Wishbone Ash
Wishbone Ash are a
British Hard rock band, formed in
Devon,
1969, forming out of the ashes of the group
The Empty Vessels, later
Tanglewood.
Wishbone Ash was formed in
1969 by bassist
Martin Turner and drummer
Steve Upton. After an extensive search for a guitar player, the band could not decide between the final two candidates,
Andy Powell and
Ted Turner. Powell suggested that they try both guitar players "just to see what it sounds like". Unbeknownst to Powell, he was helping to pioneer a brand new technique in rock: the "twin lead" harmonizing guitar sound. Coincidentally, across the ocean in America,
Dickey Betts and
Duane Allman were utilizing the same technique, as
The Allman Brothers Band was formed around the same time in
Macon, Georgia. Though both bands were heavily rooted in the blues, the Wishbone Ash twin lead sound also included strong elements of
folk,
progressive rock, and
classical music.
In early
1970, the band scored an opening spot for rock legends
Deep Purple, who were on their way to becoming one of the most popular bands in the world. During soundcheck, Purple guitarist
Ritchie Blackmore was warming up alone onstage when a very bold
Andy Powell walked up, plugged in, and began jamming along with Blackmore. Within 24 hours, Blackmore hooked the band up with legendary producer
Derek Lawrence and helped them secure a record deal with
Decca/
MCA Records.
The band's self-titled debut album, released in
1970, was a huge success. Fans and critics alike praised the album, which contained a raw, rough bluesy rock sound as well as extended jam sessions and twin guitar flights that displayed the band's impressive musical skills. The haunting "Phoenix", clocking in at nearly 13 minutes, closed out the album and is considered by many to be the definitive Wishbone Ash song. The group also displayed early signs of
heavy metal with the pummeling riffs of "Queen of Torture" and "Lady Whiskey".
One year later, the group released
Pilgrimage. Reactions were mixed, as there was extreme pressure on the band to surpass their highly praised debut album. Regardless,
Pilgrimage was a strong effort, and remains one of their finest studio recordings. However, most of the tracks on the album were instrumental, as there were only a few songs with vocals and solid song structures.
The band struck gold in
1972 with
Argus, without question their commercial and creative peak. The album was voted by the readers of
Sounds magazine as the best rock album of the year.
Argus contained epic themes, brilliant vocal harmonizing, instrumental precision, and arguably best song writing of Wishbone Ash's career. The impact of
Argus was enormous. A potent blend of folk, progressive rock, and classical music, it was a truly original album that helped propel the band to superstar status. The band was now one of the most popular rock bands in the world, and was getting international acclaim for their live performances.
The band was now headlining major arenas and starting to make a huge impact in the
United States. In a move that Wishbone Ash would repeat time and time again throughout their career, the group released a lacklustre follow-up to
Argus that put the brakes on their rise to the top.
Wishbone Four was the band's first record without producer Derek Lawrence, as the band decided to produce the album themselves. None of the lush harmonies, folksy elements, or epic song writing was present, and most of the trademark twin lead guitar was missing, though the album still produced classics, including the beautiful "Ballad of the Beacon" and the underrated rocker "Doctor".
Regardless of whether
Wishbone Four captivated audiences, the band still had a reputation as a fierce live act. Therefore, in
1973, the band released a double live album entitled
Live Dates, which truly captured the band at their peak of their live performance. Bands were releasing live albums left and right in the early 1970s, so
Live Dates, although successful, did not receive the popularity and attention it should have.
Just as the band's popularity was continuing to rise on the strength of
Live Dates and the now legendary status of
Argus, the band suffered a serious blow with the departure of guitarist Ted Turner, who retired from music and moved to the English countryside. After replacing Turner with new guitarist
Laurie Wisefield, the band relocated to America and recorded the critically acclaimed
There's the Rub album.
Widely considered one of the band's strongest albums,
There's the Rub contained several classics, including the druggy instrumental epic "FUBB (Fucked Up Beyond Belief)" (referring to the band's condition of high inebriation during sessions) and the haunting, gorgeous ballad "Persephone", one of the group's most beloved songs.
