Wishbone Ash can trace its origins back to Torquay, Devon, England, a seaside resort in the southwest of the country. It was there that Martin Turner and Steve Upton first performed together; Turner on bass, Upton on drums, before moving to London in 1969 to seek fame and fortune. In the capital the decision was made to place an advertisement for a keyboard player and a lead guitarist. The resulting audition threw up two guitar leads, but nobody could decide who to choose and the trademark twin-lead sound of Wishbone Ash was born.
Ted (David) Turner and Andy Powell soon went through the poverty and growing pains of a new band, but were fortunate that Miles Copeland was championing their cause and a fairly rapid progression was achieved. The first Album, Wishbone Ash, was released in December 1970 and their second, Pilgrimage, surfaced just six months later to reach #6 in the NME charts. Great things were just 11 months away with the release of Argus (1972) -- possibly the band's best album; certainly their most commercially successful -- which reached #2 in the UK charts and went gold. Argus is considered to be one of the great rock classics of all time. The next album, Wishbone Four, only 12 months later, went silver.
After these early highs, Ted Turner decided that he had had enough, and left the band to be replaced by Laurie Wisefield. Although Laurie’s style was not to everyone’s taste, he was generally well liked by the fans and brought a slightly harder edge to the folk-tinged progressive rock that was the Wishbone Ash formula. Wisefield was a dynamic player and became an excellent partner to Andy -- they were to play together for a very successful 11 years and the MKII version of the band is very well thought of for most of its output. About this time the band became more influenced by America and would eventually move there.
The next album, There's The Rub (1974), was recorded in Florida and produced by Eagles producer Bill Szymczyk. Once again it was to do well, achieving silver disc status. There's the Rub included the instrumental piece F.U.B.B. Steve Upton was arrested in New Zealand for announcing at a concert it's full title. In New Zealand, swearing in public is a criminal offense, and when Upton announced the title at an outdoor concert, a woman sunbathing in her garden nearby complained to the mayor. Upton spent the night in jail, and the album reached #3 in New Zealand due to the publicity.
It was inevitable that a turkey was due and to fans Locked In (1976) fit this bill. This record was not released -- it escaped! Fortunately things were much better with the quality of the following albums and although the high chart positions were gone, the fans were enjoying some competent, well-crafted output.
After 11 years in the band, Martin Turner decided to leave. This move began a period of frequent changes of bass player with the likes of John Wetton and Trevor Bolder being two of the better known; however, Wishbone Ash always has attracted musicians of the highest order. A much more controversial move was the introduction of Clair Hamill to fill in some of the vocal talent Martin had taken away with him. Clair was not popular with the fans which was perhaps a little unfair. She had contributed backing vocals on Just Testing (Turner's last album (1980), which he had also produced) and had co-written the excellent Living Proof, which is still a crowd favourite today. Her stay was short-lived with Andy Powell taking on more vocal duties. Wisefield left in late 1985 and the band continued to tour with various replacements, but were very much in limbo until 1987 when a miracle occurred. Miles Copland persuaded the original lineup to reform for a project for a music charity that he was helping, and a Hammersmith Odeon concert which the BBC recorded resulted. The project produced an instrumental album Nouveau Calls (1987), which was very well received. Even better received was the fact that three years of the original lineup were to follow.
Just when things were going so well, Steve Upton decided to quit the business entirely in 1990, to be replaced by Ray Weston. Martin Turner carried on for another year before leaving to pursue a solo career, and Ted left two years later. The next five years saw lots of personnel changes, but eventually resulted in a good period of stability with Ray Weston returning and Bob Skeet joining on bass in 1998.
The new millennium has also seen stability in respect of Andy's guitar partner, with the last 6 years being filled by Ben Granfelt and subsequently Muddy Manninen, both of whom come from Finland. 2005 saw Wishbone Ash celebrate their 35th year. 2006 heralded the new album Clan Destiny (the first featuring Muddy as guitarist). 2007 saw the exit of long-term drummer Ray Weston, due to the increasingly hectic pace of band life. Joe Crabtree (formerly of The David Cross band) stepped up to fill his place. With regard to new releases, 2007 saw First Light, which features original recordings of the songs featured on their debut album, as well as some outtakes. Also released that year was the new album The Power of Eternity (partly featuring Joe Crabtree on drums), which coincided with the Autumn tour.
