John Kenneth Wetton (born June 12, 1949 in Willington, Derby, Derbyshire, England) is an English singer, bassist and guitarist.
Though born in Derbyshire, Wetton grew up in Bournemouth, Dorset. He has been a professional musician since the late 1960s, and has been a member of several different progressive rock bands including Mogul Thrash, Family, King Crimson (working with childhood friend Robert Fripp), Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry band, Uriah Heep, UK, Asia and Wishbone Ash. Wetton has been a solo performer since leaving Asia for a second time in 1992.
Wetton was initially known for his powerful bass guitar sound and improvisational abilities (as evidenced on King Crimson's The Great Deceiver live box set and other sources), although his recorded output since at least 1980 has been more commercially-oriented, with less focus on the bass guitar, instead favoring a singer-songwriter approach that frequently highlights the use of acoustic guitar and piano.
Wetton's recorded highlights include King Crimson's Larks' Tongues In Aspic (1973) and Red (1974), UK's self-titled album (1978) and Asia's self-titled album (1982), the last of which was the biggest seller of his career.
In 1987 he hooked up with Phil Manzanera again to record Wetton/Manzanera. He was featured on another Manzanera disc in 1990, as well as two releases by Asia. The following year he released his next solo album, Jacknife.
His next solo release, Voice Mail, and Aria by Asia in 1994. He produced no less than two live albums in 1995: Chasing: Live in Japan and Live: Chasing the Dragon. One studio album – Battle Lines – followed shortly thereafter. One more live album – Akusticka: Live in Amerika – followed in 1997.
Later that year, Wetton began working with David Cross and Steve Hackett on two albums, as well as putting out two albums with Phil Manzanera. Two more live discs were released in 1999: Live in New York and Live at the Sun Plaza Tokyo. He also worked with Steve Hackett on Darktown and Ian McDonald on Driver’s Eyes. With barely time to breathe, he still found time to record another studio release – Arkangel.
The new millennium found Wetton working again with Carl Palmer, forming a new group called Qango. Their first album, Live in the Hood, was released that same year. Wetton still found time to play on Martin Darvill and Friend’s Greatest Show on Earth.
Wetton rejoined Asia in spring 2006 with the original lineup. This lineup performed a series of dates in the United States in September, 2006, and in the United Kingdom in November/December, 2006.
