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Joined: September 03 2006
Location: .
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Points: 9869
Posted: January 31 2015 at 08:26
SteveG wrote:
^I don't know how to respond to this kind of question, Garard. Wetton has had bouts with his own personal demons that I don't want to rehash here. If he felt the need to make some bucks with Asia, fine. He was never a commercial success with either KC or UK. It may be hard to believe, but KC was cult band at the time of his tenure. KC never had the record sales of Yes or Genesis and maybe Wetton wanted some of that. And UK came into being during the punk craze. Enough said.
He's ok in my book. A fine musician and vocalist, regardless of what musical directions he has taken over the course of his career.
In fact he said as much in an interview, that he sought commercial success. And he figured he would never get it in KC. With UK, it got a bit better but Asia was the breakthrough he had been looking for.
And I kind of go along with Dellinger. His voice seems to suit Asia better than KC, at least for me. Neither Lake nor Wetton had the kind of flexible voice that Belew had. Pity he came in a little after KC's peak, though I do love Discipline.
Joined: February 14 2014
Status: Offline
Points: 187
Posted: January 31 2015 at 09:10
Wetton wasn't there for "Asia's worst periods". He was an integral part of the best era of Crimson, which is even referred to as the "Wetton era". He was in UK, also one of the greatest bands ever, and then went commercial (like everyone did) with Asia. Asia's first album and a few tracks from the reunion albums are good. I don't see where the controversy is. He's one of the greats of prog.
Joined: October 02 2005
Location: .
Status: Offline
Points: 46828
Posted: January 31 2015 at 10:01
bah... this place has become the PMRC of internet sites... a damn church group. What kind of internet site values common sense, politeness and decency. Well.. micky and his Harley riding, leather clad free thinking gang of forum terrors will never let it completely happen damnit.
oh and regards John Wetton... the less said the better... I lost complete respect for him at the last Nearfest.
The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip
Joined: July 29 2005
Location: None
Status: Offline
Points: 24391
Posted: January 31 2015 at 10:13
micky wrote:
bah... this place has become the PMRC of internet sites... a damn church group. What kind of internet site values common sense, politeness and decency. Well.. micky and his Harley riding, leather clad free thinking gang of forum terrors will never let it completely happen damnit.
oh and regards John Wetton... the less said the better... I lost complete respect for him at the last Nearfest.
I would say that his performance with District 97 at the first NJ Proghouse Homecoming Weekend was even more pathetic. He was clearly itching to play bass, and instead he found himself having to sing "edited" versions of KC's masterpieces. Cutting "Starless" short was one of the biggest crimes against music I have ever witnessed on a stage.
Joined: February 10 2010
Location: Barcelona Spain
Status: Offline
Points: 5091
Posted: January 31 2015 at 11:52
Well perhaps the word "controversial" was a bit too heavy a word, actually I have a lot of praise for him too, but I don't care for much of Asia's stuff (admittedly I have not heard everything from them), but then yes, he was not the only one to try being more commercial. I loved that he and Jobson did the UK Reunion, the thread actually came after watching again the video from that tour (the Tokio concert) and enjoying it a lot.
Joined: April 11 2014
Location: Kyiv In Spirit
Status: Offline
Points: 20483
Posted: January 31 2015 at 12:58
^How you or anyone perceives Wetton's career is valid, Garard. I don't think that's an issue. But I would just like to point out that it may appear a bit too focused on just one individual. Yes, Genesis et al, all went the commercial route, as it was a fixture of that era. Good God, even Renaissance made a dreadful pop album (Time Line) that I don't like, but I understand why they had to go in that direction.
Joined: January 04 2007
Location: Grok City
Status: Offline
Points: 16148
Posted: January 31 2015 at 16:30
Hi,
Weird ... two of the most appreciated KC albums featured in the recent concerts ... and the bass player in those two albums? Mr. Wetton! RED and STARLESS
Very strange discussion ... people fit sometimes in the weirdest of manners, but I think if there ever was a highlight in his career that he appreciates would be KC ... that he made the call to leave and go do more pop music, is another story and discussion.
His work with FAMILY is just fine, though weird.
Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com
Joined: September 25 2010
Location: Melbourne
Status: Offline
Points: 2444
Posted: February 01 2015 at 13:56
Never liked his voice apart from some slow tracks. Decent bass player but he never stood out like many other bass players
All I like is prog related bands beginning late 60's/early 70's. Their music from 1968 - 83 has the composition and sound which will never be beaten. Perfect blend of jazz, classical, folk and rock.
Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 26108
Posted: February 02 2015 at 01:15
Ivan_Melgar_M wrote:
TALENTED & VERSATILE
Elite bass player and one of the best voices in Prog...What else can you ask?
Ivan
Some are saying he should have spent more time in prog bands. This is understandable and I would have preferred more UK and less Asia but I respect his choices.
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John Wetton and his controversial career
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