Who Is John Wetton? Age, Biography and Wiki
John Wetton was born on June 12, 1949, making him 76 years old at the fictional point in 2025. He was an influential singer, songwriter, and musician, celebrated for his work with bands like King Crimson, Uriah Heep, and Asia. Wetton's music career, spanning over four decades, left a lasting impact on the rock genre.
Occupation | Rock Singer |
---|---|
Date of Birth | June 12, 1949 |
Age | 67 Years |
Birth Place | Willington, Derbyshire, England |
Horoscope | Gemini |
Country | England |
Date of death | 31 January, 2017 |
Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
John Wetton's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
John Wetton stood at an approximate height of 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) and weighed around 165 pounds (75 kg) during his prime. Known for his strong stage presence, his physical statistics complemented his powerful vocal performances.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout his life, John Wetton was known to keep his personal life relatively private. He was married twice but had kept most details about his relationships and family largely away from the media spotlight. As of 2025, there is no public record indicating a current boyfriend or girlfriend, suggesting he may have been focused on his music and career rather than relationships.
Wetton died in his sleep from complications of colorectal cancer at the Macmillan Unit of Christchurch Hospital in Christchurch, Dorset, on 31 January 2017, at the age of 67. He was surrounded by his wife, son, brother, and mother.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing in 2017, John Wetton had an estimated net worth of around $12 million, largely accrued through his extensive music career, including album sales, touring, and royalties. While it's impossible to project an updated net worth for 2025, given the enduring popularity of his music and posthumous releases, it's likely he continues to earn residual income from his work.
Career, Business and Investments
Wetton's career began in the late 1960s, and he became known for his role in pioneering progressive rock. Aside from his involvement in major bands, he also released several solo albums that showcased his songwriting and performing skills. Wetton was also involved in various side projects and collaborations that contributed to his formidable reputation in the music industry. His investments likely included music-related ventures and potential real estate holdings, though specifics remain undisclosed.
In 1981, he co-founded Asia as lead vocalist and principal songwriter, which was considered to be a supergroup. Their debut, self-titled album was released in 1982, selling ten million copies worldwide and becoming Billboard magazine's number one album of 1982. Wetton later formed the duo Icon with his Asia bandmate and songwriting partner Geoff Downes, and he also had a successful solo career.
Social Network
John Wetton was not an active participant in social media platforms like many contemporary musicians. However, fans often share memories and tributes on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, celebrating his work and legacy. His official website remains a tribute space where fans can honor his contributions and stay updated about any posthumous releases or related news.
His elder brother Robert was a classical organist and choirmaster. While practising organ, Robert would have John play the bass parts on a piano, since their home organ did not have a pedalboard. John recalled that during the practices, "I got to like bass lines, because Bach bass lines are incredibly interesting.
So I thought, this is good, I like bass lines, that's me." Though an enthusiast of classical music since childhood, he decided to explore rock music instead in order to avoid being compared to his brother. He played bass and sang in a number of bands with Richard Palmer-James, including the Corvettes, the Palmer-James Group, Tetrad, and Ginger Man.
A key early band he was in was the jazzy Mogul Thrash. After live work with Renaissance, he joined Family and also featured in various recording sessions.
He credits Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson as his first favorite rock bassists, and he has additionally cited Jack Bruce, Harvey Brooks, Miroslav Vitouš, and James Jamerson as later influences on his playing.
Education
Wetton attended Kingswood School in Bath, England, where he was exposed to various musical influences. His formal education in music is not well-documented, but his talent and musicianship were honed through experience and a natural affinity for music.