WISHBONE ASH AT THE BBC 1970-1988 12-DISC SET INCLUDES 72-PAGE HARDBACK BOOK, 11 CDs OF LIVE MATERIAL AND A DVD OF PERFORMANCE FOOTAGE FROM THE BBC

Madfish Music (Fairport Convention, The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, John Mayall) proudly presents Wishbone Ash – At The BBC 1970-1988, an extraordinary collection of iconic performances, rare recordings, and behind-the-scenes gems, captured over nearly two decades from one of the most celebrated bands in rock history.

Four years in the making and shaped by the input of devoted fans and band members alike, this long-awaited release is the definitive archive of Wishbone Ash's unforgettable relationship with the BBC.

Packaged in a protective slipcase, the audiovisual book set is comprised of:

 • 11 CDs of electrifying live material including never-before-heard sessions and performances, expertly restored and remastered by Pete Reynolds. Includes iconic shows from the Paris Theatre, Glasgow Apollo and Hammersmith Odeon, as well as performances on John Peel’s Sunday Concert, Sounds of the Seventies, Top Gear + more.

• a DVD of Old Grey Whistle Test footage from 1971, 1977 & 1980. Includes rare outtakes, full performances, and behind-the-scenes moments.

• a beautifully bound 72-page hardback book, complete with rare photos, session documentation from the BBC vaults and exclusive insights from the band.

For fans, collectors, and newcomers alike, this is the ultimate treasure trove of Ash’s signature melodic twin-lead guitars and progressive rock mastery. The wait is over.

PRE-ORDER WISHBONE ASH – AT THE BBC 1970-1988 https://burningshed.com/store/madfish
(28TH MARCH 2025)

Wishbone Ash and Trapeze Lead Vocalist Merv Spence Announces the Release of His Interpretations of the Phenomena Catalogue – OUT NOW!

Merv Spence is an Irish musician and former member of Wishbone Ash and Trapeze, as well as an established solo artist. He will be touring to support the release and this album features all of Merv Spence’s covers of the Phenomena tracks, both previously released and newly recorded.

Phenomena is an all-star series of albums created by Tom Galley which saw its debut album sell 1.2 million copies, and its follow-up deliver a #1 hit single ‘Did It All For Love’. Merv Spence is the former rights owner of the Phenomena albums and previously recorded his own renditions of the best-known songs.

Lead singer, musician & music producer Merv Spence said of the release: "'Phenomena Recovered' is a very important album for me. A lot of creative blood, sweat and tears went into producing these songs and the results make me feel incredibly proud. I embraced the challenge, and gave it my own signature. I hope 'Phenomena' fans will also embrace this production, and I look forward to performing these great songs live, both in a band capacity and solo, acoustically".

Phenomena Recovered is OUT NOW and available from:
Amazon CD: https://geni.us/PhenReCoCD
Apple Music: https://geni.us/PhenReCoAM
Spotify: https://geni.us/PhenReCoSP

Classic Rock Legends Wishbone Ash “Argus 50th Anniversary” Multi-Format Box Set Now Available For Pre-order

Celebrating one of the most pivotal entries in the history of great British rock and prog albums, Wishbone Ash’s legendary LP “Argus” gets a 50th Anniversary multi-format Box Set release on 14 April 2023 through Madfish.

Complete with its indelible Hipgnosis designed album sleeve, 1972’s “Argus” saw Wishbone Ash (Andy Powell, Martin Turner, Steve Upton & Ted Turner) mix hard rock, blues, folk and elements of prog to create an anthemic album of resounding quality. “Argus” was the group’s third studio LP and undoubtedly the classic album within the band’s ‘70s canon. It is not only the biggest selling album of their career, featuring the beloved fan-favorite “Blowin’ Free”, but full of memorable and timeless tunes such as “The King Will Come”, “Time Was”, “Warrior” and “Throw Down The Sword”. Widely considered a vital moment in the progression of twin-lead guitar harmonization, Andy Powell and Ted Turner’s pioneering twin lead attack left an indelible stamp on the likes of Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden, Metallica and Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was also a technique deployed by Steely Dan for their own 1972 hit “Reelin’ In The Years”.

Madfish are now proud to present the most complete edition of this album to date. Each “Argus 50th Anniversary” Box Set contains: 

· 3 CDs: Martin Turner’s “Argus” remaster, “Live at The Alexandra Palace 1973 & Memphis 1972”. Also features 4 previously unreleased early version demos.

· 2 LPs: Original “Argus” replica, remastered for this release + “Argus Live” on yellow vinyl (selected recordings from “Alexandra Palace & Memphis”).

· DVD: French & Swiss TV footage, “Live from the Rainbow 1973 & RTS Broadcast from 1974”.

· 7” Red vinyl Single of “Blowin’ Free”.

· Featuring a 48-page book with rare photographs and extensive liner notes with contributions from Andy Powell, Martin Turner & Steve Upton.

· Numbered certificate of authenticity

Wishbone Ash achieved considerable success in the 1970s, during which they were among England’s most popular hard rock acts, achieving an impressive eight Top 40 albums. Often regarded as one of the premiere UK live acts of the ‘70s, they toured throughout this period and into the following decades.

1972 was one of rock music’s most memorable years for regal releases – a golden age of classic albums – “Exile On Main Street”, “Machine Head”, “The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars”, “All The Young Dudes”, “Roxy Music”, “Can’t Buy A Thrill”, “Sailin’ Shoes”, “Foxtrot”, “Demons And Wizards”, “Transformer” and “Barnstorm” – by rock royalty – The Rolling Stones, Deep Purple, Davie Bowie, Mott The Hoople, Roxy Music, Steely Dan, Little Feat, Genesis, Uriah Heep, Lou Reed and Joe Walsh. Not least among these amazing artists and records was Wishbone Ash and their groundbreaking album “Argus”.

