Wishbone Ash
Encyclopedia
Wishbone Ash are a British
rock
band who achieved success in the early and mid-1970s. Their popular records included Wishbone Ash
(1970), Argus
(1972), There's the Rub
(1974), and New England (1976). They were one of the first of many bands to come who used twin lead guitar
s.
Wishbone Ash are considered to be one of the major innovators of the harmony twin lead guitar format. Their contributions helped in Powell and Turner being voted "Two Of The Ten Most Important Guitarists In Rock History" (Traffic magazine 1989), and part of the "Top 20 Guitarists Of All Time" (Rolling Stone
). Melody Maker
(1972) described Ted Turner and Andy Powell as "the most interesting two guitar team since the days when Beck
and Page
graced The Yardbirds
".
Formed in Torquay
, Devon
, in 1969, out of the ashes of trio The Empty Vessels (originally known as The Torinoes, later briefly renamed Tanglewood in 1969), which had been formed by Wishbone Ash's founding member Martin Turner
(bass/vocals) in 1963 and complemented by Steve Upton
(drums and percussion) in 1966. The original Wishbone Ash line-up was completed by guitarists/vocalists Andy Powell
and Ted Turner
. In 1974, Ted Turner left the band, and was replaced by Laurie Wisefield
. The band continued on with strong critical and commercial success until 1980.
After revolving line-ups featuring former members from King Crimson
, Trapeze
, and Uriah Heep
, Wisefield left in 1985. In 1987, however, the original line-up reunited for several albums - Nouveau Calls
, Here to Hear
, and Strange Affair - until 1990, when Upton quit the band. After Martin Turner was replaced in 1991, the band recorded The Ash Live in Chicago
, before Ted Turner left in 1993. Since 1995, the band have continued with mixed critical and commercial success, changing members on several albums. In 2004, Martin Turner formed his own version of Wishbone Ash, and tours frequently.
Wishbone Ash were formed in October 1969 by bass guitar
ist Martin Turner
and drummer Steve Upton
. When Tanglewood's original guitarist, Martin's brother Glenn Turner left the trio and returned to his native Devon
, their manager, Miles Copeland gave an advertisement for a guitar player and also for a keyboardist. After an extensive search for a guitarist, the band could not decide between the final two candidates, Andy Powell
and Ted Turner
(no relation to Martin). It was suggested that they try both guitar players "just to see what it sounds like". Differing from the twin lead sound of The Allman Brothers Band
, Wishbone Ash included strong elements of progressive rock
, and also of folk
and classical music. After the band members wrote several suggested band names on two sheets of paper, Martin Turner picked one word from each list - 'Wishbone' and 'Ash'.
In early 1970, the band scored an opening spot for Deep Purple
. During sound check, Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore
was warming up alone onstage when Andy Powell
walked up, plugged in, and began jamming along with Blackmore. Blackmore later recommended the band to producer Derek Lawrence
and helped them secure a record deal with Decca
/MCA Records
.
The band's eponymous 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). 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. Wishbone Four
(1973) was the band's first record without producer Derek Lawrence, as the band decided to produce the album themselves. In December 1973, the band released a double
live album
, Live Dates
. Not long after, guitarist Ted Turner
left the band. After replacing Turner with guitarist Laurie Wisefield, the band relocated to the United States
and recorded There's the Rub
(1974). Locked In (1976), produced by Tom Dowd
, saw the band moving towards US
soft-rock territory and the group began touring with a keyboard player.
1976's New England returned to the traditional Wishbone Ash style. Front Page News
(1977) was the band's final US recorded album of this period.
In 1978, after years of experimental albums, the band decided to return to its roots with No Smoke Without Fire
, the first to be produced by Derek Lawrence since Argus in 1972. The album contained mainly songs written by Laurie Wisefield and Martin Turner. The band spent six months making the next album, Just Testing
. Released in February 1980, the album contained mostly Martin Turner material. Pressured by MCA
to make more commercial music, the band considered bringing in a lead singer and restricting Martin Turner's duties to bass guitar only. After eleven years, the band's front man and co-founder found himself in what he regarded as an untenable position and reluctantly parted company with Wishbone Ash.
, formerly of King Crimson
. 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 rejoined Asia. Wishbone Ash was dropped by MCA
the same year.
Wetton was replaced on the Number the Brave tour by the former Uriah Heep
bassist Trevor Bolder
. 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).
Bolder left the group to rejoin Uriah Heep
in 1983, to be replaced by bassist/vocalist Mervyn Spence
(ex-Trapeze
). The group continued with a heavy metal side on 1985's Raw to the Bone
, which became the first Wishbone Ash album not to make the charts. Not long after, Wisefield quit after being in the band for eleven years for a varied career that would include work with Tina Turner
, Joe Cocker
, Roger Chapman
, Jeff Wayne
and the Queen
musical We Will Rock You
. He was replaced by Jamie Crompton
, who in turn was succeeded briefly by Phil Palmer
. Early in 1986, Mervyn Spence quit as well, to be replaced by ex-Kinks
bassist Andy Pyle
.
founder and original Wishbone manager Miles Copeland began a series of albums entitled No Speak, which featured all instrumental
music. In order to launch the label successfully, Copeland needed a big name band that would bring publicity to the project. Copeland approached the four founding members of Wishbone Ash about having the original line-up record an all-instrumental album. For the first time in fourteen years, Andy Powell and Steve Upton joined forces with Martin Turner and Ted Turner to record the album Nouveau Calls
, released in February 1988. The original line-up's tour of 1988 was a huge success, as the band played large venues for the first time since the late 1970s. In August 1989, the band released a reunion album with vocals entitled Here to Hear
, featuring mainly songs written by Ted and Martin Turner.
