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John Wetton An extraordinary life
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 24, 2023
This was a tribute to the singer and bassist for many bands, including King Crimson and Asia. More than that these are heartfelt vignettes about how a talent nearly lost everything due to alcoholism and his return to creative excellence
August 16, 2023
Forty years is a long time for my Heavy Metal-addled brain - but to the best of my recollection Asia was the first Rock group I latched on to after wandering away from the Elvis & Country records my parents listened to while I was growing up. I think by the time I was thirteen I started my popular music fandom with Men at Work & Duran Duran as I was flipping through the radio dial, probably in early/mid-1983. By later that year, or maybe even into '84, I had heard "Don't Cry" from 'Alpha' which had been released in the summer of '83 and I was hooked.
I didn't know it at the time, but this was probably my first introduction to some of the elements that made up Progressive Rock, and I tumbled ALL the way down that rabbit hole as I reached adulthood. (At least age-wise; the jury's still out mentally.)
Anyways, skipping over the drama of John Wetton leaving/getting kicked out, I was a big fan of the band through the '80s until their initial breakup. (The John Payne-era was okay, but it just wasn't the same and I eventually drifted away.)
'An Extraordinary Life' is a collection of tributes to/stories about Wetton's life and also serves as a (very) bare-bones biography since some of the tales do go all the way back to when Wetton started performing. Besides family, friends and general music-industry types, there's a Who's-Who of musicians that contribute, with the majority being royalty in the world of Progressive Rock: Steve Hackett, Geoff Downes, Rick & Oliver Wakeman, Carl Palmer, Robert Fripp, Steve Howe, Mike Portnoy, Bill Bruford, Clive Nolan and numerous others.
I think I would have preferred a straight-up biography about John, but as a fan I still found this a fascinating read. And it is definitely of the "warts and all" variety as a number of the contributors go into various levels of detail about Wetton's alcohol-addiction and his eventual sobriety. (Which evidently was just in the nick of time as he was closing in on death's door.)
I didn't know it at the time, but this was probably my first introduction to some of the elements that made up Progressive Rock, and I tumbled ALL the way down that rabbit hole as I reached adulthood. (At least age-wise; the jury's still out mentally.)
Anyways, skipping over the drama of John Wetton leaving/getting kicked out, I was a big fan of the band through the '80s until their initial breakup. (The John Payne-era was okay, but it just wasn't the same and I eventually drifted away.)
'An Extraordinary Life' is a collection of tributes to/stories about Wetton's life and also serves as a (very) bare-bones biography since some of the tales do go all the way back to when Wetton started performing. Besides family, friends and general music-industry types, there's a Who's-Who of musicians that contribute, with the majority being royalty in the world of Progressive Rock: Steve Hackett, Geoff Downes, Rick & Oliver Wakeman, Carl Palmer, Robert Fripp, Steve Howe, Mike Portnoy, Bill Bruford, Clive Nolan and numerous others.
I think I would have preferred a straight-up biography about John, but as a fan I still found this a fascinating read. And it is definitely of the "warts and all" variety as a number of the contributors go into various levels of detail about Wetton's alcohol-addiction and his eventual sobriety. (Which evidently was just in the nick of time as he was closing in on death's door.)
September 7, 2023
A lot of this was eulogies that said the same thing. But what they said... John Wetton was a complex man who nonetheless made an impression on everyone he knew. The book, shepherded by his widow Lisa, includes long sections by his first wife, Jill, and a woman named Beate who gave birth to John's son.
Not only do all his King Crimson bandmates chime in (except Jaime Muir, who sadly passed before he could be interviewed), but his replacement, the great Tony Levin, has a few words to say on the back cover.
What emerges is a virtuoso bass player and vocalist never constrained by his chosen genre. He had a great sense of humor and while his battle with alcoholism could not be ignored, his recovery and his subsequent dedication to helping others find recovery mark him as a personal hero to many of those chiming in, including the redoubtable Mr. Robert Fripp.
I knew he'd been in a lot of bands, once even buying an ancient cassette of Uriah Heep's Return to Fantasy on the strength of Wetton's presence. There are the obvious stops in his career: Family, King Crimson, UK, and Asia, but I never knew about Roxy Music or Wishbone Ash. Had he lived, we might have seen him do "Heat of the Moment" in concert with the Foo Fighters. (I'd have loved to hear the late Taylor Hawkins reinterpret Carl Palmer's beats.)
But it's not just musicians, label execs, or producers who have their say. An AA fellow traveler, childhood friend, and ordinary fan all speak up. Coupled with the moving tributes by first wife Jill and widow Lisa, there were moments I actually teared up.
But I also laughed out loud. After all, John Wetton was a funny guy.