American influences began creeping into the band's sound as well, as the album contained the first hints of the mellow, softer side the group would embrace later in the decade.
However, the band almost did not make it to the latter part of the decade, as their next album nearly killed their career.
Locked In, produced (and extremely overproduced) by
Tom Dowd, was a critical and commercial disaster. Virtually unrecognizable as a Wishbone Ash album, the album nearly derailed the band's career as fan backlash was enormous. The group even began touring with a keyboard player; not only was the album panned, but the shows were disparaged as well. The entire
Locked In experience was seen as a complete disaster.
The band returned with a newfound focus on
1976's
New England, and the Americanization of Wishbone Ash was now in full effect. A huge step forward, the band was also beginning to mellow out in a big way. Aside from a couple of rockers, most of the album is soothing and breezy, bringing the band's great vocal harmonies even more to the forefront. The laid back, mellow trend continued with
Front Page News (
1977). Many fans proclaim that the group's vocal harmonizing was never as fully realized as it was on
Front Page News. A truly unique album which divides fans to this day, it acts almost as one constant, flowing number in the soft-rock vein, but without the kitsch elements. A highlight is the airy instrumental "714," which includes strings in the background (a first for the band).
Despite recovering from the
Locked In debacle with two fine albums in the mid-1970s, the band's record sales were slumping. It was the era of punk and disco, and the hard rock giants of the early 1970s were now seen as has-beens only a few years into their careers. However, the group remained a strong live attraction that was still able to pack large venues.
In
1978, after years of experimental albums, the band decided to return to its roots with
No Smoke Without Fire, the band's heaviest album since
There's the Rub and the first to be produced by
Derek Lawrence since the
Argus masterpiece in
1972. The album contained many songs written solely by Laurie Wisefield, including the massive epic "Way of the World" and the gorgeous harmonic ballad "Ships in the Sky" (one of the few elements still left from the
Front Page News era; most of the album was classic Wishbone Ash). However, the band had long lost the ability to have a high charting album release, especially considering the trends of the time.
However, the band soldiered on and spent over an entire year making the next album,
Just Testing. Released in February
1980, the album was the strongest Wishbone record in years. Containing mostly Martin Turner material, the album allowed Wishbone to try new musical trends and still retain the classic Wishbone sound. The album contained less frills with a stronger emphasis on vocals and chorus, coming through nicely on tracks like "Insomnia" and the classic opener "Living Proof", one of Wishbone Ash's most popular songs of all time. "Lifeline", another "Way of the World" style epic, closed out the album and unfortunately, an era.
Pressured by
MCA to make more commercial music, the band considered bringing in a lead singer and relinquishing
Martin Turner's duties to bass guitar only. After 11 years, the band's front man and co-founder left Wishbone Ash. To some, Martin was more than just a bass player, as he basically represented the "face" of Wishbone Ash.
Turner was replaced by the legendary
John Wetton, formerly of
King Crimson,
UK, and several other classic groups. Most of
Number the Brave, released in
1981, was written before Wetton joined, hence he sang on only one song. Wetton grew disillusioned with what he deemed a "session man" status, especially considering he was one of the most respected bassists/singers/songwriters in the world. Before the tour began, he quit Wishbone Ash and formed
Asia. Wishbone Ash was dropped by
MCA the same year.
Wetton was replaced on the
Number the Brave tour by former
Uriah Heep bassist
Trevor Bolder. Also joining the band was a female backing vocalist,
Claire Hamill. who had sung on both the
Just Testing and
Number the Brave albums. The new Wishbone got mixed reviews. In
1982, after Hamill's departure, the band went heavy metal and released the
Twin Barrels Burning album. There were few bright spots along the way, and once again the band depended on their still successful live shows to bring home the bacon.
Trevor Bolder left the group to rejoin Uriah Heep in
1983, to be replaced by
Mervyn Spence. Spence was a capable lead vocalist (much like
Jon Anderson of
Yes) and acted as the front man from the
1984-
1986 period. The group continued with a more heavy metal side on
1985's
Raw to the Bone, which became the first Wishbone Ash album not to make the charts.
