www.martinturnermusic.com

OCT 11 2013

We are please to announce that MTWA is now endorsed by Hofner guitars.

Ray Hatfield and Danny Willson are proud to be official Hofner endorsees.

OCT 6 2013

We are so sorry to hear about the awful monster truck crash in Chihuahua today and send our sincere condolences to everyone who has been affected.

Please don't lose all the wonderful happiness we remember so well during our visit.

With our love to you all,

Martin Turner + MTWA.

OCT 1 2013

We regret MTWA's previously announced show in Tring Court Theatre on 12 October 2013 has now been cancelled, due to lack of funding at the venue. Please note this is a decision made by the venue to cancel several scheduled shows there and is beyond the control of MTWA, its management and agents. It is hoped the show can be rescheduled for 2014.

SEP 10 2013

Although Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash still has several dates left of its No Easy Road - Live Dates 2013 tour, exciting plans are already afoot for the band activity for 2014. We are pleased to announce MTWA's 2014 tour plans by way of this official press release:-

Wishbone Ash was formed by West Country musicians Martin Turner and Steve Upton, who arrived in London in 1969 to embark on their musical journey. Intent on creating a musical sound that was rich in texture and melody, Martin Turner envisaged the band’s innovative harmony-guitar hallmark and guitarists Ted Turner and Andy Powell were recruited via a now legendary Melody Maker advert. The partnership of the original line-up of Wishbone Ash forged a unique musical identity that would produce some of rock music's best loved works and influence numerous successful bands and result in millions of album sales and concert attendances. Wishbone Ash would become one of the most enduring and best loved British rock acts and its name synonymous with high quality guitar-driven melodic rock music.

Over four decades later, the enduring music of the classic marks of Wishbone Ash continues to delight audiences worldwide through both live performances and a rich legacy of recorded work that continues to be enjoyed by fans old and new. Classic album releases such as Argus, Pilgrimage, There’s the Rub, New Englandand Live Dates defined the Wishbone Ash sound and have touched the hearts of several generations of music fans. As lead vocalist and key creative force, founding original member Martin Turner was central to the critical and commercial success of Wishbone Ash’s most revered albums, with his passionate vocal delivery, songwriting ability, keen melodic sense and production values being a key ingredient in the definitive Wishbone Ash sound. Martin Turner continues to perform the band’s best loved works with his current line-up. Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash features guitarists Ray Hatfield and Danny Willson, and drummer Dave Wagstaffe and remains faithful to the original Wishbone Ash blueprint. 

Since 2005 Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash has delighted audiences worldwide with its performances of material from the classic periods of Wishbone Ash’s history, with concert appearances in the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Holland, Spain, Greece, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, the USA and Canada. The band’s performances have been captured on acclaimed in-concert releases New Live Dates, Life Begins and No Easy Road Live – Garden Party as well as the studio recording Argus: Through The Looking Glass, a recreation of Wishbone Ash’s seminal 1972 album.

In 2012 Martin Turner also published his personal memoirs in the critically acclaimed autobiographical book No Easy Road – My Life and Times with Wishbone Ash, documenting the defining years of one of the UK’s best loved rock bands as well as his personal life journey within music. Martin Turner looks back fondly on his touring activities since his return to the live stage: “I have had a wonderful time over the past few years re-discovering the wider Wishbone Ash catalogue and taking this to the people. My focus so far has been on reproducing the music as faithfully as possible. When I go to see an artist live, I want to hear the songs as I remember them from the records and I believe that is true of the Wishbone Ash audience too.”

Following an extensive period of worldwide touring that has celebrated the classic years of Wishbone Ash, Written in the Stars - Live Dates 2014 sees Martin Turner moving positively forwards with a show that not only contains stage favourites and classic album cuts from the extensive Wishbone Ash repertoire, but also introduces brand new music.

“Creatively, I still have much to say,” insists Martin Turner. “My song-writing has always been a backdrop to my real-life experiences and I am looking forward to getting creative as we prepare to take my band into its next chapter.”

AUG 21 2013

It is with great regret that we have received the news that MTWA super-fan Jef Culhane passed away yesterday, following a battle with cancer. A lifelong Wishbone Ash fan, Jef had been a stalwart supporter of MTWA from the very beginning, flying in from the States to catch a show on the band's first UK tour back in Feb 2006.

