Jul 31, 20236 min read

John Wetton 8 CD Box Set An Extraordinary Life out on 24th November

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.

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’ 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.

Disc 1: Caught In The Crossfire (with Bonus Tracks)

Turn On The Radio
Baby Come Back
When Will You Realise
Cold Is The Night
Paper Talk
Get Away
Caught In The Crossfire
Get What You Want
I’ll Be There
Woman
Every Inch Of The Way
Out Of The Blue

Disc 2: Battle Lines (with Bonus Tracks)

Right Where I Wanted To Be
Battle Lines
Jane
Crime Of Passion
Sand In My Hand
Sea Of Mercy
Hold Me Now
Space And Time
Walking On Air
You’re Not The Only One
Battle Lines (Acoustic version)

Disc 3: Arkangel (with Bonus Tracks)

The Circle of St Giles
The Last Thing On My Mind
Desperate Times
I Can’t Lie Anymore
Archangel
You Against The World
Be Careful What You Wish For
Emma
Nothing Happens For Nothing
All Grown Up
After All
The Celtic Cross
Take These Tears
Magazines
Woman

Disc 4: Welcome To Heaven (with Bonus Tracks)

Heart Of Darkness
Say It Ain’t So
No Ordinary Miracle
Where Do We Go From Here
E SCAPE
Another Twist Of The Knife
Silently
Before Your Eyes
Second Best
Real World
Love Is
Space and Time

Disc 5: Rock Of Faith (with Bonus Tracks)

Mondrago
Rock Of Faith
A New Day
I’ve Come To Take You Home
Who Will Light A Candle
Nothing’s Gonna Stand In Our Way
Altro Mongo
I Believe In You
Take Me To The Waterline
I Lay Down
When You Were Young
Cold Comfort
God Only Knows
Rock Of Faith

Disc 6: Raised In Captivity (with Bonus Tracks)

1.Lost For Words

2. Raised In Captivity

3. Goodbye Elsinore

4. The Last Night Of My Life

5. We Stay Together

6. The Human Condition

7. Steffis Ring

8. The Devil And The Opera House

9. New Star Rising

10. Don’t Misunderstand Me

11. Mighty Rivers 12. Face To Face Disc 7 : Bonus Tracks 1

AD 2023
Raven
Walking On Air
Straight From The Heart
If I Was A Country
All Along The Watchtower
Deya 1986
Tears Of Rage
Maryanne
Healer Of Shattered
I’d Give It All For You
Ultimate Emotion Unfinished Idea
Wings Of Angels Intro
Wings Of An Angel
All For One
From A Distant Heart
Real World - John and Ringo
The Greatest Show On Earth -JW Edit
Adagietto
The Water Is Wide

Disc 8: Bonus Tracks 2

Raised In Captivity
The Other Guy (Second Best)
I Will
Bad Thing
Boys Of The Diamond City
Flesh And Blood
Burn Your Name In My Heart
Sex/Power/ And Money
Back In Your Lovin’ Arms
Every Inch Of The Way
I Can’t Tell You Why
Winner Takes It All (demo)
Mind Over Matter (demo)
Gypsy Soul (demo)
Wasted Time
You Still Got Me
Halfway To Heaven
I’ll Never Stop Loving You
Forever

ABOUT JOHN WETTON

John Wetton has a unique place in British music history. In a glittering career spanning more than 40 years, Wetton was a member of several influential and much-loved bands including, Family, King Crimson, Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ash, Roxy Music, UK, Asia and Icon. He also appeared on a host of albums as a guest artist or session player, including for Bryan Ferry, Steve Hackett, Brian Eno, Renaissance and Galahad. In addition, Wetton had an extensive and accomplished solo career.

On Thursday 3rd August there will be An Extraordinary Life Tribute Concert to celebrate the life of John Wetton featuring over 20 musicians including Geoff Downes, Rick Wakeman, Steve Hackett, Phil Manzanera, Dave Kilminster, Roger Chapman and Annie Haslam.

