now that the smile has left your eyes...

[wilts rover]

As 2017 follows on from 2016 with the passing of Gordon Kaye, Overend Watts, Jaki Liebetzeit amongst other famous names I was very saddened to hear today of the passing of John Wetton, bassist and singer with King Crimson, Uriah Heep, UK, Roxy Music and Asia. A really nice and down to earth guy and football fan to boot

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si1b8RKMl1w" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si1b8RKMl1w</a>

RIP John

[BobG]

He was with Wishbone Ash for a little while too Wilts. I once saw him playing with them. 'Number the Brave' album? I'm not sure of that though.

BobG

[wilts rover]

You are correct Bob. Just been reading the 9 pages of tributes to him on this forum including this by Martin Turner of the Ash

http://www.progressiveears.org/forum/showthread.php/19273-RIP-John-Wetton

Wetton had replaced Martin Turner in Wishbone Ash. Here is Martin Turner's statement:

"I first became aware of John Wetton in the early 70s when he was with Mogul Thrash who were with the same agent as Wishbone Ash and we played together on some shows. We later on got to know each other at the Buxton festival during the long delays where he was appearing with Family.

At the end of the 70s when I was rather angry at Wishbone Ash’s decision to move forward without me, but I was surprised and somewhat pleased to hear that John was going to replace me in the band. I knew that he was a wonderful bass player, had a beautiful voice and was clearly a creatively talented man. It struck me that Wishbone with John on board could very well achieve the commercial success that they wanted. Unfortunately John was underwhelmed at the band's response to his creative input and quickly moved on, eventually forming Asia, whom as we know achieved great things with their music all over the world. John and Geoff Downes both contributed on my band's recording of the “Argus Through the Looking Glass” album which was a very generous gesture I thought. We had the pleasure of appearing on the High Voltage Festival together in 2010 and travelled together up to John’s appearance at Classic Rock Society’s awards around this time.

Obviously, John like many of us had experienced problems with relationships and alcohol during those hard touring relentless crazy days in the golden years of Rock n Roll, but appeared to come through it all as a sane and grounded person. It was therefore a great disappointment to hear some time ago that he was very ill and although he battled long and hard, eventually it transpired that it was time to leave this world.

We salute your achievements John, and wish you peace and love,
Martin Turner"

[Mike_F]

I see that Tara Palmer-Tomkinson died yesterday.

I know I really, really shouldn't like her, what with her being a silver spoon, toff royal hanger-on but you can't blame her for being born into her family and I actually found her quite entertaining in a mad as a bag of snakes, probably a bit filthy in the bedroom kind of a way.

Regardless, she was no age. Mid 40s I think.

[BobG]

45 blazoned across the front of some rag at the garage this evening. I did, quite by accident of course, read that she had been in the grip of cocaine in 1999 when she was interviewed on tv by Frank Skinner. According to the rag she was so off her face she couldn't remember his name but did manage to say, live on air, "Are you married? Are you single? What are you doing after the show?" Sounds the perfect girl to me.

Cheers

BobG

[hoolahoop]

I see that Tara Palmer-Tomkinson died yesterday.

I know I really, really shouldn't like her, what with her being a silver spoon, toff royal hanger-on but you can't blame her for being born into her family and I actually found her quite entertaining in a mad as a bag of snakes, probably a bit filthy in the bedroom kind of a way.

Regardless, she was no age. Mid 40s I think.

Suffering from inverted snobbery Mike ? I confess I think that way sometimes as well.