More recently, Jef was instrumental in securing MTWA's Minneapolis show where, although terminally ill by this stage, he also played an opening set with his band Resistor.

Jef's enthusiasm and passion both for MTWA and music in general remained intact and he took great satisfaction in the completion of his recent CD - his "can do" attitude being an inspiration to all.

Everyone involved with MTWA - band and behind the scenes - remember Jef fondly and offer their most heartfelt sympathy and condolences to his family at this sad time. RIP Jef.

Martin Turner adds:

I was saddened to hear of Jef Culhane's passing, it seems only a few weeks ago that we shared a stage together in Minneapolis.

Jef was always so enthusiastic with regard to Wishbone Ash, trying to help calm the waters between the factions and even offered to put together a US version of MTWA.

He was generous and passionate as well as being a fine guitar player.We wish his family well in this difficult time and especially send our love and sympathy to Christine his wife.

We will remember you with affection Jef,

Peace and love,

Martin Turner

AUG 21 2013

We are pleased to announce further additions to MTWA's No Easy Road - Live Dates 2013 tour, including a first-time appearance in Mexico that will feature special guest Ted Turner.

Dates are also starting to come in for MTWA's 2014 tour - further details to be revealed soon.

AUG 13 2013

We are pleased to announce that Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash guitarist Ray Hatfield has released his second solo album entitled At The Drop Of a Hat. 

The album features 13 self-penned tracks and features guest appearances from MTWA alumni Keith Buck, Rob Hewins and Danny Willson.

The CD is available through www.rayhatfield.com now. Everyone involved with MTWA wishes Ray great success with this release.

JULY 6 2013

In April 2009 MTWA's concert at Southend's Palace Theatre was professionally filmed for possible DVD release. The opportunity was subsequently offered to film a second show, in Leicester March 2010. After much consideration, the latter was eventually chosen as the one to be released as Life Begins, largely due to its expanded and career-spanning set list, which was befitting of a 40th anniversary release.

The Southend footage, however, remains in the band's archives and we are pleased to present to you, for the very first time, footage from one of the earliest performances of the current MTWA line-up. Go to our YouTube channel to view clips of "Why Don't We" and "Lady Jay" 

JULY 6 2013

Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash wishes to thank all who supported the band during its recent headlining tour of the USA and Canada – that is promoters, booking agent Artists Worldwide, venues, crews, Nektar, Sons of Hippies, Jef Culhane's Resistor, Cleopatra Records and, above all, the highly appreciative audiences who greeted the band wherever they played.

For Martin Turner it was a particularly emotional return to North American concert stages, having not performed there since appearances with the original Wishbone Ash line-up in 1989, with the show at BB King’s in New York being particularly poignant for Martin, as he met many old industry friends, in certain cases for the first time in nearly 40 years.

"Without exception, the people who attended the US gigs and who we had the pleasure to meet were wildly enthusiastic to the point of being exuberant," says Martin. "Many of them said the band’s sound really resembled the band of the 70's, which was very rewarding for me personally, having not played the US in well over 20 years.

My No Easy Road autobiography was in much demand and SOLD OUT half way through the tour.

Everyone involved felt MTWA and Nektar was a good combination, with great support from Sons of Hippies, and our good friend Jef Culhane, whose band appeared with us in Minneapolis, a show Jef was instrumental in making happen – thank you, Jef! Already there seems to be a feeling from promoters that we should return to the US for a second tour. Many people who came to the shows were of the same opinion!

We look forward to appearing in Japan, as part of the MTWA 2013 World Tour, where I’m sure we’ll see many friends, old and new."

JUNE 13 2013

We regret that the opening date on MTWA's upcoming US tour in Chantilly, VA on 20 June 2013 has been cancelled due to a flood at the venue.

This is beyond the control of MTWA, its management and agents.

Ticket holders are advised to return to point of sale for refund.

MAY 22 2013

It is with great sadness that Uriah Heep announce the passing of our friend the amazing Trevor Bolder, who has passed away after his long fight with cancer. Trevor was an all time great, one of the outstanding musicians of his generation, and one of the finest and most influential bass players that Britain ever produced.
 
