Milestone year for Wishbone Ash (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Milestone year for Wishbone Ash

IT'S a milestone year for Wishbone Ash as they tear up the highway and cut loose from the studio, bringing their 2005 UK tour to the Corn Hall, Cirencester tomorrow (Friday, September 29).

This year British twin-lead guitar band Wishbone Ash celebrate 35 years of rock n' roll in true Ash fashion, touring in the UK, Turkey, Holland, United States and France.

Plans are also under way to record a new studio album and to release a live CD.

Formed in October 1969 Wishbone Ash were gigging by 1970. The band garnered interest in the early days for a unique blend of blues, jazz and English folk.

But it was the way the guitars played melodic leads together that would become Wishbone Ash's trademark inspiring such bands as Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden.

Throughout the years many notable musicians have contributed their talents to the band, including Asia's John Wetton, Trevor Bolder from Uriah Heep and Laurie Wisefield who would later play guitar for Joe Cocker and Tina Turner.

In 2002 founder members Andy Powell and Ted Turner were voted among the top 20 guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine and the group's albums continue to be strong sellers around the world.

Tickets are on sale at Cirencester Visitor Information Centre priced £15. Doors open at 8.15pm for an 8.30pm start.