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Martin Turner | |
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 Turner performing in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Martin Robert Turner |
| Born | 1 October 1947 Torquay, England |
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| Years active | 1963–present |
| Labels | Dirty Dog Discs, Mystic |
| Website | www.martinturnermusic.com |
Martin Robert Turner (born 1 October 1947) is an English musician best known for his time as the bass guitarist, lead vocalist and a founding member of the rock band, Wishbone Ash. [1]
Turner was with Wishbone Ash from their inception in 1969 until 1980, during which time he was a songwriter and creative force within the band. He played on their album Argus to which he also contributed vocals as well as the bulk of the album's lyrics.
In 1980, a decision by the rest of Wishbone Ash to introduce a frontman led to Turner parting company with Wishbone Ash. The frontman never appeared and Turner was replaced by John Wetton, who was formerly with King Crimson, Uriah Heep, Family and Roxy Music. Turner went on to a career in studio management and record production and also formed his own band The Wolfgang (also known as Bamboo and Martin Turner's Stolen Face). The Wolfgang recorded new material, although this was not released until 1996, when it appeared on Turner's solo album, Walking The Reeperbahn.
In 1987 the original quartet reformed, and Turner produced and performed on the albums Nouveau Calls , Here to Hear and Strange Affair as well as undertaking worldwide touring with the band between 1988–1991. In late 1991 Wishbone Ash decided to continue without Turner. He has, however, appeared with Wishbone Ash on several occasions since, most notably the band's 25th anniversary celebrations in 1995/96, as well as being involved in the mixing and remastering of several back catalogue, compilation and archival Wishbone Ash CD titles.
In 1996, Turner released Walking the Reeperbahn, featuring material spanning the years 1981–1996.
In 2005, he formed a new band, Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash to perform music from the definitive era of Wishbone Ash. Their debut release, entitled New Live Dates Vol.1 was released in 2006, followed by New Live Dates Vol. 2 in 2007. Both featured a guest appearance by original Wishbone Ash member Ted Turner.
Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash have since released Argus: Through The Looking Glass, a 2008 re-recording of Wishbone Ash's album, and Life Begins Tour a 2CD/DVD recording of a performance at Leicester Y Theatre in March 2010.
In July 2012 Martin Turner published his autobiography No Easy Road – My Life and Times With Wishbone Ash and Beyond, through his website.
Following court action pursued by Andy Powell to prevent Martin Turner using the name "Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash", in 2014 Martin Turner's touring activities were re-branded as "Martin Turner plays the music of Wishbone Ash". This was later changed to "Martin Turner Ex Wishbone Ash".
In 2015 Turner produced a new album, Written in the Stars. The sound is reminiscent of the classic Wishbone Ash sound from the 1970s.
In 2022 he is still touring and performing classic Wishbone Ash songs from the back catalogue under the name "Martin Turner Ex Wishbone Ash". The current personnel consists of Danny Willson on guitar (former member of Showaddywaddy) Misha Nikolic on guitar and drummer Sonny Flint who joined in June 2022.
Turner was known for playing a Jetglo Rickenbacker 4001 bass guitar during Wishbone Ash's most successful spell in the 1970s. Martin now regularly performs playing a white Gibson Thunderbird bass guitar, which he bought from Peter Overend Watts of Mott the Hoople.
Studio albums:
Live-recordings:
Recorded live at Liscombe Park Buckinghamshire, 31 August 2012
DVDs
Wishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved success in the early to mid-1970s. Their albums include Wishbone Ash (1970), Pilgrimage (1971), Argus (1972), Wishbone Four (1973), There's the Rub (1974), and New England (1976).
Showaddywaddy are a rock and roll group from Leicester, England. They specialise in revivals of hit songs from the 1950s and early 1960s, while also issuing original material. They have spent 209 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, and have had 10 Top Ten singles, one reaching number one.
John Kenneth Wetton was an English musician, singer and songwriter. Known for his dexterous bass playing and booming baritone voice, Wetton first began to gain fame in 1971 when he joined Family for a short time before joining King Crimson in 1972.
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Wishbone Ash is the first studio album by Wishbone Ash. It peaked at number 29 in the UK Albums Chart in January 1971.
Pilgrimage is the second studio album by the rock band Wishbone Ash. The album focuses more on folk and acoustic music as opposed to the blues rock sound that dominated the first album. The album also contains the instrumental jazz workout "Vas Dis" as well as moodier, slower instrumentals such as "Alone" and "Lullaby".
Argus is the third album by the British rock band Wishbone Ash, released on 28 April 1972. It is their most commercially and critically successful album, peaking at No. 3 in the UK Albums Chart.
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Live Dates is a live album by the British rock band Wishbone Ash released in November 1973.
New England is the seventh studio album by rock band Wishbone Ash released only seven months after Locked In. It was a success compared to Locked In but still did not chart as high as most of their previous albums. It peaked at No. 22 in the UK Albums Chart. This album marked the "Americanization" of Wishbone Ash, as the band relocated from England to the Northeastern United States for tax purposes.
No Smoke Without Fire is the ninth studio album by English rock band Wishbone Ash. It was the first album since 1972's Argus to be produced by Derek Lawrence. The album peaked at No. 43 in the UK Albums Chart.
Just Testing is the tenth studio album by the British rock band Wishbone Ash, released on 18 January 1980 by MCA Records. Recorded primarily at Surrey Sound Studios in England, it was the last to feature the original lead vocalist and bass guitarist Martin Turner until the release of Nouveau Calls (1987). The track "Helpless" is only the second cover version released by the band on a studio album, the previous one being "Vas Dis" on Pilgrimage.
Live Dates 2 is the third live album by rock band Wishbone Ash. The album was recorded partly on dates between 1976 and 1980, including the tour in support of the album Just Testing. It peaked at No. 40 in the UK Albums Chart.
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Joe Crabtree is an English rock drummer. He is a former member of Wishbone Ash and is also known for his work with Pendragon and the David Cross Band.
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