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 music industry. They enlisted session drummer Robbie France
to help out on some studio tracks and live shows. The band permanently settled on drummer Ray Weston
. Strange Affair was released in May 1991.
Later in 1991, the band decided to continue without founding member Martin Turner, with the bassist/vocalist being replaced by returnee Andy Pyle
, who had been in the band years earlier. The band toured throughout 1992/93, releasing the live album The Ash Live in Chicago
. 1994 saw the second and final departure of Ted Turner.
's services were dispensed with), Powell also reviewed the way in which the band's business affairs were managed. Whereas the band had previously existed as a true group democracy and members received income on an equity share basis, the new set-up would see Wishbone Ash operating very much as Andy Powell's personal business venture, with musicians hired on a session basis. Powell enlisted guitarist/songwriter Roger Filgate, bassist/vocalist Tony Kishman
joined and drummer Mike Sturgis
. The new line-up debuted on a short UK/European tour in spring 1995.
By the time of the band's 25th anniversary tour in late 1995, Tony Kishman was finding touring difficult due to other performing engagements in the United States. Founding member Martin Turner returned to hold the bass and vocal position for touring duties, although Tony Kishman would be recalled to record lead vocals for the band's next album. Illuminations
was released in 1996 and featured the Powell, Filgate, Kishman, Sturgis line-up. Powell relied on fan donations and outside assistance to help finance the album. Original member Martin Turner
, who honoured the bulk of touring commitments to promote the album, was not featured on the album and was not retained for future studio/live projects, though he would remain part of the overall Wishbone Ash set-up through his work in assembling various archival releases, album remasters, etc.
By 1998, Kishman, Sturgis and Filgate had departed. Powell initially contacted members of the Mk.2 Wishbone Ash line-up with a view to a reformation in support of the then recently released 'Distillation' CD boxed set. Martin Turner and Laurie Wisefield were interested, but both had reservations about the business structure, in particular the notion of being effectively employed by Powell as hired hands. Powell pursued the idea no further and instead formed another new line-up with bassist Bob Skeat, guitarist/vocalist Mark Birch, and former drummer Ray Weston. During the line-up changes, Andy Powell released two electronic dance albums on UK indie label Invisible Hands Music under the name Wishbone Ash. The albums were ambitious dance projects that contained electronic beats blended with Wishbone Ash guitar riffs. Trance Visionary
was the first of the pair, spawning a 12" single of four mixes that was a clubland smash and reached number 38 on the UK dance chart. Original members of the band were particularly offended that the album featured samples from their original recordings which were neither credited in the sleeve notes or in the songwriting credits (Powell and producer Mike Bennett took all songwriting credits). Psychic Terrorism
followed.
The band then released an acoustic album of classic and new songs entitled Bare Bones before hitting the road in 2000 to celebrate their 30th anniversary. A filmed show was held at Shepherds Bush Empire in London, where the band welcomed special guests Wisefield and Hamill as well as other friends for a star-studded concert that resulted in Live Dates 3
and a live DVD.
In 2001, Mark Birch was replaced by guitarist Ben Granfelt
. The band hit the road for their most extensive touring schedule in years. Wishbone Ash returned to the studio in 2002 for the Bona Fide album. 2003 saw the band touring across the world with Savoy Brown
, playing their largest number of American dates since the 1980s.
Ben Granfelt left the band to continue working on his solo career. Granfelt's mentor, Muddy Manninen, joined the band. In late 2006, the band released a new studio album entitled Clan Destiny
. In 2007, longtime drummer Ray Weston left the band, stating that he was tired of constant touring and wanted to concentrate on different things. He was replaced by Joseph Crabtree
, known for his work with Pendragon
and King Crimson violinist David Cross
. In late 2007, the band released their latest album Power of Eternity
; their first with new member Joseph Crabtree.
In 2010 Ted Turner released his solo album Eclektic Value.
and AshFest in the United States
. These began in 1994 and have developed into gatherings of the 'faithful' and have since become annual fixtures.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band who achieved success in the early and mid-1970s. Their popular records included Wishbone Ash
Wishbone Ash (album)
Wishbone Ash is the first studio album by Wishbone Ash. The band's debut album became a reality when they were opening for Deep Purple in early 1970...
(1970), Argus
Argus (album)
Argus is the third album by the rock band Wishbone Ash. It is the most popular Wishbone Ash album and widely considered their greatest by fans and reviewers. It was named "Album of the Year" in the 1972 year-end issue of Sounds magazine...
(1972), There's the Rub
There's the Rub
There's the Rub is the fifth studio album by rock band Wishbone Ash. It is the first album to feature guitarist/vocalist Laurie Wisefield, who would be a major part of the band's creative direction for the next 11 years....
