John Kenneth Wetton (12 June 1949 – 31 January 2017) was an English singer, bassist, guitarist, and songwriter. He was born in Willington, Derbyshire, and grew up in Bournemouth, Dorset. Between 1972- 1982, he rose to fame fronting the bands King Crimson, U.K. and Asia. Notable work as a bass guitarist and backing vocalist included brief stints with Family, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep and Wishbone Ash. Following his time with Uriah Heep, Wetton formed U.K., and later — after a brief stint in Wishbone Ash — he was the frontman and principal songwriter of the supergroup Asia, which proved to be his biggest commercial success. Their eponymous debut album sold ten million copies worldwide, and was Billboard magazine's No. 1 album of 1982. He later formed the duo Icon with his Asia band mate (and primary songwriting partner) Geoff Downes, and from the 1990s had a successful solo career, releasing several studio and live albums. Wetton's early career was as an in-demand bassist, and throughout his life he played bass with many members of the 1970s progressive rock scene, including Yes (Steve Howe, Bill Bruford, Alan White, Billy Sherwood, Peter Banks), Roxy Music (Bryan Ferry, Phil Manzanera) and Genesis (Steve Hackett).

Log in to leave a comment.