John Wetton

Information about John Wetton

John Kenneth Wetton (born 12 June 1949, Willington, Derby, Derbyshire, England) is an English singer, bassist and guitarist.

Overview

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]

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 issues

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. At the present time, Wetton declares himself sober. [4]

In August 2007 Wetton underwent heart surgery which has placed the remainder of Asia's 2007 tour and recording plans on hold until he recovers.[5]

Solo discography

Albums

EPs

  • Heat of the Moment '05 (with Geoff Downes), 2005, Frontiers Records

References

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ [2]
3. ^ Billboard Interview
4. ^ [3]
5. ^ [4]

External links

  •  • [ e] Asiaband
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 | Fantasia: Live in Tokyo
Compilations: Then & Now | Archiva Vol. 1 | Archiva Vol. 2 | Anthology | The Very Best of Asia: Heat of the Moment | Definitive Collection
Singles: "Heat of the Moment"
Related Articles
Yes | GPS | King Crimson | Emerson, Lake & Palmer | The Buggles | GTR | Qango | Roger Dean | Rodney Matthews
 •  • [ e]
King Crimson
Current membersRobert Fripp Adrian Belew Tony Levin Pat Mastelotto
Former membersGreg Lake Michael Giles Ian McDonald Peter Sinfield Mel Collins Gordon Haskell Andy McCulloch Boz Burrell Ian Wallace John Wetton Jamie Muir Bill Bruford David Cross Richard Palmer-James Trey Gunn
Original studio albumsIn the Court of the Crimson King In the Wake of Poseidon Lizard Islands Larks' Tongues in Aspic Starless and Bible Black Red Discipline Beat Three of a Perfect Pair THRAK The ConstruKction of Light The Power to Believe
Singles and EPs"Cat Food/Groon" "Atlantic Sampler" "The Night Watch/The Great Deceiver" "Epitaph/21st Century Schizoid Man" "Matte Kudasai" "Elephant Talk" "Thela Hun Ginjeet" "Heartbeat" "Three of a Perfect Pair/Man With an Open Heart" "Sleepless" VROOOM "Dinosaur" "People" "Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream" Level Five Happy With What You Have to Be Happy With
Live albumsEarthbound USA The Great Deceiver THRaKaTTaK Epitaph The Night Watch Live in Mexico City The ProjeKcts The Beginners' Guide to the King Crimson Collectors' Club Heavy ConstruKction VROOOM VROOOM Ladies of the Road The Power to Believe Tour Box Dj VROOOM (live DVD)
CompilationsA Young Person's Guide to King Crimson The Compact King Crimson The 21st Century Guide to King Crimson - Volume One - 1969-1974 The 21st Century Guide to King Crimson - Vol. 2 - 1981-2003
Side projectsProjeKct One ProjeKct Two ProjeKct Three ProjeKct Four ProjeKct X ProjeKct Six
Related bandsGiles, Giles and Fripp McDonald and Giles 21st Century Schizoid Band Crimson Jazz Trio
Discipline Global Mobile


  •  • [ e] Uriah Heep
Bernie Shaw • Mick Box • Trevor Bolder • Phil Lanzon • Russell Gilbrook Ken Hensley • David Byron • Gary Thain • Lee Kerslake • John Lawton • John Wetton • Paul Newton • Ian Clarke • Keith Baker • Peter Goalby • John Sloman • Bob Daisley • John Sinclair • Gregg Dechert • Chris Slade • Mark Clarke • Nigel Olsson • Alex Napier • Steff Fontaine Studio albums: Very 'eavy... Very 'umble (1970) • Salisbury (1971) • Look at Yourself (1971) • Demons & Wizards (1972) • The Magician's Birthday (1972) • Sweet Freedom (1973) • Wonderworld (1974) • Return to Fantasy (1975) • High and Mighty (1976) • Firefly (1977) • Innocent Victim (1977) • Fallen Angel (1978) • Conquest (1980) • Abominog (1982) • Head First (1983) • Equator (1985) • Raging Silence (1989) • Different World (1991) • Sea of Light (1995) • Sonic Origami (1998) • Wake The Sleeper (2008) Live albums: Uriah Heep Live (1973) • Live at Shepperton '74 (1986) • Live in Europe 1979 (1986) • Live in Moscow (1988) • Spellbinder Live (1996) • King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents In Concert (1997) • Future Echoes Of The Past (2000) • Acoustically Driven (2001) • Electrically Driven (2001) • The Magician's Birthday Party (2002) • Live in the USA (2003) • Magic Night (2004) • Between Two Worlds (2005) Songs: "The Wizard" • "Sweet Lorraine" • "Stealin'" Related articles: The Gods • Spice • Colin Wood
June 12 is the 1st day of the year (2nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 0 days remaining.

