Instead of the guitarist and keyboardist sought by their initial want-ad, fate brought them a pair of axemen- non-relation Ted Turner and sole survivor Andy Powell- and indecision kept them there. The group came together as a rhythm section late in 1969- bassist/vocalist Martin Turner and drummer Steve Upton. Harmonized lead guitars have become a staple of hard rock and heavy metal, but the Ash did it first- and they weren’t even planning on it. Much like the cloaked-and-helmeted medieval guard on the cover of Argus, who stands gazing impassively at a shimmering UFO in the distance, Wishbone Ash unknowingly had their eyes on the future. After the disruption of a planned 50 th anniversary tour in 2020, the Ash, led by remaining founder Andy Powell, are back on the road and laying down a living, breathing, rocking history lesson at the Redstone Room in Davenport on Tuesday night. Argus became their best-selling album and creative high point, with the quartet perfecting their harmonized twin-lead guitar sound and adding a misty, pastoral and epic folk element to their mix of jazz, blues and hard rock.Īlready a respected live band in the States, the success of Argus made Wishbone Ash a popular concert draw, establishing a firm and dedicated fanbase that has turned out to see them consistently through all the stages and lineup changes of their 50-plus year career. The result was a masterpiece, an album both ahead and very much in step with its time.

Fifty years ago this January, trailblazing English rock band Wishbone Ash settled into London’s DeLane Lea studios to record their third record.

The Music of the Mind by Ash Adler