#and i love john wetton’s voice

[dust-n-roses]

update on my getting-into-prog journey: listened to both u.k. albums (& the couple of live-only tracks) yesterday and they’re good :)

[eddie-rifff]

🌻

i know ive talked about this a million times before but im gonna talk about it again because it came up when i was perusing my roxy music pages on fb earlier (the only thing i use fb for) so here i go

TL;DR later

apparently bryan didnt necessarily WANT to be the sole center of attention in roxy music? like supposedly at the beginning it was supposed to feature everyone sort of equally but the management pushed for bryan to be the lead, but i cant help but feel like this would have happened anyway given enough time. even though bryan interviews poorly (he's shy and gets tongue-tied easily- comments made by interviewers and bryan himself) being the singer he is kind of by default the one that gets the attention put on him, so to me im unsurprised that he gets the bulk of the attention, i just dont understand why its SO one-sided. clearly /I/ see the value in phil and andy and i think theyre just as interesting and important to the band as bryan but i cant for the life of me figure out why so few other people feel that way.

my best guess is that it's because bryan writes lyrics and therefor appears to be their voice and therefore their identity, but just because he plays a significant role in their work doesnt mean that andy and phil's work is any less valuable you know? like if you take either of them away you're taking away huge parts of roxy, and without either of them it wouldnt be the same. you can take away eddie and gary and john wetton and even eno and paul (sorry paul) and you still have roxy music- and thats because its them three TOGETHER that makes roxy music roxy music. arguably, johnny gustafson could make them four- i think thats a fair argument to make but then again idk anybody trying to make that argument lol. i personally think they were strongest with johnny but they were very much still roxy without him, so i maintain that roxy music, at the end of the day, is really three dudes working together, and they should all be a part of the roxy discussion, not just bryan.

so, what is it that people see in bryan that they dont see in andy and phil? is it JUST because they dont sing lead? is it because they're not as good looking as bryan? his looks are questionable at best imo. i dont think hes all that conventionally good looking but i get the appeal. but still, i dont think that warrants the spotlight he gets. i dont think anything about him warrants that attention. there is no one like andy mackay in the rock world and yet the andy's page on fb has 3k likes, whereas bryan's has 400k likes. that's preposterous to me.

i acknowledge bryan's solo work, thats all well and good, and perhaps thats what makes him more popular as far as numbers, but when it comes down to roxy music the band, the attention he gets is unwarranted. its one thing to be a bryan ferry fan, it's another to be a roxy music fan where the only person you care to acknowledge is bryan. those people are not really fans of roxy music and i dislike them for that because they claim to be when they only have eyes for bryan, which, as i have made clear, is unfair and untrue. you cant be a roxy music fan and ONLY care for bryan, because if you DO like roxy music's music that much, you by default like andy and phil too, so why not give them credit? thats what i fail to understand.

TL;DR: bryan ferry is a loser and idk why people like him soooo much more than andy mackay and phil manzanera.

believe it or not this is only a fraction of what i have to say about roxy music and their fans. i think the dynamic is really interesting and i like getting angry about things i love lol

[zagreus]

What are your favorite prog rock albums? Asking for future reference. Currently on a a Yes kick but I want to have more options.

I’m mostly just into King Crimson and (to a lesser extent) Pink Floyd tbh but here’s my top 8 (because 8 is a good number and I need someone to shame my terrible music taste)

King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King - 1969Come on, it’s an absolute classic, and rightly so

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here - 1975IMO this is absolutely, unquestionably their best album, nothing else came anywhere close to this level

King Crimson - Red - 1974For Starless alone this would be a winner but frankly the whole thing is great. Well, I’m not overly keen on the title track, but if Boppin Bobby Fripp wants an excuse to blare out some loud riffs for six minutes, I’m not going to shame him for it

UK - (Self-titled) - 1978This is a bit of an odd one, but I love John Wetton’s voice so here it is

King Crimson - THRAK - 1995I’ll be honest, I don’t love everything on this album (the heavy metal-ish stuff is just not my thing I’m afraid) but as a whole it’s really great, and has some of Adrian Belew’s best singing

Pink Floyd - Meddle - 1971Glorified stoner music? Maybe! But it’s good! Notable for having one of the most talented singing dogs ever to enter a recording studio and howl into a microphone (RIP Seamus)