As they reigned supreme through the ‘70s, Wishbone Ash was centered on inspired musicianship, joyful spirit and inventive songs. Their concerts were uplifting and their recorded work sublime. “Argus” remains a stunning highpoint in the band’s startling repertoire. This is a vital addition to the Wishbone Ash catalogue. 

Released by Madfish on April 14, 2023 / Pre-orders available HERE 

For more information:
https://www.madfishmusic.com/artists/wishbone-ash/
https://www.facebook.com/wishbone.ash.official

 

Classic Rock Legends Wishbone Ash’s “Live Dates Live 50th” US Tour February/March 2023

Formed in 1969 in England, Wishbone Ash are one of the most influential guitar bands in rock history. Equally inspired by British folk, American jazz and R&B, the band did their part to help form the emerging rock ’n’ roll scene in the U.S. and the U.K. Through dedication to the craft of guitar harmony and melody, along with relentless touring, Wishbone Ash garnered a vast audience through public approval, critical praise and worldwide distribution of their extensive recording catalog.

In 2023 the band, led by founding member Andy Powell (guitarist, lead vocals), will mark the 50th anniversary of their biggest selling, multi-platinum album, “Live Dates,” with tours of Europe, North America and the United Kingdom. In the U.S., February and March will see the band traveling through the Northeast and Midwest, with an autumn tour through the South and West.

As the first live album released by the band, “Live Dates” features selections from Wishbone Ash’s first four albums performed in concert during the summer of 1973. Reviewers have consistently listed it among the finest live rock albums of all time.

“Live Dates” includes the cream of the early Wishbone Ash crop: “King Will Come,” “Warrior,” “Throw Down the Sword,” “Rock ‘N’ Roll Widow,” “Ballad of the Beacon,” “Baby What You Want Me to Do,” “Pilgrim,” “Blowin’ Free,” “Jailbait,” “Lady Whiskey” and “Phoenix.”

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary, “Live Dates” was re-recorded in its entirety at Daryl Hall’s venue, Daryl’s House Club, in Pawling, New York on July 22, 2022.

Andy Powell trades licks with Yorkshire’s Mark Abrahams, who has been playing Wishbone Ash tunes since his youth. Longtime bassist Bob Skeat keeps the low-end rocking, working the grooves with newest band member, Mike Truscott on drums. Like his band mate Mark Abrahams, Mike also hails from Yorkshire, England.

As true warriors of the road, the band regularly covers around 30,000 miles a year, which is roughly equivalent to circumnavigating the world. The Ash is an undeniable force on today’s touring scene, performing on five continents and continuing to be discovered by new generations of music fans.

Over the years the band has embraced diverse musical genres, from folk, blues and jazz to pedal-to-the-metal rock and electronica. Regardless of the style, Wishbone Ash’s groundbreaking interplay of two lead guitars influenced bands such as Thin Lizzy, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Iron Maiden, Umphree McGee and Opeth, among many others.

Wishbone Ash’s latest studio album (their 26th), “Coat of Arms,” was released in early 2020.

Tour Dates

February 2023

22 Pawling, NY - Daryl’s House
23 Shirley, MA - Bull Run
24 Norwalk, CT - Wall Street Theater
25 Jim Thorpe, PA - Mauch Chunk Opera House
26 Pittsburgh, PA - Club Cafe
28 Detroit, MI - Token Lounge

March 2023

01 Cincinnati, OH - Ludlows Garage
02 Fort Wayne, IN - Clyde Theater
03 St. Charles, IL - Arcada Theater
04 Edwardsville, IL - Wildey Theater
05 Edwardsville, IL - Wildey Theater
07 Davenport, IA - River Music Experience/Redstone Room
08 Minneapolis, MN - Palace Theatre
09 Milwaukee, WI - Colectivo on Prospect
11 Kent, OH - Kent Stage
12 Buffalo, NY - Sportsmens Tavern
13 Buffalo, NY - Sportsmens Tavern
16 Derry, NH - Tupelo Music Hall
18 Sellersville, PA - Sellersville Theater
19 Annapolis, MD - Ramshead Tavern

Exclusive Early Admission
Pre-Show Meet and Q&A with the Band
Mini Private Performance
VIP Laminate & Lanyard
Crowd-free merchandise shopping
LIMITED AVAILABILITY

For more information

Facebook \ Instagram \ Twitter \ Website

Classic Rock Legends Wishbone Ash Embark on Eagerly Awaited U.S. Tour

Wishbone Ash’s U.S. tour will kick off on Feb. 23 and run through May 24. The tour, with legs in the Northeast/Midwest and South/West, will continue the band’s 50th Anniversary celebrations and will also mark the golden anniversary of their landmark album, “Argus.”

“Thankfully, before Covid-19 shut live music down around the world, we did manage to celebrate our 50th anniversary by touring Europe and other territories in support of our new album, ‘Coat of Arms,’” says founding member Andy Powell (guitar, lead vocals). “The USA was not quite so lucky, missing out on the party. So we’ll be resuming the celebration for our friends and fans who missed out due to the pandemic.”

Formed in October 1969, Wishbone Ash pioneered a melodic style of twin-lead guitar that inspired such groups as Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden. Influenced equally by British folk traditions, American jazz and R&B, the band played to public and critical acclaim.

