John Wetton, a bassist and singer who was a member of King Crimson and co-founded the supergroup Asia, has died following a battle with colon cancer, Rolling Stone reports. Earlier this year, Wetton announced that he was dropping out of a tour with Asia to undergo chemotherapy. He was 67. “For those of us who knew him and worked with him, his valiant struggle against cancer was a further inspiration,” said Carl Palmer, Wetton’s Asia bandmate (and a member of Emerson, Lake and Palmer) in a statement. “I will miss his talent, his sense of humor and his infectious smile.”
In the 1970s, Wetton played in British prog rock bands like Renaissance, Mogul Thrash, and Family. He joined King Crimson at the request of his friend Robert Fripp in 1972. Before the group disbanded in 1974, Wetton appeared on their albums Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Starless and Bible Black, and Red.
He played with several British musicians following his tenure in King Crimson. He performed on Brian Eno’s Here Come the Warm Jets, plus records by Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, Uriah Heep, UK, and others. He began his prolific solo career in 1980 with his album Caught in the Crossfire. His last studio album Raised in Captivity was released in 2011.
In the early 1980s, Wetton formed the supergroup Asia with Palmer, Yes’ Geoff Downes, and Steve Howe. They had a massive hit with their self-titled 1982 album, and specifically, the single “Heat of the Moment.” Wetton departed Asia in 1992, but reunited with the band in 2006. Downes shared a statement about Wetton’s passing; find it below.
via Evan Minsker
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