Wishbone Ash (GB)

About

Also known as: ウィッシュボーン・アッシュ

Few bands reshaped rock guitar quite like Wishbone Ash. Formed in Torquay in 1969 when Martin Turner and Steve Upton could not choose between two guitarists at an audition, so they simply hired both, the band built their sound around interlocking twin lead guitars layered with progressive rock, folk and classical touches. That approach gave them a string of acclaimed early 1970s albums, with Argus peaking at number three on the UK Albums Chart and winning best rock album of the year from Sounds magazine. Melody Maker put guitarists Andy Powell and Ted Turner in the same conversation as Beck and Page. Their influence spread wide, with Eagles, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica and Thin Lizzy all citing them as a touchstone. The band went through serious lineup turbulence after 1980, with former members of King Crimson, Uriah Heep and Trapeze all passing through the ranks. Andy Powell eventually became the sole original member steering the ship, continuing to perform and record under the Wishbone Ash name long after most bands would have called it a day.