The band suffered even more disappointment when
Laurie Wisefield quit the band after 11 years of service. He was replaced by
Jamie Crompton. Months later
Mervyn Spence quit as well, to be replaced by ex-
Kinks bassist
Andy Pyle. This was considered one of the lowest points in the band's career. However, it didn't last long.
In
1987,
IRS Records founder and original Wishbone manager
Miles Copeland began a record label 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
Andy Powell and
Steve Upton about having Wishbone Ash release an all instrumental album. However, he stated the album must mark the reunion of the original Wishbone Ash.
|
The original lineup back together, 1989 |
For the first time in 14 years,
Andy Powell and
Steve Upton joined forces with
Martin Turner and
Ted Turner to release the album
Nouveau Calls, released in
1987. Fans were beyond elated to hear that the original Wishbone Ash was back in action, however, reactions were mixed because there were no vocals on the new album. The tour of
1988 was a huge success, as the band played large venues for the first time since the late 1970s. In
1989, fans got their wish as the band released a full-fledged reunion album with vocals entitled
Here to Hear. Considered the band's best album since
1980's
Just Testing, the album went over well with fans and critics alike. The
1988-
1990 period featured some of the best live performances of the band's career.
After spending the first part of
1990 on the road, the band went back into the studio to record the follow up to
Here to Hear. The band was shocked when founding member
Steve Upton, the band's drummer for their entire career, announced his retirement from the music business. Shaken but undeterred, the band quickly enlisted session drummer
Robbie France to help out on some studio tracks and live shows. However, the band permanently settled on
Ray Weston, who officially joined the band in
1991. After a full year in the studio,
Strange Affair was released in
1991.
In
1992, fans were saddened when founding member
Martin Turner departed again. He was replaced by returnee
Andy Pyle, who had been in the band years earlier. Turner had been the band's frontman, lead vocalist, and principal songwriter, whereas Pyle didn't sing or write. However, the band remained strong as Pyle,
Andy Powell,
Ted Turner, and
Ray Weston toured throughout
1992 and
1993, releasing the live album
The Ash Live in Chicago. 1994 saw the total dismantling of the band. All of the members of the band were gone. However,
Andy Powell (the only remaining original member) promised to carry the flag and soldier on with a new version of the band. Guitarist/songwriter
Roger Filgate replaced Ted Turner, bassist/vocalist
Tony Kishman would be the frontman, and drummer
Mike Sturgis replaced Ray Weston. Powell promised to deliver "the next
Argus", and fan donations and outside assistance help the group finance the new studio album. However,
Tony Kishman had prior performing engagements in
America, and had to bow out of the project right before the
1995 tour. For the third time, founding member
Martin Turner returned to the fold to the delight of fans.
Illuminations was released in
1996. Essentially an
Andy Powell project (considering he was the only original member), the album received rave reviews and was the strongest Wishone Ash release in years. Fans were upset that the album, featuring a returning Tony Kishman, did not feature any of Martin Turner's contributions.
In
1997, Bassist
Bob Skeat and guitarist/vocalist
Mark Birch were hired, and former drummer
Ray Weston rejoined the band. During the lineup changes,
Andy Powell released two electronic dance albums under the name Wishbone Ash.
Psychic Terrorism and
Trance Visionary were ambitious dance projects that contained electronic beats blended with Wishbone Ash guitar riffs. Boldly, the new band even played some of the material in concert.
2000s to present
The band then released a quiet, all acoustic album of classic songs entitled
Bare Bones before hitting the road in
2000 to celebrate their 30th anniversary. A special show was held at
Shepherds Bush Empire in
London, where the band welcomed special guests
Laurie Wisefield and
Claire 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 gifted guitarist
Ben Granfelt. The band hit the road for their most extensive touring schedule in years, and renewed interest in the band was seen across the globe (many older fans had just assumed the group had split). Showcasing their strongest lineup in years, Wishbone Ash returned to the studio in
2002 for the highly praised
Bona Fide album. Like
Illuminations six years earlier,
Bona Fide was considered an instant classic by fans and critics alike.
2003 saw the band touring across the world with
Savoy Brown, playing the largest number of American dates since the 1980s.
