John Wetton passed away in the early
hours of Tuesday January 31, 2017, after a long and courageous
battle against colon cancer.
John rose to fame with King Crimson in the early 70s during
the iconic Red era and later formed the band UK.
In the early 1980s he was a
founder member of supergroup ASIA which was his biggest commercial success. The
band's 1982 self-titled debut album was the biggest selling album in the world
that year and gave fans and mainstream radio the mega-hit Heat of the Moment.
John also enjoyed a successful solo career, including the
seminal album Battle Lines, and formed iCon with ASIA bandmate Geoff Downes.
In
2006 the original line-up of ASIA reformed and toured the world several times
to promote four new studio albums.
John had been planning to tour with ASIA for the band's
forthcoming US arena tour with Journey and following the success of his solo
Studio Recordings Anthology, to continue working on the ongoing re-issue
programme of his solo albums, via his own Primary Purpose label.
John valued his over 11 years of sobriety and volunteered
time in fellowship with other alcoholics to share his experience, strength and
hope with them.
John is survived by his recently wed wife Lisa and 18 year old
son Dylan, brother Robert and mother Peggy.
The very last studio song of John Wetton's career was the
closing track on the most recent ASIA album 'Gravitas' and
included the lyric 'Think the best of me, till we meet again.'
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So sad to hear he passed. Cancer strikes again!
ReplyDeleteAt 67, while not old from where I am sitting, he had a good run-but a loss for fans of his music.
DeleteI saw that. Very sad. Asia set the standard for super group.
ReplyDeleteThey were also the band that really got me into progressive rock. Saw your Haken post, Alex-if you ever get the chance, see them live!
DeleteI wasn't familiar with the name of this artist, but certainly with the groups. Some great music in his history.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out