While I am naturally disappointed to miss the beginning of what I know will be an historic ASIA tour, I am intending to return to the stage with Asia later in 2017, dates soon to be announced.I know this decision will be in the best interests of my health and our fans, in the long run.
Jetzt ist er wohl dem Krebs erlegen. Ich bin ehrlich geschockt.
Die drei Studioalben mit King Crimson, Larks' Tongues in Aspic (1973), Starless and Bible black (1974) und Red (1974), zählen zweifelsohne zu den Höhepunkten des Progressive Rock und natürlich auch zu meinen Lieblingsplatten. Auf den Solo-Künstler John Wetton bin ich persönlich mit dem wirklich starken Album Battle Lines (1994) aufmerksam geworden (noch ein Querverweis: Der Titelsong ist auch in dem Film Chasing the Deer zu hören, in dem Fish eine kleine Rolle spielt). Live habe ich ihn dreimal erlebt: solo mit einer klasse Band, zu der unter anderem Martin Orford (damals noch IQ) gehörte, mit den reformierten Asia und bei der UK-Reunion mit Eddie Jobson. Das waren drei sehr gute Konzerte.
Ein Blick zurück aufs Jahr 1974:
R.I.P., Mr. Wetton.
Carl Palmer schreibt:
With the passing of my good friend and musical collaborator, John Wetton, the world loses yet another musical giant. John was a gentle person who created some of the most lasting melodies and lyrics in modern popular music.
As a musician, he was both brave and innovative, with a voice that took the music of ASIA to the top of the charts around the world. His ability to triumph over alcohol abuse made him an inspiration to many who have also fought that battle. For those of us who knew him and worked with him, his valiant struggle against cancer was a further inspiration.
I will miss his talent, his sense of humor and his infectious smile. May you ride easy, my old friend.
Geoff Downes schreibt:
Dear All, I am sorry to be the bearer of the very sad news that my dearest friend, bandmate and co-writer, John Wetton has passed away.
Jakko Jakszyk schreibt:
Truly saddened to hear of the passing of John Wetton. It goes without saying that he was and is a huge influence but, I'm honoured say, someone I could also call a pal. He was great company and a gentle soul. I shall treasure our chats, the amount he made me laugh at the Steve Hackett shows we did together and the afternoon we spent last August, where he insisted on this selfie. RIP John ...
Steve Hackett schreibt:
I'm totally gutted about John Wetton's death. Not only was he a wonderful singer and musician, but he was also an incredibly warm person and a particularly special pal.
I loved him like a brother.
You will always be in my heart, John.
Warmest wishes to all on this very sad day.
Steve Howe schreibt:
What an enormous loss Johns presence is!!
One of our best lyricists, vocalist and bass player!
Most of all, such a great human being.
Fish schreibt:
A truly passionate and brilliant vocalist as well as an exceptional musician [†¦] Despite being plagued by demons throughout his career John was a master of melody and wrote some wonderful songs in his time with us. A genuinely beautiful guy it's sad to lose him and I'll never forget the smile that he wore throughout his life.
Robert Fripp schreibt:
John was a pal over almost forty-two years, beginning at Bournemouth College in 1965, two teenage students and local gigsters. [†¦] JW was, for me, the leading bass player of his generation, a player of international class, before John moved increasingly to the front as singer and songwriter. [†¦] During the past decade, JW became a hero of mine, courageous and exemplary in dealing and speaking frankly of his alcoholism [†¦] Visiting John during not-so-good times, and then good times, we became closer than in the three previous decades; John†™s conversation was wonderfully clear, honest, positive, encouraging.
Premiata Forneria Marconi schreiben:
Ciao John,
grande talento e grande voce.
Ci sono tanti altri grandi artisti che ti stanno aspettando.
Farete insieme ancora tanti concerti e ve la spasserete.
Buon viaggio e sii felice
Eddie Jobson schreibt:
Goodbye John. Thanks for everything.
David Cross schreibt:
His extraordinary musicianship and his sense of fun had a great impact on me in the early days of King Crimson. I have great memories of John both on and off the stage, always fully 'in the moment', whatever that entailed. [†¦] You may not be with us, John, but your music will be played and played again. Thank you for that and for all the pleasure you have shared with so many.
Galahad schreiben:
You were an inspiration, hero and legend to so many of us within the 'Prog' fraternity and beyond. Your massive musical legacy, will however, last forever. We will all miss you, Galahad will miss you. RIP John Wetton, taken too soon.
