Classic Rock » Blog Archive » Andy Powell: ‘I’d Do A Wishbone Ash Reunion’

Andy Powell: ‘I’d Do A Wishbone Ash Reunion’

mdome / News / 05/10/2009 17:03pm

As Wishbone Ash prepare for their Autumn UK tour, guitarist/vocalist Andy Powell has spoken to Classic Rock’s Malcolm Dome about the band’s upcoming 40^th anniversary DVD, the chances of the original line-up reforming and plans for the future.

MD: Is Wishbone Ash now a career for you? After 40 years, it’s almost a life sentence!

AP: Ha, ha. Well, we started out as this little rock ‘n’ roll band, just trying to make our mark, like so many others at the time. We had our ethos, and stuck to it. But over the years, I’ve got more and more involved with the business side, and that’s helped to keep us going. I subscribe to the theory that amateurs wait for inspiration, while the professionals go to work.

MD: What was this ethos, then?

AP: We had to have our own style. By the time we arrived, psychedelia and the British blues rock boom were over, and the Beatles were on their last legs. To stand out from everyone we needed our own sound. We got this with the twin lead guitars. Fleetwood Mac had done it to some extent, and we were heavily influenced by Peter Green. And there was also a band around called Blossom Toes. But essentially, we created something that so many others have been influenced by.

MD: Despite the innovations, you’ve never been given a huge amount of mainstream credit. Why is that?

AP: Simple, we never had a hit single. Blowin’ Free (from the Argus album, 1972) got close for us. But that’s about it. Contemporaries like Deep Purple and even Jethro Tull did have one or two hits, and that gave them a higher profile. So, our curse is that we never got the recognition we deserved. But staying under the radar has given us a career. If you’re never trendy, then you never become untrendy. And we have had bands like Iron Maiden cite us as an influence.

MD: Talking of Maiden, there seemed to be a point in the early 1980s when you seemed to want to compete with the NWOBHM bands…

AP: You mean on the Twin Barrels Burning (1982) and Raw To The Bone (1985) albums? Well, we were consciously going for a more metal sound. A lot of the young bands around then were obviously copying what we’d done on guitar, and we felt that’s where the band should go. But, the kids didn’t want to know about Wishbone Ash. They had new heroes. But, listening back to those albums, they aren’t at all bad.

MD: You’ve never been a band to stagnate. Over the years you’ve certainly experimented with different styles. Any regrets?

AP: Oh sure, we made some terrible errors. And released some awful albums. But I’m proud that we’d never just trodden water. We’ve been metal, folkie, prog… it’s this band’s strength, the determination to press forward and never become a sad nostalgia act.

MD: You’ve got a 40^th anniversary DVD coming out shortly. What all about?

AP: It’s titled Live At Shepherds Bush, and was filmed at the Empire Theatre in the Spring. This features a two hour show, plus a bonus disc, which is a 51-minute road movie.

MD: Any guests on it?

AP: There are appearances from three guys who were with us over the past 20 years or so: guitarist Ben Granfelt (2001-2003), guitarist/vocalist Mark Birch (1998-2001) and bassist Mervyn Spence (1986). I did ask the original guys if they wanted to be involved. But they declined.

MD: There have been reports of a rift between you and the other three original members – bassist/vocalist Martin Turner, guitarist Ted Turner and drummer Steve Upton – is that true?

AP: Unfortunately, it’s become that way. Especially with Martin. I can’t even talk to him direct: I have to go through his manager. It’s really a shame, because I’m sure if the four of us could sit round a table by ourselves, there wouldn’t be a problem. But the suits have become involved, and that always means a problem. I don’t know what’s caused this rift, but I’d like to think we can sort it out one day.

MD: Would you still do a reunion show or tour with them?

AP: Why not? It could only add to what we do. The more that goes on in the name of Wishbone Ash the better. I wouldn’t ever feel that getting that line-up back together could overshadow what the current band (Powell, guitarist Muddy Manninen, bassist Bob Skeat and drummer Joseph Crabtree) are doing.

MD: So, what are the plans for 2010?

AP: We’re working on a new studio album, and will then do a massive tour, playing in the usual places, like India and Turkey. I feel very lucky, in that we have a global Wishbone Ash community who we regularly visit. Being in this band has allowed to experience different cultures, which has been a privilege.

MD: Anything else unreleased sitting in the vaults? You did put out First Light two years ago, which featured the original recordings of the songs on your debut album (1970’s Wishbone Ash)…

AP: That was such a stroke of luck. The acetate of those recordings came up for auction. A fan bought it for quite a large sum, and then gave it to us to release. Things are always coming to light. Only recently, somebody gave me tapes of recordings we’d done over 20 years ago. Apparently, I’d given these to this person to look after for a few weeks, and then forgotten all about them! So, you can bet there are loads more outtakes to be unearthed.

