RIP John Wetton

Well, there goes my ability to sleep soundly for the rest of the night...
Just saw on Facebook from a few people in the prog community that John Wetton (former bass player and vocalist for King Crimson, UK, Asia, etc.) died from cancer.
I had a bad feeling about John's cancer when it was announced that he would be unable to play the first selection of tour dates Asia had with Journey in the Spring of this year. It was announced that Billy Sherwood would be filling in for him for those tour dates, just like he did with Chris Squire, and we all know what happened there as well…

The main people reporting it at this time include Mark Powell and Jakko Jakszyk, but I'm sure there will be a lot more tributes to come throughout this day.
On a more personal note, I got to hear him perform with Asia back in 2009, and the next morning I saw him eating breakfast in the hotel I was staying in. I didn't say anything to do him because I did not want to disturb him, but part of me really wishes I had at least told him how much I loved his playing and singing.
Anyway, RIP to a thunderous player.

Jakko:

Truly saddened to hear of the passing of John Wetton.
It goes without saying that he was and is a huge influence but, I'm honoured say, someone I could also call a pal.
He was great company and a gentle soul.
I shall treasure our chats, the amount he made me laugh at the Steve Hackett shows we did together and the afternoon we spent last August, where he insisted on this selfie
RIP John
Love
Jakko

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Nooooooooooooo!

This is such devastating news. I've temporarily deactivated my Facebook account so thanks for posting Ryan. Very saddened at the news. Glad I was that I got to see him once guest performing with Steve Hackett's Genesis Revisited at the RAH over 3 years ago now. RIP John. You've certainly left an impressive legacy, from King Crimson to Uriah Heep, U.K. and Asia especially... ?

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Wow!!!


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So sad to read this. I was able to see him with Asia a couple of years ago. He was truly a fantastic musician.

Can't even begin to describe how sad I feel. He was up there with Chris Squire and Greg Lake as one of my favorite bassists. I got to see him with Asia back in 2008. His work on LTIA, SABB and Red made these my favorite KC trilogy of albums. RIP John.

Saw him on 4/29/82 with Asia in Boston. It was a great show, although I was surprised at how poppy rather than proggy the show was. Still, I was glad to see him perform, and it is sad to see him go.

URRRRRRRGH

Shocked - He will be missed.

Free me, 'n' give me the beautiful silence at last - Asia / Bury Me in Willow

Very sad seeing this today about John. I was following his tweets this last year which were very upbeat and sweet to read and he did not hide the fact that he was in a battle with Cancer.
He looked so happy on his wedding day just a couple of months ago, so sad for his wife Lisa and Mum(101),brother and son and the rest of us.
Here is what was posted on his facebook today:

"Rock music legend John Wetton sadly passed away in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday 31st January 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 and indeed final ASIA album “Gravitas” and included the profound lyrics “Think the best of me, till we meet again.”

Here we go again.
I can't keep up with the memorial music sessions anymore.

He will be missed. RIP

this one hit really hard...

As most of you have read in my previous posts (or not), my FIRST EVER CONCERT was U.K. right before they split for good in 79, Thanksgiving ...

Aside from the "fiasco" from his solo concert in Madrid in 2000....

Saw him with on the "FINAL tour" in London in 2015..FIRST ROW...

One of my MAIN bass influences...

We'll miss you John....

F****** cancer !

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my phone has spelling correction. It refuses to allow me to use plain English-Fuck cancer!

Wow. He was survived by his mom!

That's tough on his family... a new wife and 18 yr old son.

Be sure to get those colonoscopy's guys... every 5 yrs, starting at age 50.

If any of you want a really good cry, read this, from Robert Fripp:

https://www.dgmlive.com/diaries/Robert Fripp/RF_diary_2017_Jan_31

Oh sh*t, another one of my musical heroes gone RIP John Wetton

Sadness

rtbluray said:

If any of you want a really good cry, read this, from Robert Fripp:

https://www.dgmlive.com/diaries/Robert Fripp/RF_diary_2017_Jan_31

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The only others that hit me this badly were Mick Ronson and Frank Zappa. Cancer is a nasty bitch.

From Steve Howe:

What an enormous loss Johns presence is!!
One of our best lyricists, vocalist and bass player!
Most of all, such a great human being.
Our love and thoughts to Lisa and family
--Steve, Jan & family

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From Carl Palmer:

“With the passing of my good friend and musical collaborator, John Wetton, the world loses yet another musical giant. John was a gentle person who created some of the most lasting melodies and lyrics in modern popular music. As a musician, he was both brave and innovative, with a voice that took the music of ASIA to the top of the charts around the world. His ability to triumph over alcohol abuse made him an inspiration to many who have also fought that battle. For those of us who knew him and worked with him, his valiant struggle against cancer was a further inspiration. I will miss his talent, his sense of humor and his infectious smile. May you ride easy, my old friend.
Carl Palmer.
Jan.31, 2017.”

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From Alan White:

With our birthdays being only two days apart, and having grown up in England a short distance from each other, I always felt John Wetton and I shared a very special bond.
John was a talented musician with a powerful voice and presence, and he was a genuine friend through the years.
My deepest sympathies go out to his family and all who loved him; he will be greatly missed.
Sincerely,
Alan White

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From Steve Hackett:

I'm totally gutted about John Wetton's death. Not only was he a wonderful singer and musician, but he was also an incredibly warm person and a particularly special pal.
I loved him like a brother.
You will always be in my heart, John.
Warmest wishes to all on this very sad day.
Steve Hackett

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rtbluray said:

If any of you want a really good cry, read this, from Robert Fripp:

https://www.dgmlive.com/diaries/Robert Fripp/RF_diary_2017_Jan_31

Click to expand...

Hey, this link was really cool to see! Thanks so much for posting it! And by the way, nice avatar!