www.martinturnermusic.com

JAN 15 2010

In response to the comments about the original members of Wishbone Ash made by Andy Powell in a recent interview published this week on his website, Martin Turner totally refutes this nonsense and recommends that anyone seeking the truth about the breakdown in relationships between Mr. Powell and the other co-founders, the MTWA name branding and the Wishbone Ash trademark registration, refer back to the clarification statement of 27 February 2009 where these issues were addressed in detail. 

JAN 7 2010

Ever wanted greater access to your musical heroes than the standard concert ticket allows?

How about being a “fly on the wall” at a recording session?

How would you like to venture backstage at the UK’s leading classic rock festival?

Most music fans can only ever dream of such access. Access that “Money Can’t Buy”.

However, here at www.wishboneash.co.uk we are about to make these dreams become reality through a special charity auction in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Cancer Research UK is a cancer research and awareness charity in the United Kingdom (registered charity number 1089464). Its aim is to reduce the number of deaths from cancer. As the world's leading cancer charity, it carries out groundbreaking research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. It also provides information on cancer and runs campaigns aimed at raising awareness of the disease and influencing public policy. Cancer Research UK's work is entirely funded by the public. It raises money through donations, legacies, community fundraising, events, retail and corporate partnerships.

9 year-old Amy Bannister's recent "Throw Down the Sword" single in aid of Cancer Research UK has been an inspiration behind this auction and the funds raised from though the auction will be added to Amy's appeal.

Exclusive to www.wishboneash.co.uk, we have two bumper prize bundles of items that “Money Can’t Buy”. The prizes offer unprecedented access and include:

• a pair of weekend VIP tickets to the High Voltage Festival held on 24/25 July 2010 at Victoria Park, London, where Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash will appear alongside a host of the biggest rock acts in the business such as ELP, ZZ Top, Foreigner, Uriah Heep, Asia, Steve Hackett, Focus, Argent, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Marillion, Heaven and Hell and many more yet to be announced. This is the pre-eminent event on the 2010 rock calendar. The VIP tickets on their own have a face value of £580, but as we can offer backstage passes and meet and greets with some of the bands, the level of access we are providing simply cannot be bought on the open market. Special thanks to Classic Rock and Mean Fiddler for supplying this prize.

• a pair of tickets and backstage passes to Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash’s concert at the Y Theatre, Leicester (where the proceeds of the auction will be presented to Cancer Research UK) on 13 March 2010. This will include access to the band before and after the show as well as the opportunity to watch the band’s sound-check. This level of access has not previously been offered.  

• the chance to visit Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash in the recording studio. This truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to take a behind the scenes glimpse at how the modern, professional recording process really works. This is the very first time such access has been allowed, including access to the control room, live rooms, green room and studio lounges. Photo opportunities will also be included.

• A selection of historic original 1970’s vintage Wishbone Ash tour posters, signed by Martin Turner. These long out of print posters are now extremely rare and collectable. Plus rare vinyl pressings of classic Wishbone Ash albums.

• Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash merchandising – signed poster, mug, t-shirt, CD (exact list of items to be confirmed)

We are offering two “bundles” for auction, as follows:

High Voltage bundle

• One pair of tickets and VIP passes for "High Voltage" festival in London July 2010

• Signed memorabilia consisting of original vinyl, a selection of original 1970’s vintage collectable Wishbone Ash posters, tee shirt, mug, cd etc (final list to be confirmed)

• A visit to the recording studio to see MTWA in action and photos with the band. (date to be agreed with winning bidder)

Leicester bundle

• One pair of tickets including sound-check and backstage pass for the "Y Theatre" Leicester for March 13th 2010

• Signed memorabillia consisting of original vinyl, a selection of original 1970’s vintage collectable Wishbone Ash posters, tee shirt, mug, cd etc (final list to be confirmed)

• A visit to the recording studio to see MTWA in action and photos with the band. (date to be agreed with winning bidder)

The bidding process is simple – please read and follow instructions carefully as any bids which do not comply with the exact instructions below will not be counted!