King Crimson - Discipline - 1980Elephant Talk? ELEPHANT TALK??? Thela Hun Ginjeet Thela Hun Ginjeet Thela Hun Ginjeet Thela Hun Ginjeet Thela Hun Ginjeet Thela Hun Ginjeet Thela Hun Ginjeet Thela Hun Ginjeet Thela Hun Ginjeet Thela Hun Ginjeet Thela Hun Ginjeet Thela Hun Ginjeet Thela Hun Ginjeet Thela Hun Ginjeet Thela Hun Ginjeet Thela Hun Ginjeet

King Crimson - Lizard - 1970This album is…… weird as hell. The lyrics are impenetrable and occasionally daft and the jazzy elements are sometimes a bit too erratic but on the whole I think it’s quite a lot better than its divisive reputation might lead you to believe.

BONUS: Queen - A Night at the Opera - 1975(I know it’s not considered prog rock but I feel like some of it does sort of fit the definition of the genre (but genres are fake anyway), and it’s a damn good album so fucking bite me, I’m including it in this damn list)

[fabianolflucas-blog]

Moving!!! ❤️❤️❤️ I really love the 80’s, the hard rock and aor music genre, and the bands that still today record this kinda sound. I do miss you John Wetton! Your unique voice and talent are timeless!! R.I.P. #asiatheband #ripjohnwetton (at Miramar, Buenos Aires) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2COmgUn2za/?igshid=t26os6x19nmt

[strange-spaghetti]

“Friends, do they know what I mean? Rain & the gathering green of an afternoon out-of-town.”~uh-hoh~ ♡

In the late summer I got into Wetton Crimson very accidentally. I was expecting the voice of Adrian Belew since the only post-Lake Crimson song I knew at that point was Three of a Perfect Pair. Wetton’s voice was unexpected & a little unpleasant at first. I was thinking like, who the hell is this? I would have episodes of beatclub on while exercising & one night, there he was; very handsome. His voice grew on me & I would watch the hell out of Easy Money & their beatclub & melody performances. The only way to listen to King Crimson, until I obtained some albums, was through pandora & youtube. Just really fell in love with this King Crimson. I moved onto Asia since ya know like holy cow members of Yes, ELP, & King Crimson making wonderfully commercial ‘80s pop prog music. It was a delightful discovery. There was a period where I gushed over him ( hee’s a bassist & a singer with this adorable crooked mouth & he had a voice so unique) like I flipped over him in Family. Learning he was sick, I felt upset- & was half-joking how I should never learn of new music & musicians. I knew this was coming on, he made it known (unlike Lake which if I had, it wouldn’t have brought on that god damn shock that really took it out of me. I would have laid off the daydreaming, I would have put to rest the hope of seeing him.). Wetton’s passing...man, did that f*cking suck to write.. I hate this, I hate the losing of these so excellent musicians whom provide soul nurturing sounds & whom give you these beautifully decorated atmospheres within your mind & spirit. People that had the power to move you emotionally & physically with fun & wild music. Like grooving to Easy Money & having it stuck in my head for nearly a whole month was so great. It’s these moments in time that make these talented guys so important. John Wetton is so loved & so treasured. I put out strength & hope for those whom hurt most from his leaving earth. I wish for his loved ones & those whom loved him to smile as soon as they can. I know time can only dilute the heartbreak. May your hearts heal & your minds uphold healthy & cherished memories.

[toranekopero]

