Wishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved commercial success in the early to mid-1970s.
They are particularly noted for their use of harmony twin lead guitars, a style that had also been explored by earlier electric blues and rock musicians, including the collaboration between Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page in the Yardbirds in 1966. Their guitar approach was later highlighted in press coverage, and Andy Powell and Ted Turner were described by Traffic magazine in 1989 as two of the ten most important guitarists in rock history. In 1972, Melody Maker described Powell and Turner as "the most interesting two-guitar team since the days when Beck and Page graced The Yardbirds". The band has been cited as an influence by numerous rock and metal artists, including the Eagles, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Thin Lizzy, Metallica, Dream Theater, Overkill and Opeth.
Wishbone Ash were formed in Torquay, Devon, in 1969, emerging from a trio called The Empty Vessels, which had previously been known as The Torinoes and briefly as Tanglewood. That group was led by Martin Turner (lead vocals and bass guitar), who had begun the project in 1963, and included drummer Steve Upton, who joined in 1966. The band evolved when Turner and Upton sought additional members and, after auditions for a guitarist, chose both Andy Powell and Ted Turner when they could not decide between them, establishing a four-piece line-up with two lead guitarists. The band name was created by combining words chosen from separate lists, with Turner selecting "Wishbone" and "Ash".
In 1970, the band supported Deep Purple, and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore recommended them to producer Derek Lawrence, helping them secure a recording contract with Decca/MCA Records. Their debut album, "Wishbone Ash", was released in December 1970, followed by "Pilgrimage" in 1971. Their third album, "Argus" (1972), was their most commercially successful release, reaching number 3 on the UK Albums Chart and receiving critical acclaim, including being voted best rock album of the year by readers of Sounds and top British album by Melody Maker. During this period, the band developed a growing international reputation for live performances and began headlining major venues.
In 1973, the band released "Wishbone Four", their first album without producer Derek Lawrence, as they chose to self-produce. This was followed by the double live album "Live Dates" later that year. A promotional live recording, "Wishbone Ash Live in Memphis", was also issued to radio stations but not commercially released. In 1974, Ted Turner left the band due to the demands of touring and was replaced by Laurie Wisefield. The band subsequently relocated to the United States and recorded "There's the Rub" (1974).
"Locked In" (1976), produced by Tom Dowd, marked a shift towards a more US-oriented soft rock sound, and the band began touring with keyboard support from Graham Maitland. "New England" (1976) saw a return to a more established style, while "Front Page News" (1977) was their final US-recorded album of that era. "No Smoke Without Fire" (1978) represented a return to earlier musical influences and was the first album since "Argus" to be produced by Derek Lawrence. The follow-up, "Just Testing" (1980), was recorded over an extended period and released during increasing pressure from their record label to produce more commercially oriented material. Shortly before its release, Martin Turner left the band following internal disagreements over proposed changes to the line-up and role distribution.
Following Turner's departure, bassist and vocalist John Wetton joined and appeared on "Number the Brave" (1981), although he left soon after the recording sessions and was replaced on tour by Trevor Bolder. During this period, Claire Hamill contributed backing vocals. The album "Twin Barrels Burning" (1982) reflected a heavier sound and achieved a UK chart position of 22. Bolder left in 1983 and was replaced by Mervyn Spence. The band released "Raw to the Bone" (1985), which did not chart, after which Laurie Wisefield departed following an eleven-year tenure. Additional personnel changes followed, with several short-term guitarists and bassists joining and leaving during this period.
In 1987, the original members reunited at the invitation of Miles Copeland III to record an instrumental project for the No Speak series. This led to the album "Nouveau Calls" and a subsequent reunion tour in 1988, marking the first performances of the original line-up since 1974. During this period, logistical issues led to temporary substitutions on stage before the full line-up was established. The reunion continued with the release of "Here to Hear" in 1989. In 1990, drummer Steve Upton retired from music, and subsequent recordings featured replacement drummers. The album "Strange Affair" (1991) followed, after which Martin Turner left the band. The group continued touring and released the live album "The Ash Live in Chicago" in 1992, but Ted Turner departed again in 1994, leaving Andy Powell as the only remaining founding member.
From 1995 onwards, Andy Powell continued the band with a succession of changing line-ups. A new configuration including Roger Filgate, Tony Kishman and Mike Sturgis toured and recorded, although Kishman was temporarily replaced by Martin Turner during parts of the 1995 to 1996 touring cycle. The album "Illuminations" was released in 1996. Further line-up changes followed, with Filgate, Kishman and Sturgis leaving by the end of 1997. Powell subsequently recruited Mark Birch, Bob Skeat and returning drummer Ray Weston. The band experimented with electronic-influenced material on "Trance Visionary" and "Psychic Terrorism", before releasing the acoustic album "Bare Bones" and undertaking a 2000 anniversary tour, which was documented in "Live Dates 3" and a live DVD.
In the early 2000s, Mark Birch was replaced by Ben Granfelt, who later departed in 2004 and was succeeded by Muddy Manninen. The band released "Bona Fide" (2002) and toured extensively, including performances in the United States alongside Savoy Brown. In 2006, they released "Clan Destiny". Drummer Ray Weston left in 2007 and was replaced by Joe Crabtree, who performed on "Power of Eternity" (2007). The album "Elegant Stealth" was released in 2011, followed by "Blue Horizon" in 2014. By this period, the line-up featuring Powell, Manninen, Skeet and Crabtree had become the longest-running configuration in the band's history.
In 2013, a legal dispute concerning the use of the name "Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash" was decided in favour of Andy Powell. In later years, Mark Abrahams joined on guitar duties, and the band signed to Steamhammer/SPV, releasing "Coat of Arms" in 2020. Further line-up changes occurred in the 2020s, including several changes to the drummer position, with various musicians including Windsor McGilvray, Mike Sturgis and Mike Truscott involved across touring periods. In 2023, the band released the live album "Live Dates Live".
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wishbone_Ash
Studio albums
Wishbone Ash (1970)
Pilgrimage (1971)
Argus (1972)
Wishbone Four (1973)
There's the Rub (1974)
Locked In (1976)
New England (1976)
Front Page News (1977)
No Smoke Without Fire (1978)
Just Testing (1980)
Number the Brave (1981)
Twin Barrels Burning (1982)
Raw to the Bone (1985)
Nouveau Calls (1987)
Here to Hear (1989)
Strange Affair (1991)
Illuminations (1996)
Trance Visionary (1998, electronic re-recordings)
Psychic Terrorism (1998, electronic re-recordings)
Bare Bones (1999, acoustic re-recordings)
Bona Fide (2002)
Clan Destiny (2006)
Power of Eternity (2007)
Elegant Stealth (2011)
Blue Horizon (2014)
Coat of Arms (2020)
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…shrink me down again