John Wetton
John Kenneth Wetton (12 June 1949 โ 31 January 2017) was an English singer, bassist, and songwriter. He was born in Willington, Derbyshire, and grew up in Bournemouth, Dorset. He rose to fame with bands Mogul Thrash, Family, King Crimson, Roxy Music and Uriah Heep. Following his period in Uriah Heep, Wetton formed U.K., and later โ after a brief stint in Wishbone Ash โ he was the frontman and principal songwriter of the supergroup Asia, which proved to be his biggest commercial success. Their eponymous debut album sold eight million copies worldwide, and was Billboard magazine's No. 1 album of 1982. He later formed the duo Icon with Geoff Downes (also from Asia, ex-Yes, ex-The Buggles), and from the 1990s had a successful solo career, releasing several studio and live albums. Wetton had a long career as an in-demand session bass player, collaborating with many members of progressive rock bands such as Yes (Steve Howe, Bill Bruford, Alan White, Billy Sherwood, Peter Banks), Roxy Music (Bryan Ferry, Phil Manzanera) and Genesis (Steve Hackett).
Known For
Credits
- 2023 ยทThe Rhythm of Lifeas
- 2017 ยทAsia: Symfonia - Live In Bulgaria 2013as
- 2015 ยทAsia - Axis XXX - Live San Francisco MMXIIas bass, vocals
- 2015 ยทUK (U.K.) - Curtain Callas
- 2014 ยทSteve Hackett - Genesis Revisited: Live at the Royal Albert Hallas Himself
- 2014 ยทAsia - Gravitasas
- 2012 ยทKing Crimson - Larks' Tongues In Aspic The Complete Recordingsas Himself
- 2007 ยทAsia: Fantasia - Live in Tokyoas Vocals & Bass
- 2001 ยทSteve Hackett: The Tokyo Tapes - Live In Japan 1996as Himself - Bass, Guitar, Vocals
- Future ยทAlan Simon โโ Excalibur II (The Celtic Ring)as
- Future ยทUriah Heep & David Byron: Collection 1973-1977as Self - Bass, Vocals
- 2010 ยทAsia: Spirit Of The Night - The Phoenix Tour Live In Cambridge 2009as bass, vocals
- Future ยทSteve Hackett - Live Fire And Iceas Special guest
- 2003 ยทAsia: Live Legendsas Bass/Vocals
- 2001 ยทRoger Dean: Viewsas