GEOFF DOWNES STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF JOHN WETTON "It is with great sadness and a heavy heart, that I have to report we have lost my dearest friend, brother, bandmate and long term musical collaborator, John Wetton, who has passed away after a long and tenacious battle with cancer. 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'. But John was much more than a gigantic and unique musical talent. He was a supremely intelligent man, marked with his great observations and wisdom about life; all couched within his wicked sense of humour. The wit was dark and deep, only fully perceptible to those on his same wavelength. I was fortunate enough to be able to be on that wavelength, and discover that we had much in common. Many of his personal life experiences were reflected in his lyrical contributions to the songs. His heart was always in the music. That was John, through and through. It was always about - the music. As a person, he was fiercely loyal, loving and generous, particularly to those he cared about. But he could be as stubborn as a mule or as gracious as a nobleman, depending on the mood that grabbed him on any particular day. There were some who couldn't read his brilliant mind and complex personality. Some found him charming, others infuriating. But however you found John, there was no denying his rare talent as a musician and songwriter was second to none. Both of us having been brought up with similar backgrounds in provincial England, we shared a love of many things - sport, and in particular - football, English church music, current affairs, comedy, literature, you name it....pretty much everything that 2 kids from the sticks were exposed to in our youth. Our planets seemed to be immediately in alignment when we first met in early 1981. There was a laddish camaraderie that grew between us as we became as close as two non-related brothers could be. He was an avid reader and film enthusiast, something he pursued with great interest. This helped inspire him to some wonderful lyrics to the literally hundreds of songs we composed together. Back then, we immediately hit the ground running as we composed much of the debut ASIA album together and forged a formidable partnership which lasted right up until now. It was a wholly natural process for us, whereby we could knock out 2 or 3 songs in an afternoon. They were always greeted with our gentlemanly handshake and smiles once we had wrapped up another one in the bag. Above all else though, his passion for life was to the fore. The battles he endured throughout were immense and well documented. Firstly with alcohol, which he so resolutely overcame, then open heart surgery and finally cancer, which sadly was to take his life in the end. He once observed to me that this disease is a "merciless assassin". Just another example of his perception and the descriptive language that he was so richly blessed with. He took all of these battles on board with great bravery and almost a 'laissez-faire' attitude, tinged with his inimitable wry wit. To say I will miss my him greatly is beyond understatement. He was such an inspiration to me. We were planning another album, but sadly he was not well enough to complete it. I feel heartbroken about this, as I knew John thought it was to be one of our finest albums to date. I remain as proud as ever of our Wetton/Downes writing partnership. I am hoping one day that I will be able to finish it, and that it will be appreciated by all those who loved his and our music, and most importantly, a legacy he would have been proud of. Life will not be the same without him. And words are not really enough to describe the loss I feel right now, and the many friends and fans all over the World will also be feeling. It is the end of an era for all of us. But we will soldier on - the music of John Wetton needs to be heard loud and clear from the rooftops. Dearest John, may you rest in peace brother. X Geoffrey Please join me in sending our sincerest thoughts and prayers to Lisa, Dylan and the entire Wetton family at this difficult time."

Original Asia

R.I.P. STARLESS & BIBLE BLACK

[eddie-rifff]

boo hoo very long sad mopey rant below

i’m not gonna lie i’m actually really messed up by john wetton’s death

it really seems like not long ago that i saw him as a part of UK live, twice within one week, walked right by him so casually like a perfect stranger, watched a concert while standing within feet of him. so casually. like a perfect stranger. just a different kind of stranger

like, he was /right there/, he was palpable and alive, not just a voice and not just an image (however important that voice and that image were) and now hes just gone

i never actually spoke with him, so unfortunately i cannot truly connect to him in that particular way, so on a less personal sentiment, his passing is another reminder that the people i look up to are gonna keep passing away till none of them are left and i’ll never get to see them again and never get to meet the ones i have yet to meet

these people are important to me, even though i have no personal connection with them. although some of them i do, if but a small bit, and the pain of losing them to time is even more bitter- but even the others- they still are so important.

save for some actors these people are all musicians, and if any one of you has spoken to me for but a fraction of a moment you would probably know how important music is to me, how much influence it has on me, and how much a part of me it has been through my whole life. these people are the ones who created it, they crafted the thing that i love so much with their own hands, their own minds, and when they pass away those minds can create no more

i am endlessly grateful to have known about them and lived in a part of their lifetimes that i did, however little that was, because in that time i became who i am. whoever i am does not matter, what matters is that it’s me- they contributed, in one way or another, to me. this sounds so cheesy but it’s really really true: they helped make me who i am, and without them i’d be someone else entirely

i’m not in love with myself and im definitely not saying that im particularly wonderful and virtuous because of all this but like. it hurts when something that built you just goes away

we have, also, people like carl palmer, steve hackett, yes’ lineup 2013- the present day that i have met and have connected with- although much more briefly with carl and steve- i still got a glimpse of them and what incredible human beings they are

aside from being musical inspirations, they are people. when they die, those sweet little interactions i had with them can be no more but within my mind. their families can never feel their warmth, and the crowd of strangers will have one less face among it. 

so yeah, that’s why im so bummed.