Ben Granfelt made a huge impact on the new Wishbone Ash. But, just as the group was enjoying yet another rise to the top, he left the band to continue working on his solo career. Granfelt's mentor,
Muddy Manninen, joined the band. It has yet to be seen whether Manninen will be able to fill Granfelt's shoes, but as of spring
2005 (their 35th anniversary), the band continues to tour the USA and Europe regularly, and are scheduled to release the long-anticipated new Album, entitled
Clan Destiny, in May 2006. A tour of the UK and the USA will keep the band on the road through most of the summer of 2006.
Wishbone Ash have developed a couple of group gatherings,
AshCon in the
UK and
AshFest in the
USA. These began in the last few years and have developed into gatherings of the 'faithful' and have become annual fixtures. Always keen to encourage the fans, later ones have featured guitar clinics and question times that encourage musicians to play with the band and develop.
'''Wishbone Ash personnel| (1969-1973) |
* Martin Turner - vocals, bass guitar
* Andy Powell - guitar, vocals
* Ted Turner - guitar, vocals
* Steve Upton - drums |
|---|
| (1974-1980) |
* Martin Turner - vocals, bass guitar
* Andy Powell - guitar, vocals
* Laurie Wisefield - guitar, vocals
* Steve Upton - drums |
|---|
| (1981) |
* John Wetton - vocals, bass guitar
* Andy Powell - guitar, vocals
* Laurie Wisefield - guitar, vocals
* Steve Upton - drums |
|---|
| (1981) |
* Andy Powell - vocals, guitar
* Laurie Wisefield - guitar, vocals
* Trevor Bolder - bass guitar
* Steve Upton - drums |
|---|
| (1981) |
* Andy Powell - vocals, guitar
* Laurie Wisefield - guitar, vocals
* Claire Hamill - vocals
* Trevor Bolder - bass guitar
* Steve Upton - drums |
|---|
| (1982-1983) |
* Andy Powell - vocals, guitar
* Laurie Wisefield - guitar, vocals
* Trevor Bolder - bass guitar
* Steve Upton - drums |
|---|
| (1984-1985) |
* Mervyn Spence - vocals, bass guitar
* Andy Powell - guitar, vocals
* Laurie Wisefield - guitar, vocals
* Steve Upton - drums |
|---|
| (1986) |
* Andy Powell - vocals, guitar
* Jamie Crompton - guitar
* Andy Pyle - bass guitar
* Steve Upton - drums |
|---|
| (1987-1990) |
* Martin Turner - vocals, bass guitar
* Andy Powell - guitar, vocals
* Ted Turner - guitar, vocals
* Steve Upton - drums |
|---|
| (1991) |
* Martin Turner - vocals, bass guitar
* Andy Powell - guitar, vocals
* Ted Turner - guitar, vocals
* Ray Weston - drums |
|---|
| (1992-1994) |
* Andy Powell - vocals, guitar
* Ted Turner - guitar, vocals
* Andy Pyle - bass guitar
* Ray Weston - drums |
|---|
| (1995) |
* Tony Kishman - bass guitar, vocals
* Andy Powell - guitar, vocals
* Roger Filgate - guitar
* Mike Sturgis - drums |
|---|
| (1995-1996) |
* Martin Turner - vocals, bass guitar
* Andy Powell - guitar, vocals
* Roger Filgate - guitar
* Mike Sturgis - drums |
|---|
| (1996-1997) |
* Tony Kishman - bass guitar, vocals
* Andy Powell - guitar, vocals
* Roger Filgate - guitar
* Mike Sturgis - drums |
|---|
| (1998-2001) |
* Andy Powell - vocals, guitar
* Mark Birch - guitar, vocals
* Bob Skeat - bass guitar
* Ray Weston - drums |
|---|
| (2001-2003) |
* Andy Powell - vocals, guitar
* Ben Granfelt - guitar
* Bob Skeat - bass guitar
* Ray Weston - drums |
|---|
| (2004-present) |
* Andy Powell - vocals, guitar
* Muddy Manninen - guitar
* Bob Skeat - bass guitar
* Ray Weston - drums |
|---|
*
Wishbone Ash's official site*
Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash site
