Wishbone Ash
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Wishbone Ash | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Torquay, Devon, England |
Genres | |
Years active | 1969–present |
Labels | MCA, AVM, Neat, IRS, Invisible Hands Music, Permanent, Talking Elephant, Decca, Steamhammer/SPV |
Members |
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Past members |
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Website | www |
Wishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved success in the early to mid-1970s. Their albums include Wishbone Ash (1970), Pilgrimage (1971), Argus (1972), Wishbone Four (1973), There's the Rub (1974), and New England (1976).
Wishbone Ash are noted for their extensive use of harmony twin lead guitars, which had been attracting electric blues bands since Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page had played together in the Yardbirds in 1966.[1][2][3] Their contributions helped Andy Powell and Ted Turner to be voted "Two of the Ten Most Important Guitarists in Rock History" (Traffic magazine 1989). Melody Maker (1972) described Powell and Turner as "the most interesting two-guitar team since the days when Beck and Page graced The Yardbirds". Several notable bands have cited Wishbone Ash as an influence, including the Eagles, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Thin Lizzy, Metallica, Dream Theater, Overkill and Opeth.[4][5][6][7][8]
Formed in
History
Formation and rise to fame (1969–1980)
This section relies largely or entirely on a single source. (October 2023) |
Wishbone Ash was formed in October 1969 by bass guitarist
In early 1970, the band secured an opening spot for Deep Purple. Its guitarist, Ritchie Blackmore, later recommended Wishbone Ash to producer Derek Lawrence, as well as helping them secure a record deal with Decca/MCA Records. The band's debut album, Wishbone Ash, was released in December 1970. One year later, the group released Pilgrimage. The band peaked commercially in 1972 with Argus, their highest placed entry in the UK Albums Chart (#3).[9] The album was voted by the readers of Sounds as the "best rock album of the year", also "Top British Album" (Melody Maker). The band were getting international acclaim for their live performances as they gained popularity around the world.
The band had now begun to play major arenas as headliners.
1976's
Line-up changes (1981–1986)
Turner was replaced by bassist and vocalist John Wetton, formerly of Family, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep and U.K. Number the Brave was released in April 1981 and featured Wetton's lead vocals on just one song, although during album sessions he had offered songs such as "Here Comes the Feeling" that would eventually sell millions when released on Asia's 1982 debut album. Wetton did not continue with Wishbone Ash beyond the album sessions and instead co-founded Asia.
Wetton was replaced on the Number the Brave tour by the former Uriah Heep bassist Trevor Bolder.[9] Also joining the band was female backing vocalist, Claire Hamill, who had sung on both the Just Testing and Number the Brave albums. In 1982, after Hamill's departure, the band experimented with heavy metal on the Twin Barrels Burning album. It became the highest charting Wishbone Ash album in years (UK #22).[9]
Bolder left the group to rejoin
Reunions and departures (1987–1994)
This section relies largely or entirely on a single source. (October 2023) |
In 1987,
In 1990 the band went back into the studio to record the follow-up to Here to Hear. The band were shocked when founding member Upton, the band's drummer for their entire career, announced his retirement from the
Later in 1991, the band decided to continue without founding member Martin Turner, with the bassist/vocalist being replaced by returnee
Reunion years to present (1995–present)
This section needs additional citations for verification. (February 2012) |
At this stage Andy Powell was the only original member left in Wishbone Ash. Powell enlisted guitarist/songwriter
In 1997, Filgate, Kishman, and Sturgis departed, so Powell brought former drummer Weston back into the fold, along with new members guitarist
In 2001, Mark Birch was replaced by
On 25 November 2011 Wishbone Ash released their 23rd album, the well received Elegant Stealth, which is also the first album to be recorded by the same line up as the predecessor since 1989. In 2013 a court case relating to a trade mark infringement and the use of the name 'Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash' was decided.[10] The court ruled in favour of Andy Powell with the comprehensive judgement forming a clear history of the band since its inception. On 19 February 2014 the 24th studio album Blue Horizon was released. The reviews for this album were generally very positive. As of 2014 this line-up of the band, having been together since 2007, became the longest-lasting line-up of Wishbone Ash in the group's history. On 16 May 2015, Wishbone Ash recorded a live to vinyl album at Metropolis Studios.[11]
On 21–23 May 2015, Wishbone Ash recorded the DVD Live in Paris at Le Triton in France. The performance included additional percussion and guitar contributions from Andy's son Aynsley Powell. In May 2017, it was announced that Mark Abrahams, a long time Wishbone Ash fan, would be joining on guitar duties. Abrahams is a guitarist who previously owned Vision Guitars, a guitar shop in Castleford, West Yorkshire, England.
