John Weathers (born February 7, 1947) is a Welsh musician, best known as the long-serving drummer for the British progressive rock band Gentle Giant. He is also a multi-instrumentalist, occasionally contributing other instruments such as vibraphone, xylophone, and guitar to recordings.
Early Life and Career
Born in Carmarthen, Wales, Weathers began his musical career in the mid-1960s. His early bands included The Eyes of Blue, a psychedelic rock group that released two albums,
The Eyes of Blue (1968) and
In Field Day's Morning (1969). Following his time with The Eyes of Blue, he joined Graham Bond's short-lived progressive rock outfit, Initiation, and later played with Wild Turkey, a band formed by ex-Jethro Tull bassist Glenn Cornick. He also had a brief stint with the Welsh progressive rock band Man in the early 1970s, appearing on their 1972 album
Greasy Truckers Party.
Gentle Giant
Weathers joined Gentle Giant in 1972, replacing Malcolm Mortimore. His first album with the band was
Octopus (1972), which is often considered one of their definitive works. He remained with Gentle Giant until their dissolution in 1980, performing on all their subsequent studio albums, including
In a Glass House (1973),
The Power and the Glory (1974),
Free Hand (1975),
Interview (1976),
The Missing Piece (1977),
Giant for a Day! (1978), and
Civilian (1980). Weathers' drumming style was characterized by its precision, adaptability, and ability to navigate Gentle Giant's complex and often polyrhythmic compositions. Beyond his drumming, he occasionally contributed to the band's rich textures by playing other percussion instruments, as well as guitar and vibraphone. He also contributed backing vocals.
Post-Gentle Giant
After Gentle Giant disbanded, Weathers returned to Wales and continued to be active in the music scene. He played with several local bands and projects. He had another brief period with Man in the mid-1990s, appearing on their 1994 album
Call Down The Moon. Throughout his career, Weathers has been admired for his technical prowess and his ability to contribute to diverse musical styles.