Martin Turner

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.^[1]

For the actor, see Martin Turner (actor). For the molecular biologist, see Martin Turner (scientist). For the rugby union player, see Martin Turner (rugby union).

Martin Turner
Turner performing in 2015
Background information
Birth name	Martin Robert Turner
Born	(1947-10-01) 1 October 1947 (age 77) Torquay, Devon, England
Genres	Rock hard rock progressive rock art rock
Occupations	Singer–songwriter musician
Instruments	Bass guitar vocals
Years active	1963–present
Labels	Dirty Dog Discs, Mystic
Website	www.martinturnermusic.com

Career

Turner was a founder member of Wishbone Ash in 1969, and remained with them until 1980, during which time he was a songwriter and creative force within the band. He played on their album Argus to which he also contributed vocals as well as the bulk of the album's lyrics.^[2]

In 1980, a decision by the rest of Wishbone Ash to introduce a frontman led to Turner parting company with Wishbone Ash.^[3]: 100 The frontman never appeared and Turner was replaced by John Wetton, who was formerly with King Crimson, Uriah Heep, Family and Roxy Music. Turner went on to a career in studio management and record production and also formed his own band The Wolfgang (also known as Bamboo and Martin Turner's Stolen Face). The Wolfgang recorded new material, some of which was later reworked into new Wishbone Ash songs after he rejoined the band, while other songs appeared on Turner's solo album, Walking The Reeperbahn, in 1996.^[4]: 277

In 1987 the original quartet 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.^{[4]: 322–324} He did, however, perform with Wishbone Ash again on several occasions, including the band's 25th anniversary celebrations in 1995–96, and the Ashcon event in November 1997.^[4]: 348 He has also been involved in the mixing and remastering of several back catalogue, compilation and archival Wishbone Ash CD titles.^[3]: 177

In 1996, Turner released Walking the Reeperbahn, featuring material spanning the years 1981–1996.^[3]: 174

In 2005, he formed a new band, Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash, to perform Wishbone Ash music. Their debut release, titled 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.^[5]

Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash later released Argus: Through The Looking Glass, a 2008 re-recording of Wishbone Ash's album, and Life Begins Tour, a 2CD/DVD recording of a performance at Leicester Y Theatre in March 2010.^[6]

Following court action pursued by Andy Powell to prevent Martin Turner using the name "Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash",^{[7]: 252–284} 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 2015 Turner produced a new album, Written in the Stars, which reached number 16 in the UK Independent Breakers chart.^[8] In 2018, Turner's live album, Beauty of Chaos – Live at the Citadel reached number 35 in the UK Rock & Metal Chart.^[8]

In 2024 he is still touring and performing classic Wishbone Ash songs from the back catalogue under the name "Martin Turner Ex Wishbone Ash". His current band consists of guitarists Danny Willson (former member of Showaddywaddy) and Misha Nikolic. Sonny Flint (son of Hughie Flint) played drums with the band from June 2022 until his departure in November 2024.

Instruments

Turner was known for playing a Jetglo Rickenbacker 4001 bass guitar during Wishbone Ash's early albums by 1972. Martin had by the release of their third album Argus been playing a Gibson Thunderbird bass guitar. He has also regularly performed with a Hamer bass, and a white model of the Gibson Thunderbird which he bought from Peter Overend Watts of Mott the Hoople.^[9]

Solo discography

See also: Wishbone Ash discography

Studio albums:

• Walking the Reeperbahn (1996)
• Argus Through the Looking Glass (2008)
• Written in the Stars (2015) as 'Martin Turner, founding original member of Wishbone Ash'

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

• The Beauty of Chaos (2018)

DVDs

• The Life Begins Tour (Live in Leicester 2010) (2011)