John Wetton
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John Wetton (born June 12, 1949 in Derbyshire, England) is an English singer, bassist and guitarist.
Though born in Derbyshire, Wetton grew up in Bournemouth, Dorset.
He has been a professional musician since the late 1960s, and has been a member of the groups Mogul Thrash, Family, King Crimson (working with childhood friend Robert Fripp), Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry band, Uriah Heep, UK, Asia and Wishbone Ash. Wetton is now a solo performer, having left Asia for a second time in 1992.
Wetton was initially known for his powerful bass guitar sound and improvisational abilities (as evidenced on King Crimson's The Great Deceiver live box set and other sources), although his recorded output since at least 1980 has been more commercially-oriented. These days, he concentrates less on bass guitar, instead favouring a singer-songwriter approach that frequently highlights the use of acoustic guitar and piano.
Wetton's recorded highlights include King Crimson's Larks' Tongues In Aspic (1973), UK's self-titled album (1978) and Asia's self-titled album (1982), the last of which was the biggest seller of his career.
In recent years, Wetton has battled with alcoholism. He reportedly kicked the habit, and rejoined Asia in spring 2006 with the original lineup, which is set to tour this summer and likely go into the studio.
Solo discography
Albums
- 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
- Battle Lines, 1994, Eclipse Records
- 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, 2000, Avalon Records
- Sinister, 2001, Giant Electric Pea 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, Melodic Symphony/Frontiers Records/UMe Digital (US)
EPs
- Heat of the Moment '05 (with Geoff Downes), 2005, Frontiers Records
External links
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