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Liner Notes: R.I.P., John Wetton. I wish I'd had a chance to know you. Like most kids in the 80's with ears, I was an Asia fan. I had already been a fan of Yes, so it wasn't a huge leap. But Asia had that voice. That huge voice. Those huge harmonies. It sounded like what men should sound like when they sing together (or with themselves, whichever the case may be!). And the great hooks, great lyrics, great synths, great prog flare to spice up the pop sensibilities. It was all there. Oh, and let's not forget the Roger Dean art to capture your imagination, helping the music ascend to mythical status in a young boy's mind. Epic rock music, but with a weird water dragon, playing a game with a ball that you'd probably prefer to watch rather than participate in.

I felt the same kick in the gut we all did recently, losing John Wetton on 31 Jan 2017. I cued up some Asia, and was immediately brought back to that mythical place. And that voice! Defying mortality, John was still telling me what his heart meant, with that legendary tone that will echo loudly in my earphones so long as I draw breath.

Amidst all of that emotion regarding John's passing, I get an email from a longtime friend of John's, Rick Nelson, with some mind-blowing news. He tells me John had been a fan of mine(!). I know, right?! He apparently enjoyed my YouTube channel quite a bit, and would pass my videos back and forth with friends. I had two reactions: 1) I couldn't believe that one of my lifelong musical idols and favorite voices was a fan, and 2) how sad that we never got to meet! I would have wanted to tell him how much I loved him as an artist. He was a part of my life story in so many ways. Seeing him on MTV, countless hours listening alone, and listening with my best friends and bandmates. So I was rocked to the core. John Wetton was listening to *me*. I hope he heard in me a kindred spirit, who also leaves it all on the field, vocally speaking. John's vocals are always about 100% commitment, emotionally and physically, and I've always tried to emulate that.

Rick, in relaying this news, also suggested I record a cover of "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes". Brilliant. Done. Such a beautiful song, beautiful melody, beautiful lyric, beautiful vocal performance. Beautiful. And to get to spend so much time with that lovely song: learning it, practicing it, recording it. An honor and a joy. Such a great suggestion.

So I hope you enjoy this rendition. Big thanks to my fellow musicians, who also happen to be members of my Denver-based Beatles cover band, Rubber Souls (http://www.rubbersoulsband.com).

Thanks go to Ron for letting us film in his cool basement rehearsal space. (Or should I say his bassment, imaright?)

And a big thanks to Shawn Herbert for filming this for us.

I'm so happy I got to do this. This is for John. This is for Geoff, Steve, and Carl. This is for the amazing Wetton/Downes songwriting partnership that brought us so much great music. This is for John's family and friends. This is for the fans of all of John's storied catalog of amazing work. And this is for all the musical legends who lost a prog rock comrade. It's my effort to show my love for John's music and help it live on. And for those of you who haven't heard this song, or maybe haven't heard any Asia music: Open Your Eyes, and see the world that stands before you now.... :)

I hope John has a smile in his eyes when he hears this. Rest in peace, my brother.

Love,
Mike

P.S. In the weeks since John's passing, I've been listening to Asia constantly, and therefore so have my sons. Both of my boys love it. Noah, my five year old, loves music/loves to sing, and regularly reports to me what songs he sang in kindergarten that day (presumably to anyone who will listen). I smiled the other day when he reported that he'd sung his favorite songs, "Without You" and "Sole Survivor". He has new favorites regularly, but there's been a ton of Asia on the charts lately. The heat goes on....

The Smile Has Left Your Eyes by Asia, a cover by Mike Massé feat. Mike Johnson, Ron Perron and Scott Roush.