Wishbone Ash are still performing 150 gigs a year in the U.S. and Europe. They get very supportive crowds with good numbers turning out all over Europe -- the U.S. tends to attract smaller audiences, but very committed fans. If you want to hear classic Wishbone Ash, get ahold of Argus. Visit their web site www.wishboneash.com, where tour dates and albums, etc. can be obtained.
Everybody Needs a Friend
Wishbone Ash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything to help you that I can
Broken wings can heal and mend again
Don't be afraid to cry your tears out loud
Everybody needs to have a friend
It's only love that I can give
And I give to you the only love I have
It makes me want to try and understand
Everybody needs a helping hand
If everything should turn around
And it's me who feels so down and out
You could be the kind of company
To share a load and know how bad it feels
Everybody needs to have a friend
The lyrics to Wishbone Ash's "Everybody Needs a Friend" are a reminder that despite our individual strengths and successes, all of us require assistance and companionship from time to time. The song emphasises the importance of cultivating and maintaining strong, healthy relationships that can assist and sustain us through the ups and downs of life.
The opening line, "Trust in me, I'll try to do everything to help you that I can," establishes a tone of friendship and support that is present throughout the song. The lyrics encourage listeners to be vulnerable and allow others to come to their aid when they are in need. "Broken wings can heal and mend again" is a metaphorical message of hope, suggesting that even the most challenging personal struggles can be overcome with the help of trusted friends.
The chorus reinforces the song's central theme, insisting that "everyone needs to have a friend." "It's only love that I can give / And I give to you the only love I have" conveys the limited nature of our personal resources, but also suggests that love, care, and attention can have a transformative effect on the people in our lives.
Overall, "Everybody Needs a Friend" is a deeply empathetic and cathartic track that speaks to the universal human need for community, connection, and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Trust in me, I'll try to do
Believe in me, I shall endeavor to perform for you
Everything to help you that I can
Each and every thing within my ability, I shall provide assistance to you
Broken wings can heal and mend again
Even when you're hurt and broken, you can heal and recover
Don't be afraid to cry your tears out loud
Don't fear shedding tears openly
Everybody needs to have a friend
Every individual requires a companion
It's only love that I can give
I can only offer my love
And I give to you the only love I have
I extend to you as much love as I have
When I see you're so unhappy
When I notice that you're distressed
It makes me want to try and understand
It motivates me to make an effort to comprehend
Everybody needs a helping hand
Everyone requires assistance at times
If everything should turn around
In case circumstances transform
And it's me who feels so down and out
If I find myself plagued by difficulties
You could be the kind of company
You may provide the sort of companionship
To share a load and know how bad it feels
To help in bearing the burden and acknowledging its gravity
Everybody needs to have a friend
Every individual requires a companion
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW POWELL, DAVID TURNER, MARTIN TURNER, STEVE UPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roger Petronzio
Never be a period when music will be as good as this time was. The freedom, the way the bands worked together, real instruments, the hope we all shared in our way for a better world as we saw it then. We did live it. I’m 67, and I’m proud to have grown up when I did. We are the last free generation! God bless us that are left. Pass on the hope!!!
Harris Beats Frankou
So true.
Ken
I'm a decade younger than you are, but still believe your comment comes from a deep place in your heart. It was about meaning of life that resonated with all who consumed this music, and why it will outlive our generations. Stay healthy and keep moving.
Nowhere man
I can't agree more. Exactly what I feel!
Littlewing 108
You are so right.... I'm 63, was 11 when I got my first Wishbone Ash album, by the time this came out I just turned 14 and wouldn't you know it was going thru my first heartbreak, so all of these songs bring back those memories and what it felt like to love a boy for the first time.... We were young pot smoking hippies who Didn't have a care in the world except for Vietnam!
L H
Uwielbiam tą muzykę, to jeden z moich najulubieńszych zespołów lat młodości Kocham ich za ten duet gitarowy i za spokój, który oddają słuchaczowi.
Stephen Clark
One of my late brother's favourite songs. It still brings a tear to my eye whenever I hear it.
Littlewing 108
Sorry for your loss.... So many of our deepest memories are not only awoken but keep them alive in our 💕
Tom Dutton
People with real taste in music know about how brilliant this band and this album is. Love Wishbone Ash!
eric rabaey
This music is fantastic.
Soooo many great artistic musicians in the 70's....