Family’s history moved in several directions at once. Original saxophonist Jim King died in February; Jim Cregan formed Cregan & Co; and John Wetton released XXX with Asia’s reunited original line-up. Chapman continued a compact run of British and German dates.
Original Family saxophonist, harmonica player and occasional singer Jim King died in Middlewich on 6 February 2012 aged 69. Born Alec Woodburn, King co-founded the Farinas with Charlie Whitney and remained through Family’s first two albums before leaving in 1969.
Frontiers released Asia’s XXX in Europe on 29 June 2012. The album reunited John Wetton on lead vocals and bass with Geoff Downes, Steve Howe and Carl Palmer for the original line-up’s third post-reunion studio record.
Jim Cregan formed Cregan & Co in 2012 with Ben Mills, Sam Tanner, Harry James and Pat Davey. The group gave Cregan a working band through which to revisit material from Family, Cockney Rebel and his long association with Rod Stewart. Cregan’s official biography provides the year but no defensible month or day.