. 28, US No. 64 | |
2014 | Starless – 40th Anniversary edition – box set | ||
2013 | The Road to Red – 40th Anniversary edition – box set | ||
1974 | Red | UK No. 45, US No. 66 | |
1975 | USA | Live, Recorded June 1974 | |
1975 | Uriah Heep | Return to Fantasy | UK No. 7, US No. 85 |
1976 | High and Mighty | UK No. 56, US No. 161 | |
1976 | Roxy Music | Viva! | UK No. 6, US No. 81 |
1978 | U.K. | U.K. | UK No. 43 |
1999 | Concert Classics, Vol. 4 | Live, recorded 1978 | |
1979 | Danger Money | US No. 45 | |
1979 | Night After Night | US No. 109 | |
1979 | Jack-Knife | I Wish You Would | |
1981 | Wishbone Ash | Number the Brave | UK No. 61 |
1982 | Asia | Asia | UK No. 11, US No. 1 |
1983 | Alpha | UK No. 5, US No. 6 | |
1985 | Astra | UK No. 68, US No. 67 | |
1987 | Over the Top - 'Gypsy Soul' | Soundtrack | |
1990 | Then & Now | US No. 114 | |
1991 | Live in Moscow 1990 | Live | |
2000 | Qango | Live in the Hood | Live |
2002 | Icon (Wetton/Downes) | Wetton Downes (Demo Collection)/Icon Zero (2017 Reissue) | Stallion Records/Epicon Records (2017 Reissue) |
2005 | Icon | Frontiers Records/UMe Digital (US) | |
2005 | Heat of the Moment '05 EP | Frontiers Records | |
2006 | Icon II: Rubicon | Frontiers Records | |
2006 | Icon Live: Never in a Million Years | Frontiers Records | |
2006 | Icon: Acoustic TV Broadcast | Frontiers Records (also released as DVD) | |
2007 | Asia | Fantasia: Live in Tokyo | Live |
2008 | Phoenix | US No. 73 | |
2009 | Icon (Wetton/Downes) | Icon 3 | Frontiers Records |
2009 | Icon: Urban Psalm | Live CD&DVD, Asia Icon Ltd. | |
2012 | Icon: Heat of the Rising Sun | Live, The Store for Music | |
2010 | Asia | Spirit of the Night – Live in Cambridge 09 | Live |
2010 | Omega | ||
2012 | Resonance – The Omega Tour 2010 | Live, Recorded 2010 | |
2014 | High Voltage – Live | Live, Recorded 2010 | |
2013 | U.K. | Reunion – Live in Tokyo | Live CD&DVD, Recorded 2011 |
2012 | Asia | XXX | US No. 134 |
2015 | Axis XXX Live San Francisco | Live, Recorded 2012 | |
2017 | Symfonia: Live in Bulgaria 2013 | Live, Recorded 2013 | |
2015 | U.K. | Curtain Call | Live CD&DVD, Recorded 2013 |
2014 | Asia | Gravitas | US No. 159 |
2016 | Icon (Wetton/Downes) | Action Moves People United - 'The Wake Bhind' | Various artists |
2016 | U.K. | UK: Ultimate Collector's Edition' |
Session Work
- With Gordon Haskell
- It Is and It Isn't (1971) Wetton plays organ, bass, keyboards, vocals, gut string guitar & vocal harmony.
- With Larry Norman
- Only Visiting This Planet (1972)
- With Malcolm and Alwyn
- Fool's Wisdom (1973)
- With Peter Banks
- Two Sides of Peter Banks (1973): plays bass on track 5 ("Knights") with album covers crediting John Whetton
- With Brian Eno
- Here Come the Warm Jets (September 1973): Wetton plays bass on track 3 ("Baby's on Fire") and track 5 ("Driving Me Backwards")
- With Pete Sinfield
- Still (1973) Also with Greg Lake, Gordon Haskell, Mel Collins, etc.
- With Bryan Ferry
- Another Time, Another Place (July 1974); UK No. 4
- Let's Stick Together (September 1976); UK No. 19, US No. 160
- In Your Mind (February 1977); UK No. 5, US No. 126, Aust No. 1
- The Bride Stripped Bare (September 1978)
- Live At The Royal Albert Hall 1974 (2020)
- With Phil Manzanera
- Diamond Head (1975)
- K-Scope (1978)
- Round in Circles/ Talk to Me (Singles) (Limited Edition vinyl) (2020)
- With Duncan Mackay
- Score (1977)
- With Atoll
- Rock Puzzle (1979)
- With Roger Chapman
- Mail Order Magic (1980)
- Hyenas Only Laugh for Fun (1981)
- With Phenomena
- Did It All For Love (Single) (1987)
- With David Cross
- Exiles (1997)
- With Steve Hackett
- Genesis Revisited (1997): Wetton sings on tracks 1 and 5 and also plays bass on track 5.
- The Tokyo Tapes (1998)
- Genesis Revisited II (2012): Wetton sings and plays guitar and bass on track "Afterglow".
- Genesis Revisited: Live at Hammersmith (2013): Wetton sings on track "Afterglow".
- Genesis Revisited: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2014): Wetton sings on track "Firth of Fifth".
- With Martin Orford
- Classical Music And Popular Songs (2000): lead vocals on track 2.
