After Dinner Speakers: Wishbone Ash, Jackie Stewart, Manic Street Preachers

The members of this UK progressive rock band first came together in 1966 when Steve Upton (b. 24 May 1946, Wrexham, Wales; drums), who had previously played with the Scimitars, joined Martin Turner (b. 1 October 1947, Torquay, Devon, England; bass/vocals) and Glen Turner (guitar) in the Torquay band, Empty Vessels. This trio then moved to London where they took the name Tanglewood and were managed by a young Miles Copeland. Glen Turner departed, before the similarly-titled Ted Turner (b. David Alan Turner, 2 August 1950; guitar) joined the band. He had previously played in the Birmingham band, King Biscuit. Wishbone Ash was formed when Andy Powell (b. 19 February 1950, Stepney, London, England; guitar) of the Sugarband joined Upton, Turner and Turner. Signed to MCA Records in the UK and Decca Records in the US, Wishbone Ash's hallmark quickly became the powerful sound of their twin lead guitars, heavily influenced by the music of the Yardbirds and the Allman Brothers Band. Their biggest commercial success was Argus, released in 1972. This was a prime example of the band's preoccupation with historical themes, complex instrumentals, and folk-rock. Ted Turner departed in 1974, and was replaced by Laurie Wisefield, formerly of Home. Wishbone Ash continued successfully, becoming tax exiles in the USA, returning to England in 1975 to play at the Reading Rock festival. Locked In and New England were released through Atlantic Records in the US. In 1980, Martin Turner was replaced by John Wetton (b. 12 July 1949, Willingdon, Derbyshire, England), formerly of Uriah Heep and Roxy Music, who featured on Number The Brave alongside folk singer Claire Hamill (b. Josephine Clare Hamill, 4 August 1954, Port Clarence, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, England). Wetton was subsequently replaced by ex-Uriah Heep bass player Trevor Bolder. The new line-up released only one album before disbanding in 1982, and it was the recruitment of Mervyn Spence to replace Bolder and tackle the lead vocals on Raw To The Bone that seemed to give some of its former vitality back to Wishbone Ash. In 1987, the original quartet began working together again, recording the brand new Nouveau Calls. This project involved the renewal of their relationship with Copeland, which had sundered in 1977, and a deal with his I.R.S. Records label. Here To Hear followed before Upton retired from the music business and Martin Turner opted to concentrate on a solo career. Ray Weston and Robbie France filled in on the band's final I.R.S. album, 1991's Strange Affair. Powell, Turner, Weston and Andy Pyle recorded the Live In Chicago set for the Permanent label. Ted Turner left the band in 1995, leaving Powell to continue performing and recording with various line-ups to a loyal and devoted following. In the late 90s, Powell worked with producer Mike Bennett on the experimental Trance Visionary set, which fused the band's traditional progressive rock sound with club rhythms.