Wishbone Ash hold a special place in rock history as the pioneers of the twin-lead-guitar sound — the interweaving, harmonized dual guitars that would go on to define hard rock and heavy metal. Blending that innovation with progressive ambition, folk melody and melodic rock, they created some of the most distinctive and influential British music of the early 1970s, above all on their enduring masterpiece, “Argus”.

The short version

Formed in 1969, Wishbone Ash built their sound around two lead guitarists trading and harmonizing melodic lines — an approach few had attempted before and countless bands would later adopt. Across a celebrated early-1970s run, peaking with “Argus” (1972), they fused hard rock, prog and folk into something melodic and ambitious. Through many line-up changes, the band has endured for over five decades, and their twin-guitar legacy echoes through generations of rock and metal.

The birth of the twin lead

Wishbone Ash came together in 1969, settling on an unusual and fateful line-up: two lead guitarists, Andy Powell and Ted Turner, alongside bassist and singer Martin Turner (no relation) and drummer Steve Upton. Rather than the conventional rhythm-and-lead guitar pairing, the two guitarists traded solos and, crucially, played harmonized lead lines in tandem — a fresh, melodic, interlocking approach that gave the band an instantly recognizable signature. It was a sound so distinctive and influential that Wishbone Ash are rightly credited as the great pioneers of the twin-lead, or harmony, guitar style.

Harmony guitars and melodic rock

Wishbone Ash’s music was built on the dialogue between Powell’s and Turner’s guitars, but it ranged widely. They blended hard rock muscle with progressive ambition, folk and medieval melody, blues feeling and a strong melodic sensibility, often stretching out into extended, dynamic pieces. Martin Turner’s warm vocals and the band’s group harmonies added to the appeal. The result was music that could be heavy and intricate yet always tuneful — sophisticated enough to sit alongside the prog of the day, accessible enough to win a broad rock audience.

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Argus and the classic run

After a strong self-titled debut “Wishbone Ash” (1970) and the more varied “Pilgrimage” (1971), the band made the album that defines them. “Argus” (1972) is a landmark — a richly melodic, ambitious record built around medieval and battle themes, home to enduring songs like “The King Will Come”, “Warrior”, “Throw Down the Sword” and “Blowin’ Free”. A critical and commercial triumph that reached the upper end of the UK charts, it remains one of the most beloved British rock albums of its era and the ultimate showcase for the twin-guitar sound. “Wishbone Four” (1973) followed, but soon Ted Turner departed, replaced by guitarist Laurie Wisefield, whose arrival opened the next chapter with the accomplished “There’s the Rub” (1974).

The later 1970s and beyond

With Wisefield aboard, Wishbone Ash continued through a productive period: “Locked In” (1976), produced by the legendary Tom Dowd, the well-regarded “New England” (1976), “Front Page News” (1977), the harder-rocking “No Smoke Without Fire” (1978), “Just Testing” (1980) and “Number the Brave” (1981). Line-up changes continued throughout — founding bassist Martin Turner departed around the turn of the decade — but Andy Powell, with his trademark Flying V guitar, remained the constant, and the band has carried on for decades since. In later years, the rights to the Wishbone Ash name became the subject of a legal dispute between Powell and Martin Turner, with Powell retaining the name and continuing to lead the band to this day.

Album by album

This is the classic 1970–1981 run, the heart of the catalogue. Tap any title for its guide.

The players

Andy Powell (guitar, vocals) is the band’s constant — a founding member and its leader for over fifty years, instantly recognizable with his Gibson Flying V. Ted Turner (guitar, vocals) was his original twin-lead partner, the two of them inventing the band’s signature harmony sound. Martin Turner (bass, vocals) was a principal songwriter and the band’s main early voice, while Steve Upton (drums) anchored the classic line-up. Guitarist Laurie Wisefield became a key long-serving member after Ted Turner’s departure. It was the chemistry between the two lead guitars, above all, that made Wishbone Ash what they were.

Where to start

There is one obvious place to begin: “Argus” (1972), the band’s masterpiece and one of the essential British rock albums of the 1970s. From there, the self-titled debut “Wishbone Ash” (1970) and “Pilgrimage” (1971) capture the original line-up finding its voice, while “There’s the Rub” (1974) showcases the Laurie Wisefield era at its best. For anyone curious about the roots of the twin-guitar tradition, “Argus” is required listening.

Why they still matter

Wishbone Ash’s influence vastly outstrips their fame. By pioneering the harmonized twin-lead-guitar sound, they handed hard rock and heavy metal one of their defining tools — an approach later made famous by Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden and countless others, who owe a clear debt to what Wishbone Ash did first. Beyond that innovation, their best albums, “Argus” above all, remain melodic, ambitious and beautifully played, occupying a rewarding space between progressive rock and melodic hard rock. For anyone who loves the electric guitar — and the more accessible, song-driven side of prog — Wishbone Ash are essential.

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