(1974), and New England (1976). They were one of the first of many bands to come who used twin lead guitar
Lead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
s.
Wishbone Ash are considered to be one of the major innovators of the harmony twin lead guitar format. Their contributions helped in Powell and Turner being voted "Two Of The Ten Most Important Guitarists In Rock History" (Traffic magazine 1989), and part of the "Top 20 Guitarists Of All Time" (Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
). Melody Maker
Melody Maker
Melody Maker, published in the United Kingdom, was, according to its publisher IPC Media, the world's oldest weekly music newspaper. It was founded in 1926 as a magazine targeted at musicians; in 2000 it was merged into "long-standing rival" New Musical Express.-1950s–1960s:Originally the Melody...
(1972) described Ted Turner and Andy Powell as "the most interesting two guitar team since the days when Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
and Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
graced The Yardbirds
The Yardbirds
- Current :* Chris Dreja - rhythm guitar, backing vocals * Jim McCarty - drums, backing vocals * Ben King - lead guitar * David Smale - bass, backing vocals...
".
Formed in Torquay
Torquay
Torquay is a town in the unitary authority area of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon, England. It lies south of Exeter along the A380 on the north of Torbay, north-east of Plymouth and adjoins the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay. Torquay’s population of 63,998 during the...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, in 1969, out of the ashes of trio The Empty Vessels (originally known as The Torinoes, later briefly renamed Tanglewood in 1969), which had been formed by Wishbone Ash's founding member Martin Turner
Martin Turner
Martin Turner is the bass guitarist, lead vocalist and a founding member of the rock band, Wishbone Ash.-Career:...
(bass/vocals) in 1963 and complemented by Steve Upton
Steve Upton
Steve Upton is the former drummer for the British rock band Wishbone Ash. He was with the band for two decades...
(drums and percussion) in 1966. The original Wishbone Ash line-up was completed by guitarists/vocalists Andy Powell
Andy Powell
Andy Powell is an English guitarist and songwriter, and best known as a founding member of Wishbone Ash.-Early life and career:...
and Ted Turner
Ted Turner (guitarist)
-External links:*.*.*....
. In 1974, Ted Turner left the band, and was replaced by Laurie Wisefield
Laurie Wisefield
Laurie Wisefield is an English guitarist, known for his contributions to Wishbone Ash during the 1970s and 1980s.-Early career:Prior to his stint in Wishbone Ash, Wisefield performed with the progressive rock band, Home...
. The band continued on with strong critical and commercial success until 1980.
After revolving line-ups featuring former members from King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
, Trapeze
Trapeze (band)
Trapeze were an English rock band formed in March 1969, by vocalist John Jones and guitarist/keyboardist Terry Rowley , with guitarist Mel Galley, singer/bassist Glenn Hughes, and drummer Dave Holland...
, and Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep (band)
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
, Wisefield left in 1985. In 1987, however, the original line-up reunited for several albums - Nouveau Calls
Nouveau Calls
Nouveau Calls is the fourteenth album by rock band Wishbone Ash. It is an all-instrumental album and is the first in 14 years to feature the original lineup of the band....
, Here to Hear
Here to Hear
Here to Hear is the fifteenth album by rock band Wishbone Ash. Since the band's last album was all instrumental, Here to Hear marks the first Wishbone Ash studio album with vocals to feature the original lineup since 1973's Wishbone Four...
, and Strange Affair - until 1990, when Upton quit the band. After Martin Turner was replaced in 1991, the band recorded The Ash Live in Chicago
The Ash Live in Chicago
The Ash Live in Chicago is a live album from rock band Wishbone Ash. It features a number of songs from founding member Ted Turner, including several tracks from the recent Here to Hear and Strange Affair albums...
, before Ted Turner left in 1993. Since 1995, the band have continued with mixed critical and commercial success, changing members on several albums. In 2004, Martin Turner formed his own version of Wishbone Ash, and tours frequently.
Formation and rise to fame (1969-1980)
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
ist Martin Turner
Martin Turner
Martin Turner is the bass guitarist, lead vocalist and a founding member of the rock band, Wishbone Ash.-Career:...
and drummer Steve Upton
Steve Upton
Steve Upton is the former drummer for the British rock band Wishbone Ash. He was with the band for two decades...
. When Tanglewood's original guitarist, Martin's brother Glenn Turner left the trio and returned to his native Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, their manager, Miles Copeland gave an advertisement for a guitar player and also for a keyboardist. After an extensive search for a guitarist, the band could not decide between the final two candidates, Andy Powell
Andy Powell
Andy Powell is an English guitarist and songwriter, and best known as a founding member of Wishbone Ash.-Early life and career:...
and Ted Turner
Ted Turner (guitarist)
-External links:*.*.*....
(no relation to Martin). It was suggested that they try both guitar players "just to see what it sounds like". Differing from the twin lead sound of The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band is an American rock/blues band once based in Macon, Georgia. The band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman and Gregg Allman , who were supported by Dickey Betts , Berry Oakley , Butch Trucks , and Jai Johanny "Jaimoe"...
