Wishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved particular success in the early and mid-1970s with their most critically acclaimed records including Wishbone Ash (1970), Argus (1972), There's the Rub (1974) and New England (1976). Although the band lacked a definitive vocalist like Roger Daltrey (The Who), Ian Gillan (Deep Purple) or Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin), they were famous for popularising the twin lead guitar.Formed in Devon in 1969 out of the ashes of the group The Empty Vessels, which had featured Wishbone Ash's founding members Martin Turner (bass/vocals) and Steve Upton (drums and percussion), the original 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 managed to soldier on with strong critical and commercial success, until 1980 when co-founder and co-frontman Martin Turner left, because the band wanted to relegate him to bass duties only.After revolving line-up featuring former members from King Crimson, Trapeze and Uriah Heep, Laurie Wisefield quit in 1985. In 1987 however, the original line-up reunited for a couple of albums, until 1990, when Steve Upton quit the band. After Martin Turner was replaced in 1991 and Ted Turner quit in 1993, Andy Powell decided to form a new version of the band, where Powell would operate Wishbone Ash as a personal business venture and employ musicians on a session basis, rather than the band as a group. Since 1995, the band have continued with mixed critical and commercial success again frequently changing members on studio albums.
