Broadcast history

Sunday 10 April 2011, 18:00, repeated Sunday 17 April 14:00 GMT+1

Sunday 22 May 2011, 18:00 GMT+1 repeat

GRTR!'s Mark Taylor talks to Andy Powell from Wishbone Ash who celebrated their 40th Anniversary in 2009 and continue to tour regularly across the world.  Mark caught up with Andy prior to their gig at London's Islington Academy on 31 March 2011 and chatted about the band from the earliest days.

In addition, we include Mark's chat with Mike Rutherford and new singers Andrew Roachford and Tim Howar prior to the release of a new album 'The Road' and UK tour in May.

Wishbone Ash

Photo: Noel Buckley/GRTR!

Wishbone Ash are one of the most durable of our classic rock bands, and enjoyed early success in the 1970s with their debut self-titled album (1970), 'Pilgrimage (1971) and 'Argus' (1972) the latter generally regarded as their finest.

In a 40-year plus history they have never rested on former glories, and in the 1980s released an all-instrumental album ('Nouveau Calls'), a harder rock album ('Twin Barrels Burning') and - in the 1990s - a dance album ('Trance Visionary')

The twin-guitar line-up of Andy Powell and Ted Turner and their very melodic harmonies influenced a whole generation of bands including Thin Lizzy.

The only taint in recent years is a dispute over the rights to the Wishbone Ash name which has led to original bass player (and founder member) Martin Turner still touring his own version of the band.

Gig review (31 March 2011)

Tour dates 2011

UK

April 9 The Ferry, Glasgow 01698 360 085
April 11 The Stables, Milton Keynes 01908 280 800
April 14 Spring and Airbrake, Belfast (The Pat McManus Band and Special Guest Andy Powell of WA support from Million $ Reload)02890 327 007

EIRE

April 15 TLT Theatre, Drogheada, County Louth (The Pat McManus Band with special Guest Andy Powell of WA and Friends)
April 16 Slaughtered Lamb, Swords, Co.Dublin (Pat McManus Band with Special Guest Andy Powell)

USA

April 25 Tupelo Music Hall, Londonderry NH, 603-437-5100
April 26 Tupelo Music Hall, White River Junction, VT, (featuring Argus Live) 802-698-8341
April 27 Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, PA, 215-257-5808
April 28 Ramshead Tavern, Annapolis, MD, 410-268-4545
April 29 B.B. Kings, New York NY, 212-997-4144
April 30 The Van Dyck Club, Schenectady, NY 518-348-7999

May 02 Winchester Music Hall, Lakewood, OH 216-226-5681
May 03 Callahan`s, Auburn Hills, MI (featuring Argus Live) 248.858.9508
May 04 4D`s, Fort Wayne, IN  (featuring Argus Live) (260) 490-6488
May 05 Midway Tavern, Mishawaka, IN 574-255-0458
May 06 Fitzgerald`s, Berwyn, IL (2 shows 7:30 pm and 10 p.m. (10 p.m. features Argus Live)) (708) 788-2118
May 07 Shank Hall, Milwaukee, WI 414-276-4545
May 08 Whiskey Bones, Rochester, MN (sponsored by 101.5 FM) t: 507-287-8017
May 10 Medina Entertainment Center, Medina, MN (To Be Confirmed) 763-478-6661
May 11 Sioux City Community Theater, Sioux City, IA (712) 233-2719
May 12 Whiskey Roadhouse, Council Bluffs, IA (featuring Argus Live) (712)323-2500
May 13 Knuckleheads, Kansas City, MO (featuring Argus Live) t: 816-483-1456
May 14 Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville, IL (Fans Promote! Please spread the word - we need 200 tickets sold to bring the band! Featuring Argus live.)
May 15 Cosmic Charlie`s,  Lexington, KY (859) 309-9499?
May 16 Moondog`s, Blawnox, PA 412-828-2040
May 17 Bridge Street Live, Collinsville, CT 8606939762

July 23 Silverstone Classic Festival. Towcester, Northamptonshire 0871 231 0849

Mike & The Mechanics

Photo: Matt Kent

Mike Rutherford formed Mike & The Mechanics as a side-project to his main band Genesis, in 1984.  The original vocalists were Paul Carrack, who had originally sung with Ace (who had a worldwide hit with the song 'How Long') and pursued a solo career, and Paul Young who had success in the late-1970s with Sad Cafe.

The band's most successful album was their second, 'The Living Years' (1988).  The title track gave them a Number 1 single in the States and Canada.

In July 2000 vocalist Paul Young died suddenly from a heart attack and by 2007 it seemed that this project might have run its course.  However, a new album 'The Road' was announced for release in April 2011 featuring the vocalists Andrew Roachford and Tim Howar.

Tour dates 2011

May 2011

01.05.2011 York, Grand Opera House, UK
03.05.2011 Oxford, New Theatre, UK
05.05.2011 Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall, UK
06.05.2011 DATE CANCELLED Leicester, De Montfort Hall, UK
08.05.2011 Bournemouth, BIC, UK
09.05.2011 London, Royal Albert Hall, UK
11.05.2011 Portsmouth, Guildhall, UK
12.05.2011 Brighton, Centre, UK
13.05.2011 Bristol, Colston Hall, UK
15.05.2011 Plymouth, Pavillion, UK
17.05.2011 Cardiff, CIA, UK
18.05.2011 Ipswich, Regent Theatre, UK
20.05.2011 Manchester, O2 Apollo, UK
21.05.2011 Blackpool, Opera House, UK
22.05.2011 Liverpool, Empire, UK
24.05.2011 Edinburgh, Playhouse, UK
25.05.2011 Glasgow, Clyde Auditorium, UK
26.05.2011 Gateshead, The Sage, UK
28.05.2011 Sheffield, City Hall, UK
29.05.2011 Birmingham, Symphony Hall, UK

June 2011

01.06.2011 Theater am Marientor, Duisburg, Germany
02.06.2011 Stadthalle Karlsruhe Brahms-Saal, Karlsruhe, Germany
04.06.2011 Parkbühne im Clara Zetkin Park, Leipzig, Germany
05.06.2011 Admiralspalast, Berlin, Germany
06.06.2011 Laeiszhalle, Hamburg, Germany
08.06.2011 Rhein-Main-Theater, Niedernhausen, Germany
09.06.2011 TonHalle München, Munich, Germany

E & O.E Please check on band websites and with venues for latest updates