“Argus” (1972), their double-platinum third album, is interwoven with spiritual imagery, featuring such classics as “The King Will Come,” “Throw Down the Sword” and “Blowin' Free” – all three are still staples of Wishbone Ash’s regular concerts. The album’s iconic cover design is one of Hipgnosis’ legendary works - a sentry surveying a misty landscape - encapsulating the title of the album, which was taken from Greek mythology’s one-eyed watcher.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of “Argus,” the band will perform the album in its entirety at selected shows on the tour.

Slated for later this year is an “Argus” limited-release special box set containing the remastered album plus historical live albums, previously unreleased, from the original band, back at that time.

The quintessential road band, Wishbone Ash has gained worldwide recognition, based firmly on a regime of relentless touring and recording. Power and melody have made the Ash a hard act to follow, while they are currently being discovered by new generations of loyal rock fans.

Powell trades licks with Yorkshire's Mark Abrahams, who has been playing Wishbone Ash tunes since his youth. Bob Skeat keeps the low-end rocking, working the grooves with newest band member Mike Truscott on drums. Mike also hails from Yorkshire, England, like Mark Abrahams.

In just the last few years, tours have been set in North America, Europe and the United Kingdom, as well as Japan and South Africa. Each year, approximately 30,000 actual road miles are racked up, plus countless flights, taking the band’s special brand of twin lead guitar-based rock around the planet.

“Everyone by now knows that Wishbone Ash is one of the hardest working bands in rock today and so it really was a major blow, to be wrenched out of our comfort zone - being on tour,” Powell says. “A lot of personal, financial and physical adjustment was needed in taking this forced hiatus, for all of us, but we kept ourselves busy. I’ve been working on my gear and working on songs. I also started my online patreon.com/andypowell site where I dispense road stories, guitar tips and songwriting insights. This kind of thing has kept us focused and creative individually, but there’s nothing quite like a life on the road, especially if you’ve been living that way for 50 years!”

Their last U.S. concert was at the Triple Door in Seattle on Friday the 13th of 2020. “I looked like a hermetically sealed passenger when I boarded the plane for home,” Powell says. “We were getting intel about the Covid situation from the authorities as we rounded the corner up through California and Washington state, the virus seemed to be on our heels. After that, the whole world seemed to shut down and we had to make some major adjustments. We miss all our friends and fans around the U.S. and the world, in fact, and the camaraderie and support that brings.”

These two U.S. tour legs will prove to be a sweet reunion.

For tour dates and more information visit:
www.wishboneash.com or follow the band on Facebook (@wishbone.ash.official), Instagram (@wishboneashofficial) and Twitter (@wishboneash_com).

WISHBONE ASH US TOUR SPRING 2022
FEB 23 - BULL RUN - SHIRLEY, MA
FEB 24 - DARYL’S HOUSE CLUB - PAWLING, NY
FEB 25 - MAUCH CHUNK OPERA HOUSE - JIM THORPE, PA
FEB 27 - CLUB CAFE - PITTSBURGH, PA
MAR 1 - TOKEN LOUNGE - WESTLAND, MI
MAR 2 - THE LUDLOW GARAGE - CINCINNATI, OH
MAR 3 - DES PLAINES THEATRE - DES PLAINES, IL*
MAR 4 - ARCADA THEATRE - ST. CHARLES, IL
MAR 5 - THE WILDEY THEATRE - EDWARDSVILLE, IL
MAR 6 - THE WILDEY THEATRE - EDWARDSVILLE, IL*
MAR 8 - RIVER MUSIC EXPERIENCE - DAVENPORT, IA
MAR 9 - COLECTIVO ON PROSPECT - MILWAUKEE, WI
MAR 10 - IRVING THEATER - INDIANAPOLIS, IN
MAR 12 - FUR PEACE RANCH - POMEROY, OH
MAR 13 - FUR PEACE RANCH - POMEROY, OH*
MAR 14 - KENT STAGE - KENT, OH
MAR 15 - SPORTSMENS TAVERN - BUFFALO, NY
MAR 16 - SWYER HALL - ALBANY, NY
MAR 17 - TUPELO MUSIC HALL - DERRY, NH
MAR 18 - WALL STREET THEATER - NORWALK, CT
MAR 19 - SELLERSVILLE THEATER - SELLERSVILLE, PA
MAR 20 - RAMS HEAD - ANNAPOLIS, MD
MAR 22 - TIN PAN - RICHMOND, VA
MAR 23 - NEIGHBORHOOD THEATRE - CHARLOTTE, NC*
APR 21 - KING CENTER STUDIO - MELBOURNE, FL
APR 22 - FUNKY BISCUIT - BOCA RATON, FL
APR 23 - LYRIC THEATRE - STUART, FL*
APR 24 - SKIPPER’S SMOKEHOUSE - TAMPA, FL*
APR 26 - VINYL MUSIC HALL - PENSACOLA, FL*
APR 27 - HOUSE OF BLUES - NEW ORLEANS, LA*
APR 28 - DOSEY DOE - WOODLANDS, TX*
APR 29 - THE GUITAR SANCTUARY - MCKINNEY, TX
APR 30 - SAM’S BURGER JOINT - SAN ANTONIO, TX*
MAY 2-6 - CRUISE TO THE EDGE - Port Canaveral/Labadee/Coco Cay
MAY 7 - THE CANYON - AGOURA HILLS, CA*
MAY 8 - THE COACH HOUSE - SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA
MAY 9 - BELLY UP - SOLANA BEACH, CA*
MAY 10 - THE RIALTO THEATRE - TUCSON, AZ*
MAY 11 - RHYTHM ROOM - PHOENIX, AZ
MAY 14 - YOSHI’S - OAKLAND, CA*
MAY 15 - LITTLE FOX THEATER - REDWOOD CITY, CA
MAY 17 - WOW MUSIC HALL - EUGENE, OR*
MAY 18 - TOWER THEATER - BEND, OR
MAY 19 - JAZZBONES - TACOMA, WA
MAY 21 - BING CROSBY THEATER - SPOKANE, WA*
MAY 22 - ALADDIN THEATER - PORTLAND, OR*
MAY 23 - TRIPLE DOOR - SEATTLE, WA
MAY 24 - TRIPLE DOOR - SEATTLE, WA*

* Performing the “Argus” album in its entirety!

