Prog-Watch 236
This week we have a new feature (which will recur every once in a while) called “Proghopper”. In this series we will look at the career of a progressive artist who has been in several different bands, and possibly has a solo career, as well. Our first installment will look at the career of John Wetton, in Mogul Thrash, with King Crimson, UK, and Asia, solo, and in collaboration with Geoff Downes! (We respectfully dedicate this first Proghopper installment to John Wetton, with hopes for a full and speedy recovery.)
John Kenneth Wetton (born 12 June 1949) is an English singer, bassist, and songwriter. He was born in Willington, Derbyshire, and grew up in Bournemouth. He rose to fame with bands Mogul Thrash, Family, King Crimson, Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry, Uriah Heep, and Wishbone Ash.
After his period with King Crimson, Wetton formed UK, and later he was the frontman and principal songwriter of the super-group Asia, which has proved his biggest commercial success. He later formed the duo Icon with Geoff Downes (Yes, ex-Buggles) and since the 1990s has had a successful solo career releasing a large number of studio and live albums.
Wetton has also had a long career as an in-demand session bass player and has collaborated with many members of progressive rock bands such as Yes (including Steve Howe, Bill Bruford, Geoff Downes, Alan White, Billy Sherwood and Peter Banks), Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry, and Genesis (Steve Hackett).
Music with some meat to it!
Prog-Watch is a weekly podcast and internet radio program dedicated to bringing the listener contemporary Progressive Rock music from around the world. Your big, hairy host, the “Prog-Squatch” wanders the woods of the world, beats the bushes, and digs in the dirt to bring the best Prog back for YOU! Sometimes solo and sometimes with a guest host, the Prog-Squatch will bring you new and interesting artists in each episode, and give you some background info and a taste of their music.