On This Day 20/10/1978 Wishbone Ash

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On this day, 20 October 1978, British rock band Wishbone Ash played Cardiff University on their No Smoke Without Fire Tour.

Formed in Torquay, Devon, in 1969, out of the ashes of the 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 and creative force Martin Turner (lead vocalist, and bass guitar) in 1963 and complemented by Steve Upton (drums and percussion) in 1966.

Wishbone Ash formed when Martin Turner and Steve Upton set up auditions for a guitarist and subsequently ended up with two guitarists because they couldn't decide between the two. So as a result, guitarists/vocalists Andy Powell and Ted Turner completed the original Wishbone Ash line-up. 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.

In 1978, after years of experimental albums, the band decided to return to its roots with No Smoke Without Fire, the first to be produced by Derek Lawrence since Argus in 1972. The album contained mainly songs written by Laurie Wisefield and Martin Turner. The album peaked at #43 in the UK album charts.