- The Old Road (2008): lead vocals on tracks 4 and 8, bass guitar on tracks 4 and 6.
- With Galahad
- Year Zero (2002): Joint lead vocals on "Belt Up" and "Take a Deep Breath and Hold on Tight".
- With Daniele Liverani
- Genius A Rock Opera – Episode 1 (2002)
- With Billy Sherwood
- Back Against the Wall (2005): lead vocals on "Mother" and "Hey You".
- Return to the Dark Side of the Moon (2006): lead vocals on "Us and Them".
- Argus Through The Looking Glass (2008) Mystic Records
- With Alan Simon
- Excalibur II: The Celtic Ring
- Excalibur III
- With Eddie Jobson
- Ultimate Zero – The Best of the U-Z Project Live (2010)
- Four Decades (2015)
- With Ayreon
- The Theory of Everything (2013) InsideOut Music - Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson and Steve Hackett also play on this album.
- With Renaissance
- Grandine il vento (2013)
Writing
- With David Cassidy
- David Cassidy (1990)
References
- ^ a b c d e f Dancha, Kim (1997). My Own Time: The Authorized Biography of John Wetton. Northern Line Publishers. ISBN 9780965484718.
- ^ a b c d e f Curtiss, Ron; Weiner, Aaron (3 June 2016). "John Wetton (King Crimson, U.K., Asia): The Complete Boffomundo Interview". YouTube. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ Slotnik, Daniel E. (February 2017). "John Wetton, Rocker with King Crimson and Asia, Dies at 67". The New York Times.
- ^ "The Billboard 200 – Year-end albums – 1982". Billboard. Archived from the original on 5 February 2009.
- ^ "John Wetton's Family: 5 Facts You Need to Know". 31 January 2017.
- ^ "Biography". Johnwetton.co.uk. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
- ^ Eder, Bruce. "King Crimson Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 19 August 2007.
- ^ Hickman, Langdon (24 June 2019). "A Beginner's Guide to the epic music of King Crimson". Treblezine.com. Archived from the original on 24 June 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
- ^ a b Smith, Sid (20 March 2017). "An extraordinary life: John Wetton, 1949-2017". Prog. LouderSound.com. Archived from the original on 25 July 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
- ^ Stump, Paul – Unknown Pleasures: A Cultural biography of Roxy Music, Thunder's Mouth Press, New York, 1998, pps. 72, 154
- ^ Kirk Blows. "Uriah Heep Story p.6". www.uriah-heep.com. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
- ^ "U.K. Humbled in the U.S.A.", Rolling Stone, Sept. 21, 1978
- ^ "Asia: Continental Drift?", CREEM Magazine, April 1986
- ^ Billboard magazine, April 2008
- ^ "Asia frontman, ex-King Crimson bassist John Wetton dies – NME". NME. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ "John Wetton dies aged 67". Prog. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ Robbins, Josh (31 January 2017). "John Wetton, frontman for Asia and key prog rock figure, dies aged 67".
- ^ "Geoffrey Downes Official". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
- ^ ""An Extraordinary Life" Celebration". 8 March 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
- ^ "72802 Wetton (2001 FT192)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
- ^ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
- ^ Bosso, Joe (21 November 2015). "Billy Sheehan: 10 Live Albums That Changed My Life". TeamRock.com. Archived from the original on 6 April 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
[...] John Wetton is the singer here, and man, what a voice he has. And his bass tone! I love John Entwistle's tone – I got a lot from him, and from Jack Bruce, too – but John Wetton is what I was going for. I remember playing a couple of gigs with Marshalls, and I thought, 'Yeah, this is John Wetton's tone.'
- ^ Murphy, Bill (2008). "JUAN ALDERETE | Slouching Towards Bedlam". Bass Player.
[...] On the funk-flavored screamer "Ilyena," he dials in a distortion-kissed tone that lies somewhere between the Jesus Lizard's David Sims and Brit Legend John Wetton (he acknowledges both as influences) [...]
- ^ "Michael Sweet's Facebook". Facebook. 19 May 2017. Archived from the original on 15 July 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
- ^ Anderson, Ron (31 January 2017). "Remembering John Wetton King Crimson's Greatest Bass Player" (video). YouTube. Brooklyn, New York. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- ^ Lawrence, Dan (14 August 2014). "Interview: Joseph D. Rowland (Pallbearer)". Invisible Oranges. Archived from the original on 8 March 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
[...] John Wetton from King Crimson and Asia is another person that I really look up to as a player. [...]
- ^ Lifton, Dave (3 February 2017). "Eric Clapton Releases Song for John Wetton". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
External links
- 1949 births
- 2017 deaths
- English rock bass guitarists
- British male bass guitarists
- English baritones
- English operatic baritones
- English rock singers
- Asia (band) members
- King Crimson members
- Uriah Heep (band) members
- Wishbone Ash members
- Family (band) members
- Musicians from Bournemouth
- People from Willington, Derbyshire
- Metal Mind Productions artists
- Deaths from colorectal cancer in England
- Progressive rock musicians
- Progressive rock bass guitarists
- Renaissance (band) members
- U.K. (band) members
- Qango (band) members
- Roxy Music members
- Frontiers Records artists