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14 Comments

Truth Teller

06/10/2009 8pm

“I don’t know what’s caused this rift, but I’d like to think we can sort it out one day.”

Errr. try selling right to your former members material without permission for starters. Enough to start any rift? How would you feel if your housekeeper sold the family jewels???

Truth Teller

06/10/2009 8pm

“The more that goes on in the name of Wishbone Ash the better.”

Then why the objection to MTs WA.
Ahh…I see…there’s actach. The more that goes on in the name of WA the better….so long as I’min control

Truth Teller

06/10/2009 8pm

“But the suits have become involved, and that always means a problem.”

You involved them – what do you expect!

Truth Teller

07/10/2009 2pm

“I wouldn’t ever feel that getting that line-up back together could overshadow what the current band (Powell, guitarist Muddy Manninen, bassist Bob Skeat and drummer Joseph Crabtree) are doing.”

LOL. He believes his own publicity.
Any true WA would agree that it would blow the prsent band into oblivion.

Truth Teller

07/10/2009 2pm

So, Andy says he’s willing to do a reunion.
The other originals have publicly stated that they are willing to do a reunion, but want Andy’s past misdemeanours and dodgy business dealings put to right first (not an unreasonable request).

What is standing in the way of what fans really, really want in 2010.

AP’s unwillingness to play fair, it would seem.

Oh well, at least we can enjoy the excellent Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash – a band that have done more for fans of the classic WA sound than any of AP’s poor line-ups over the last umpteen years, that have soiled and tarnished the good name with weak material and mototone vocals.

Argus Fan

13/10/2009 4pm

MTWA urinates all over all of Powell’s efforts. The guy hasn’;t a clue what true WA music is about. It means more to some folk than a bald head and a silly shaped guitar. The audience figures and album sales post 1980 prove that. The moment old monotone took over vocals the sales dried up.

Wayne Klayman

04/11/2009 6am

Dear Andy, Martin, Ted, and Steve:
Look, I don’t know who did what to whom. I just want to see the original lineup again. At any price. (within reason, of course) PLEASE guys…PLEASE everyone kiss and make up and do a reunion tour! It will be more lucrative than either of your current bands will ever generate on their own, and your fans will die happy. If you give one damn about your fans, (and I want to believe you do) bury the hatchet like men. Do this thing while we are all still alive and well enough to enjoy it. None of this will matter once we’re gone from this Earth. I beseech you to look beyond yourselves and do this thing. My Wishbone Ash concerts from ‘71 and ‘72 are among my best memories. I want to relive them once more, and I know I’m not alone. And in your heart of hearts, you four incredibly talented men do too. Follow your heart and do this before it’s too late. Thank you.
W.A. super-fans from Minnesota/USA

ash fan

26/11/2009 10pm

you guys, especially mr truth teller (I know who you are) are a barrel of laughs…
a washed up, former member, who cant carry a tune in a paper bag, with journeyman players who carry HIM each nite, and a creepy crawley as a manager……doing everything to demean Wishbone Ash and AP…..keep it up, so you can get your willies..
the band today is far and above more professional and creative than then…that WAS then , this is now….Powell has kept the WA flame burning for 40 years, had critically acclaimed releases, new DVDs, etc, and this former member is trying to capitalize on WA success the last decade by confusing everyone and undermining the WA legacy himself….if it wasn’t so laughable what Martin Turner is doing, it would be pitiful….reeks of desperation

The piggy of Uranus

08/12/2009 12am

the real sad thing here is that no matter how much you like WA you have to look back and say that the last 10 years have not given the fans the real WA ….. 2bit heavy metal versions of classics dont work, and I for one dont want to hear club land versions of argus. Its amazing that given the number of good tracks we always get the same old shit, tour after tour. Critically acclaimed releases, Ummmm whats that then ….. ash fan, as tull said your living in the past mate. There has not been a WA album worth buying from AP version, the odd track but not any classics.

Ramon Perruolo

04/11/2010 7pm

Hey. Yeah, I am for the original line – up, and the first 4 albums, without minimized the skills and importance of all the others musicias that were involved with Wishbone at different stages.
And by the way, the Esence of the Band style can be resume to Steve Upton Leaf and Stream a beautiful and underrated English Poem.

I watched the Andy’s Band last gig in St. Albans, eleven (11) years after their last visit to this town, in the same pub (The Horn) and they played amazing. Andy Powell is for sure one of the best english guitar players of all the times.

Ramon Perruolo
51 years old.
more of 38 years as a fan of Wishboene Ash.

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Andy Powell: ‘I’d Do A Wishbone Ash Reunion’

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