Wishbone Ash | Artist
Wishbone Ash is a British rock band formed 1969 in Torquay, Devon, by Andy Powell (guitar, vocals), Steve Upton (drums), Martin Turner (vocals, bass), and Ted Turner (guitar, vocals). Their extensive use of harmony twin lead guitars by Powell and Turner was regarded by many as the most interesting two guitar team since the days of Beck/Page in The Yardbirds, or Green/Kirwin in Fleetwood Mac. The band formed when Martin Turner and Steve Upton set up auditions for a guitarist and subsequently ended up with two guitarists because they couldn't decide between the two. Ted Turner, who left the band in 1974 and returned in 1987, was replaced by former Home member Laurie Wisefield. The band continued on with strong critical and commercial success until 1980. There followed line-ups featuring a succession of bass players; John Wetton from King Crimson, Trevor Bolder from Uriah Heep, Andy Pyle from Blodwyn Pig and the Kinks, and Mervyn Spence from Trapeze. In early 1970, the band secured an opening spot for Deep Purple, whose guitarist Richie Blackmore recommended Wishbone Ash to producer Derek Lawrence which helped them secure a record deal with Decca/MCA. The band's self-titled debut album was released in December 1970 and the following year released Pilgrimage, with neither album setting the world on fire, despite critical support. In 1972 they cracked the big time with their third album, the excellent Argus, which was a commercial hit, rising to #3 in the UK album charts. The album was voted by the readers of Sounds magazine as the "best rock album of the year." The band would release two more "classic period" albums with Wishbone Four and There's the Rub, before settling into a long slow creative decline over subsequent years. The band's early musical style can be described bluesy prog-rock highlighted by exquisite melodic guitar interplay between the two lead guitarists. This formula peaked with the album Argus which is without doubt their masterpiece. There's the Rub is also a fine album, with a much more hard edged heavy rock feel than previously heard. Standout albums include Wishbone Ash (1970), Pilgrimage (1971), Argus (1972), There's The Rub (1974), and Live Dates (1973). In later years there has been some friction between original band members over the use of the band name. Martin Turner began touring in 2004 with "Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash", performing material by the classic line ups of the band. In 2013 Andy Powell took legal action to protect the Wishbone Ash registered trademark and prevent Turner from using his chosen group name. The court ruled in favour of Powell and since then Turner has toured and recorded with his band as "Martin Turner ex Wishbone Ash."
Artist Website: wishboneash.com
Featured Albums: Wishbone Ash
Related Artists: Asia, Diamond Head, Andy Powell
