John Kenneth Wetton was born on June 12, 1949, in Willington, Derbyshire, England, and raised in Bournemouth, Dorset. He developed an early interest in music, influenced by his brother Robert, a classical organist. Wetton's musical journey began with church music, but he soon ventured into rock, playing bass and singing in bands with Richard Palmer-James, such as the Corvettes and Mogul Thrash. His career took a significant turn when he joined King Crimson in 1972, forming a classic lineup with Robert Fripp and Bill Bruford, and contributing to seminal albums like "Larks’ Tongues in Aspic" and "Red."

Following King Crimson's dissolution in 1974, Wetton played with several prominent bands, including Roxy Music and Uriah Heep, before co-founding the supergroup Asia in 1981. As Asia's lead vocalist and principal songwriter, Wetton achieved massive success with their debut album, which became Billboard's number one album of 1982. Wetton also pursued a solo career, releasing albums such as "Caught in the Crossfire" and "Battle Lines."

Throughout his career, Wetton collaborated with Geoff Downes in the duo Icon and participated in a successful reunion of Asia's original lineup in 2006. Despite personal struggles, including alcoholism, Wetton was celebrated for his musical talent and warm personality. He passed away on January 31, 2017, in Bournemouth, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of progressive rock.