Ted Turner (guitarist)

David Alan "Ted" Turner (born 2 August 1950) is an English guitarist and vocalist best known for his work with the 1970s rock band Wishbone Ash, in which he was famed for his twin lead guitar instrumental arrangements with Andy Powell. Turner also contributed lap steel guitar to a variety of Wishbone Ash recordings.^[1][2]

Career

Pre-Wishbone Ash

Prior to Wishbone Ash, Turner played with the Birmingham band, King Biscuit.

Wishbone Ash

Turner joined Wishbone Ash in 1969, leaving after their fourth album, Wishbone Four, in 1974.

His main guitar during this period was a maple necked Fender Stratocaster. He also used a Gibson Les Paul and vintage lap steel guitars. Wishbone Ash also used the early Orange/Matamp amplifiers during this period.

In 1971 Turner was invited to play on John Lennon's Imagine, on "Crippled Inside" and "How Do You Sleep". Turner accepted the chance to record with John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

Post-Wishbone Ash

In the spring of 1974, Ted left Wishbone Ash and the music business to travel the world. By 1975 he had found his way to New Orleans and into the 'World Man Band' project, an attempt to raise global consciousness through rock music based upon information from R. Buckminster Fuller. Later that same year, Turner moved to Los Angeles to record, write and produce music artists including as George Harrison, Billy Preston and Al Stewart.

In 1980, Turner returned to England and did studio work with Stewart Copeland, Gene October, and Brian James. The next year found him once again in the United States, where he married and formed a new band. Called "Choice", it featured Greg Cook (guitars, keyboards, and vocals), Robbie Hewlett (bass guitar) and Bobby Dean Wickland (drums). In 1982, Ted joined the re-formed "Badfinger" and toured the country with them.

From 1983 to 1985, Turner was involved in various recording projects with such artists as Brian Auger and Rod Stewart. In 1985 he moved to Chicago, recorded with various artistes including Sugar Blue.

Rejoining Wishbone Ash

In 1987 he rejoined Wishbone Ash and with them recorded "Nouveau Calls" for Miles Copeland III's No Speak label. In the spring of 1988, the original Wishbone Ash toured England and Europe for the first time in 15 years, and in the autumn of that year Turner and Andy Powell were invited to join Copeland's "Night of the Guitar" tour. That group included such guitar legends as Randy California, Peter Haycock, Steve Howe, Steve Hunter, Robby Krieger, Leslie West, Alvin Lee and Jan Akkerman.

Later work

Turner continued to tour and record with Wishbone Ash until 1994, when he once again decided to depart. In that same year, he suffered – and witnessed – the loss of his son Kipp, who was killed by a drunk driver in Scottsdale, Arizona. He now has a daughter Sloane. In 2010 his first solo album Eclektic Value was released to widespread critical acclaim. He has also made guest appearances with Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash, led by Wishbone Ash's founding original member bassist/vocalist Martin Turner (no relation) including a performance at the High Voltage Festival in London's Victoria Park in July 2010.

Recognition

During Turner's career with Wishbone Ash, he has played to three generations of fans all around the world. He has been voted one of Rolling Stone's 'Top Twenty Rock Guitarists of All Time', and named by Traffic magazine as "one of the most important guitarists in rock history".

References

External links

• Official website
• Official Website of the Band Wishbone Ash.
• 'Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash' official site.