Not only do all his King Crimson bandmates chime in (except Jaime Muir, who sadly passed before he could be interviewed), but his replacement, the great Tony Levin, has a few words to say on the back cover.
What emerges is a virtuoso bass player and vocalist never constrained by his chosen genre. He had a great sense of humor and while his battle with alcoholism could not be ignored, his recovery and his subsequent dedication to helping others find recovery mark him as a personal hero to many of those chiming in, including the redoubtable Mr. Robert Fripp.
I knew he'd been in a lot of bands, once even buying an ancient cassette of Uriah Heep's Return to Fantasy on the strength of Wetton's presence. There are the obvious stops in his career: Family, King Crimson, UK, and Asia, but I never knew about Roxy Music or Wishbone Ash. Had he lived, we might have seen him do "Heat of the Moment" in concert with the Foo Fighters. (I'd have loved to hear the late Taylor Hawkins reinterpret Carl Palmer's beats.)
But it's not just musicians, label execs, or producers who have their say. An AA fellow traveler, childhood friend, and ordinary fan all speak up. Coupled with the moving tributes by first wife Jill and widow Lisa, there were moments I actually teared up.
But I also laughed out loud. After all, John Wetton was a funny guy.
March 11, 2024
This book is about the life of John Wetton, bassist, vocalist, singer, songwriter with many big name bands since the late 60s until his death in 2017.
This is a physically lovely book. The book production itself is of very high quality and is a pleasure to hold. I bought the hardback, I don't know if it will be released in paperback. My name is on the Roll of Honour at the rear of the book :)
Secondly, while I classified it as biography, it isn't really. Many people who knew John Wetton from the music industry and elsewhere have written about their interactions with him as a person. What comes across strongly is what a kind, humble man he was.
No punches are pulled by those who knew him when he was struggling with alcohol, and how he finally became sober in 2005. He joined AA meetings and attended frequently even when on tour in cities around the globe. One of the anecdotes is from someone he met through AA and to whom JW became sponsor.
He played with a lot of the big name bands from the 1970s until he died: Family, King Crimson, Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heep, Asia, to name just a few.
Who is this book for? I guess anyone who has followed JW's work, anyone who was into the whole prog scene, anyone who just wants an insight into the life of someone who didn't lose touch with reality even as they became a star.
I first became aware of JW in the 1970s as a teen into King Crimson amongst other proggie bands (Zepp, Floyd etc). The first album I owned with him on it was Larks Tongues in Aspic.
This is a physically lovely book. The book production itself is of very high quality and is a pleasure to hold. I bought the hardback, I don't know if it will be released in paperback. My name is on the Roll of Honour at the rear of the book :)
Secondly, while I classified it as biography, it isn't really. Many people who knew John Wetton from the music industry and elsewhere have written about their interactions with him as a person. What comes across strongly is what a kind, humble man he was.
No punches are pulled by those who knew him when he was struggling with alcohol, and how he finally became sober in 2005. He joined AA meetings and attended frequently even when on tour in cities around the globe. One of the anecdotes is from someone he met through AA and to whom JW became sponsor.
He played with a lot of the big name bands from the 1970s until he died: Family, King Crimson, Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heep, Asia, to name just a few.
Who is this book for? I guess anyone who has followed JW's work, anyone who was into the whole prog scene, anyone who just wants an insight into the life of someone who didn't lose touch with reality even as they became a star.
I first became aware of JW in the 1970s as a teen into King Crimson amongst other proggie bands (Zepp, Floyd etc). The first album I owned with him on it was Larks Tongues in Aspic.
July 29, 2023
Not really a biography which is kind of what I was expecting. It is a collection of what I guess you could call eulogies. I was very sad when John Wetton died. His music is a very important part of my childhood and continues to be so in my life still. I was moved by all the musicians and friends thoughts and anecdotes. It is both uplifting and depressing at the same time. If you are a Wetton fan, i recommend this book. You won’t get a lot of new information but you will feel a connection with other people who shared your passion for this man and his music.
July 29, 2023
This book consists of about 80 chapters with eulogies and memories from different persons edited by Nick Shilton. Some of the chapters are quite interesting but after a while the repetition of what a great bassplayer, fantastic singer, great composer and all around good guy John was is getting a bit tedious. I'm not quite sure if the structure of this book is the best way to present this material.
February 26, 2024
I love the tribute style in this book for someone who sadly passed away 6 years ago. Lot of excellent stories from those who knew him, whether it came from other musicians or those behind the scenes, including family members.
October 2, 2024
Testemonies about the great man. You learn more about him than in a proper biography. As these are compiled from a lot of people, there are stories that are repeated but through the words of other people, so the emphasis differs. A truly moving book.
December 11, 2023
This was not what I expected. I thought this would be a biography. However, for what it is, memories and thoughts about Mr. Wetton, it is still quite good and I did learn a few things reading it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews