Brian Eno is MORE DARK THAN SHARK

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Mojo APRIL 2017 - by Clive Prior

JOHN WETTON

Bassist Supreme - Born 1949

Born in Derby and raised in Bournemouth, John Wetton's bass prowess can be gauged from those who sought him out: after playing in Mogul Thrash, he worked with Renaissance and Family, and was recruited for King Crimson's 1972 incarnation. That group ran aground in 1974, after the Larks' Tongues In Aspic, Starless And Bible Black and Red albums, whereupon Wetton toured with Roxy Music and recorded with Uriah Heep. In 1977, Wetton and King Crimson rhythm section partner, drummer Bill Bruford, formed short-lived prog supergroup U.K. After a short liaison with Wishbone Ash, from 1981 Wetton fronted the even more high-powered Asia with members of ELP, Yes and Buggles; their self-titled debut sold in multimillions. He also recorded solo and with collaborators such as Phil Manzanera, Brian Eno and Steve Hackett, and with the progressive group Qango, before rejoining a reconstituted Asia in 2006. A recovering alcoholic, he assisted others in similar difficulties, and was planning a return to activity less than three weeks before his death from cancer on January 11.