There was a sound in the '80s...the power chord, semi-ballad with a certain undeniable British vocal richness. While it existed as a division within the hair metal movement, it possessed an ethereal quality that the other hair bands lacked.
It was the world of Asia, GTR and Yes v2.0. Lots of treble. Lots of high choruses. A sheen, if you will.
The voice behind so much of that movement departed terra firma this week.
John Wetton first burst on the world stage as the voice of King Crimson (replacing Greg Lake). He worked in the post-David Byron era of Uriah Heep...and ultimately became the frontman for the '80s supergroup Asia (in which Greg Lake would follow him).
Asia's unforgettable sound spawned another supergroup called GTR. And, Yes jumped on the bandwagon to match their former guitarists' work in both bands.
So incestuous. But, a sound that dominated the mid-80s before grunge became vogue.
On this Music Friday, we offer up the original: "Heat of the Moment" from John Wetton and Asia.
Godspeed, John. And thanks for the memories...
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