Pioneers of twin lead guitars return to Swindon's Arts Centre (From Swindon Advertiser)

Pioneers of twin lead guitars return to Swindon's Arts Centre

1:04pm Thursday 4th October 2012 in News By Flicky Harrison

Wishbone Ash, pioneers of the twin lead guitars and masters of progressive rock, are dropping into Swindon next week as part of their world tour.

The original band got together in 1969, but they have had a number of line-up changes in that time. It was guitarist Andy Powell who gave the band a push in the fame game by jumping on stage and jamming with Deep Purple’s Ritchie Blackmore, at a sound check.

Ritchie recommended the band to producer Derek Lawrence, and helped the band win a record deal with Decca/MCA Records. Their debut album, the eponymous Wishbone Ash, was released a year later but it wasn’t until 1972, when Argus hit the number three slot in the UK album charts, that Wishbone Ash really became a name in the rock music world.

It is the versatility of the musicians, and their ability to adapt to the changing face of the music scene, whilst retaining the integral Wishbone Ash sound, that has led to their longevity as a band.

On Monday October 8 at the Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town, the guys perform such classic tracks from their multi-million selling albums as The King Will Come, Throw Down The Sword and Blowin’ Free. The gig begins at 8pm and tickets are £19 from 01793 613837. - Flicky Harrison