Classic Rock Legends Wishbone Ash Celebrates 50th Anniversary With US Spring Tour 2020

Wishbone Ash celebrates a half-century of live twin-lead guitar power in 2020. Fans can look forward to enjoying repertoire from the band's vast catalog of exactly 100 unique releases – 27 studio albums, 24 live albums, 43 compilations and box sets and five live DVDs, along with a DVD rockumentary (“This is Wishbone Ash”). Continually pushing their creative process, the band will release their next studio album, “Coat of Arms,” through SPV/Steamhammer on February 28th, 2020 as CD DigiPak, 2LP version (incl. bonus track). The first single, “We Stand As One,” was officially released on January 10.

The first leg of the 50th anniversary tour in the States begins in Melbourne, FL on Feb. 15, traversing the country's Southern swath from Florida to California and up the Pacific Coastline. The band will return for a Fall Tour in the Northeast and Midwest.

Formed in October 1969 in London, England, Wishbone Ash is one of the most influential guitar bands in the history of rock. Inspired equally by British folk traditions, American jazz and R&B, the group vaulted to public and critical acclaim, touring arenas, stadiums and theaters throughout Europe and the United States. Power and melody have made the Ash a hard act to follow, while they are currently being discovered by new generations of loyal rock fans.

Through the years the band has delved into various musical genres, from folk, blues and jazz to pedal-to-the-metal rock and electronica. Whatever the style, Wishbone Ash’s signature is the distinctive twin-melodic lead guitar interplay that has influenced such bands as Thin Lizzy, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Iron Maiden and, more recently, Opeth.

“The blueprint and musical roots that we laid down in the early 1970s must have been really strong to have lasted this long,” says founding member Andy Powell (guitar, vocals). “Every band needs a plan and most importantly, to find THEIR own sound.”

The 50th-anniversary tour officially kicked off in October 2019 with 31 shows in the UK, followed by January and early-February dates in Europe that included a package tour with Nazareth and Uriah Heep. Following the US tour, the band embarks on their second On the Blue Cruise adventure, with more exciting shows to be announced later in the year.

True road warriors, each year Wishbone Ash logs around 30,000 road miles, roughly equivalent to circumnavigating the earth.

“The band basically lives together year-round on the road, so we have a very strong level of communication that translates in our performances and recordings,” says Powell. A key ingredient in the band's recipe for success is a devoted fan base, many who have followed Wishbone Ash from the beginning, and which often includes their children and even grandchildren. “We value our fan community above all else,” Powell says.

In 2015, Powell released his musical memoir, “Eyes Wide Open: True Tales of a Wishbone Ash Warrior,” co-written with renowned Irish music journalist Colin Harper and available in Kindle and Apple iBook formats.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes in the music business and the world in general, as you can imagine,” Powell says. On looking back over the 50 years of the band, he muses, “Like all success stories, a career like this has its downs as well as its ups, and and the true ups can only be measured in this way.”

There is no other rock band in history that has done more with the twin guitar concept than Wishbone Ash. Visit www.wishboneash.com for more information.
 

2020 US Spring Tour
15 FEBRUARY King Center – Melbourne, FL
16 FEBRUARY Skipper’s Smokehouse – Tampa, FL
18 FEBRUARY Vinyl Music Hall – Pensacola, FL
19 FEBRUARY House of Blues – New Orleans, LA
20 FEBRUARY Dosey Doe The Big Barn – The Woodlands, TX
21 FEBRUARY The Guitar Sanctuary Music & Event Center –McKinney, TX
22 FEBRUARY Sam's Burger Joint – San Antonio, TX
23 FEBRUARY One World Theatre – Austin, TX
26 FEBRUARY Rhythm Room – Phoenix, AZ
27 FEBRUARY Boulder Station – Las Vegas, NV
28 FEBRUARY Ramona's Mainstage – Ramona, CA
29 FEBRUARY Arcadia Blues Club – Arcadia, CA
1 MARCH The Coach House – San Juan Capistrano, CA
4 MARCH Yoshi’s – Oakland, CA
5 MARCH The Fox – Redwood City, CA
7 MARCH Abstract Entertainment – Sacramento, CA
8 MARCH Moe’s Alley – Santa Cruz, CA
11 MARCH Aladdin Theater – Portland, OR
12 MARCH Jazzbones – Tacoma, WA
13 MARCH Triple Door – Seattle, WA
01-08 APRIL Miami, FL US/St. Maarten, AQ /St. Thomas, VI/Great Stirrup Cay, BS

