In 1969 Martin Turner, singer and founder member of rock giants Wishbone Ash, had both a wake up call and a mystical experience that was to change the rest of his life.

He had moved from his home town of Torquay in Devon to Exeter and was lodging with drummer Steve Upton. He landed a job in a timber merchants to fund his music and was playing with his band every weekend.

“At the time we were gigging all round the West Country, we were a big fish in a small pool. On January 1st 1969 I had been up all night playing but still had to go in to work to do some deliveries. On the way I stopped by a stream to splash some cold water on my face to wake me up. Everything was misty and the sun was just shining through when a heron flew overhead. It was a portent of what was about to happen. I have seen that heron many times in my life since then, always as a sign of change,’’ said Martin.

The singer returned to his pick-up truck and carried on into the main street in Exeter to finish his deliveries. He passed out at the wheel, smashed into the back of a parked car and ended up in hospital. He later found out that if the parked car had not been there he would have run down a young mum and her baby in a pram.

“I knew then I had to make a decision, make a choice and if I wanted to be a professional musician I would have to move to London and give it a crack,’’ said Martin.

He and Steve duly moved to London and the famous advertisement was placed in Melody Maker magazine bringing Ted Turner and Andy Powell into the mix that was the first incarnation of Wishbone Ash.

Since that time generations of fans have lapped up the tapestry of sound from albums such as Argus, Pilgrimage, New England, the eponymous Wishbone Ash and There’s The Rub.

Today the singer is still very much in the musical saddle and currently on the Vintage Years Tour with Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash, which will be stopping off in Swindon and focussing on the album There’s The Rub.

“That album was again a pivotal moment as it was the first one recorded in America in 1974, it was the time when Ten Turner left and Laurie Wisefield joined us, creating Wishbone Ash Mark 2,’’ said Martin, who began singing in a church choir as a boy.

“I became head choir boy,’’ he said. “But under my white robes of the little blonde chappie the old ladies thought was so sweet, I was wearing my faded jeans and cowboy boots.’’

The singer says that his home was full of music as his dad was a huge classical music fan, and much of his childhood was spent listening to Russian composers such as Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov. Therefore it is not surprising that there is classical style that runs through much of the Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash music.

“Both my grandmothers played the piano, my mother was a dancer and my brother Glenn and I both learned guitar at the same time from my Grammar School pal. Glenn and I played in a band called the Empty Vessels all through the 1960s,’’ said Martin.

Joining Martin in the present band are Danny Willson, Misha Nikolic and Tim Brown.

“Danny was originally with Showaddywaddy and has a deep love for Wishbone Ash music, Misha is a music teacher and a good studio man. He was at college with Tim which is how he came on board. We are a collection of interesting, strong characters and it is a good vibe,’’ said Martin.

Their latest album is also a portent of things to come as it is entitled Written In The Stars.

About the original Wishbone Ash

Wishbone Ash are noted for their extensive use of the harmony twin lead guitar format

Wishbone Ash are known for strong elements of progressive rock, and folk and classical music.

The band’s name came about after the musicians wrote several suggested band names on two sheets of paper, Martin Turner picked one word from each list – Wishbone and Ash.

Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash is at The Vic, Victoria Road, Old Town, Swindon on Saturday, April 7 and tickets are £12.50 - £15 from 01793 535713 or https://thevicswindon.com/ - Flicky Harrison