, Wishbone Ash included strong elements of progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
, and also of folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
and classical music. After the band members wrote several suggested band names on two sheets of paper, Martin Turner picked one word from each list - 'Wishbone' and 'Ash'.
In early 1970, the band scored an opening spot for Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
. During sound check, Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore
Ritchie Blackmore
Richard Hugh "Ritchie" Blackmore is an English guitarist and songwriter, who was known as one of the first guitarists to fuse Classical music elements with rock. He fronted his own band Rainbow after leaving Deep Purple where he was unhappy because his favourite musical style wasn't adequately...
was warming up alone onstage when Andy Powell
Andy Powell
Andy Powell is an English guitarist and songwriter, and best known as a founding member of Wishbone Ash.-Early life and career:...
walked up, plugged in, and began jamming along with Blackmore. Blackmore later recommended the band to producer Derek Lawrence
Derek Lawrence
Derek Lawrence is a record producer, famous for his work for Joe Meek's Outlaws, Deep Purple, Machiavel and Wishbone Ash.Lawrence came in contact with Meek circa at the end of 1963, when he managed a group, Laurie Black and the Men of Mystery, that won a recording session at Joe Meek's studio. He...
and helped them secure a record deal with Decca
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
/MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
.
The band's eponymous debut album, Wishbone Ash
Wishbone Ash (album)
Wishbone Ash is the first studio album by Wishbone Ash. The band's debut album became a reality when they were opening for Deep Purple in early 1970...
, was released in December 1970. One year later, the group released Pilgrimage. The band peaked commercially in 1972 with Argus
Argus (album)
Argus is the third album by the rock band Wishbone Ash. It is the most popular Wishbone Ash album and widely considered their greatest by fans and reviewers. It was named "Album of the Year" in the 1972 year-end issue of Sounds magazine...
, their highest placed entry in the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
(#3). The album was voted by the readers of Sounds
Sounds (magazine)
Sounds was a long-term British music paper, published weekly from 10 October 1970 – 6 April 1991. It was produced by Spotlight Publications , which was set up by Jack Hutton and Peter Wilkinson, who left "Melody Maker" to start their own company...
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. Wishbone Four
Wishbone Four
Wishbone Four is the fourth studio album by British rock band Wishbone Ash. It was a radical departure from their previous album, Argus, containing almost none of the twin-lead guitar harmonies and folk elements that featured in the previous album...
(1973) was the band's first record without producer Derek Lawrence, as the band decided to produce the album themselves. In December 1973, the band released a double
Double album
A double album is an audio album which spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically records and compact discs....
live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
, Live Dates
Live Dates
Live Dates is the first live album by the British rock band Wishbone Ash. It was a critical and commercial success and was one of the best-selling live albums of the 1970s....
. Not long after, guitarist Ted Turner
Ted Turner (guitarist)
-External links:*.*.*....
left the band. After replacing Turner with guitarist Laurie Wisefield, the band relocated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and recorded There's the Rub
There's the Rub
There's the Rub is the fifth studio album by rock band Wishbone Ash. It is the first album to feature guitarist/vocalist Laurie Wisefield, who would be a major part of the band's creative direction for the next 11 years....
(1974). Locked In (1976), produced by Tom Dowd
Tom Dowd
Tom Dowd was an American recording engineer and producer for Atlantic Records. He was credited with innovating the multi-track recording method. Dowd worked on a virtual "who's who" of recordings that encompassed blues, jazz, pop, rock and soul records.- Early years :Born in Manhattan, Dowd grew...
, saw the band moving towards US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soft-rock territory and the group began touring with a keyboard player.
1976's New England returned to the traditional Wishbone Ash style. Front Page News
Front Page News
Front Page News is the eighth studio album by rock band Wishbone Ash. It is mostly made up of slower, breezy soft rock ballads with lush vocal harmonies. This style is in marked contrast to the earlier albums, such as Argus, but there were several tracks of this idiom on their previous album, New...
(1977) was the band's final US recorded album of this period.
In 1978, after years of experimental albums, the band decided to return to its roots with No Smoke Without Fire
No Smoke Without Fire
No Smoke Without Fire is the ninth studio album by rock band Wishbone Ash. It is the first album since 1972's Argus to be produced by Derek Lawrence...
, the first to be produced by Derek Lawrence since Argus in 1972. The album contained mainly songs written by Laurie Wisefield and Martin Turner. The band spent six months making the next album, Just Testing
Just Testing
Just Testing is the tenth studio album by rock band Wishbone Ash.In a move that shocked fans and critics alike, Martin Turner left the band following the 1980 world tour in support of this album...
. Released in February 1980, the album contained mostly Martin Turner material. Pressured by MCA
Music Corporation of America
MCA, Inc. was an American talent agency. Initially starting in the music business, they would next become a dominant force in the film business, and later expanded into the television business...
to make more commercial music, the band considered bringing in a lead singer and restricting Martin Turner's duties to bass guitar only. After eleven years, the band's front man and co-founder found himself in what he regarded as an untenable position and reluctantly parted company with Wishbone Ash.
Line-up instability (1981-1986)
Turner was replaced by John WettonJohn Wetton
John Kenneth Wetton is an English bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer and songwriter. He was born in Willington, Derbyshire, and grew up in Bournemouth. He has been a professional musician since the late 1960s...