2020 US Fall Tour
09 SEPT Bull Run – Shirley, MA
10 SEPT Daryl's House Club – Pawling, NY
11 SEPT Mauch Chunk Opera House - Jim Thorpe, PA
12 SEPT Rams Head on Stage – Annapolis, MD
13 SEPT Tin Pan – Richmond, VA
16 SEPT Ludlow Garage – Cincinnati, OH
17 SEPT The 210 – Highwood, IL
18 SEPT Arcada Theatre – St.Charles, IL
19 SEPT Wildey Theatre – Edwardsville, IL
20 SEPT Wildey Theatre – Edwardsville, IL
22 SEPT River Music Experience – Davenport, IA
23 SEPT The Black Room at Colectivo – Milwaukee, WI
24 SEPT The Vogue – Indianapolis, IN
25 SEPT The Kent Stage – Kent, OH
26 SEPT Fur Peace – Pomeroy, OH (sold out)
28 SEPT Club Cafe – Pittsburgh, PA
29 SEPT Sportsmen's Tavern – Buffalo, NY
01 OCT Tupelo Music Hall – Derry, NH
02 OCT Wall Street Theater - Norwalk, CT
03 OCT Record Collector – Bordentown, NJ
04 OCT Sellersville Theater – Sellersville, PA

 
For more information:
wishboneash.com
facebook.com/wishbone.ash.official

Wishbone Ash The Vintage Years (1970-1991) Limited Edition Deluxe 30CD Box Set Available April 2018! Authorised by all of the original band members!

In April 2018, Madfish celebrate Wishbone Ash, one of Britain’s most enduring and best-loved rock acts, by releasing a comprehensive deluxe 30 CD box set, The Vintage Years. Loaded with rarities, memorabilia, a new interview and a lavish 156-page hardback book, a third of this new collection features previously unheard & unreleased material.

Following decades of being starved of unreleased material from the true vintage years from Wishbone Ash, fans will soon be able to enjoy the long-awaited, remastered anthology from this esteemed and influential band in its pure quality in both musical and printed content.

This box set is strictly limited to 2,500 copies and includes all 16 studio albums between 1970-1991, all of which feature bonus material including rare album outtakes, B-sides and 12 previously unreleased studio tracks. These are presented in mini-gatefold sleeves. Three of the 16 albums are currently out of print on CD (Nouveau Calls, Here to Hear & Strange Affair). The box set will feature brand new cover artwork designed by Colin Elgie, the original designer behind the award-winning Live Dates sleeve artwork.

There are 3 original live albums (Live Dates, Live Dates Volume Two & Live in Tokyo) and 8 previously unreleased live albums (on 11 discs) recorded between 1973 & 1980. 

1. Portsmouth Guildhall 1973 (2CD) from the Wishbone Four / Live Dates tour

2. Southampton University 1973 from the Wishbone Four / Live Dates tour

3. Edinburgh Usher Hall 1976 from the New England tour

4. Marquee Club 1977 from the Front Page News tour

5. Newcastle City Hall 1977 from the Front Page News tour

6. Bournemouth Winter Gardens 1978 (2CD) from the No Smoke Without Fire tour

7. Guildford Civic Hall 1980 (2CD) from the Just Testing tour

8. Chelmsford Odeon 1980 from the Blowin' Free tour

All music has been remastered from the original multitrack and ¼ inch tapes, sourced from Martin Turner and Andy Powell's personal collections, and from the Universal Music and Atlantic archives.  

Accompanying this thorough collection of repertoire is a 156-page coffee table hardback book written by Classic Rock's Dave Ling, which includes personal photos, rare posters and flyers and collector's memorabilia.

Fans lucky enough to purchase this set also receive: 

• 36-page poster book covering the early years through to Here to Hear.

• Four reproductions of original posters for: 

Christmas at the Palace Dec 1973

Live Dates European tour – Hamburg Musikhalle 1974

Europe 1975 tour

Front Page News tour – Empire Pool Wembley 1977

• A Facsimile MCA debut album promo pack.

• A 7-inch flexi disc for the single “Blind Eye”, the first of the 11 Japanese singles series

• Individually signed photos of each band member.

Talking about the release, founder member Martin Turner explains, “I looked after most of these tape recordings for decades, wondering when they would ever see the light of day and I am very glad that they will at last be available for everyone to hear. I wanted to mix the live performances myself, but being a busy chap and not famous for my speediness, we decided to give it all to the wonderful Pete Reynolds whom I believe has done a brilliant job of mixing and remastering a massive collection of work. It's almost like having one's whole musical life in one box. It certainly represents the most comprehensive Wishbone collection that I know of and I hope you enjoy it.”

Andy Powell agrees, “It's truly amazing to look back at the musically fertile 70s and 80s and wonder at the sheer amount of incredible creative output from our band. We had great roots and a really strong blue-print for success. I feel blessed to have played my part in it all and I'm truly thankful that it's set the course for my entire life and all the music that's followed, as the band continues to live on into the 21st century.”

Rarely is an anthology of this quality ever released… Wishbone Ash: The Vintage Years is so comprehensive and lovingly-compiled, with such beautiful and quality accompanying material … if ever there was a box set not to miss, this is it!

For more information:

www.wishboneash.com

www.martinturnermusic.com

www.madfishmusic.com/wa

 

Classic Rock Legends Wishbone Ash Hit the Open Road on Spring US Tour

Wishbone Ash, one of the most influential guitar bands in the history of rock, will be coming to the States in April 2018 on the Open Road Tour. True to its name, the tour will see the band clocking some serious miles as they return to America's Southern swath, from North Carolina and Florida to California. Longtime fans and new converts alike will revel in the group’s signature twin-guitar mastery and powerhouse rhythm section as they present classics spanning their career.