Firstly decide which of the two bundles you wish to bid for – High Voltage or Leicester. You may only bid for one bundle, not both.

Send an e-mail by clicking here.

In the SUBJECT line of your e-mail state AUCTION VOLTAGE or AUCTION LEICESTER, followed by the amount you are prepared to bid, preceded by the £ sign.

Example of how your subject line should read:

AUCTION VOLTAGE £500

Or

AUCTION LEICESTER £250

Please use the precise text formatting as per above and do not add anything else to the subject line – no extra spaces, no additional punctuation etc. This is to allow for bids to be easily tracked and sorted in our e-mail box.

In the body of your e-mail message, please state your full postal address and telephone number, together with the full names of the two people who will be attending the event (“Joe Bloggs plus guest" is not acceptable).  Anonymous bids will not be counted.

Please remember the object of this auction is to raise as much money for Cancer Research UK as possible, so please bid generously and, please, no time wasters. Please be certain you are able to travel to the event of your choice before bidding. If you have any queries concerning the bundle you intend bidding on, please e-mail us with your query BEFORE bidding.

A regular update of highest bids to date will be made on the www.wishboneash.co.uk website. Advances in increments of £10 may then be made.

Winning bidders will be expected to make payment by cheque or PayPal within 48 hours of the auction closing. Any non-paying bidders will be named and shamed!!!

Closing dates:

Leicester, 12noon 27 Feb 2010

High Voltage, 12 noon 27 March 2010

Following closure of the Leicester auction, unsuccessful bidders for the auction will then be eligible to enter the High Voltage auction.

Good luck – happy bidding!

DEC 31 2009

We are pleased to announce more dates for Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash's Life Begins tour, including dates in Greece. Please also note some changes to the UK date sheet.

Go to our tour dates page for full details.

DEC 11 2009

We are delighted to announce that Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash will be appearing at next year's foremost classic rock music festival in July 2010.The High Voltage festival takes place in Victoria Park, London on the weekend of 24/25 July 2010 and is presented by leading promoters Mama Festivals / Mean Fiddler Group in association with Classic Rock magazine / Future Publishing. Mama is the second biggest promoter in the UK, behind LiveNation.

Other big names already confirmed for this prestigious event include Emerson Lake and Palmer, ZZ Top, Uriah Heep, Asia and Focus, with many more top name acts to be announced shortly.

An audience in excess of 25,000 is expected and this will be the first time Martin Turner has performed in front of such numbers since the glory days of Mk.1/Mk.2 Wishbone Ash.

Further details (including date and stage times) to be confirmed.

NOV 9 2009

Following the completion of the successful Classic Legends of Rock tour, we are pleased to officially announce Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash shows for 2010.

These shows will mark the start of the Life Begins tour, a fresh period of touring for the band which will see the introduction of a new set list featuring classic tracks as well as some previously overlooked fan favourites.

Dates confirmed so far can be found on our tour dates page.

NOV 5 2009

The tour's official name, Classic Legends of Rock, may be an overstatement. Good bands of the early seventies might have been more accurate. And that's quite good enough for me. Good bands is just what they were (and are): not larger-than-life persona, role models or cultural leaders, just purveyors of interesting, enjoyable music from the vintage era when pop pleasure, rock energy, developing musical sophistication and adventurous experiment came together so well.

The Strawbs provided a sedentary start - they were all sitting down and so were we. They played as an acoustic trio: Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk, all on guitars. Cousins' songwriting has been descibed as a cross between Bob Dylan and John Bunyan. He might not have Dylan's flair or Bunyan's spiritual rigour, but that description does provide a fairly accurate picture of what he attempts. It was progressive rock epic drama with a seventeenth-century feel - although tonight one had to imagine the keyboards, bass, drums et al. Yet still they did good justice to an enjoyable and distinctive style. Dave Lambert in particular played and sang with a lot of energy for someone sitting down.

Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash played an opening number, then declared that the rest of their set would be the whole of the Argus album. I think everyone was pleased, as Argus is widely and rightly acknowledged as Wishbone's masterpiece. The vintage Ash sound was faithfully recreated (despite no other original members; Ray Hatfield and Danny Wilson in the twin-lead-guitar postitions), and what a great rock sound it is too: airy and rousing, dominated by electric guitar, yet so far from heavy metal. Blowin' Free - their final number - desribes their sound rather well.

