John Wetton - Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist

Wetton grew up in Bournemouth, Dorset (England), and was a member of several local bands The Corvettes, The Palmer-James Group, Tedrad and Ginger Man early on.

He became a member of Mogul Thrash and appeared on their only album in 1971, then recorded with former King Crimson singer Gordon Haskell on his solo album, It Is and It Isn't.

He was invited by his childhood friend, Robert Fripp, to join King Crimson around the time their fourth album, Islands, was being worked on, but Wetton joined the band Family instead. Family had been famous in the late 60's in the underground psychedelic/progressive scene along with bands such as Soft Machine, The Move, The Nice and Pink Floyd

Wetton played guitars (including bass), and shared vocal duties with Roger Chapman on Family's fifth and sixth albums Fearless in 1971 and Bandstand in 72.

Wetton also played bass on Larry Norman's Only Visiting This Planet in 72, which is considered one of the "25 Christian Albums You Need to Own From the '70s" by CCM Magazine.

The fifth album from the British rock band Family, released in October 1971 is regarded as one of their most innovative albums by critics and fans.

The original ten tracks were arranged with great care and complexity to have the lyrics and music take unexpected turns.

John Wetton's bass and vocals added a new dimension to the group's sound.

Family's sixth studio album, released in 1972, was the second and last album to chart in the United States. It was also their last album with John Wetton.

Wetton's role in the band was reduced on this album, and he left to join King Crimson after it was completed. They replaced him with bassist Jim Cregan, then toured North America with Elton John.

On that tour they built up a small but loyal cult following in the U.S. after receiving favorable exposure from American critics and radio DJs.

Larry Norman was an American Christian musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and humorist. Often called the father of Christian rock music his recordings are known for their Christian and social subject matter, and has had a significant influence on many artists, both secular and religious.

In 1972 Norman recorded Only Visiting This Planet with help from Beatles producer George Martin, and John Wetton was among the musicians who performed on the album.

In 1972, John Wetton joined percussionist Jamie Muir, drummer Bill Bruford and David Cross as the new members of King Crimson.

Of the previous line up, only Robert Fripp remained, Richard Palmer-James was added as a replacement for lyricist Peter Sinfield. Palmer-James had belonged to the same local Bournemouth bands as Wetton and had been a member of Supertramp, but quit six months after the release of their debut album.

In 1974 John Wetton worked on Another Time, Another Place, the solo album by Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music. He appeared on Roxy Music guitarist, Phil Manzanera's solo albums, Diamond Head and K Scope and on Ferry's other solo albums, Let's Stick Together, In Your Mind, February and The Bride Stripped Bare. He also performed on tracks for Roxy Music's live album, Viva!.

Wetton and Manzanera reunited in 1987 for the one-off Wetton Manzanera album.

In 1975, Wetton replaced bassist Gary Thain when he joined Uriah Heep. The first album he recorded with them, Return To Fantasy, remains one of their best selling, and was the first of their records to reach the top 10 on the UK charts.

The album followed Heep's disappointing Wonderworld album. With Return To Fantasy they tried to get back to the more gothic and mystical feel of their earlier albums, and Wetton helped to re-energize the group by bringing some new ideas to the table.

Uriah Heep's ninth studio album was their last with vocalist and founding member David Byron, who was fired due to his troubles with alcohol.

The album was not received very well, and may have suffered from the underlying tensions. They were still feeling the lose of Gary Thain, as shown by songs like "Weep In Silence" and "Misty Eyes".

Wetton also wasn't comfortable he felt that was becoming a part of the band, and was being seen as just replacement for Thain. He quite while the band was still getting over Byron's firing.

Wetton co-wrote "Weep in Silence" and "Footprints in the Snow".

In 1976, Wetton formed the group, U.K.,with Bill Bruford which began when they tried to form a new band with Rick Wakeman, who had worked with Bill in Yes, but after Wakeman's record label disapproved of him working with King Crimson's old rhythm section (Wetton and Bruford), the two attempted to get Robert Fripp to reform Crimson.

That didn't work, so they decided to form a new group. Wetton brought in former Roxy Music member Eddie Jobson from Frank Zappa's band, to play Electric Violin, keyboards and Electronics. Bruford brought in guitarist Allan Holdsworth who had worked on Bruford's solo album and had been a member of Soft Machine, and Gong.

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John Wetton - Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist
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