Formed in 1969, Wishbone Ash is gearing up for its 50th anniversary on the heels of a limited-edition deluxe 30-disc box set, “Wishbone Ash: The Vintage Years,” available April 2018 through Madfish Records while supplies last.

True road warriors, each year these British rock legends log around 30,000 miles, roughly equivalent to circumnavigating the earth. “We are breaking with our usual U.S. tour schedule and hitting the road early in 2018 to take in some cities that we haven’t been to for quite some time,” says founding member Andy Powell (guitar/lead vocals). “The tour will be heavy on Southern dates like North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and then into Texas, Arizona and, finally, California.”

In the fall, the band will return to North America for some Canadian shows. “Everyone is rested and fighting fit, and looking forward to introducing new audiences to wunderkind Mark Abrahams on guitar, while hopefully surprising folks with some tunes from the vaults,” Powell says.

Abrahams, who replaced 12-year veteran Muddy Manninen last summer, will be trading licks with Powell; he’s already been earning rave reviews from fans on both sides of the Atlantic. Longtime rhythm section Bob Skeat on bass and Joe Crabtree on drums continue to provide the solid groove that is their hallmark.

Through the years the band has delved into various musical genres, from folk, blues and jazz to pedal-to-the-metal rock and electronica. Whatever the style, Wishbone Ash’s hallmark is the distinctive twin-melodic lead guitar interplay that has influenced such bands as Thin Lizzy, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Iron Maiden and, more recently, Opeth.

“The band basically lives together year-round on the road, so we have a very strong level of communication that translates in our performances and recordings,” says Powell. “We’ve come to an era where the industry has to pigeonhole a band as Classic Rock, Prog Rock, Heritage Rock and so on. The truth is that we have always kept our options open and always relied on the musicianship of the players to lead the way. It’s fun to be stylistically diverse and this has, in its way, contributed to our longevity.”

Wishbone Ash has to its credit 24 original studio recordings, 11 live albums and five live DVDs along with a DVD rockumentary (“This is Wishbone Ash”). Released April 2018, “The Vintage Years” 30-disc box set, three-and-a-half years in the making, is a special collection dedicated to the band's output from 1970 to 1991, including all 16 studio albums, three live albums, eight previously unreleased live shows from 1973 to 1980, a 156-page coffee-table hardcover book and an assortment of memorabilia. Also now available are the first official re-releases in decades of “Twin Barrels Burning” from 1982 and “Raw to the Bone” from 1985, plus definitive editions with all new 2017 remasters.

In 2015, Powell released his musical memoir, “Eyes Wide Open: True Tales of a Wishbone Ash Warrior,” co-written with renowned Irish music journalist Colin Harper and now available in Kindle and Apple iBook formats. “It’s quite an undertaking to put 46 years of being a touring musician in this one band into book form,” he says. “I’ve seen a lot of changes in the music business and the world in general, as you can imagine.”

There is no other rock band in history that has done more with the twin guitar concept than The Ash. Be sure to catch them on the Open Road US Tour in April 2018. Tour dates and more information can be found at www.wishboneash.com.

Wishbone Ash US Tour Dates
April 2018
03 - Harvester Performance Center - Rocky Mount, VA
04 - Neighborhood Theatre - Charlotte, NC
06 - City Winery Atlanta - Atlanta, GA
07 - Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts - Melbourne, FL
08 - Skippers Smokehouse - Tampa, FL
11 - House of Blues - New Orleans, LA
13 - Keys Lounge - Fort Worth, TX
14 - Sam's Burger Joint - San Antonio, TX
15 - One World Theatre - Austin, TX
18 - Rhythm Room - Phoenix, AZ
19 - Railhead, Boulder Station Hotel Casino - Las Vegas, NV
20 - Canyon Club - Agoura Hills, CA
21 - The Rose - Pasadena, CA
22 - The Coach House - San Juan Capistrano, CA
25 - Yoshi's Jazz Club - Oakland, CA
26 - The Fox - Redwood City, CA

For more information: www.wishboneash.com

Wishbone Ash The Vintage Years (1970-1991) Limited Edition Deluxe 30CD Box Set Available April 2018!

In April 2018, Madfish celebrate Wishbone Ash, one of Britain’s most enduring and best-loved rock acts, by releasing a comprehensive deluxe 30 CD box set, The Vintage Years. Loaded with rarities, memorabilia, a new interview and a lavish 156-page hardback book, a third of this new collection features previously unheard & unreleased material.

Following decades of being starved of unreleased material from the true vintage years from Wishbone Ash, fans will soon be able to enjoy the long-awaited, remastered anthology from this esteemed and influential band in its pure quality in both musical and printed content.

This box set is strictly limited to 2,500 copies and includes all 16 studio albums between 1970-1991, all of which feature bonus material including rare album outtakes, B-sides and 12 previously unreleased studio tracks. These are presented in mini-gatefold sleeves. Three of the 16 albums are currently out of print on CD (Nouveau Calls, Here to Hear & Strange Affair). The box set will feature brand new cover artwork designed by Colin Elgie, the original designer behind the award-winning Live Dates sleeve artwork.

There are 3 original live albums (Live Dates, Live Dates Volume Two & Live in Tokyo) and 8 previously unreleased live albums (on 11 discs) recorded between 1973 & 1980. 