His long time membership of Uriah Heep brought the band’s music, and Trevor’s virtuosity and enthusiasm, to hundreds of thousands of fans across the world. He joined the band in 1976 and, barring one short break, was a fixture until his ill health forced him to take a step back early this year. Prior to joining Heep he was a founder and ever-present member of David Bowie’s legendary Spiders From Mars band, performing on all of their key albums and at countless shows. He also performed with Wishbone Ash, Cybernauts and The Rats.
 
Mick Box said, "Trevor was a ‘World Class’ bass player, singer & songwriter, and more importantly a World Class friend. He will be sadly missed by family, friends and rock fans all over the world. We are all numb to the core" -
 
Uriah Heep, official statement
 
 
 
Trevor Bolder - A wonderful musician, and old friend who will be sadly missed.He really had it all. He was a powerful, melodic, driving bass player with a mountain of sensitivity.I have so many great memories of time spent with Trevor. He really was one ofthe greats.
 
Laurie Wisefield (Wishbone Ash / Snakecharmer)
 
 
 
Saddened to hear of my bass player friend Trevor Bolder's passing. What a modest guy and what a bass player. This is too near to home. RIP dear pal.
 
Ray Weston (Wishbone Ash)
 
 
 
Very sad to hear that Trevor Bolder has passed away. I replaced Trevor as bass player in Wishbone Ash and met him on a few occasion, he was a really lovely man. My thoughts are with his family. RIP Trevor
 
Mervyn Spence (Wishbone Ash)
 
 
 
Peace to you, Trevor. Love and Light
 
Ted Turner (Wishbone Ash)
 
 
 
So sad and sorry to hear of the passing of Trevor Bolder. Trevor played with Wishbone during the 1980s. The album Twin Barrels Burning features his songwriting and bass work. Fantastic bass player and all round great guy. Modest - humble even - but could really dig in and lay down a bass line like no one else, to say nothing about his vocals and songwriting ability.
 
Only just recently I was listening to the work he did on Bowie's Pin Ups album. But the band he was most associated with was obviously Uriah Heep and we worked together with them only a few years ago in S. Africa. We even worked together in Wishbone Ash during a tour of India, plus many events in Europe with the Heep.
You are sadly missed, Trev.
 
Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash)
 
 
 
Trevor was a wonderful musician and a major inspiration for whichever bandhe was working with. But he was foremostly a tremendous guy, a great man.David Bowie
 
I was always a great admirer of Trevor’s playing. He was a member of that small, yet highly talented group of early experimental British bass guitarists who were total exponents of their art. I’m talking about those few guys who dared to venture up the fret-board and use the bass almost as a lead instrument. His sound was the typical ‘hoover’ – melodic, inventive, passionate, pure class – pulling inversions all over the place, yet maintaining good taste at all times. There weren’t many of them. Having had the privilege of witnessing his invention whilst on tour with Uriah Heep, and latterly as a stable mate with QEDG management, I respected enormously his contributions not only to the music of Heep but his casual, humble and unassuming manner on those occasions I met him. He must have been well made up to see his lifelong football team Hull City get promoted to the Premiership along with Cardiff this season. And I will regret now not being able to rib him about our joint progress in the top flight. Trevor, RIP."
 
Geoff Downes (Asia/Yes)
 
 
 
I had the great pleasure of knowing Trevor for the best part of 30 years, he was one of my idols growing up, I got to know him when Uriah Heep opened for Def Leppard on the Pyromania tour in 1983 and we became firm friends. I stayed with him, he stayed with me and we recorded and toured together as The Cybernauts. For myself and Phil (Collen), it's devastating because we were looking forward to finishing up some new Cybernauts recording pretty soon. That may now not happen, but our real thoughts right now are with his family. TB was one of the good guys. I'm sure Mick Box and the guys in Heep feel the same way - we have lost a brother, a great bass player, a funny, funny man who lit up any room he walked into .... I guess now, him & Ronno have a bit of catching up to do ..... RIP my friend .....
 
Joe Elliot (Def Leppard)
 
 
 
Saw him last at Manchester airport last year - we were both waiting for guitars to come thru - always very friendly. Sad loss.
 
Graham Oliver (Saxon)
 
 
 
RIP another Spider from Mars, a kind and decent man, Trevor Bolder. Love and peace to his family.
 
Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet)
 
 
 
RIP to Trevor Bolder of Uriah Heep.
 
Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath)
 
 
 
Loved your bass playing dude, and the trumpet!  You helped make some of the best music of the 20th century.
 