, formerly of King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
. Number the Brave
Number the Brave
Number the Brave is the eleventh studio album by rock band Wishbone Ash. It is the first album in the band's history recorded without founding bassist/vocalist Martin Turner...
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
Asia (band)
Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a supergroup as it included former members of several veteran progressive rock bands, namely John Wetton , Geoff Downes , Steve Howe and Carl Palmer Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a...
1982 debut album. Wetton did not continue with Wishbone Ash beyond the album sessions and rejoined Asia. Wishbone Ash was dropped by MCA
Music Corporation of America
MCA, Inc. was an American talent agency. Initially starting in the music business, they would next become a dominant force in the film business, and later expanded into the television business...
the same year.
Wetton was replaced on the Number the Brave tour by the former Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep (band)
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
bassist Trevor Bolder
Trevor Bolder
Trevor Bolder is an English rock bassist, musician, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his long association with Uriah Heep and his tenure with The Spiders From Mars, the one-time backing band for David Bowie, although he has played alongside a variety of musicians since the...
. Also joining the band was female backing vocalist, Claire Hamill
Claire Hamill
Claire Hamill is a British singer-songwriter.- Biography :Claire Hamill was active in the music business since age 17...
, who had sung on both the Just Testing
Just Testing
Just Testing is the tenth studio album by rock band Wishbone Ash.In a move that shocked fans and critics alike, Martin Turner left the band following the 1980 world tour in support of this album...
and Number the Brave albums. In 1982, after Hamill's departure, the band experimented with heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
on the Twin Barrels Burning
Twin Barrels Burning
-Personnel:*Andy Powell – guitar, vocals*Laurie Wisefield – guitar, vocals*Trevor Bolder – bass, vocals*Steve Upton – drums...
album. It became the highest charting Wishbone Ash album in years (UK
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#22).
Bolder left the group to rejoin Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep (band)
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
in 1983, to be replaced by bassist/vocalist Mervyn Spence
Mervyn Spence
Mervyn "Spam" Spence is a Northern Irish bassist, best known for his roles in Wishbone Ash and Trapeze.-Musical career:Spence moved to Staffordshire from Ireland in the 70s, and began playing with bands such as The Jury and Big Daisy.-Trapeze:...
(ex-Trapeze
Trapeze (band)
Trapeze were an English rock band formed in March 1969, by vocalist John Jones and guitarist/keyboardist Terry Rowley , with guitarist Mel Galley, singer/bassist Glenn Hughes, and drummer Dave Holland...
). The group continued with a heavy metal side on 1985's Raw to the Bone
Raw to the Bone
Raw to the Bone is the thirteenth album by rock band Wishbone Ash. Like its predecessor, Twin Barrels Burning, it is one of the band's heaviest records, capitalizing on the popular New Wave of British Heavy Metal that Wishbone Ash had helped influence.It is the only Wishbone Ash album to feature...
, which became the first Wishbone Ash album not to make the charts. Not long after, Wisefield quit after being in the band for eleven years for a varied career that would include work with Tina Turner
Tina Turner
Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
, Joe Cocker
Joe Cocker
John Robert "Joe" Cocker, OBE is an English rock and blues musician, composer and actor, who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is most known for his gritty voice, his idiosyncratic arm movements while performing, and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of The Beatles...
, Roger Chapman
Roger Chapman
Roger Chapman , also known as Roger "Chappo" Chapman and Chappo, is an English rock vocalist. He is best known as a member of the Progressive rock band Family, which he joined along with Charlie Whitney, in 1967 and also the rock, R&B band Streetwalkers formed in 1974...
, Jeff Wayne
Jeff Wayne
Jeffry "Jeff" Wayne, born in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, is a musician best known for Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds, his musical version of H. G. Wells' The War of the Worlds...
and the Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
musical We Will Rock You
We Will Rock You (musical)
We Will Rock You is a jukebox musical, based on the songs of Queen and named after their hit single of the same name. The musical was written by British comedian and author Ben Elton in collaboration with Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor...
. He was replaced by Jamie Crompton
Jamie Crompton
Jamie Crompton is a British musician, who has played as a guitarist with Suzi Quatro and Wishbone Ash, amongst others.Crompton began his musical career in the late 1970s, playing drums with various New Wave bands, before moving onto the guitar. In 1983 he played in a band called the Blue Meanies,...
, who in turn was succeeded briefly by Phil Palmer
Phil Palmer
Philip 'Phil' John Palmer is a sideman and session guitarist in jazz and rock who has toured, recorded, and worked with numerous famous artists...
. Early in 1986, Mervyn Spence quit as well, to be replaced by ex-Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
bassist Andy Pyle
Andy Pyle
Andy Pyle is an English bass guitarist. He played with The Kinks from 1976–1978. Prior to that, he was in Blodwyn Pig and Savoy Brown...
.
