RIP John Wetton

[Stjofön Big]

The great bass player John Wetton left earth today, 31 of January, according to Wikiedia. In my opinion he was among the greatest of later years bass players.

[gweimer]

It looks like it's reported on multiple sites.  RIP to one of my influences.  I was basically a rock player, and then Lark's Tongue in Aspic came out, and I heard wonderous things.  I found myself, in younger years, at an audition that was basically jazz/fusion.  Violin, drums, and me.  I was in over my head.  I took a deep breath, did my best John Wetton and plowed in.  I didn't get the gig, but it was a fun jam, and the others were happy with what i did.

[Denis]

I'm so glad that I saw the original lineup of Asia a couple of years ago here in Raleigh. He even trooped out his old Victory for most of the show!
So long, John, and thanks for all the music.

[gearHed289]

This hurts pretty bad. He was a role model for me. RIP...

[ack1961]

Yeah, I hate the fact that I keep posting about fallen musical idols.
John Wetton improved everything he touched, in my opinion.
Sad news.

[Basvarken]

Sad news indeed.

[the mojo hobo]

I like the way the music goes, there's a few good guys that could play it right.
I like the way it moves my toes, say where you want to go and dance all night.

[TBird1958]

I got to see John with Uriah Heep back in '75 or so, he replaced Gary Thain. RIP John and thank you for the great music.

[Pekka]

There's a Fripp diary from Crimson's '74 US tour where he wrote: "John had all three amps on". If Fripp wasn't very amused at the time when Wetton clearly didn't want to turn down he admitted that he had one of the most exciting bass sounds.

My favourite things were his playing and singing in Family, UK and especially King Crimson. "The Great Deceiver" 4CD livebox was a treat in 1992 and when they announced the exhaustive "Larks'", "Starless" and "Red" boxes a few years ago I never thought of not buying them even 'though I already had a majority of the live stuff in my collection. The '72-'74 Crimson was a fearsome group that never played a same show  twice and Wetton's bass playing and singing was an integral part of the sound. They never could have topped "Red" so Fripp's decision to split the band was right.




I I ever acquire a white rosewood neck P-bass I will "Wettonize" it. R.I.P. John.

[tore00]

Sad sad sad news. My love to John Wetton, King Crimson and Uk

[the mojo hobo]

There's a Fripp diary from Crimson's '74 US tour where he wrote: "John had all three amps on".

I saw them at the Chicago Auditorium from the first row of the first balcony. It was one of the most memorable concerts I have seen.

[uwe]

 

A lovely man. I met him backstage at an Asia gig some years ago and he didn't remember on which Uriah Heep albums he had played! "Do they still tour? I wish them the best, we had a good time!" "Was I really on 'Return to Fantasy', not the other one, "Demons & Wizards"?"   (I had complimented him for his walking bass lines on Return to Fantasy, the song.)

Saw him with Asia, Wetton/Downes and UK and always loved his voice though there is some truth to John Fertig's (a forum alumni) once comment "Asia were thinking man's Air Supply".  Not that long ago I even dared to buy King Crimson's Red (I already had all the UK stuff) and - surprise, surprise - I actually liked it, didn't find it that hard a listen at all! Very menacing music, in a good way.

And now Lake followed so soon by Wetton - the man who replaced him once (and who was replaced in Asia by Lake for that televised Japan gig which wasn't their strongest hour), how ironic. And Trevor Bolder, who replaced Wetton in Heep and Wishbone Ash, left us too a few years ago. There must be some plan up there to create an orchestra full of overplaying bassists, let's not forget Squire and Bruce. Once my time is up, I want tickets!

Crucify me, this is indeed Air Supply'ish and almost all root note in eights on bass (a style he adopted very much with Asia), but I always loved that song.

[veebass]

Very sad- one of the best.

[uwe]

Here's a curio, but he loved that song:



With Heep in 75 around the time Mark must have seen them. Byron's alcohol intake was beginning to show badly, he was fired not too much later.



With Roxy and later UK-bandmate Eddie Jobson.



"Glam Prog" with UK:



Bearded and bullish, still UK:



Early daze with Family, doublenecked:



With Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy) and Mel Galley (Trapeze, Whitesnake) in the Phenomena project, sounding just a teeny-weeny-bit ... like Asia:



Backing Bryan Ferry wth another bassist (John plays the funky parts, the other guy - who looks unnervingly like Phil Manzanera and might even be him - the deeper root notes) plus Chris Spedding:



Dylanesque with Bryan again and mostly hidden in the shadows but clearly audible:

[Basshappi]

Very sad.

I saw him with UK on their Danger Money tour. I cut class to get the first Asia album the day it was released.
Great player and a great voice.