Emissions
Fans of our show know that The Wolf and Action Jackson have a special place in their hearts for 80s prog/pop rock band Asia. While we've spoken with keyboardist Geoff Downes (UAWIL 79) and drummer Carl Palmer (UAWIL 80), we never had the opportunity to speak with singer/bassist John Wetton as he passed away before we started our show. However, there have been many celebrations of John's life and works in 2023 and to tell us more about the kind of person John Wetton was, we've enlisted the great Oliver Wakeman to offer some stories about the man himself.
Oliver toured with Yes during 2009-2011 and during that time, befriended John Wetton as Asia was touring with Yes. Despite Oliver being a generation younger and the fact that John had worked with his father Rick, John took Oliver under his wing and they formed a bond that had a big impact on Oliver (and John too). Oliver relates some stories of his time with John including watching him play every night, how John checked in on him as he slated to transition out of Yes and one time John joined Oliver and his band to play Heat of the Moment. Oliver will also give us some tidbits about music he's working on, including his plan to play songs he wrote with Yes on From A Page live this spring at Winters End Festival.
Oliver is helping to promote the new box set John Wetton: An Extraordinary Life which is out November 24 around the world - an 8 disc set of his solo albums with bonus tracks and discs full of rarities, unreleased gems and live cuts (more information below). We had a great time chatting with Oliver and hope you'll enjoy our conversation about John, Yes, prog music and more!
Oliver Wakeman Website - https://www.oliverwakeman.co.uk/
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John Wetton: An Extraordinary Life - On 24th November the first in a series of box sets commemorating the life and music of one of the UK`s most extraordinary and prolific musicians, John Wetton, will be released.
The An Extraordinary Life box set contains 8 newly remastered CDs, featuring the six solo albums Wetton released between 1980 and 2011. Each album now includes special bonus tracks. Additionally, two further discs are included which feature a gold mine of rare, live and unreleased material from the vaults, compiled by John`s archivist, Rick Nelson.
Check out trailer for the box set here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EE0HFoq2Ck
Housed in a sumptuous 12 by 12 box, this set includes a 64-page book with an introduction by legendary artist, Roger Dean and contains comprehensive sleeve notes by Nick Shilton, author of Wetton's biography, An Extraordinary Life, published earlier this year. The book also features a raft of photographs taken from the Wetton archive and has been designed by John's long-time friend, Michael Inns.
This whole project has been lovingly crafted and compiled with the full blessing of John`s son Dylan and his wife Lisa and is endorsed by the Wetton estate.
With a career spanning more than four decades, John Wetton`s rich baritone voice and accomplished bass playing has adorned many recordings. In this An Extraordinary Life where his extensive solo career is captured for posterity all in one sumptuous box set, making this a fitting tribute to one of the UK most loved and respected artists.
An Extraordinary Life
DISC 1: Caught in The Crossfire (1980)
DISC 2: Battle Lines (1994)
DISC 3: Arkangel (1997)
DISC 4: Welcome to Heaven (2000)
DISC 5: Rock of Faith (2003)
DISC 6: Raised in Captivity (2011)
DISC 7: New Live and Unreleased Tracks
DISC 8: New Live and Unreleased Tracks
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