Noted British musician John Wetton, has passed away following a battle with cancer.
Wetton was on the forefront in the early days of progressive rock playing with bands like Family and Renaissance. In 1972, he replaced King Crimson singer and bassist Greg Lake when Lake departed permanently for Emerson Lake & Palmer. Following King Crimson’s demise in 1975, Wetton joined Roxy Music as a touring bassist and was a noted session musician for the likes of Brian Eno, Phil Manzanera, Bryan Ferry and others.
Wetton joined Yes guitarist Steve Howe and keyboardist Geoff Downes, along with ELP drummer Carl Palmer, to form Asia in 1981. The super-group’s debut album sold over 10 million copies and spawned the massive hit single “Heat of the Moment”.
He was 67.