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
Wishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved success in the early and mid-1970s. Their popular albums included ''Wishbone Ash'' (1970), ''Pilgrimage'' (1971), '' Argus'' (1972), ''Wishbone Four'' (1973), ''There's the Rub'' (1974), and '' ...
.
Career
Turner was with Wishbone Ash, known for their twin lead guitars, melodic songwriting and complex
instrumental
An instrumental is a recording normally without any vocals, although it might include some inarticulate vocals, such as shouted backup vocals in a big band setting. Through semantic widening, a broader sense of the word song may refer to instru ...
style, from its inception in 1969 until 1980, during which time he was a key songwriter and creative force within the band. He played on their classic album ''
Argus'' to which he also contributed vocals as well the bulk of the album's
lyrics
Lyrics are words that make up a song, usually consisting of verses and choruses. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist. The words to an extended musical composition such as an opera are, however, usually known as a "libretto" and their writer, a ...
. Turner's melodic basslines, where the instrument was often used as a third lead guitar, were an important part of the Wishbone Ash sound during the 1970s.
In 1980, a decision by the rest of Wishbone Ash to introduce a
frontman
The lead vocalist in popular music is typically the member of a group or band whose voice is the most prominent melody in a performance where multiple voices may be heard. The lead singer sets their voice against the accompaniment parts of the ...
led to Turner parting company with Wishbone Ash. The frontman never appeared and Turner was replaced by
John Wetton
John Kenneth Wetton (12 June 1949 – 31 January 2017) was an English musician, singer, and songwriter. Known for his dexterous bass playing and booming baritone voice, Wetton first gained fame in the early 1970s.
Wetton was the singer and p ...
, who was formerly with
King Crimson
King Crimson are a progressive rock band formed in 1968 in London, England. The band draws inspiration from a wide variety of music, incorporating elements of classical, jazz, folk, heavy metal, gamelan, industrial, electronic, experime ...
,
Uriah Heep,
Family
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
and
Roxy Music
Roxy Music are an English rock music, rock band formed in 1970 by Bryan Ferry—who became the band's lead vocalist and principal songwriter—and bassist Graham Simpson (musician), Graham Simpson. The other longtime members are Phil Manzanera ...
. Turner went on to a career in studio management and
record production
A record producer is a recording project's creative and technical leader, commanding studio time and coaching artists, and in popular genres typically creates the song's very sound and structure.Virgil Moorefield"Introduction" ''The Producer as ...
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
In music, a quartet or quartette (, , , , ) is an ensemble of four singers or instrumental performers; or a musical composition for four voices and instruments.
Classical String quartet
In classical music, one of the most common combinations o ...
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
Compilation may refer to:
*In computer programming, the translation of source code into object code by a compiler
**Compilation error
**Compilation unit
*Product bundling, a marketing strategy used to sell multiple products
*Compilation thesis
M ...
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. The band's first line-up included guitarists Ray Hatfield and Keith Buck plus drummer Rob Hewins. 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
Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III (born November 19, 1938) is an American entrepreneur, television producer, media proprietor, and philanthropist. He founded the Cable News Network (CNN), the first 24-hour United States cable news, cable news ch ...
.
Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash have since released ''Argus: Through The Looking Glass'', a 2008 re-recording of Wishbone Ash's seminal 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. The book chronicles the classic Wishbone Ash years, as well as Turner's personal journey, and contained contributions from former Wishbone Ash members Ted Turner (who also wrote the foreword to the book), Laurie Wisefield and Ray Weston, as well as other key figures in the story.
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 2008 Danny Willson joined on guitar replacing Keith Buck.
In 2013 Tim Brown joined on drums and stayed with the band until June 2022.
In 2015 Misha Nikolic joined on guitar replacing Ray Hatfield.
In 2015, Martin Turner produced a new album, ''Written In The Stars''. The sound is reminiscent of the classic Wishbone Ash sound from the 1970s, and has received mostly favourable reviews. The album won the "Album of the Year 2015" award in the What's On magazine 2015 awards.
In 2022 Martin Turner is still touring and performing classic Wishbone Ash songs from the back catalogue under the name "Martin Turner Ex Wishbone Ash" and continues to have a loyal fan base. They regularly sell out Theatre venues in the U.K. and regularly tour Europe.
The current personnel consists of Danny Willson on guitar (former member of
Showaddywaddy
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. Showaddywaddy spent 209 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, and had 10 T ...
) Misha Nikolic on guitar and drummer Sonny Flint who joined in June 2022.
Instruments
Turner was known for playing a Jetglo
Rickenbacker 4001
The Rickenbacker 4001 is an electric bass that was manufactured by Rickenbacker as a two- pickup "deluxe" version of their first production bass, the single-pickup model 4000. This design, created by Roger Rossmeisl, was manufactured between 1 ...
bass guitar during Wishbone Ash's most successful spell in the 1970s. The tone obtained from his set-up was an integral part of the band's early sound. Martin now regularly performs playing a white
Gibson Thunderbird
The Gibson Thunderbird is an electric bass guitar made by Gibson and Epiphone.
Background and introduction
The Gibson Thunderbird was introduced in 1963. At the time, Fender had been the leader in the electric bass market since their introduct ...
bass guitar, which he bought from
Peter Overend Watts of
Mott the Hoople
Mott the Hoople were an English rock band formed in Herefordshire. Originally known as the Doc Thomas Group, the group changed their name after signing with Island Records in 1969. The band released albums throughout the early 1970s but fail ...
.