On 24 September 2019 it was announced that Wishbone Ash were signed to Steamhammer/SPV and released Coat of Arms, their first studio album in six years, on 28 February 2020. The album's lead single, "We Stand as One", was premiered on to the band's 50th anniversary in autumn 2019 and was released on 10 January 2020.[5][12][13][14] The second single "Back in the Day" was released on 7 February 2020.[15] The album cover has been created by a heraldry artist Olaf Keller in the Regal Coat of Arms design studio.
For some dates on their 2021 tour, drummer Mike Sturgis rejoined the band in place of Joe Crabtree. In February 2022 Mike Truscott became Wishbone Ash's official drummer.[16]
In August 2023 the band announced the release of a live album, Live Dates Live.
Martin Turner ex Wishbone Ash
Martin Turner began touring in 2004 with "Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash", performing material by the classic line ups of the band. Occasionally Ted Turner and Laurie Wisefield have joined his group on stage as guests. He published his autobiography in 2012.[17]
In 2013 Andy Powell took legal action to protect the Wishbone Ash registered trademark and prevent Martin Turner from using his chosen group name. The court ruled in favour of Andy Powell and Martin Turner's application to appeal was refused. Since then he has toured and recorded with his band as "Martin Turner ex Wishbone Ash".
Special events
Wishbone Ash have developed two group gatherings, AshCon in the UK and AshFest in the United States. These began in 1994 and have developed into gatherings of the 'faithful' and have since become annual fixtures.
Personnel
- Current members
- Andy Powell – guitar, vocals (1969–present)
- Bob Skeat – bass, backing vocals (1997–present).
- Mark Abrahams– guitar (2017–present)
- Mike Truscott – drums, percussion (2022–present)
Discography
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)[9]
- Elegant Stealth (2011)
- Blue Horizon (2014)
- Coat of Arms (2020)
References
- ISBN 978-0879306328.
- ^ "The Yardbirds Bio". Rollingstone.com. 11 January 2023.
- ^ "Wishbone Ash - Artist Profile". eventseeker.com. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
- ^ "Wishbone Ash to bring anniversary tour to Birmingham". Shropshire Star. 27 September 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
- ^ a b "Classic Rock Legends WISHBONE ASH Celebrate 50th Anniversary With Spring, Fall U.S. Tours". Blabbermouth.net. 14 January 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ "The most underappreciated bands of all time". yardbarker.com. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
- ^ "Wishbone Ash's Andy Powell: The soundtrack of my life". 7 July 2023.
- ^ "Wishbone Ash's Andy Powell Names the 'Most Underrated Band,' Says 'Argus' is the Best Album He Ever Made".
- ^ ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
- ^ "Between : ANDREW POWELL Claimant and MARTIN ROBERT TURNER Defendant : Case No. 3242". Bailii.org. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^ "Wishbone Ash - 16th May | Metropolis Studios". Thisismetropolis.com. 8 April 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
- ^ "WISHBONE ASH Signs With SPV/STEAMHAMMER; New Album Due In January". capitalchaostv.com. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- ^ "Pauline's Chronicles from the Road". wishboneash.com. 29 October 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
- ^ "Wishbone Ash's new single - We Stand As One". Wishbone Ash. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
- ^ "Wishbone Ash 2nd single - Back in the Day". wishboneash.com. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
- ^ "Welcome to Mike Truscott". wishboneash.com. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
- ^ ""I want nothing to do with Andy Powell": Rock legend and Wishbone Ash founder Martin Turner on his bitter split with the band". Meaww.com. 5 June 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
External links
- Official website
- Wishbone Ash discography at Discogs
- Wishbone Ash at IMDb