Asia & former King Crimson Lead Singer John Wetton (1949-2017) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 01-31-2017, 08:49 AM

John Wetton, the lead singer of prog-rock supergroup Asia, died on 31 January. He was 67. He had been battling cancer and sepsis for a number of months.

Wetton enjoyed a stellar career in the 1970s and 1980s, performing with a number of high-profile bands, but was best known to the public for his work with Asia. Their eponymous debut album spent nine weeks at No 1 on the US album chart and sold over 10 million copies worldwide.

His first big break came in 1972 with King Crimson, who created a distinct fusion of rock, jazz and classical music. In years to come bands ranging from Iron Maiden to Nirvana would cite King Crimson as a key influence.

Wetton left the group in the mid-70s and worked with a number of headline acts including Roxy Music, Uriah Heep and Wishbone Ash.

In 1981 he joined forces with members of Yes, The Buggles and Emerson, Lake & Palmer to create Asia. It was a collaboration that was to earn Wetton commercial success on a scale he had not previously encountered.

Wetton was the principal songwriter for the band and played bass, in addition to providing lead vocals. Their self-titled debut topped charts around the world and was the biggest selling LP in the US throughout 1982, ahead of released by Paul McCartney and AC/DC.

Singles Only Time Will Tell and Heat of the Moment received heavy rotations on then-nascent music television and both became chart hits.

After disappointing follow-ups Alpha and Arcadia, Wetton left the band and spent the 1990s pursuing a solo career and collaborating with a host of other artists.

In 2006 the original line-up of Asia reformed with a new album and major tour. The band continued to produce new music and tour throughout the US and further afield until 2014, when they called a hiatus in the wake of Wetton being diagnosed with cancer.

Asia had scheduled a US tour for March through April this year with Wetton, who was undergoing chemotherapy at the time, due to be replaced by Billy Sherwood of Yes. It is unclear whether the tour will still go ahead.

Zoneboy · 01-31-2017, 09:09 AM

Dude111 · 01-31-2017, 03:41 PM

Very sad

AB · 01-31-2017, 06:45 PM

Rest in peace.

ABlairican Pie · 01-31-2017, 07:08 PM

Wow, the curse of 2016 just continues!!! I did like the first Asia album, but subsequent ones did not grab me as much. I really liked "Soul Survivor" and several others.

I recall he also played with Roxy Music for a while.

Retro4Life · 01-31-2017, 08:17 PM

Asia was one of the few 'super groups' of the late 70s and early 80s that I really got into. Loved their sound and wish they had stuck around a while longer. I remember "Heat of the Moment" and "Only Time Will Tell" playing over and over on the bus radio during our senior trip, after graduation.

Also did not realize that there was a member of the Buggles in that group. You learn something every day.

John Wetton

Ohio8 · 02-01-2017, 07:39 PM

JSP · 03-15-2017, 12:01 AM

R.I.P. to another former Uriah Heep bassist. Uriah has had three of their bassists pass away so far.

01-31-2017, 08:49 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,349	Asia & former King Crimson Lead Singer John Wetton (1949-2017) John Wetton, the lead singer of prog-rock supergroup Asia, died on 31 January. He was 67. He had been battling cancer and sepsis for a number of months. Wetton enjoyed a stellar career in the 1970s and 1980s, performing with a number of high-profile bands, but was best known to the public for his work with Asia. Their eponymous debut album spent nine weeks at No 1 on the US album chart and sold over 10 million copies worldwide. His first big break came in 1972 with King Crimson, who created a distinct fusion of rock, jazz and classical music. In years to come bands ranging from Iron Maiden to Nirvana would cite King Crimson as a key influence. Wetton left the group in the mid-70s and worked with a number of headline acts including Roxy Music, Uriah Heep and Wishbone Ash. In 1981 he joined forces with members of Yes, The Buggles and Emerson, Lake & Palmer to create Asia. It was a collaboration that was to earn Wetton commercial success on a scale he had not previously encountered. Wetton was the principal songwriter for the band and played bass, in addition to providing lead vocals. Their self-titled debut topped charts around the world and was the biggest selling LP in the US throughout 1982, ahead of released by Paul McCartney and AC/DC. Singles Only Time Will Tell and Heat of the Moment received heavy rotations on then-nascent music television and both became chart hits. After disappointing follow-ups Alpha and Arcadia, Wetton left the band and spent the 1990s pursuing a solo career and collaborating with a host of other artists. In 2006 the original line-up of Asia reformed with a new album and major tour. The band continued to produce new music and tour throughout the US and further afield until 2014, when they called a hiatus in the wake of Wetton being diagnosed with cancer. Asia had scheduled a US tour for March through April this year with Wetton, who was undergoing chemotherapy at the time, due to be replaced by Billy Sherwood of Yes. It is unclear whether the tour will still go ahead.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

01-31-2017, 07:08 PM	#5
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,620	RIP John Wetton. Wow, the curse of 2016 just continues!!! I did like the first Asia album, but subsequent ones did not grab me as much. I really liked "Soul Survivor" and several others. I recall he also played with Roxy Music for a while.
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

01-31-2017, 08:17 PM	#6
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Asia was one of the few 'super groups' of the late 70s and early 80s that I really got into. Loved their sound and wish they had stuck around a while longer. I remember "Heat of the Moment" and "Only Time Will Tell" playing over and over on the bus radio during our senior trip, after graduation. Also did not realize that there was a member of the Buggles in that group. You learn something every day. John Wetton
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

02-01-2017, 07:39 PM	#7
Ohio8 Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 29, 2003 Location: Wherever you aren't. Posts: 18,912	Attached Images

01-31-2017, 09:09 AM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,349

01-31-2017, 03:41 PM	#3
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 35,853	Very sad

01-31-2017, 06:45 PM	#4
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,429	Rest in peace.

03-15-2017, 12:01 AM	#8
JSP Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 19, 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,735	R.I.P. to another former Uriah Heep bassist. Uriah has had three of their bassists pass away so far.