Solo discography
Studio albums:
*Walking the Reeperbahn (1996)
Track Listing (''all songs by Martin Turner except as shown'') -
# "Fire Sign"
# "Walking the Reeperbahn"
# "Hot Surrender"
# "My Brother"
# "Strangers" (Turner, Price-Davies)
# "Psychic Flash to Ginza"
# "You"
# "Passion"
# "
Lean on Me" (
Bill Withers
William Harrison Withers Jr. (July 4, 1938 – March 30, 2020) was an American singer-songwriter and musician. He had several hits over a career spanning 18 years, including "Ain't No Sunshine" (1971), "Grandma's Hands" (1971), " Use Me" (1972) ...
)
# "Kelly's Away With the Fairies"
# "Where Will I Go?"
# "The Naked Truth"
# "Heaven Is"
# "Broken Down House"
* Argus Through the Looking Glass (2008)
Track Listing:
All compositions written by Martin Turner, Steve Upton, Ted Turner and Andy Powell
# "Time Was"
# "Sometime World"
# "The King Will Come"
# "Leaf and Stream"
# "Warrior"
# "Throw Down the Sword"
# "Blowin' Free"
Personnel
Martin Turner – bass guitar, lead vocals
Ray Hatfield – acoustic and lead guitars, vocals
Danny Willson – lead guitar, vocals
Keith Buck – lead guitar, vocals
Rob Hewins – drums, percussion, vocals
with special guests
John Wetton
John Kenneth Wetton (12 June 1949 – 31 January 2017) was an English musician, singer, and songwriter. Known for his dexterous bass playing and booming baritone voice, Wetton first gained fame in the early 1970s.
Wetton was the singer and p ...
– harmony vocals
Geoff Downes
Geoffrey Downes (born 25 August 1952) is an English keyboardist who gained fame as a member of the new wave group The Buggles with Trevor Horn, the progressive rock band Yes, and the supergroup Asia.
Born in Stockport, Downes moved to London ...
– Hammond organ
* Written in the Stars (2015) as 'Martin Turner, founding original member of Wishbone Ash'
Track Listing:
# "The Big Bang (Overture)" (Turner, Ray Hatfield) – 1.20
# "The Beauty of Chaos" (Turner) – 3.40
# "Written in the Stars" (Turner) – 4.25
# "Lovers" (Turner, N Greenway) – 4.30
# "Vapour Trail" (Danny Willson, Turner, Tim Brown, Ray Hatfield, E Burns) – 5.50
# "The Lonely Star" (Danny Willson, Turner) – 4.05
# "For My Lady" (Turner, R Lynton) – 4.15
# "Pretty Little Girls" (Turner) – 4.55
# "Falling Sands" (Ray Hatfield, Turner, Tim Brown, Danny Willson) – 6.00
# "Mystify Me" (Ray Hatfield) – 5.20
# "Interstellar Rockstar" (M Emery, Ivan Jewel, Turner) – 7.00
Personnel:
Martin Turner – bass guitar, lead vocals
Danny Willson – guitars, harmony vocals
Misha Nikolic – guitars, classical guitar
Tim Brown – drums, harmony vocals
with sincere thanks to Ray Hatfield for guitars and harmony vocals throughout this album
Additional musicians on track 11:
Ivan Jewel – orchestral and choir arrangement
Jennifer Rhys-Williams, Ivan Jewel – choir vocals
Harriet James – recorders
Ree De Lacey – ad-lib female vocals
Spoken words on track 6 by Austin Willson
Live-recordings:
*''
New Live Dates Volume 1'' (2006)
*''
New Live Dates Volume 2'' (2007)
*''
Life begins'' 2CD (2011)
*The Garden Party - A Celebration of Wishbone Ash Music 2CD (2014)
Recorded live at Liscombe Park Buckinghamshire, 31 August 2012
* Martin Turner - bass, lead vocals
* Danny Wilson - guitars, vocals
* Ray Hatfield - guitars, vocals
* Dave Wagstaffe - drums
with
*
Ted Turner
Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III (born November 19, 1938) is an American entrepreneur, television producer, media proprietor, and philanthropist. He founded the Cable News Network (CNN), the first 24-hour United States cable news, cable news ch ...
- guitars and vocals on tracks 11 to 17
*
Laurie Wisefield
Laurence Mark Wisefield (born 27 August 1952) is an English guitarist, best known for his contributions to Wishbone Ash during the 1970s and 1980s.
Early career
Prior to his stint in Wishbone Ash, Wisefield performed with the progressive rock b ...
- guitars on tracks 16 to 17
Track Listing
# "Standing in the Rain"
# "Rest in Peace"
# "Haunting Me"
# "Lady Jay"
# "Fire Sign"
# "The Pilgrim"
# "Way of the World"
# "No Easy Road"
# "Doctor"
# "Broken Down House"
# "Valediction"
# "The King Will Come"
# "Prelude"
# "In the Skin"
# "Why Don't We"
# "Living Proof"
# "Jailbait"
*The Beauty of Chaos (2018)
Track listing
# Intro:
# "The Big Bang (Overture)"
# "The Beauty of Chaos"
# "Written in the Stars"
# "Lovers"
# "Vapour Trail"
# "The Lonely Star"
# "For My Lady"
# "Falling Sands"
# "Pretty Little Girls"
# "Mystify Me"
# "Interstellar Rockstar"
# "The Pilgrim"
# "Lady Jay"
# "Blind Eye"
# "The King Will Come"
# "Warrior"
# "Throw Down the Sword"
# "Sometime World"
# "FUBB"
# "You See Red"
# "Living Proof"
# "Blowing Free"
# "Doctor"
# "Jailbait"
DVDs
* The Life Begins Tour (Live in Leicester 2010) (2011)
References
External links
Martin Turner's official siteHistorical information on the classic line-ups of Wishbone AshGibsonbass.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Turner, Martin
1947 births
Living people
musicians from Torquay
English rock bass guitarists
Male bass guitarists
English male singers
English rock singers
English songwriters
Wishbone Ash members
British male songwriters