Dave Kilminster schreibt:
Very sad to hear of the passing of my friend and ex band mate John Wetton...
My first ever tour was with the John Wetton Band in Japan... almost 20 years ago!! He gave me my very first break, and, to quote one of John's favourite songs 'God only knows what I'd be without you'...
Rest in peace John ...
Mein persönlicher Soundtrack in memoriam:
John Wetton - Sinister (2001)
King Crimson: Larks' Tongues in Aspic (Tracks: Improv: The Rich Tapestry of Life, Exiles, Larks' Tongues in Aspic Part I, DVD, 1973/2012)
Steve Hackett: Fire and Ice (Track: All along the Watchtower, DVD, 2010)
Asia: XXX - Live in San Francisco (2012/15)
Wetton/Downes - Icon 3 (2009)
John Wetton - Rock of Faith (2003)
King Crimson - Red (1974/2009)
Wetton/Downes - Icon II Rubicon (2006)
Phenomena II - Dream Runner (Track: Did it all for Love, 1987)
Various Artists - To cry you a Song - A Collection of Tull Tales (Track: Nothing is easy, 1996)
Steve Hackett - Genesis Revisited (Tracks: Watcher of the Skies, Firth of Fifth, 1996)
John Wetton - Caught in the Crossfire (1980)
Various Artists - The Fox lies down - A Tribute to Genesis (Track: Your own special Way, 1998)
Ian McDonald - Driver's Eyes (Track: Forever and ever, 1999)
Various Artists - Encores, Legends & Paradox - A Tribute to the Music of ELP (Tracks: Bitches Crystal, The Sheriff, 1999)
Martin Orford - Classical Music and popular Songs (Track: A Part of me, 2000)
UK - Night after Night (1979)
Liesegang - No Strings attached (Tracks: Flesh and Blood, The Thrill of it all, 1996/2003)
Various Artists - Back against the Wall (Tracks: Mother, Hey you, 2005)
Asia - Astra (LP, 1985)
Martin Orford - The old Road (Tracks: Take it to the Sun, The old Road, The Time and the Season, 2008)
John Wetton and The Les Paul Trio - New York Minute (2013/15)
John Wetton - Nomansland (1998/99)
Steve Hackett - Darktown (Track: In Memoriam, 1999)
John Wetton - Raised in Captivity (2011)
Wetton/Downes - Icon (2005)
Qango - Live in the Hood (2000)
John Wetton - Akustika - Live in Amerika (1995/96)
Wetton/Manzanera - One World (1987)
King Crimson - USA (1974/2013)
Uriah Heep - Return to Fantasy (1975/1996)
John Wetton - Battle Lines (1994)
UK - UK (1978)
John Wetton/Geoffrey Downes - John Wetton/Geoffrey Downes (2001)
Asia - Phoenix (2008)
Steve Hackett - Genesis Revisited II (Track: Afterglow, 2012)
Peter Banks - The Two Sides of Peter Banks (Track: Knights, 1973/1994)
John Wetton - Chasing the Deer (1998)
UK - Danger Money (1979)
John Wetton - Arkangel (1997)
Asia - Fantasia - Live in Tokyo (DVD, 2007/13)
The Prog Collective - The Prog Collective (Track: The Laws of Nature, 2012)
John Wetton & Richard Palmer-James - Monkey Business 1972-1997 (1998)
Peter Sinfield - Stillusion (Tracks: Envelopes of Yesterday, The Song of the Sea Goat, 1973/93)
Asia - Omega (2010)
Wetton/Downes - Icon live - Never in a Million Years (2006)
King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black (1974/2011)
The Prog Collective - Epilogue (Track: What can be done?, 2013)
Asia - Spirit of the Night (2009/10)
Wetton/Downes - Icon . Acoustic TV Broadcast (2006)
Steve Hackett - Genesis Revisited: Live at Hammersmith (Track: Afterglow, 2013)
Steve Hackett - Genesis Revisited: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (Track: Firth of Fifth, 2014)
King Crimson - The Collectable King Crimson Volume one (CD 1: Live in Mainz 1974, 1974/2006)
John Wetton - Hazy Monet - Live in New York City (1997)
Asia - XXX (2012)
John Wetton - Live via Satellite (1998/2002/2015)
Asia - Resonance - The Omega Tour 2010 (2010/12)
Steve Hackett - The Tokyo Tapes (1996/97)
menno