Martin Turner

Martin Turner

Martin Turner is an English producer, bass player, vocalist and songwriter best known as a founding member of Wishbone Ash. He is born in Torquay and begins playing guitar at the age of fourteen before switching to bass.

Early bands and the formation of Wishbone Ash

In 1963, Turner and his brother Glenn form their first band, the Torinoes. The group builds a local reputation playing covers of current hits. By 1966, the band develops into the Empty Vessels, with drummer Steve Upton joining the line-up. In 1969 the group turns professional and moves to London. After Glenn Turner leaves, Martin Turner and Steve Upton audition new players under manager Miles Copeland. Ted Turner and Andy Powell join, and Wishbone Ash is formed.

Wishbone Ash

During the first decade of Wishbone Ash, Turner contributes a distinctive bass style, acts as principal vocalist, and writes songs for the band. He leaves the group in 1980 after disagreements over policy and musical direction. In 1987 he returns for a reformation of the original Wishbone Ash line-up, working as bassist, vocalist and producer on three albums for the IRS label. In 1991 the remaining original line-up continues without him, and Ted Turner soon leaves as well, bringing the classic era to a close.

Turner remains closely involved with Wishbone Ash material through remastering and remixing the band’s back catalogue. He also joins Andy Powell’s version of the band for concert appearances during the 25th anniversary period in 1995 and 1996. In 2005 he returns to the live arena with a new band, Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash.

Solo work and other projects

Turner pursues record production throughout the 1980s while continuing to write and record. During this period he forms the Wolf Gang, although the recordings are not released at the time. His debut solo album, Walking The Reeperbahn, is released in 1996 and gathers recordings made between 1980 and 1996. The album reflects melodic elements associated with the classic Wishbone Ash line-ups.

He also records with his friend Roy Hollingworth on In The Flesh, and between 1998 and 2006 tours and records with the blues rock band The Blue Bishops. For that group he also produces the 2002 album Deep.