Reunions and departures (1987-1994)
In 1987, I.R.S. RecordsI.R.S. Records
I.R.S. Records was a record label, started in the United States in 1979 by Miles Copeland III along with Jay Boberg and Carl Grasso. Miles was also the manager of Wishbone Ash, The Police, and later, Sting, as well as other bands. I.R.S. was the sister label of Copeland's Illegal Records .I.R.S...
founder and original Wishbone manager Miles Copeland began a series of albums entitled No Speak, which featured all instrumental
Instrumental
An instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
music. In order to launch the label successfully, Copeland needed a big name band that would bring publicity to the project. Copeland approached the four founding members of Wishbone Ash about having the original line-up record an all-instrumental album. For the first time in fourteen years, Andy Powell and Steve Upton joined forces with Martin Turner and Ted Turner to record the album Nouveau Calls
Nouveau Calls
Nouveau Calls is the fourteenth album by rock band Wishbone Ash. It is an all-instrumental album and is the first in 14 years to feature the original lineup of the band....
, released in February 1988. The original line-up's tour of 1988 was a huge success, as the band played large venues for the first time since the late 1970s. In August 1989, the band released a reunion album with vocals entitled Here to Hear
Here to Hear
Here to Hear is the fifteenth album by rock band Wishbone Ash. Since the band's last album was all instrumental, Here to Hear marks the first Wishbone Ash studio album with vocals to feature the original lineup since 1973's Wishbone Four...
, featuring mainly songs written by Ted and Martin Turner.
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 music industry. They enlisted session drummer Robbie France
Robbie France
Robbie France is an English drummer, producer, arranger, journalist, music educator, and broadcaster.-Early life and career: Australia:...
to help out on some studio tracks and live shows. The band permanently settled on drummer Ray Weston
Ray Weston
-Early career:Weston performed in numerous Scottish bands before moving to London in the 1980s, where he met Martin Turner. He established himself as a session musician, performing in the studio with such artists as Bill Wyman, Del Shannon and Cliff Richard. In fact he never played with the band...
. Strange Affair was released in May 1991.
Later in 1991, the band decided to continue without founding member Martin Turner, with the bassist/vocalist being replaced by returnee Andy Pyle
Andy Pyle
Andy Pyle is an English bass guitarist. He played with The Kinks from 1976–1978. Prior to that, he was in Blodwyn Pig and Savoy Brown...
, who had been in the band years earlier. The band toured throughout 1992/93, releasing the live album The Ash Live in Chicago
The Ash Live in Chicago
The Ash Live in Chicago is a live album from rock band Wishbone Ash. It features a number of songs from founding member Ted Turner, including several tracks from the recent Here to Hear and Strange Affair albums...
. 1994 saw the second and final departure of Ted Turner.
Revolving line-up era again (1995-present)
At this stage Andy Powell, the only surviving original member decided to re-structure Wishbone Ash. In addition to forming a completely new line-up (Ray Weston had begun lining up new projects while Andy PyleAndy Pyle
Andy Pyle is an English bass guitarist. He played with The Kinks from 1976–1978. Prior to that, he was in Blodwyn Pig and Savoy Brown...
's services were dispensed with), Powell also reviewed the way in which the band's business affairs were managed. Whereas the band had previously existed as a true group democracy and members received income on an equity share basis, the new set-up would see Wishbone Ash operating very much as Andy Powell's personal business venture, with musicians hired on a session basis. Powell enlisted guitarist/songwriter Roger Filgate, bassist/vocalist Tony Kishman
Tony Kishman
Tony Kishman is an American bassist, most noted for his work with Wishbone Ash and in the musical Beatlemania.-Early career:Kishman began his musical career playing in cover bands in the Tucson, Arizona area. While playing lead guitar in a band in South California, his booking agent – Fred...
joined and drummer Mike Sturgis
Mike Sturgis
Mike Sturgis is an American drummer, having played for the band 21 Guns and later with Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith in Psycho Motel, where he played on both State of Mind and Welcome to the World albums...
. The new line-up debuted on a short UK/European tour in spring 1995.
By the time of the band's 25th anniversary tour in late 1995, Tony Kishman was finding touring difficult due to other performing engagements in the United States. Founding member Martin Turner returned to hold the bass and vocal position for touring duties, although Tony Kishman would be recalled to record lead vocals for the band's next album. Illuminations
Illuminations (Wishbone Ash album)
Illuminations is the seventeenth studio album from rock band Wishbone Ash recorded during 1995. It features a brand new version of the band with founding member Andy Powell along with new members Tony Kishman, Roger Filgate, and Mike Sturgis...
was released in 1996 and featured the Powell, Filgate, Kishman, Sturgis line-up. Powell relied on fan donations and outside assistance to help finance the album. Original member Martin Turner
Martin Turner
Martin Turner is the bass guitarist, lead vocalist and a founding member of the rock band, Wishbone Ash.-Career:...
, who honoured the bulk of touring commitments to promote the album, was not featured on the album and was not retained for future studio/live projects, though he would remain part of the overall Wishbone Ash set-up through his work in assembling various archival releases, album remasters, etc.