Thijs Van Leer reminds me of Toad of Toad Hall. The extent to which he knowingly hams it up as a camp eccentric isn't clear, but one wamed to him considerably nevertheless. With his keboards, flute and yodelling, he provides Focus with their unique character. It was good to see original drummer Pierre van der Linden back, and playing superbly (including a great solo). Guitarist Niels van der Steenhoven (yes, they are Dutch) and bassist Bobby Jacobs are also top-notch musicians, and between them they produced a classic Focus sound which was actually sharper and more energetic than on the early albums. One wonders whether such engaged talents feel restrained by an audience expecting numbers written over thirty-five years ago. Old masterpieces Sylvia and Hocus Pocus were given extended treatments: imaginative embellishments perhaps satisfying desires for both fresh creativity and homage to a distinguished past.   

All in all a night of great music, that has in no way been outmoded. If sunbsequent generations of musicians and audiences haven't pursued the direction of such bands, the more fool them.

Rychard Carrington 

www.movingtone.com

OCT 27 2009

We are pleased to announce the latest addition to the extended Wishbone family, as Steve Upton becomes grandfather for the second time.

Ben Upton (Steve's son) and his wife Ruth yesterday announced the arrival of their second child Elizabeth. The birth was announced on stage by Martin Turner during last night's concert in High Wycombe.

Here at www.wishboneash.co.uk we would like to offer our congratulations to Ben, Ruth, Steve and their families. Fans may send their own messages of congratulation via the site

OCT 16 2009

As the Classic Legends of Rock package continues to delight audiences throughout the UK, check out this fantastic local media review of the Chesterfield concert:

Classic rock bands The Strawbs, Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash and Focus rolled into the Winding Wheel on Sunday 11th October and gave us a night to remember.

First on was The Strawbs acoustic line-up consisting of original member and lead vocalist Dave Cousins, bass guitarist Chas Cronk and lead guitarst and vocalist Dave Lambert. They played tracks from their early albums including a stunning version of 'Grave New World' and finished with their greatest hit 'Lay Down'.

There are two bands going by the name of Wishbone Ash, Wishbone Ash featuring original member Andy Powell and original member Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash. Martin Turner was on tonight and he and his band played Wishbone's most famous album Argus in it's entirety. He played oustanding bass guitar and sang lead vocals whilst the twin lead guitars of Ray Hatfield and Danny Wilson played along note perfect to the albums classic tracks including 'Throw Down The Sword', 'The Warrior' and 'The King Will Come'. They finished off with 'Blowing Free' which encouraged younger members of the audience to get to their feet and freak out.

The Dutch band Focus rounded off the evening with original members Thijs Van Leer on vocals, Hammond organ and flute and Pierre Van Der Linden on drums. They were accompanied by a young virtuoso guitarist Niels Van Der Steenhoven and bass guitarist Bobby Jacobs. Larger than life Thijs Van Leer led the band from behind the Hammond wearing brown felt hat and sporting long white sideburns. They played some outstanding rock/jazz workouts which the audience loved. Hits 'Sylvia', 'Hocus Pocus' and 'House Of The King' were featured and sounded just like the originals. They were given a deserved standing ovation.

John Dennis, Derbyshire Times

Regrettably we have to announce the cancellation of the following Classic Legends of Rock concerts due to circumstances beyond our control. The shows concerned are Grimsby, Telford, Aberystwyth, Leicester and Bournemouth. Ticket holders should approach their point of purchase for refunds. We hope those who had tickets for these shows are able to catch the tour at one of the other venues on the tour.

OCT 1 2009

The Classic Legends of Rock tour got underway last night at the Derngate in Northampton. An appreciative audience were treated to a re-sequenced hour long set list featuring the following songs:  

Intro/Living Proof

Medley: Blind Eye/Jailbait/Phoenix

Time Was

Sometime World

The King Will Come

Leaf and Stream 

Warrior

Throw Down the Sword

Blowin' Free  

As stated before, this period of touring represents the conclusion of the Argus tour and fans can savour what may be the final opportunity to hear the album played in full. However, some variation in the songs leading up to Argus can be expected as the tour progresses.  

