A POCKET HISTORY OF WISHBONE ASH

By: STEVE UPTON

 

December 1970 
First LP released. We promoted the album with live gigs, which took us to 
the end of our first full year as Wishbone Ash. The LP got to #30 on the 
U.K. Charts.

22 February 1971 
Flew to Washington D.C. to start our first US tour. The next day, while 
sightseeing in D.C., ate our first McDonalds hamburger. Got stopped by 
the police for tire screeching near the White House and drinking beer in 
the car. Miles pleading with the police officer explaining that we were an 
English Pop group saved us from a premature deportation. 

25 February 1971 
Played our first gig in America in Austin, Texas.




3-7 March 1971
Showcase at the Whisky in Los Angles. On our arrival at L.A. Airport, 
we were picked up by a huge limo and as soon as the driver had us 
inside the car he started his rap. Told us how he used to drive for 
AL Capone and Frank Sinatra, then asked "Which one you guys is 
Mr. Ash." He finally stopped talking, thrust his arm back over the 
front seat and offered us all huge joints. I wasn't sure that was 
such a good idea, being foreigners, but Ted said "what the hell" and 
lit one up. Miles, however, was freaked. How could such a criminal 
type be driving the Record Company limo? !  Immediately after he 
checked into the hotel, he took off like a man possessed to MCA Records 
headquarters. Once there, he assembled all the top brass and preceded 
to tell them about a shocking event they wouldn't believe. They must 
have wondered what planet he came from? 

The third day in L.A., Ted goes for a walkabout in the desert with the 
help of a few mind expanders and local reprobates. We were very concerned 
when he did not return after a day, because the previous week, 
Jeremy Spencer from Fleetwood Mac had gone missing and not returned. 
He had been abducted by the Jesus People and we were sure Ted was another 
victim. We thought they were maybe trying to form a band with some of the 
best guitarists in the world. Luckily, his body showed up 10 minutes before 
we were due on stage, but his brain didn't turn up until the next day. 
Our eventful L.A. visit was topped with news from England that we had been 
voted by the music press readers as 
"The Best New Band of 1971". 

13 March 1971
Flew back to London and on arriving back suffered the full impact of 
Culture Shock. The next few months were taken up with giging in England, 
writing and recording our second LP.

29 July 1971   
Flew to New York to start our second tour of America.

3 August 1971 
Celebrated Ted's 21st birthday in Wildwood, N.J. Ate fresh crab, steaks 
and plenty of wine and bourbon, sat on the boat dock and had a jam. 

16 August 1971  
Played a very memorable gig with the WHO in St. Louis, an open-air 
concert attended by 35,000 people. After the show we were to play 
our part in the scenario that unfolded. The WHO's take over of the 
hotel we were all staying in.

3 September 1971  
Another highlight in this eventful tour, we played in Seattle at 
Satsop River Festival and had to be flown to the gig in a helicopter 
as the roads to the site were blocked with fans. 

5 September 1971 
Played a festival in Austin, Texas. A night never to be forgotten. 
We were on stage when the hot dog man was murdered by a gunman wanting 
a free hamburger. His death was remembered in the song "Rock n' Roll Widow." 

September 1971  
We released our second album "Pilgrimage."

1 January 1972 
Andy Powell marries Pauline, at Dunstable Church. All the band attended. 

2 February 1972 
Started recording our third album "Argus," also played gigs in England 
trying out the new material on live audiences.