Mike Scott (Waterboys)
 
 
 
RIP Trevor Bolder - bass player from Bowie's Spiders From Mars (Ziggy Stardust is my #5 album of all-time) Man, too many rock deaths... : ("
 
Mike Portnoy (Dream Theatre)
 
 
 
I am totally stunned by this shocking news. Trevor taught me to play bass - and that has been my life.
 
Trevor and Ian Bolder and myself were in our first group together - the Jelly Roll Blues Band - back in the 60's. We used to rehearse in a Scout Hut in Woodmansey. The Rats practiced in the other hut next door . We were all learning the ropes back then - we didn't know what the future held in store for us, but we were destined to go on to play with Squeeze and the Spiders from Mars.
 
My heart is really saddened by this tragic news, and I am thinking of all those who knew Trevor. We're all hurting.
thanks for everything Trevor ...
 
John Bentley (Squeeze)
 
 
 
R.I.P. Trevor Bolder. I'm blessed to have met you during the DiO /Uriah Heep Scandinavian tour and shared with you how immensely your playing with Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars influenced my playing.
 
Rudy Sarzo (Dio/Ozzy/Whitesnake)
  
 
 
In a world where people tell us that everything is replaceable, Trevor was totally irreplaceable as a musician and above all, as a human being. I am proud to have experienced both of these. Farewell ole buddy. My thoughts are with your loved ones. You live on!
 
Pip Williams (Producer)
 
 
 
Incredibly sad news about Trevor Bolder :-(
 
John Mitchell (It Bites / Arena / John Wetton Band)
 
 
Great musician, lovely bloke and modest with it. It was always a great pleasure to interact with Trevor, speaking as a fan and a writer. He will be sadly missed. RIP.
 
Dave Ling (Classic Rock magazine)
 
 
 
R.I.P. Trevor Bolder. Fine bassist and lovely guy.
 
Neil Murray (Snakecharmer / Whitesnake)
 
 
 
Trevor was not only an incredibly tasteful and melodic bass player, as demonstrated on the Ziggy Stardust album but more importantly he was a great, down to earth man. He was 'one of the good guys' and that is an accolade only people who knew him could bestow'
 
Midge Ure (Ultravox)
 
 
 
I didn't know Trevor that well but from the few times I met him I found him to be a true gentleman. He had a great humility with regards to his own achievements and that really is a rarity in this current age.
His expertise is legendary but what was apparent to me was the high regard he was held in by so many other great musicians (especially bass players) for both his ability and his grace.
 
My best wishes go to the guys in the band I know how deep this must hurt, there are very few bandsin the true sense of the word these days. I know the bond that creates between the members and the loss you must feel. To me you have always epitomised how it should be done, long may that continue.
 
love and best
John Young (Lifesigns)
 
 
 
Trevor was one of the best bass players I have ever had the fortune to perform with and a gentleman. I was so looking forward to being on stage with him again this summer. Gone but never forgotten.
 
John Lawton (Uriah Heep)
 
 
 
Dear Trevor ! How I remember you playing your part, full of vivid beauty at Uriah Heep's anniversary in the Sheppards Bush theater in London! although we did not have too much conversation we played this lovely music at least! THANX ...
 
Thijs Van Leer (Focus)
 
 
 
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Shelley, his wife and to the guys in Heep. Mick told me about what happened and all of them are devastated.
 
I spent some of the most fun on tour having a few pints of Guinness and a lot of laughs with Trevor. He had a brilliant career and was admired and respected by everyone in the business, but most of all he was a great guy and I will miss him and his wonderful dry sense of humour.
Rest in Peace Pal. 
 
Pete Agnew (Nazareth)
 
 
 
God Bless you Trevor, a true Pro Player. Lynne and I will be thinking of your family at this very sad time.
 
Peter Goalby (Uriah Heep)
 
 
 
Trevor was such a lovely guy, he had a great sense of ironic humour, which I attribute both to his northern roots and his many years in music. As a player he really was one of the best, his phenomenal technique and his always inventive and colourful parts were a joy to hear and to work with. His strength of personality and his character came through in everything he played and wrote. I'll miss him. Trev RIP.
 
Mike Paxman (Producer)
 
 
 
My thoughts and prayers are with Trevor's family at this time.
 
John Wetton (Asia)