Among the audience were Keith Buck, who spent much time talking with Martin and the band after the show, as well as England cricketers David Capel and Mal Loye. David Capel, one of England's great all rounders,  grew up listening to his brothers Wishbone albums. Last night was his first experience of Wishbone Ash music in a live capacity and he really enjoyed the show, particularly the Argus set.

The Acoustic Strawbs proved to be an excellent addition to the line-up and their melodic folky style went down well with the audience. Tonight's show in Aylesbury promises a couple of bonuses. In addition to an added fourth band, Curved Air, for this show only, Wishbone Ash fans can enjoy the presence of Focus' Thijs Van Leer, who will be adding Hammond organ to 'Throw Down The Sword'. Thijs' ability on the instrument is legendary and this is definitely one not to be missed!  

A reminder that we now have a new range of merchandise in stock both on the road and by mail order. Many who have seen the new Live Dates designs have expressed the opinion that these are the classiest items we have offered to date - particularly the luxury hooded sweatshirt.  

Finally, don't forget that BBC1's Watchdog is aired tonight at 8.00pm, featuring interviews with Martin Turner and Mick Box (Uriah Heep) on the subject of cancelled festivals. Meanwhile, any MTWA fans who bought tickets for the cancelled Memories of Woodstock festival in Shrewsbury and have been unable to obtain a refund are urged to contact us via the site e-mail, so that we can arrange for you to receive free tickets for the Classic Legends of Rock Tour. This is an act of goodwill on the part of MTWA and Classic Legends tour promoter John Hessenthaler.   

SEP 30 2009

Martin Turner and Uriah Heep's Mick Box can be seen on BBC1 prime time later this week.Last night they filmed a pre-recorded BBC Watchdog show that will be broadcast on Thursday evening. 

The show is featuring cancelled festivals and Martin and Mick were invited to explain how cancellations affect bands.

Courtesy of Classic Legends of Rock promoter John Hessenthaler, Martin offered exchange tickets to anybody who bought Memories of Woodstock tickets. These can be exchanged at no cost for tickets to concerts on the current tour.  A magnificent gesture from John which demonstrates the importance of all fans.

SEP 28 2009

September 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the formation of Wishbone Ash. Forty years on, founder member and lead vocalist Martin Turner continues to delight audiences with authentic performances of the classic band's most loved works - music which has touched and inspired several generations of music fans.

Coinciding with the anniversary, Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash embarks on a busy period of UK and European touring throughout the Autumn of 2009. The Classic Legends of Rock UK theatre tour (with Focus and the Strawbs) and the following European tour will see the band concluding the Argus tour. These performances may well be the last opportunity to hear the masterpiece performed in its entirety (although occasional future performances for 'special events' have not been ruled out!). For 2010's Life Begins tour, the set list will be revamped to include material from a wider selection of classic Wishbone Ash albums.

Please note that, due to circumstances beyond MTWA's control, the concert in Norwich on 29 September 2009 has now been cancelled. The Classic Legends of Rock tour now commences in Northampton on 30 September.

AUG 29 2009

We are now able to announce that Danny Willson has formally left Showaddywaddy in order to commit fully to Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash. After fourteen years with the band this was naturally a major decision for Danny to make and he wishes them every success for the future. All upcoming MTWA shows will be performed by the line-up of Martin Turner, Ray Hatfield, Danny Willson and Dave Wagstaffe.Martin Turner wishes to extend his thanks to both Maurice Douglas and Keith Buck for stepping into the guitar position on the occasions where Danny's previously contracted Showaddywaddy appearances have conflicted with MTWA's schedule.

Showaddywaddy's announcement of Danny's departure can be read at theirofficial website. 

AUG 13 2009

It is with regret that we have to announce that the Groundhogs have been forced to withdraw from the Classic Legends of Rock UK tour due to illness.

