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| John Wetton | |
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 John Wetton in concert
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| Background information | |
| Born | June 12 1949 Willington, Derby, England |
| Genre(s) | Rock, progressive rock |
| Instrument(s) | Bass, guitar |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Associated acts |
Mogul Thrash Family King Crimson Roxy Music Uriah Heep UK Wishbone Ash Asia Phenomena Renaissance |
| Website | www.johnwetton.co.uk |
John Kenneth Wetton (born 12 June 1949, Willington, Derby, Derbyshire, England) is an English singer, bassist and guitarist. Born in Derbyshire, Wetton grew up in Bournemouth, Dorset. He has been a professional singer/songwriter/musician since the late 1960s as a member of such progressive rock bands as Mogul Thrash, Family, King Crimson (working with childhood friend Robert Fripp), Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry band, Uriah Heep, UK and Wishbone Ash. Wetton found worldwide fame in 1982 with the explosion of the band, Asia, whose self-titled debut album sold millions and became Billboard Magazine's #1 album of 1982. This album remains one of only four albums ever to stay at the #1 position of the Billboard album chart for nine consecutive weeks. [1]
Contents |
Career
Wetton has achieved an original bass guitar sound utilizing a 1961 Fender Precision Bass amplified through tubes. The sound is overdriven, powerful and very aggressive. This style and approach is particularly evident during his stint with King Crimson from 1972 until 1974. Known initially for his powerful bass guitar sound, Wetton's vocal and songwriting abilities garnered attention with his work in the band Asia in the early 1980s. Early recorded highlights of Wetton's career include King Crimson's Larks' Tongues In Aspic (1973), Starless and Bible Black (1974), Red (1974), UK's self-titled album (1978) (reuniting the King Crimson rhythm section of Wetton and Bill Bruford) and Asia's self-titled album (1982), the last being the biggest seller of his career. In 1986 he contributed also to Phenomena II and had a number 1 hit with the single "Did it all for Love" in South America. Since the early 1990s, Wetton has released four solo albums (Voice Mail/Battle Lines, Arkangel, Sinister/Welcome to Heaven, and Rock of Faith), and a number of live recordings from his solo tours around the world. Wetton also created the ICON project with fellow Asia bandmate Geoff Downes. The duo recorded two studio albums of original material (ICON and ICON II/Rubicon) and one live album (Never in a Million Years) from their ICON European tour. Wetton has done extensive work as a session musician, especially notable is his work with Brian Eno, Bryan Ferry and Phil Manzanera. [2] Wetton rejoined the other original members of Asia (Downes, Steve Howe and Carl Palmer) in early 2006 to announce a 25th anniversary world tour. This line-up performed a series of dates in the United States in September 2006, and in the United Kingdom in November/December 2006. The band will also spend much of 2007 on the road, with shows already scheduled for North and South America, Europe and, of course, Asia. A new Asia studio album, the original band's first since 1983's Alpha, is currently being recorded. [3]
Personal life
Wetton has struggled with alcoholism in the past. In 1983, while on tour with Asia, due to his drinking problem Wetton was replaced in the band by ex-King Crimson bassist and vocalist Greg Lake (both of whom are similar in vocal styling). At the present time, Wetton declares himself sober. [4] In August 2007 Wetton underwent heart surgery which placed the remainder of Asia's 2007 tour and recording plans on hold until he recovers. The band, including Wetton, have now rescheduled dates and are currently recording their new studio album[5]
Solo discography
Albums
- Mogul Thrash, (1971)
- Caught in the Crossfire, 1980, E'G/Polydor Records
- King's Road, 1972-1980, 1987, E'G/Virgin Records
- One World (with Phil Manzanera), 1987, Geffen Records
- Voicemail / Battle Lines, 1992, Pony Canyon/JWL
- Chasing the Dragon (Live), 1995, Eclipse Records
- Akustika (Live), 1996, Blueprint Records
- Arkangel, 1997, Eagle Records
- Chasing the Deer (film soundtrack), 1998, Blueprint Records
- Hazy Money Live in New York, 1998, Blueprint Records
- Live in Tokyo, 1998, Blueprint Records
- Monkey Business (with Richard Palmer-James), 1998, Blueprint Records
- Sub Rosa Live in Japan, 1998, Blueprint Records
- Nomansland Live in Poland, 1999, Giant Electric Pea Records
- Welcome to Heaven / Sinister 2000, Avalon Records
- Live in Argentina, 2002, Blueprint Records
- Live in Stockholm 1998, 2003, Blueprint Records
- Rock of Faith, 2003, Giant Electric Pea Records
- Live in Osaka, 2003, Blueprint Records
- From the Underworld, 2003, Classic Rock Legends
- One Way or Another (with Ken Hensley), 2003, Classic Rock Legends
- Amata, 2004, Metal Mind Records
- Icon (with Geoff Downes), 2005, Frontiers Records/UMe Digital (US)
- Acoustic TV Broadcast (with Geoff Downes), 2006, Frontiers Records
- Icon II: Rubicon (with Geoff Downes), 2006, Frontiers Records (US)
EPs
- Heat of the Moment '05 (with Geoff Downes), 2005, Frontiers Records
References
External links
- Official site
- Official Asia Reunion Website
- Asia on Classic Rock Central- 1983 audio interview clips with John Wetton, Geoff Downes and Steve Howe
| Asia |
|---|
| Geoff Downes | John Wetton | Steve Howe | Carl Palmer |
| Greg Lake | Mandy Meyer | Pat Thrall | Al Pitrelli | Mike Sturgis | John Payne | Aziz Ibrahim | Holger Larisch | Elliot Randall | Luis Jardim | Chris Slade | Jay Schellen | Guthrie Govan | Trevor Thornton |
| Discography |
| Studio albums and EPs: Asia | Alpha | Astra | Aurora | Aqua | Aria | Arena | Rare | Aura | Silent Nation |
| Live albums: Live in Moscow | Alive at Hollowed Halls | Now (Nottigham) | Live In Buffalo | Dragon Attack | Asia Enso Kai (Live in Tokyo 83) | Quadra | Live in Massachusetts | |
| Compilations: Then & Now | Archiva Vol. 1 | Archiva Vol. 2 | Anthology | | Definitive Collection |
| Singles: "Heat of the Moment" |
| Related Articles |
| Yes | GPS | King Crimson | Emerson, Lake & Palmer | The Buggles | GTR | Qango | Roger Dean | Rodney Matthews |
