Bob Skeat

Bob Skeat is an English bass guitarist, best known for his work with rock band Wishbone Ash.

Musical career

Skeat had a musical upbringing, with his father, Bill – a session musician – actively encouraging his musical development. In the mid-1990s, Skeat played with Mark Birch in "So!", and shortly afterwards began recording bass tracks for Wishbone Ash's 1997 Trance Visionary album when he was offered the full-time bass position by Andy Powell. Birch joined the band on guitar soon after.

Bob previously played bass for Toyah Wilcox.

References

Wishbone Ash

Wishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved success in the early and mid-1970s. Their popular records included Wishbone Ash (1970), Pilgrimage (1971), Argus (1972), There's the Rub (1974), and New England (1976). They were one of the first bands to use twin lead guitars.

Wishbone Ash are considered to be one of the major innovators of the harmony twin lead guitar format. Their contributions helped Andy Powell and Ted Turner to be voted "Two of the Ten Most Important Guitarists in Rock History" (Traffic magazine 1989), and to appear in the "Top 20 Guitarists of All Time" (Rolling Stone). Melody Maker (1972) described Powell and Turner as "the most interesting two guitar team since the days when Beck and Page graced The Yardbirds".

Formed in Torquay, Devon, in 1969, out of the ashes of trio The Empty Vessels (originally known as The Torinoes, later briefly being renamed Tanglewood in 1969), which had been formed by Wishbone Ash's founding member Martin Turner (bass & vocals) in 1963 and complemented by Steve Upton (drums and percussion) in 1966. The original Wishbone Ash line-up was completed by guitarists/vocalists Andy Powell and Ted Turner. In 1974, Ted Turner left the band, and was replaced by Laurie Wisefield. The band continued on with strong critical and commercial success until 1980.

Andy Powell

Andy Powell (born Andrew Powell, 19 February 1950, Stepney, London) is an English guitarist and songwriter, and best known as a founding member of Wishbone Ash. Alongside Wishbone Ash's other twin lead guitarist, Ted Turner, the pair were acknowledged as "Two of the Ten Most Important Guitarists in Rock History" (Traffic magazine 1989).

Early life and career

Although born in the East End of London, Powell grew up in the new town of Hemel Hempstead, some 25 miles (40 km) north-east of London. He first played guitar at the age of 11, inspired by rock and beat bands such as The Shadows. Powell, unable to muster funds to buy a brand-new guitar, made a Les Paul-style guitar himself, and began to play in London-based bands such as The Dekois and The Sugar Band.

Wishbone Ash

In 1969, Powell answered a Melody Maker classified in which Martin Turner and Steve Upton advertised for a guitar player. Being unable to choose between Powell and another applicant (Ted Turner), Wishbone Ash was formed with two lead guitarists. The band went on to find considerable worldwide success, being famed for their pioneering use of twin lead guitars – inspiring the likes of Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden and Metallica.

Wishbone

Wishbone commonly refers to the furcula, a y-shaped bone in birds and some other animals.

Wishbone may also refer to:

Ray Weston

Ray Weston is a Scottish drummer, most noted for his work with Wishbone Ash.

Early career

Weston began his drumming career studying with the legendary Scottish drummer George McGowan as well as London great Bob Armstrong, whose former students include such luminaries as Oasis's Alan White, and The Who's Zak Starkey (also the son of Ringo Starr from The Beatles). After performing in numerous Scottish bands, Ray moved to London in the 1980s, where he met Martin Turner. He quickly established himself as a session musician, performing in the studio with such artists as Del Shannon, Mick Jones, Andy Summers, Bill Wyman, Cliff Richard, Björk and Gavin Rossdale. Additionally, Ray Weston (on drums) toured with Ultravox keyboard player Billy Currie, under the name Ultravox, before Currie decided on the side-project Humania. In 1990 Weston once again met with Martin Turner who requested he replace Steve Upton in Wishbone Ash.

Wishbone Ash

Weston joined Wishbone Ash for the Strange Affair album and subsequent tour (of which the Live in Chicago album was made). On leaving in 1993, he continued work as a session player and joined the house bands for Viva Cabaret with Tom Jones, The Jack Dee Show, The Paul Merton Show and An Audience with... Freddie Starr. He rejoined Wishbone Ash in 1997, and recorded several albums with the band, including Bona Fide and Clan Destiny, before leaving once again in 2007.