Wishbone Ash performing rock tracks old and new at the Floral Pavilion Theatre on Saturday

Oct 24 2012 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

ONE of the most influential guitar bands in music history will perform in Wirral this weekend.

Formed in 1969, Wishbone Ash have more than 20 original studio recordings and live albums to their credit.

They are coming to the Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, on Saturday (October 27) as part of a UK and European tour celebrating the release of their album Elegant Stealth.

They say the 11 tracks represent a “benchmark in the evolution of Wishbone Ash”, with signature twin guitar-led melodies and a powerhouse rhythm section.

The critics have been kind to Elegant Stealth, with Keith Hannaleck, of MuzikReviews.com, calling it “one of their strongest studio releases in years”.

He added: “This band is like a fine wine that just keeps getting better with age.”

Mark Kadzielawa, of 69 Faces Of Rock, said: “The songs are catchy, very technical, but there is a soul in what Wishbone Ash is doing.”

Classic Rock Revisited ranked Elegant Stealth number 8 in its Top 40 New Releases of 2011 and writer Jeb Wright called it “one of the best albums in Wishbone Ash’s 42-year career.”

At the Floral, Andy Powell, Bob Skeat, Muddy Manninen and Joe Crabtree will be performing classics such as The King Will Come, Throw Down The Sword and Blowin’ Free, as well as tracks from their most recent albums.

Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden and Lynryd Skynryd have all cited Wishbone Ash as an influence on their style.

For more information, go to www.wishboneash.com

Standard adult tickets are £17.50 from the Floral Pavilion box office on 666 0000 or www.floralpavilion.com