Courtesy of Glass Onyon PRSome disconcerting news from Asia frontman John Wetton, who has been battling cancer recently.
The 67-year-old prog-rocker has announced that because of medical reasons, he will be unable to take part in Yes‘ upcoming Cruise to the Edge next month and Asia’s upcoming run of U.S. tour dates with Journey in March and April.
“I am disappointed to announce that, on the advice of my medical team, I have to withdraw from Cruise to the Edge, and from the first leg of the Journey tour,” Wetton says in a statement. “I will soon be starting a new medical chemotherapy procedure, under which I will not be able to fly.”
Wetton adds, “I am grateful to the promoters of the cruise. I wish them pleasant sailing and I know my friends on the cruise, both artists and fans, will have a ball on the ocean wave.” The veteran singer/bassist had been scheduled to perform solo on the cruise, which runs from February 7 to February 11.
In addition, Wetton reveals that his friend, current Yes bassist Billy Sherwood, will fill in for him during Asia’s initial tour leg with Journey, which is mapped out from a March 15 show in Yakima, Washington, through an April 4 concert in Dayton, Ohio.
Wetton maintains, however, that he’s “intending to return to the stage with Asia later in 2017, dates soon to be announced.”
He also notes that, while he’s disappointed to miss the start of a “historic” tour with Asia, “I know this decision will be in the best interests of my health and our fans, in the long run.”
During his long career, Wetton also has been a member of King Crimson and U.K.
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