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CHECK IT OUT: Asia in 2010 performing “Only Time Will Tell” live in Basel, Switzerland.

ASIA’S CO-FOUNDING BASSIST JOHN WETTON DEAD AT 67
The rock world is mourning the loss of one of the greats — King Crimson and Asia bassist John Wetton, who died in his sleep yesterday (January 31st) of cancer at age 67, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. Fans learned of Wetton’s relapse earlier this month when he was forced to back out of Asia’s opening slot on tour with Journey — and although a select group of insiders knew the severity of the situation, many fans did not.

Wetton will forever be linked to glory days of British prog, performing on such King Crimson classic albums as 1973’s Larks’ Tongues In Aspic, 1974’s Starless And Bible Black, Red, and 1975’s USA. Following that, Wetton lent his services to both Roxy Music and Uriah Heep prior to co-founding U.K. with former Yes drummer Bill Bruford, before going solo. After that, Wetton formed Asia in 1981 with Emerson, Lake, & Palmer drummer Carl Palmer, Yes guitarist Steve Howe, and Buggles and Yes keyboardist Geoff Downes.

Asia’s self-titled debut album was released in March 1982 and spent nine weeks on top of the Billboard 200 charts. The album spawned two hit singles, both of which were massive video hits on MTV — “Heat Of the Moment” (#4) and “Only Time Will Tell” (#17). The band’s original run with its founding members only lasted two albums, with 1983’s Alpha peaking at Number Six and featuring the Top Ten hit, “Don’t Cry.” Various lineup changes ensued with Wetton pursuing other projects and teaming up with Geoff Downes to form Icon.

The original lineup of Asia — John Wetton, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer, and Geoff Downes — released the band’s third Asia album featuring the co-founders in 2007 with Fantasia: Live In Tokyo, and followed that up with the 2008 studio set Phoenix. In 2010 the band released the Omega album. 2012 brought XXX, with 2014 seeing Asia’s last release, Gravitas, featuring Steve Howe’s replacement, Sam Coulson.

Carl Palmer said in a statement: “With the passing of my good friend and musical collaborator, John Wetton, the world loses yet another musical giant. John was a gentle person who created some of the most lasting melodies and lyrics in modern popular music. As a musician, he was both brave and innovative, with a voice that took the music of Asia to the top of the charts around the world. His ability to triumph over alcohol abuse made him an inspiration to many who have also fought that battle. For those of us who knew him and worked with him, his valiant struggle against cancer was a further inspiration. I will miss his talent, his sense of humor and his infectious smile. May you ride easy, my old friend.”

Geoff Downes wrote in part: ““He will be remembered as one of the world’s finest musical talents, and I for one of many was wholly blessed by his influence. It was a massive privilege for me to have worked with this genius so closely on our numerous projects together over the years. His bass playing was revolutionary. His voice was from the gods. His compositions — out of this world. His sense of melody and harmony — unreal. He was literally a ‘special one.'”