1. Portsmouth Guildhall 1973 (2CD) from the Wishbone Four / Live Dates tour
2. Southampton University 1973 from the Wishbone Four / Live Dates tour
3. Edinburgh Usher Hall 1976 from the New England tour
4. Marquee Club 1977 from the Front Page News tour
5. Newcastle City Hall 1977 from the Front Page News tour
6. Bournemouth Winter Gardens 1978 (2CD) from the No Smoke Without Fire tour
7. Guildford Civic Hall 1980 (2CD) from the Just Testing tour
8. Chelmsford Odeon 1980 from the Blowin' Free tour

All music has been remastered from the original multitrack and ¼ inch tapes, sourced from Martin Turner and Andy Powell's personal collections, and from the Universal Music and Atlantic archives.

Accompanying this thorough collection of repertoire is a 156-page coffee table hardback book written by Classic Rock's Dave Ling, which includes personal photos, rare posters and flyers and collector's memorabilia.

Fans lucky enough to purchase this set also receive:
• 36-page poster book covering the early years through to Here to Hear.
• Four reproductions of original posters for:
Christmas at the Palace Dec 1973
Live Dates European tour – Hamburg Musikhalle 1974
Europe 1975 tour
Front Page News tour – Empire Pool Wembley 1977
• A Facsimile MCA debut album promo pack.
• A 7-inch flexi disc for the single “Blind Eye”, the first of the 11 Japanese singles series
• Individually signed photos of each band member.

Talking about the release, founder member Martin Turner explains, “I looked after most of these tape recordings for decades, wondering when they would ever see the light of day and I am very glad that they will at last be available for everyone to hear. I wanted to mix the live performances myself, but being a busy chap and not famous for my speediness, we decided to give it all to the wonderful Pete Reynolds whom I believe has done a brilliant job of mixing and remastering a massive collection of work. It's almost like having one's whole musical life in one box. It certainly represents the most comprehensive Wishbone collection that I know of and I hope you enjoy it.”

Andy Powell agrees, “It's truly amazing to look back at the musically fertile 70s and 80s and wonder at the sheer amount of incredible creative output from our band. We had great roots and a really strong blue-print for success. I feel blessed to have played my part in it all and I'm truly thankful that it's set the course for my entire life and all the music that's followed, as the band continues to live on into the 21st century.”

Rarely is an anthology of this quality ever released… Wishbone Ash: The Vintage Years is so comprehensive and lovingly-compiled, with such beautiful and quality accompanying material … if ever there was a box set not to miss, this is it!

For more information:
www.wishboneash.com
www.martinturnermusic.com
www.madfishmusic.com/wa

Classic Rock Legends Wishbone Ash Welcome New Guitarist!

 Wishbone Ash, one of the most influential guitar bands in the history of rock, recently announced a line-up change. After more than a decade of making albums and touring the world with the band, guitarist Muddy Manninen has left to pursue his own musical interests.

“It's been a very rewarding relationship with some great work being laid down, from 'Clan Destiny' to 'Blue Horizon.'” said bandleader Andy Powell (guitar, lead vocals). “We sincerely thank Muddy and wish him good luck on his solo project, currently well under way.”

Mark Abrahams

Jumping into the fray as Muddy's replacement – and the ninth in a long and illustrious line of guitar players that form part of the fabled Wishbone Ash twin-lead section – is Mark Abrahams, who has been preparing for this gig since the tender age of 9, when he first picked up a guitar and started to figure out some of those well-known lines that have inspired generations of guitar players. 

“It was the sound of the twin lead guitars that first caught my attention. The sound was different to any other music I had heard up until that point,” Mark said. “A couple of years after my first discovery of Wishbone Ash, my dad had a couple of VHS videos of the reunion gigs, and I would sit and watch them for hours. I was hooked!”

“I'm happy to say Mark's a Les Paul and Strat man; these two guitars have always been an important part of Wishbone's sound,” Powell said. “He also plays Elvidge Custom Guitars.”

The owner of Vision Guitars in Castleford, Yorkshire, UK, Mark has worked in musical instrument retail since leaving Leeds College of Music in 1997. Most recently with Yorkshire band Coyote, Mark has played 100 dates a year, and has toured with Ron Thal (ex-Guns N' Roses) and Graham Oliver, Steve Dawson's version of Saxon.

Mark's debut performance with Wishbone Ash will be at the upcoming Sweden Rock festival (June 9), alongside the likes of Kings X, Aerosmith and the Scorpions.

“I've been overwhelmed by the response from Wishbone Ash fans, and I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to you all for the positive comments and 'welcomes' to the band,” said Mark. “Thank you! It means a lot to this Yorkshire lad who's just had the dream of a lifetime come true.”

“It's going to be an exciting new phase for Wishbone Ash,” said Powell. “Come and check us out on the road as we welcome Mark Abrahams into the band.”

 wishboneash.com

Classic Rock Legends Wishbone Ash 'Take It Back' on North American Fall Tour

 

 Musical journey through back catalog plus selections from recent recordings on tap

 

Wishbone Ash, one of the most influential guitar bands in the history of rock, bring it to their North American fans on the 2016 “Take It Back” Tour. As they celebrate their 47th anniversary at shows from Denver, CO, to New York City, the guys will present time-honored classics and deep tracks from the back catalog, as well as material from recent recordings.

“We'd like to mix it up a little,” says founding member Andy Powell. “Perhaps include a different epic instrumental, dust off a couple of the old harmony-driven songs, feature an unexpected track from our latest album, 'Blue Horizon.'”

Formed in 1969, Wishbone Ash finds itself in rare company these days. Not many bands are still going strong after nearly 50 years. It takes a serious lifetime of commitment to the craft of making music; but, more importantly, real skill is required to navigate the shifting seas of the music industry, and few know that better than Powell.

