Biography

John Kenneth Wetton (12 June 1949 – 31 January 2017) was an English singer, bassist, and songwriter. He was born in Willington, Derbyshire, and grew up in Bournemouth, Dorset. He rose to fame with bands Mogul Thrash, Family, King Crimson, Roxy Music and Uriah Heep. Following his period in 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 eight million copies worldwide, and was Billboard magazine's No. 1 album of 1982. He later formed the duo Icon with Geoff Downes (also from Asia, ex-Yes, ex-The Buggles), and from the 1990s had a successful solo career, releasing several studio and live albums. Wetton had a long career as an in-demand session bass player, collaborating with many members of progressive rock bands such as Yes (Steve Howe, Bill Bruford, Alan White, Billy Sherwood, Peter Banks), Roxy Music (Bryan Ferry, Phil Manzanera) and Genesis (Steve Hackett).

Most Famous Work

Asia - Axis XXX - Live San Francisco MMXII
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Steve Hackett: The Tokyo Tapes - Live In Japan 1996
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Steve Hackett: The Tokyo Tapes - Live In Japan 1996

(2001) Himself - Bass, Guitar, Vocals
Asia: Spirit Of The Night - The Phoenix Tour Live In Cambridge 2009
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Uriah Heep & David Byron: Collection 1973-1977
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Asia: Fantasia - Live in Tokyo
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Asia: Fantasia - Live in Tokyo

(2007) Vocals & Bass
Asia: Live Legends
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Asia: Live Legends

(2024) Bass/Vocals
Steve Hackett - Live Fire And Ice
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Steve Hackett - Live Fire And Ice

(2024) Special guest

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