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.
Phoenix
Wishbone Ash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leave it all behind
All the ruins and the fire
Bird raise your head from the ashes
Many men lay dead
You can see them like I
Raise your head to the sky
The lyrics to Wishbone Ash's song "Phoenix" are about rising above destruction and chaos. The singer of the song urges a bird to leave behind the ruins and fire and to rise higher. The imagery of the bird rising from the cinders and ashes alludes to the mythical phoenix that is reborn from its own ashes.
The song continues with the singer acknowledging the death and destruction around them, but also recognizing the opportunity for renewal and rebirth. The call for the phoenix to rise represents the power of resilience and the ability to overcome adversity.
Overall, "Phoenix" is a song about hope and the potential for new beginnings. It encourages listeners to rise above the challenges they face and to find strength in the midst of difficulty.
Line by Line Meaning
Bird rise high from the cinders
Let go of the past and rise above the destruction and chaos that surrounds you.
Leave it all behind
Don't carry the burdens or regrets of the past, move forward towards a better future.
All the ruins and the fire
The destruction and devastation caused by hardships and struggles can be left behind.
Bird raise your head from the ashes
Look past the chaos and see the possibilities for a brighter future.
Many men lay dead
Despite the challenges and obstacles, there are many who did not survive to see a better day.
You can see them like I
Acknowledge and recognize the sacrifices and struggles of those who came before you and the fact that they have paved the way for a new beginning.
Phoenix rise
Embrace the opportunity to start anew and rise above the ashes of the past.
Raise your head to the sky
Remain optimistic and look towards a better future filled with hope and prosperity.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Motor Songs GmbH
Written by: ANDREW POWELL, DAVID TURNER, MARTIN TURNER, STEVE UPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
patton3A
,,Ptak powstał ze swoich popiołów
zostawił wszystko za sobą
wszystkie ruiny i ogień.
Ptak podniósł głowę z popiołów
wokół było wielu martwych
możesz ich zobaczyć tak jak ja
Feniks powstał
podnieś swoja głowę ku niebu....,
Rewelacyjne duo gitar, wspaniały utwór.
Gerwyn Evans
Wore out several air guitars "playing" this in 1970. It still sounds as fantastic as it did then.
Andrew Vida
Perfect example of how some music will never be dated. This is the first track I ever heard by them in January '73, just prior to turning 15. Been with me ever since.
I think Steve Upton is a grossly underrated drummer. Like Ginger Baker, a jazz drummer first and foremost.
adrian collings
The brilliance of this track echoes down the years and reminds us how creatively good this period was.
joseph mitan
Great Band
Gary Tarr
If I ever need waking up and reliving my journey from Beatles and Stones into REAL music . I listen to Ash 1 and Argus . Must be 2 of the most under-rated prog rock albums ever . I am 64 and still adore these albums
yyrgx hernandez
Gary Tarr im 25 and i love those records, grew up listening to them.
Joachim Jürgens
+Gary Tarr you're so damn right
Les Frost
+Gary Tarr -- Straight up Gar
Les Frost
+Gary Tarr -- Straight up Gar
alexauyeung
+Gary Tarr sure I listen to them in mid 70 and now after 40 years