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Willington is the name of several places in England:
  • Willington, Bedfordshire
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  • Willington, County Durham
  • Willington, Derbyshire
  • Willington, Tyne and Wear
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Derby (pronounced "dar-bee" /dˈɑːbɪ/) is a city in the East Midlands of England. It lies on the banks of the River Derwent and is surrounded by the shire county of Derbyshire.
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Derbyshire (pronounced "dar-bee-sher" /ˈdɑːbɪʃə/, as opposed to "dar-bee-shire") is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire.
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"God and my right"
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No official anthem specific to England — the anthem of the United Kingdom is "God Save the Queen".
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Motto
Dieu et mon droit   (French)
"God and my right"
Anthem
No official anthem specific to England — the anthem of the United Kingdom is "God Save the Queen".
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A singer is a musician who uses their voice to produce music. Often the singer is accompanied by musicians and instruments. While many people sing for pleasure, vocal skill is usually a combination of innate talent and professional training.
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A bass player (bassist) is a musician who plays a double bass or electric bass (also referred to as bass guitar). Certain musical genres tend to be associated with each of these instruments.
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guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Professional guitarists may perform solo pieces or play with ensembles and bands of a wide variety of genres. The guitar is an incredibly versatile instrument, and like the piano, it can play chords, melodies, solos, or help to gel a
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Bournemouth

Bournemouth ()
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Dorset
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Status Ceremonial & (smaller) Non-metropolitan county
Origin Historic
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A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. That is to say, a songwriter is a lyricist, a composer, or both.
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musician is a person who plays or composes music. Musicians can be classified by their role in creating or performing music:
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Their 1960s decade refers to the years from 1960 to 1969, inclusive.
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Progressive rock, sometimes shortened to "prog" or "prog rock", is a form of rock music that evolved in the late 1960s and early 1970s, principally from psychedelic rock, blues rock, folk rock, hard rock, classical music, and jazz fusion, but also from a wide-ranging
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A musical ensemble is a group of two or more musicians who perform instrumental or vocal music. In each musical style or genre, different norms have developed for the sizes and composition of different ensembles, and for the repertoire of songs or musical works that these ensembles
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Mogul Thrash was a progressive rock band from the United Kingdom active in the early 1970s.

Biography

Overview

Its members included John Wetton on bass, who would later find fame as the singer and bassist for King Crimson and Asia among other bands, together with
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Family was an English rock band that formed in 1967 and disbanded in 1973. Their style has been characterised as progressive rock, although their sound often explores other genres, incorporating elements of such styles as folk, psychedelia, acid, jazz fusion and basic rock 'n' roll.
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King Crimson are a musical group founded by guitarist Robert Fripp and drummer Michael Giles in 1969. King Crimson's style has typically been categorised as progressive rock, although it incorporates diverse influences ranging from jazz, classical and experimental music to
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Robert Fripp (born 16 May 1946 in Wimborne Minster, Dorset, England) is a guitarist, record producer and a composer, perhaps best known for being the guitarist for, and only constant member of King Crimson. His work, spanning four decades, encompasses a variety of musical styles.
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Roxy Music is an English art rock group founded in the early 1970s by art school graduate Bryan Ferry (vocals and keyboards). The other members are Phil Manzanera (guitars), Andy Mackay (saxophone and oboe) and Paul Thompson (drums and percussion).
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Bryan Ferry (born 26 September 1945 in Washington, Sunderland) is an English singer, musician, songwriter and occasional actor famed for his suave visual and vocal style, who came to public prominence in the 1970s as lead vocalist and principal songwriter with Roxy Music.
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Uriah Heep are an English rock band, formed in December 1969 when record producer Gerry Bron invited keyboardist Ken Hensley (previously a member of The Gods and Toe Fat) to join Spice, a band signed to his own Bronze Records label.
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U.K. was a short-lived British progressive rock supergroup active from 1978 through 1979.

In 1977 singer/bassist John Wetton and drummer Bill Bruford, alumni of King Crimson, worked on forming a band with Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman. The project was nixed by Wakeman's label.
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Wishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved particular success in the early and mid-1970s. Formed in Devon in 1969 out of the ashes of the group The Empty Vessels, which had featured Wishbone Ash's founding members Martin Turner and Steve Upton, the original line-up was
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Asia is an arena rock/progressive rock group. It was formed in 1981 as a supergroup, with former members of Yes, King Crimson, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Hold The Ladder, Uriah Heep, U.K., and The Buggles.
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album or record album is a collection of related audio or music tracks distributed to the public. The most common way is through commercial distribution, although smaller artists will often distribute directly to the public by selling their albums at live concerts or on
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Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis.
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The electric bass guitar (or "electric bass") is a bass stringed instrument played with the fingers by plucking, slapping, popping or using a pick. The bass is typically similar in appearance and construction to an electric guitar, but with a larger body, a longer neck and scale
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