By 1998, Kishman, Sturgis and Filgate had departed. Powell initially contacted members of the Mk.2 Wishbone Ash line-up with a view to a reformation in support of the then recently released 'Distillation' CD boxed set. Martin Turner and Laurie Wisefield were interested, but both had reservations about the business structure, in particular the notion of being effectively employed by Powell as hired hands. Powell pursued the idea no further and instead formed another new line-up with bassist Bob Skeat, guitarist/vocalist Mark Birch, and former drummer Ray Weston. During the line-up changes, Andy Powell released two electronic dance albums on UK indie label Invisible Hands Music under the name Wishbone Ash. The albums were ambitious dance projects that contained electronic beats blended with Wishbone Ash guitar riffs. Trance Visionary
Trance Visionary
Trance Visionary is an electronic-based dance studio album by rock band Wishbone Ash recorded during 1996. It features techno and dance collaborations between band leader Andy Powell and electronica guru Mike Bennett...
was the first of the pair, spawning a 12" single of four mixes that was a clubland smash and reached number 38 on the UK dance chart. Original members of the band were particularly offended that the album featured samples from their original recordings which were neither credited in the sleeve notes or in the songwriting credits (Powell and producer Mike Bennett took all songwriting credits). Psychic Terrorism
Psychic Terrorism
Psychic Terrorism is an electronic based dance studio album from rock band Wishbone Ash recorded during 1996. It features techno and dance collaborations between band leader Andy Powell and electronica guru Mike Bennett...
followed.
The band then released an acoustic album of classic and new songs entitled Bare Bones before hitting the road in 2000 to celebrate their 30th anniversary. A filmed show was held at Shepherds Bush Empire in London, where the band welcomed special guests Wisefield and Hamill as well as other friends for a star-studded concert that resulted in Live Dates 3
Live Dates 3
Live Dates 3 is a live album from the rock band Wishbone Ash.It was recorded live at le Plan in Ris Orangis, Paris on 22 October 1999.-Track listing:# "Come in from the Rain"# "Living Proof"# "Persephone"# "Lifeline"# "Wings of Desire"...
and a live DVD.
In 2001, Mark Birch was replaced by guitarist Ben Granfelt
Ben Granfelt
Ben Granfelt is a guitarist from Helsinki, Finland and best known from his work in Leningrad Cowboys, Wishbone Ash, Gringos Locos, Guitar Slingers and his solo band Ben Granfelt Band....
. The band hit the road for their most extensive touring schedule in years. Wishbone Ash returned to the studio in 2002 for the Bona Fide album. 2003 saw the band touring across the world with Savoy Brown
Savoy Brown
Savoy Brown, originally known as the Savoy Brown Blues Band, are a British blues rock band, formed in 1965, in Battersea, South West London...
, playing their largest number of American dates since the 1980s.
Ben Granfelt left the band to continue working on his solo career. Granfelt's mentor, Muddy Manninen, joined the band. In late 2006, the band released a new studio album entitled Clan Destiny
Clan Destiny
Clan Destiny is an album from rock band Wishbone Ash. It is the first album to feature guitarist Muddy Manninen, who replaced his student, Ben Granfelt, in 2004.-Track listing:#Eyes Wide Open #Dreams Outta Dust #Healing Ground #Steam Town...
. In 2007, longtime drummer Ray Weston left the band, stating that he was tired of constant touring and wanted to concentrate on different things. He was replaced by Joseph Crabtree
Joseph Crabtree (drummer)
Joseph Crabtree is a session drummer based in London, England, most noted for his progressive rock work with Pendragon and David Cross.Crabtree is currently touring with Wishbone Ash, having taken over from Ray Weston....
, known for his work with Pendragon
Pendragon (band)
Pendragon are an English neo-progressive rock band established in 1978 in Stroud, Gloucestershire as Zeus Pendragon by guitarist and vocalist Nick Barrett. The Zeus was dropped before the band started recording as the members decided it was too long to look good on a t-shirt...
and King Crimson violinist David Cross
David Cross (musician)
David Cross is an electric violinist born in Turnchapel near Plymouth, England, best known for playing with progressive rock band King Crimson during the 1970s...
. In late 2007, the band released their latest album Power of Eternity
Power of Eternity
Power of Eternity is a studio album from rock band Wishbone Ash. It marks the first recording to feature the band's new drummer Joseph Crabtree.-Track listing:#"The Power" - 5:48#"Driving a Wedge" - 4:24#"In Crisis" - 6:35...
; their first with new member Joseph Crabtree.
In 2010 Ted Turner released his solo album Eclektic Value.
Controversy
The months leading up to their 40th anniversary proved to be controversial. Andy Powell's 1998 registration of Wishbone Ash as a trademark led to a response from the three founding members, whereby they also asserted their entitlement to the name. According to founder member Martin Turner, Andy Powell had registered the brand name as a trademark in 1998 for his own use. This was done without the required consultation of the other co-owners of the brand (the original band members), who had at no time sold or otherwise forfeited their rights. Turner also stated that Powell had sold rights to many of the original band's co-owned recordings without their consent.Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash
In 2004 founding original Wishbone Ash member Martin Turner returned to form his own version of Wishbone Ash under the name Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash. The group released live albums containing Wishbone Ash songs as well as a re-recording of the original band's 1972 Argus album.Special events
Wishbone Ash have developed two group gatherings, AshCon in the UKUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and AshFest in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. These began in 1994 and have developed into gatherings of the 'faithful' and have since become annual fixtures.