“We laid down strong musical roots in the '70s, and these roots continue to prove productive,” he says. “Also, we nurtured our fan base as much as possible through fan club conventions, newsletters and the like; but this was all given a great boost once the digital age came into being, with websites and social media.”

Wishbone Ash is led by Powell on guitar and vocals, trading licks with Finnish guitar master Muddy Manninen. Bassist Bob Skeat, an 19-year veteran of the band, sets the pace with Joe Crabtree, one of the best of Britain’s new breed of drummers, himself an 8-year Ash veteran who also handles a lot of the band's tech requirements.

Through the years the band has delved into various musical genres, from folk, blues and jazz to pedal-to-the-metal rock and electronica. Whatever the style, Wishbone Ash’s hallmark is the distinctive twin-melodic lead guitar interplay that has influenced such bands as Thin Lizzy, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Iron Maiden and, more recently, Opeth.

True road warriors, each year the band logs around 30,000 miles, roughly equivalent to circumnavigating the earth.

“The hours, days and weeks we spend touring and recording results in a close-knit group, for sure,” says Powell. “It allows us to bring a level of intensity to the table that people seem to pick up on and appreciate.”

The fruitful results of near-constant touring are evident on the latest DVD release, “Live in Paris,” recorded in May 2015 during a three-day residency at Le Triton Theatre in Les Lilas, Paris.

Powell says, “We recorded three nights of material, including current versions of some classic songs, plus some deep tracks that people won't necessarily expect.”

The band recently released a four-disc “Road Works” box set, a compilation of four separate shows recorded in Germany and the UK. In October 2015, Powell completed his autobiography, “Eyes Wide Open: True Tales of a Wishbone Ash Warrior,” co-written with Irish music journalist Colin Harper. The book, published by Jawbone Press, has met with public and critical acclaim.

“Our concept was to root my musical story and that of the band's to the times in which I came of age,” says Powell. “That is to say, relating it to those times, decade by decade, so that the reader could get a picture of how I was impacted by the social and musical trends and how I weathered those changes. We also wanted to keep it breezy and poke a little fun at this music game at the same time.”

There is no other rock band in history that has done more with the twin guitar concept than The Ash. Be sure to catch them on the Take It Back Tour this September. Tour dates and more information can be found at www.wishboneash.com.

WISHBONE ASH “Take It Back” Tour North America September 2016

SEPT 8 Denver CO Soiled Dove

SEPT 9 Colorado Springs CO Stargazers

SEPT 10 Kansas City MO Knuckleheads

SEPT 12 Milwaukee WI Pabst Theatre – Turner Hall

SEPT 13 Minneapolis MN Famous Dave’s

SEPT 16 Edwardsville IL Wildey Theatre

SEPT 17 St. Charles IL Arcada Theatre

SEPT 18 Auburn Hills MI Callahan’s

SEPT 19 Fort Wayne IN C2G Music Hall

SEPT 20 Pittsburgh PA Rex Theater

SEPT 21 Buffalo NY Sportsmen’s Tavern

SEPT 22 Albany NY The Upper Room

SEPT 23 Jim Thorpe PA Mauch Chunk Opera House

SEPT 24 Norfolk CT Infinity Hall

SEPT 25 Londonderry NH Tupelo Music Hall

SEPT 26 Annapolis MD Rams Head

SEPT 27 Sellersville PA Sellersville Theater

SEPT 28 New York NY Highline Ballroom

SEPT 29 Pawling NY Daryl's House Club

New Autobiography by Wishbone Ash Guitarist Andy Powell “Eyes Wide Open: True Tales Of A Wishbone Ash Warrior” Now Available!

Eyes Wide Open 

True Tales of a Wishbone Ash Warrior 

Written by Andy Powell with Colin Harper

Foreword by Ian Rankin

Five decades of life on the road, in the studio, and in the courtroom with progressive-rock pioneers Wishbone Ash

  

In 1969, Andy Powell was one of four founding members of progressive rock pioneers Wishbone Ash. Forty-six years later, with no sabbaticals, he is still a member of Wishbone Ash. And he’s seen a lot of interesting things along the way.

Watching the birth of rock 'n' roll in the 50's; stepping into the swinging 60's mod scene as a teenager; touring the States with The Who; selling hundreds of thousands of copies of Argus; being managed by industry legend Miles Copeland; outliving punk and moving to America; battling former bandmates over the right to use the name Wishbone Ash, and fighting to keep that name alive through changing tastes and styles—Andy Powell has been there, done it, and seen it all. And he’s still doing it today.

Honest, unpretentious, and often wryly amusing, Eyes Wide Open is not just the story of one man’s adventures in music but also a journey through some of the most thrilling years of rock history. 

Andy Powell is a songwriter and guitarist best known as the founding and sole remaining original member of Wishbone Ash. Born in Stepney, London, in 1950, he now lives in the USA with Pauline, his wife of forty-plus years. 

Colin Harper is the author of Dazzling Stranger: Bert Jansch And The British Folk And Blues Revival (2000), Bathed In Lightning: John McLaughlin, The 60s, And The Emerald Beyond (2014), and The Wheels Of The World: 300 Years Of Irish Uilleann Pipers (2015).

Published by Jawbone Press (www.jawbonepress.com)

Featuring 408 pages with photo inserts, plus extensive discographies and concert listings

Print book: http://www.amazon.com/Eyes-Wide-Open-Wishbone-Warrior/dp/1908279818/

Kindle edition: http://www.amazon.com/Eyes-Wide-Open-Wishbone-Warrior-ebook/dp/B015TCCC54/

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/eyes-wide-open/id1048672484?ls=1&mt=11