Wishbone Ash

Due to popular demand, the group will feature their bestselling
“Live Dates” album in its entirety, in addition to
tracks from their new studio album, “Blue Horizon.”

www.wishboneash.com

Wishbone Ash, one of the most influential guitar bands
in the history of rock, returns to North America in
September for the second leg of their Blue Horizon Tour.
Due to popular demand, the group will feature their bestselling
“Live Dates” album in its entirety, in addition to
tracks from their new studio album, “Blue Horizon.”
After logging more than 10,000 miles touring the South
and West Coast this spring, the group will traverse the
middle and northeastern portions of the country for the fall
tour. Dates are scheduled in 15 states from Colorado to
Connecticut with more dates are being added.
Formed in 1969, Wishbone Ash has to its credit 24 original studio recordings, 10 live albums and four live
DVDs along with a DVD rockumentary (“This is Wishbone Ash”). The band is led by founding member Andy
Powell on guitar and vocals, trading licks with Finland’s guitar wizard Muddy Manninen. Bassist Bob Skeat,
a 17-year veteran of the band and in-demand studio musician, sets the pace with Joe Crabtree, one of the
best of Britain’s new breed of drummers whose performance credits include Pendragon and David Cross of
King Crimson.
Recorded on tour and released in 1973, “Live Dates” is Wishbone Ash's best-selling album, even
outpacing the perennially popular “Argus” (1972), which attained gold status.
“We played all these old town halls in Britain in the 1970s and used the Rolling Stones mobile recording
truck,” says Andy Powell. “These Victorian venues have great acoustics for rock and roll, so the sound to
tape was overall really good; and the audiences were extremely lively, adding to the atmosphere. We had
the luxury of choosing between many takes of different songs in many different locations.”
Earlier this year, Wishbone Ash released “Blue Horizon” (Solid Rockhouse Records) to international
acclaim. Praised for its stylistic variety and masterful performances, the album features guest artist Pat
McManus (Mama's Boys) on fiddle for two tracks. “Blue Horizon” also includes two songs written by
Aynsley Powell (Andy Powell's son) and one by former Wishbone Ash guitarist Roger Filgate.
According to Andy Powell, the new album's diversity reflects the culmination of several factors.
“The band basically lives together year-round, so we have a very strong level of communication that
translates in our performances and recordings,” says Powell. “We've come to an era where the industry has
to pigeonhole a band as Classic Rock, Prog Rock, Heritage Rock and so on. The truth is that we have
always kept our options open and always relied on the musicianship of the players to lead the way. It's fun
to be stylistically diverse and this has in its way, contributed to our longevity.”
Lynyrd Skynyrd cites Wishbone Ash as a primary influence on their style along with Thin Lizzy, Iron
Maiden and, more recently, heavyweights like Opeth. All have been transformed by the original, legendary
twin-guitar approach of Wishbone Ash. There is no other rock band in history that has done more with the
twin guitar concept than The Ash.
Longtime fans and new converts will find that Wishbone Ash offers an undeniable concert experience.
Tour dates and more information can be found at www.wishboneash.com
For interview requests, contact Kate Goldsmith: kate_goldsmith@wishboneash.com
To download electronic press kit: www.wishboneash.com/epk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wishbone.ash.official