Wishbone Ash

Twin leads

Wishbone Ash formed in Torquay in October 1969, when Martin Turner and Steve Upton, from the trio Tanglewood, hired two lead guitarists, Ted Turner and Andy Powell, who had both answered a Melody Maker advertisement; unable to choose, they took both. Ted Turner is no relation to Martin. Martin Turner made the name by combining words from two lists, and the band's manager was Miles Copeland III. Their first gig was at Dunstable Civic Hall on November 10, 1969, supporting Aynsley Dunbar's Retaliation, for five pounds. The twin lead guitar sound became their signature; a 1972 Rolling Stone advertisement billed them the world's greatest twin-lead-guitar band, and Melody Maker called Powell and Turner the most interesting two-guitar team since Beck and Page graced the Yardbirds.

The debut album came out in 1970, Pilgrimage in 1971 and Argus in 1972, which reached three in the UK. The double live album Live Dates (December 1973) was taken from June 1973 shows in Reading, Croydon, Portsmouth and Newcastle. Ted Turner quit in 1974, announced on May 2, and Laurie Wisefield joined for There's the Rub, recorded in Miami from August 1974. Martin Turner left in October 1980 and John Wetton, Trevor Bolder and others passed through; the original four reunited for Nouveau Calls (1987) and Here to Hear (1989). Upton retired in 1990 and Ted Turner left for good in January 1994, leaving Powell the only founder. Powell's Gibson Flying V, bought in 1971, is a visual trademark.

The band has issued many archive releases, among them The Vintage Years 1970-1991 (April 2018, 32 CDs), Live at Glasgow Apollo 1977 (2019), Live at Rockpalast (2019, from Cologne on December 1, 1976), and At the BBC 1970-1988 (March 28, 2025, 11 CDs). Fan gatherings called AshCon and AshFest have run since 1994. Steve Harris of Iron Maiden pointed to Argus to explain Maiden's early harmony guitars.