Fans Letters

FANS HAVE "SO MANY THINGS TO SAY"

Check the fan links and pictures at the bottom of the page!

Clive Johnson writes:

Hi Dr. John.
Hey Dr. do I need any new software to access your site or view it
any better? By the way, the band's performance Saturday night at
Mansfield's Ashcon was awesome. It was absolutely amazing. I just
love the music. The quality of playing right through the band and
sound was second to none. Andy's got a great team around him and it
showed on Saturday.

Cheers
Clive Johnson UK.

Dr. reply:
No, what ever you have that got you to the site will work.
My intentions are to appeal to all levels with little or no effort.
Log on, move through it, and have fun!
Thanks Clive for your comments.

Andy,
You Ted, Laurie, and Roger have been the best medicine for me after
some surgery and long illness. "Trance Visionary" is a healing tape
since it subtly brings back the joy I have felt listening to you
play since the early '70's and that one concert I was at in 1975
with Camel opening for you in Normal, Illinois. Dr. John is defiantly
the best of doctors! Looking forward to hearing all you and the other
Ash guitarists ever play. Deep thanks to Martin, Steve and everyone
else that makes your music possible!
Tony Lysy

Dear Tony,
Thanks for your letter and words of appreciation - it means a lot
to know that what we do makes a difference. I hope your recovery
is complete and all is well.

Best Wishes,
Andy Powell

Hi Dr. John,
Sometime since we
communicated& . Now that I am back in England for a
couple of weeks I am catching up on all my correspondence and Ash
news, I was browsing through the USASH magazine and was a bit disappointed
to hear that you are amalgamating with Hot Ash in the future.
I suppose it makes commercial sense but I will miss getting both
magazines. Hot Ash is still a good magazine but it has lost something
in recent times, very professional but to sanitized, why no
dissenting letters? Are there none, or are they carefully screened out?
I seem to remember all sorts of comments in the old magazine when
Gary was running it. Sorry to see dissent in the camp again& seems
you have had a big time fall out with the guy that runs the
website guess us mortal fans don't really know what goes on behind
the scenes. One day you should write a book that explains it all&
you know& why does everyone keep leaving the band? What really
made Gary Carter give up the magazine when he is actively involved
with Martin. Why do they keep making these awful drum and bass
records? My daughter says it isn't even good drum and bass, being
a Luddite I wouldn't know. I don't know how many new line-ups we
can be expected to accept without anyone saying anything, especially
when the PR people keep telling us that each new band is
the best ever& no matter who they are! I haven't heard the new
guys yet so I can't comment on them, but surely they cannot be
better than Ted, Martin and Steve, no matter how dedicated.
My main concern these days are that Wishbone Ash is now becoming
"Andy Powell and the Session Men". I can't help wondering why
Martin finds the need to go on tour with yet another band to play
Ash music when he could get back in there and do the real thing.
Anyway that's the negatives over with.

Best Regards,
Mike Weal UK

Hi Mike,
Thanks for your letter and comments. I will try to answer your
questions relying on memory of what I heard.
Since Andy Powell took over as editor
of the Hot Ash magazine I don't know how or if letters are being censored?
I know I have written favorable concert reviews, along with showing lack
of credits, given on the Trance Visionary CD, where some of the material used was from the
KBSU Radio Broadcast myself and Dick Skoro conducted and it was not
published. So I can't say for sure. I also might add, out of
fairness, I can't print everything I receive either, but I try to
give different opinions even if I don't agree. I doubt I will ever
write a book. Something's are better left un said. I have too much
respect for everyone involved. It is not likely the "Star" or
"Esquire" will be wanting to buy a story!
Each band member had his own reason for leaving the band. I'll give a brief
account of each without getting into to much detail:
Ted left because of difference with how the band was managed.
Martin left to do production work and concentrate on his Solo project.
Tony Kishman left because he was always involved with two bands "Beatlemania"
type (where he imitated Paul McCartney" and was very successful.
Roger Filgate left because he saw what Tony was doing and decided to
join up with him.
Mike Sturgis left to work as head of the Drum Department at the
Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, Surrey and teach college students.
Did I leave anyone out?
Gary left mainly because he favored Martin above the whole of the band.
So when Martin left Gary lost interest. The final straw that broke the
camels back is when Blue Law was to start there UK tour, for the first
time and because of the poor turn out to the concerts Andy thought the
Hot Ash magazine could have done a better job at getting the word out
which Gary took offense to. The next point you make is concerning the
new line up. If you look at it as a new band you will enjoy it more.
If you are looking for them to mirror the original line up then I feel
you might be a little disappointed. However, this is a great band doing
a good job on the old and the new songs. But I won't call them the best
line up ever, but give the lads a chance and I know you will be pleased!
The last point about Andy Powell's band with Session Men: Let's face it,
if it was not for Andy and his efforts there would be no Wishbone Ash to
talk about or see in concert. I'm enjoying the ride!
Thanks Mike for your comments I see and understand your views and change
is difficult but a fact of life.
Perhaps we can catch another show together?

Cheers,
Dr. John