Ted Turner (guitarist)
Ted Turner |
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David Alan "Ted" Turner (born 2 August 1950, Yardley, Birmingham) was a guitarist and vocalist with the 70s rock band, Wishbone Ash, in which he was famed for his twin lead guitar instrumental arrangements with Andy Powell. Turner also contributed lap steel guitar to a variety of Wishbone Ash recordings.
Career
Pre-Wishbone Ash
Prior to Wishbone Ash, Turner played with the Birmingham band "King Biscuit".
Wishbone Ash
Turner joined Wishbone Ash in 1969, leaving after their fifth album in 1974.
His main guitar during this period was a maple necked Fender Stratocaster. He also used a Gibson Les Paul and vintage lap steel guitars. Wishbone Ash also used the early Orange/Matamp amplifiers during this period.
In 1971 Ted was invited to play on John Lennon's "Imagine", on "Crippled Inside". Ted accepted the chance to record with John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
Post-Wishbone Ash
In the spring of 1974, Ted left Wishbone Ash and the music business to travel the world. By 1975 he had found his way to New Orleans and into the "World Man Band" project, an attempt to raise global consciousness through rock music based upon information from R. Buckminster Fuller. Later that same year, Turner moved to Los Angeles to record, write and produce music artists including as George Harrison, Billy Preston and Al Stewart.
In 1980, Turner returned to England and did studio work with Stewart Copeland, Gene October, and Brian James. The next year found him once again in the United States, where he married and formed a new band. Called "Choice", it featured Greg Cook (guitars, keyboards, and vocals), Robbie Hewlett (bass guitar) and Bobby Dean Wickland (drums). In 1982, Ted joined the re-formed "Badfinger" and toured the country with them.
From 1983 to 1985, Turner was involved in various recording projects with such artists as Brian Auger and Rod Stewart. In 1985 he moved to Chicago, recorded with various artistes including Sugar Blue.
Rejoining Wishbone Ash
In 1987 he rejoined Wishbone Ash and with them recorded "Nouveau Calls" for Miles Copeland's "No Speak" label. In the spring of 1988, the original Wishbone Ash toured England and Europe for the first time in 15 years, and in the fall of that year Turner and Andy Powell were invited to join Copeland's "Night of the Guitar" tour. That group included such guitar legends as Randy California, Peter Haycock, Steve Howe, Steve Hunter, Robbie Krieger, Leslie West, Alvin Lee and Jan Ackerman.
Later work
Turner continued to tour and record with Wishbone Ash until 1994, when he once again decided to depart. In that same year, he witnessed – and suffered – the loss of his son Kipp, who was killed by a drunk driver in Scottsdale, Arizona. He now has a daughter Sloane, who recently married her hand.
Recognition
During Turner's career with Wishbone Ash, he has played to three generations of fans all around the world. He has been voted one of Rolling Stone magazine's "Top Twenty Rock Guitarists of All Time", and named by Traffic magazine as "One of the most important guitarists in rock history".