Keep calm and rock on as British greats Wishbone Ash make their way to South Africa this weekend. Over four days – Saturday and Sunday as well as July 15 and 18 – the rock band will treat fans to a South African leg of their Blue Horizon World Tour.
Starting with guitarist, vocalist and founding member, Alan Powell, the quartet is made up of rock veterans. They include bassist Bob Skeat as well as guitarist, Muddy Manninen and drummer Joe Crabtree. Together, they will perform the popular Live Dates album from the first to the last track.
The 1973 album is actually the group’s bestselling album. It was recorded while Wishbone Ash were on tour, a further testament to their commitment to the stage more than anything else. Around this time, Powell reportedly said: “We played all these old town halls in Britain in the 1970s and used the Rolling Stones mobile recording truck.
“These Victorian venues have great acoustics for rock and roll, so the sound to tape was overall really good and the audiences were extremely lively, adding to the atmosphere. We had the luxury of choosing between many takes of different songs in many different locations.”
Wishbone Ash were brought to life in 1969 and to date have released 24 albums, 10 live albums, a rockumentary called This is Wishbone Ash and four DVDs showcasing their live performance skills. And you can witness the kind of performance that has led them to put on not one, but four live offerings in Gauteng and the Western Cape.
The powerhouse group will also perform songs from their latest album, Blue Horizon, which was released last year. So be prepared for a riveting show from one of rock’s greatest groups this weekend.
• Catch Wishbone Ash at the Barnyard in Cresta, Joburg, on Saturday, at the Barnyard in Parkview, Pretoria, on Saturday, at the Barnyard in Rivonia, Joburg on Wednesday, July and the Barnyard in Willowbridge, Cape Town, on Saturday, July 18. Tickets cost R250 at www.barnyardtheatres.co.za.