Their place on the bill is taken by the Acoustic Strawbs.

AUG 12 2009

Great news for MTWA fans in Germany. Due to public demand, four new shows have been added to the previously announced tour in November/December 2009.

Full details on the live dates page

AUG 6 2009

Planet Rock Auction Off Signed Epiphone Les Paul Special II For Charity

To celebrate the Sunflower Jam 2009, Planet Rock will be auctioning off a unique Epiphone Les Paul Special II signed by the crcme de la crcme of rock royalty.

The Sunflower Jam is a rock’n’roll event that raises much needed funds for various cancer charities.

This year the Sunflower Jam 2009 will be raising money for The Holistic Cancer Support and Research Fund, set up and run by The Society for Complementary Medicine.

Created back in 2006 by Jacky Paice, the wife of Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice, The Sunflower Jam has raised over £250,000 for charity and become a unique charity event for those with a passion for music.

Since its inception the Sunflower Jam has seen performances from Status Quo, Gary Moore, Robert Plant and Paul Wellar. This year Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Don Airey (Deep Purple) and Micky Moody (Whitesnake) are just some of the artists who will be appearing.

To book your place at The Sunflower Jam 2009 email info@thesunflowerjam.com

The auction begins on 10th August at 10am and ends 20th August at 10am - make sure that you add the following link to your Favourites and head here on Monday 10th August to find out where to place your bid:

www.planetrock.com/auction

The lucky winner of the auction will not only get to take home the signed guitar, but will also secure a pair of tickets for this year’s Sunflower Jam and will be presented with their prize on stage in front of a star-studded audience.

With 39 signatures in total this is one of the most autographed guitars to go to auction, a real collector’s item and a must have for any die-hard rock fan, so get bidding!

The full list of the rock stars that have signed the axe:

Jack Bruce - Cream

Duff McKagan - Guns n Roses / Velvet Revolver

Scott Gorham – Thin Lizzy

Mike Rutherford – Genesis

Dave Brock – Hawkwind

Tony Banks – Genesis

Danny Bowes – Thunder

Justin Hawkins – Darkness / Hot Leg

Carl Palmer – ELP

Snowy White – Thin Lizzy

Chris Robinson – Black Crowes

Chris Shiflett – Foo Fighters

Tony Clarkin – Magnum

Phil Collen – Def Leppard

Meat Loaf

Joe Bonamassa

Rod Argent – Zombies / Argent

Glenn Tipton – Judas Priest

Rob Halford – Judas Priest

Luke Morley – Thunder

Ian Paice – Deep Purple

Nuno Bettencourt - Extreme

Gary Cherone – Extreme

Les Holroyd – Barclay James Harvest

Jon Lawhon –Black Stone Cherry

Ben Wells – Black Stone Cherry

Martin Turner – Wishbone Ash

Mick Abrahams – Jethro Tull

Brian Tatler – Diamond Head

Joe Satriani

Bill Ward – Black Sabbath

Nicko McBrain – Iron Maiden

Mick Box – Uriah Heap

Jon Lord – Deep Purple

Vince Neil – Motley Crue

Steve Vai

Mike Portnoy – Dream Theater

Steve Rothery – Marillion

Dave Edmunds

For further information: Jon Norman, Planet Rock, 020 7453 1639

Jon@planetrock.com

JULY 16 2009

Further to the recent statement confirming that, due to circumstances beyond our control, Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash will not be appearing at the Memories of Woodstock festival, we are aware that some fans may have bought tickets for the festival specifically to see MTWA. In these instances we recommend people contact the promoters via their website http://www.new-dawn-events.co.uk to request a refund on the basis of the bill no longer being as originally advertised.Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash, together with several other high profile acts, are not appearing at the festival due to a severe breach of contract on the part of the promoter. This is disappointing for all concerned, as the bands agreed to appear at the festival in good faith and were all looking forward to performing. However, the bands would naturally expect the promoter to honour all contracted professional commitments, including and especially, public health and security issues. This, sadly, has not been the case.

JULY 15 2009

Due to circumstances beyond our control, Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash will not be playing the Memories of Woodstock festival.