THE WETTON FAMILY & QEDG MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCE

LINE-UP OF LEGENDS TO PLAY EXCLUSIVE JOHN WETTON MEMORIAL CONCERT

On AUGUST 3RD, 2023

IN AID OF CHARITY WHO CARED FOR JOHN

STREAMING TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Lisa Wetton, (wife) Dylan Wetton, (son) and QEDG Management are delighted to announce that a memorial concert will be held in memory of JOHN WETTON (King Crimson, Family, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ask, UK, Asia) on 3rd August 2023 at Trading Boundaries in East Sussex. The event will see friends and family of the late lead singer and guitarist gather together to celebrate the life of this extraordinary musician. An all-star line-up of

legends, who were friends and collaborators of Wetton’s, will perform songs from throughout his incredible career.

The memorial event will be hosted by Prog Magazine’s editor, Jerry Ewing, alongside Geoff Downes (The Buggles, Asia, YES), Steve Hackett (Genesis, GTR) and artist Roger Dean. The list of performers and special guests who wish to pay tribute to the legendary Wetton is growing by the day, but so far boasts (in alphabetical order):

Chris Braide (Downes Braide Association), Roger Chapman (Family), Mel Collins (King Crimson, Alan Parsons Project, Chris Squire, Roger Waters), Jim Cregan (Family, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Rod Stewart, Katie Melua), David Cross (King Crimson), Chris Difford (Squeeze), Geoff Downes, Steve Hackett, Annie Haslam (Renaissance), Dave Kilminster (John Wetton, Keith Emerson, Steven Wilson, Roger Waters), Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music), John Mitchell (John Wetton, Icon, It Bites, Fr*st), Martin Orford (John Wetton, IQ, Jadis), Guy Pratt (Pink Floyd, Roxy Music) , Jay Schellen (YES, Asia), Billy Sherwood (YES, Asia) and Rick Wakeman (YES, Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe), Laurie Wisefield (Wishbone Ash, Snakecharmer) - all of whom will be supported by The Paul Green Rock Academy.

Geoff Downes commented “I am very excited to be a part of the upcoming John Wetton Tribute. As you all know, I had a very close and unique writing partnership with John, and we were dear friends, brothers and band mates for many years.”

Wetton died on 31st January 2017, as a result of complications due to cancer. He spent his last days being cared for by the charity Macmillan Caring Locally, at the Macmillan Unit, Christchurch Hospital in Dorset. As a gesture of recognition towards his fans who supported Wetton right up until his death, John’s family and management have decided to allow this private event to be live streamed so that it can be enjoyed by fans across the globe. They have also identified the memorial as being the perfect opportunity to highlight the fantastic work done by Macmillan Caring Locally and to raise much-needed funds for the creation of a special hospice suite dedicated to the star.

Lin Sharp, Fundraising and Communications Director for the charity commented “It was a privilege to care for John in the final days of his life and we are so grateful to his wife, Lisa, for her continued support. All monies raised will go to fund a room as a legacy to John, named The John Wetton Suite. A massive thank you to you all for making this possible.”

John’s son Dylan went on to say “I am delighted and humbled that so many legendary artists who worked with my Dad over the years have agreed to come together both to honour him and raise vital funds for the charity which supported him during his last days.”

Tickets for the live stream can be purchased now with all proceeds going to Macmillan Caring Locally. In an effort to raise further funds, a special online auction will run alongside the evening’s proceedings boasting some unique lots, including a guitar owned by Wetton himself.

This promises to be an incredible, once-in-a-life time event and it is hoped that fans will support it generously by buying live stream memorial tickets as well as bidding on the various auction lots.

Dylan Wetton went on to say “I cannot think of a better way to celebrate my Dad’s life and the incredible musical legacy he has left behind. It’s going to be an amazing night, a unique event - which is exactly what my Dad deserves.” Downes agrees “To honour John’s legacy in this way with so many of his former musicians, colleagues and family gathered together, shows just what an enormous amount of love, gratitude and respect so many of us held for John and his music. It’s going to be a wonderful celebration spanning the whole of John’s amazing career. I am very much looking forward to it. See you all there.”

Live Stream Tickets can be purchased from:

https://www.tradingboundaries.com/concert/

PERFORMERS & SPECIAL GUESTS (in alphabetical order)

CHRIS BRAIDE

ROGER CHAPMAN

MEL COLLINS

JIM CREGAN

DAVID CROSS

ROGER DEAN

CHRIS DIFFORD

GEOFF DOWNES

STEVE HACKETT