Studio album discography
- Wishbone AshWishbone Ash (album)Wishbone Ash is the first studio album by Wishbone Ash. The band's debut album became a reality when they were opening for Deep Purple in early 1970...
(1970) - Pilgrimage (1971)
- ArgusArgus (album)Argus is the third album by the rock band Wishbone Ash. It is the most popular Wishbone Ash album and widely considered their greatest by fans and reviewers. It was named "Album of the Year" in the 1972 year-end issue of Sounds magazine...
(1972) - Wishbone FourWishbone FourWishbone Four is the fourth studio album by British rock band Wishbone Ash. It was a radical departure from their previous album, Argus, containing almost none of the twin-lead guitar harmonies and folk elements that featured in the previous album...
(1973) - There's the RubThere's the RubThere's the Rub is the fifth studio album by rock band Wishbone Ash. It is the first album to feature guitarist/vocalist Laurie Wisefield, who would be a major part of the band's creative direction for the next 11 years....
(1974) - Locked In (1976)
- New England (1976)
- Front Page NewsFront Page NewsFront Page News is the eighth studio album by rock band Wishbone Ash. It is mostly made up of slower, breezy soft rock ballads with lush vocal harmonies. This style is in marked contrast to the earlier albums, such as Argus, but there were several tracks of this idiom on their previous album, New...
(1977) - No Smoke Without FireNo Smoke Without FireNo Smoke Without Fire is the ninth studio album by rock band Wishbone Ash. It is the first album since 1972's Argus to be produced by Derek Lawrence...
(1978) - Just TestingJust TestingJust Testing is the tenth studio album by rock band Wishbone Ash.In a move that shocked fans and critics alike, Martin Turner left the band following the 1980 world tour in support of this album...
(1980) - Number the BraveNumber the BraveNumber the Brave is the eleventh studio album by rock band Wishbone Ash. It is the first album in the band's history recorded without founding bassist/vocalist Martin Turner...
(1981) - Twin Barrels BurningTwin Barrels Burning-Personnel:*Andy Powell – guitar, vocals*Laurie Wisefield – guitar, vocals*Trevor Bolder – bass, vocals*Steve Upton – drums...
(1982) - Raw to the BoneRaw to the BoneRaw to the Bone is the thirteenth album by rock band Wishbone Ash. Like its predecessor, Twin Barrels Burning, it is one of the band's heaviest records, capitalizing on the popular New Wave of British Heavy Metal that Wishbone Ash had helped influence.It is the only Wishbone Ash album to feature...
(1985) - Nouveau CallsNouveau CallsNouveau Calls is the fourteenth album by rock band Wishbone Ash. It is an all-instrumental album and is the first in 14 years to feature the original lineup of the band....
(1987) - Here to HearHere to HearHere to Hear is the fifteenth album by rock band Wishbone Ash. Since the band's last album was all instrumental, Here to Hear marks the first Wishbone Ash studio album with vocals to feature the original lineup since 1973's Wishbone Four...
(1989) - Strange Affair (1991)
- IlluminationsIlluminations (Wishbone Ash album)Illuminations is the seventeenth studio album from rock band Wishbone Ash recorded during 1995. It features a brand new version of the band with founding member Andy Powell along with new members Tony Kishman, Roger Filgate, and Mike Sturgis...
(1996) - Trance VisionaryTrance VisionaryTrance Visionary is an electronic-based dance studio album by rock band Wishbone Ash recorded during 1996. It features techno and dance collaborations between band leader Andy Powell and electronica guru Mike Bennett...
(1997) - Psychic TerrorismPsychic TerrorismPsychic Terrorism is an electronic based dance studio album from rock band Wishbone Ash recorded during 1996. It features techno and dance collaborations between band leader Andy Powell and electronica guru Mike Bennett...
(1998) - Bona Fide (2002)
- Clan DestinyClan DestinyClan Destiny is an album from rock band Wishbone Ash. It is the first album to feature guitarist Muddy Manninen, who replaced his student, Ben Granfelt, in 2004.-Track listing:#Eyes Wide Open #Dreams Outta Dust #Healing Ground #Steam Town...
(2006) - Power of EternityPower of EternityPower of Eternity is a studio album from rock band Wishbone Ash. It marks the first recording to feature the band's new drummer Joseph Crabtree.-Track listing:#"The Power" - 5:48#"Driving a Wedge" - 4:24#"In Crisis" - 6:35...
(2007) - Elegant Stealth (2011)
Live album discography
- Almighty Blues: London and Beyond a live album recorded on the two-year 2002-2003 tour in support of the studio album Bona FideBona FideBona Fide is a studio album from rock band Wishbone Ash. It is the first studio album in six years and is the only studio album to feature guitarist Ben Granfelt...
. Portions were also released on a video of the same name. It marks the final appearance of guitarist Ben GranfeltBen GranfeltBen Granfelt is a guitarist from Helsinki, Finland and best known from his work in Leningrad Cowboys, Wishbone Ash, Gringos Locos, Guitar Slingers and his solo band Ben Granfelt Band....
.
External links
- The official Wishbone Ash website, authorised by original member Andy Powell
- Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash website, also featuring historical information on the band's vintage years
- The official Ted Turner website for all the latest news and upcoming tour dates, from the original Wishbone Ash guitarist