John Wetton

[811952]

Hard to believe we've lost another.


John

[gearhed289]

RIP John. A major influence on me as both bass player and singer.

[tncaveman]

  damn - another favorite.  Sad

Stephen

[pauldo]

seeing the subject of the post made my heart sink.
Loved his voice.

Hold on people - looks like 2017 is gonna be a year with bumps and bruises.

From beginning to end John's legacy was solid - rock solid! 
RIP and strength to friends and family as they come to terms . . .

[David Houck]

With Steve Hackett and Ian Mcdonald.

[David Houck]

With UK in 2012; Starless.

[smokin_dave]

Man.So sad to hear this.My favorite UK album.RIP John Wetton.

[tx196059]

I was a big fan of King Crimson and UK in the 70's. I went to a UK show in 1978, and it was the first time I bought tickets to a concert to see the warm up band (for Jethro Tull.) Maybe he got a bad rap from Asia to. I guess it all works out in the end.

RIP John Wetton

[dannobasso]

John Wetton was a huge influence on me. I found a pic of my prog 3 pc. band around 85. His use of pedals and his great vocals were a huge achievement to aspire to. He and Greg Lake provided all bassists of that era with stellar performances and inspiration.

[terrace]

I bought the Blind Faith album because of his work in the group "Family". Plus Steve Winwood of course.

[hieronymous]

Huge bass influence on me for sure. I caught the King Crimson bug from Discipline (with Tony Levin) initially, but later discovered the Wetton era - USA & Red are my favorites. I love the arranged multi-bass sections in the songs "Red" & "Fallen Angel" and the aching "Starless" (last song on Red, not the album Starless & Bible Black) is just an absolute tour de force. I have owned multiple copies of each album, on vinyl & CD.

[cozmik_cowboy]

I bought the Blind Faith album because of his work in the group "Family". Plus Steve Winwood of course.

Ric Grech was the bassist in Blind Faith.

Peter

[gearhed289]

I discovered John through UK, and worked backward from there. I love the Red-era Crimson stuff, especially the live improvisations. Just this past Saturday, I received the UK box set, and now, he's gone. Sad...

[hieronymous]

I discovered John through UK, and worked backward from there. I love the Red-era Crimson stuff, especially the live improvisations. Just this past Saturday, I received the UK box set, and now, he's gone. Sad...

Yeah, that UK record is cool - I discovered it much later. The live improv is definitely one of my favorite aspects of that period - Asbury Park from USA is probably one of my all-time favorite tracks of any band any genre.

This was just posted to Bill Bruford's Facebook page:

John Wetton died on Tuesday, January 31st after a long and brave struggle with cancer. Even though you know it can’t be far away, it comes as a blow to the solar-plexus, enough to wind you. Ol’ Smokey Vocals will sing no more. We made some churnings and grindings and groovings and floatings together, fit for a King. We shall do so no more. Carolyn and I send our condolences to his family. May you rest in peace, JW.


"We made some churnings and grindings and groovings and floatings together" might be one of the best descriptions of music I have ever heard, and it's why I love King Crimson and John Wetton.

[tncaveman]

I discovered John through UK, and worked backward from there. I love the Red-era Crimson stuff, especially the live improvisations. Just this past Saturday, I received the UK box set, and now, he's gone. Sad...

 Asbury Park from USA is probably one of my all-time favorite tracks of any band any genre.

Totally agree with Asbury Park - powerful stuff there. 

And UK was and still is one of my favorite albums / bands.  Too bad there was only one good album.  This was my introduction to Bruford away from Yes - favorite drummer of all time.  Plus my introduction to Allan Holdsworth and John Wetton and Eddie Jobson.   I was 14 in 1978 when U.K. came out, and we had a cool FM station out of Louisville that played it.  A few years later King Crimson - their first album (with Greg Lake - RIP too) and Discipline (had just came out - and bought it because of Bruford.  Took a few listens to get it for sure)    Then the middle Wetton era Crimson - WOW. 

And right now I'm listening to the Tokyo Tapes from Steve Hackett.  John Wetton was such a perfect fit.  I also have one of the DVD's with John playing in Steve's band.  So cool to see Crimson and Genesis guys playing each others stuff - SO WELL.

Stephen