17 Facts About John Wetton

John Kenneth Wetton was an English musician, singer, and songwriter.

John Wetton was a member of the band Family in 1971 for a short time, before joining King Crimson in 1972.

John Wetton later formed the duo Icon with his Asia bandmate and songwriting partner Geoff Downes, and he had a successful solo career.

John Wetton was born in Willington, Derbyshire, and grew up in Bournemouth, Dorset, where he attended Bournemouth School.

John Wetton's elder brother Robert was a classical organist and choirmaster.

John Wetton played bass and sang in a number of bands with Richard Palmer-James, including the Corvettes, the Palmer-James Group, Tetrad, and Ginger Man.

John Wetton remained with King Crimson until Fripp unexpectedly disbanded the group in 1974.

In 1977, after failed attempts to reunite King Crimson and to create a new band with Rick Wakeman, John Wetton formed UK with Bill Bruford.

At Kalodner's insistence, John Wetton started writing with former Yes guitarist Steve Howe, with a view to forming their own band.

John Wetton worked with Asia until 1983, when he was fired for then-unknown reasons, but at least in part due to lower-than-expected sales of 1983's Alpha.

John Wetton returned to Asia in 1985, completing the band's third album, Astra.

Around that time, John Wetton began working with Downes and Palmer to restart Asia.

John Wetton featured on the Phil Manzanera solo album Southern Cross, released in 1990.

In 2013, John Wetton guested on the album Grandine il vento by Renaissance, with whom he had played live 42 years before.

John Wetton worked extensively as a session musician with musicians including Brian Eno, Bryan Ferry, and Ayreon.

John Wetton died in his sleep from complications of colorectal cancer at the Macmillan Unit of Christchurch Hospital in Christchurch, Dorset, on 31 January 2017, at the age of 67.

John Wetton was surrounded by his wife, son, brother, and mother.