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Andy Powell

Andrew Powell (born 19 February 1950) is an English guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is a founding member and the only remaining original member of the rock band , renowned for their influential use of guitars. Born in , , Powell was inspired by the guitar-based music of and began playing at age 12. He formed in 1969 with bassist/vocalist , drummer Steve Upton, and guitarist . The band's debut album was released in 1970, and their signature harmonic guitar interplay became a hallmark of their sound. Powell has contributed as a primary songwriter and has managed the band since the . Over five decades, has released numerous studio and live albums, with Powell maintaining the group's touring schedule. As of 2025, the band is active on their "Wishlist Tour" across the and UK. Powell relocated to , , in the early 1980s and resides there with his wife. In 2014, he published his autobiography, Eyes Wide Open: True Tales of a Wishbone Ash Warrior.

Early years and influences

Early life

Andrew Powell, known as Andy Powell, was born on 23 August 1981 in , . Raised in a working-class environment in the town, he developed an early interest in , joining Rugby Club at age 10 where he initially played as a centre. Powell attended , a rugby powerhouse, where he began to hone his skills in the sport. By his late teens, he was playing semi-professionally for Llandovery RFC, earning £100 per week under coach Iestyn Thomas, who served as his first major mentor and advised him on advancing his career. At age 18 in 1999, Powell moved to as a development player, quickly progressing to the first team under the guidance of coach , a former Springboks head coach. This period marked his transition to professional rugby, though he briefly stepped away from the game in his early 20s before recommitting.

Rugby influences

Powell's early rugby inspirations stemmed from the physical, hard-running style of Welsh back-row players, with mentors like Iestyn Thomas at emphasizing discipline and skill development. At , played a pivotal role, building Powell's confidence and tactical awareness, crediting him for providing the opportunity to play senior at a young age. Through local clubs and school teams, Powell was exposed to the demanding Welsh culture, drawing from the grit of regional players and the motivational support of his family, particularly his mother, who encouraged his return to the after early setbacks. Later influences included coaches like , whose belief in Powell's physicality shaped his international breakthrough. These early experiences fostered Powell's self-reliant approach, prioritizing and over formal academies, which laid the groundwork for his versatile back-row career.

Career

Wishbone Ash

Andy Powell co-founded in October 1969 in alongside bassist , drummer Steve Upton, and guitarist , creating a pioneering lineup that emphasized innovative dual lead guitars for harmonized interplay. The band's formation stemmed from auditions organized by Turner and Upton, who sought a guitarist but ultimately recruited two—Powell and —due to their complementary styles, setting the stage for 's signature sound in the progressive rock scene. The group's breakthrough arrived with their third album, , released in April 1972, which peaked at No. 3 on the and stayed there for 20 weeks. Tracks like "Blowin' Free" exemplified the band's twin-guitar harmonies, blending acoustic introspection with electric drive to captivate audiences and cement their reputation for melodic, guitar-driven rock. Major lineup changes began post-1974, starting with Ted Turner's departure that year and his replacement by guitarist , who added a harder rock edge to the sound. This period of flux continued with Martin Turner's exit in 1980 after over a , initiating frequent bass player rotations, though Powell remained the sole constant member, steering the band through evolving incarnations. In 1975, following the releases of (1973) and There's the Rub (1974), relocated to the as tax exiles, basing themselves in to escape high taxes and pivot toward building a stronger fanbase. This move, which lasted until 1978 for the full band, allowed Powell to establish long-term roots in the while adapting their performances to resonate with stateside rock enthusiasts. Powell secured a significant legal victory in 2013 when a court upheld his ownership of the Wishbone Ash , ruling against former bassist Martin Turner's use of "Martin Turner's " for live performances and related branding. The decision, which included an and costs awarded to Powell exceeding £40,000, affirmed his role as the band's enduring leader. As of 2024, remains active on the road with their ongoing Wishlist Tour, which spans the , , and beyond into 2025, drawing in younger fans alongside longtime devotees through interactive setlist elements and high-energy shows. In 2015, Powell published his , Eyes Wide Open: True Tales of a Wishbone Ash Warrior, co-written with Colin Harper, offering an insider's chronicle of the band's formation, triumphs, and challenges from his perspective as founding guitarist.

Other projects and collaborations

Throughout his career, Andy Powell has contributed to various projects outside his primary work with , often in guest or collaborative capacities that highlighted his guitar expertise. In the early 1970s, he made notable appearances on two albums. On the 1973 release Ashes Are Burning, Powell provided the for the title track, adding a rock edge to the progressive ensemble's sound in exchange for keyboardist John Tout's contribution to Wishbone Ash's earlier that year. In the late 1980s, Powell participated in the ambitious Night of the Guitars tour and live recording, organized by , which brought together prominent guitarists for improvisational performances. Alongside former bandmate , he performed on tracks like "The King Will Come" and joined a supergroup ensemble for Bob Dylan's "," showcasing his harmonious twin-guitar interplay in a broader rock context. The resulting 1989 live album captured these collaborative jams, emphasizing Powell's role in high-profile, all-star events rather than leading endeavors. During the 1990s, Powell explored blues-oriented side projects, including uncredited sessions and a more formal collaboration with the American band . He served as lead guitarist and vocalist on their 1995 album Gonna Getcha, contributing to the horn-infused tracks recorded in Pleasant Valley, , which reflected his affinity for blues-rock roots. These efforts, along with occasional production roles—such as on the 1980 single "Just a Little Mod" by Terry Tonik and a 1983 Jeunesse single—underscored his supportive, behind-the-scenes involvement in emerging acts during that decade. Post-2000, Powell's external work continued through selective guest spots and jam sessions, maintaining a collaborative focus without pursuing full solo albums. In 2007, he delivered a guest solo on "Under the Black Sun" from The Bulletmonks' debut album, infusing the track with his signature melodic phrasing. Two years later, he joined the Pat McManus Band for three live performances in Ireland, where the guitarists traded leads on shared sets, drawing from their mutual rock heritage dating back to 1982. Additionally, Powell collaborated with his son Aynsley on the 2020 Wishbone Ash album Coat of Arms, where Aynsley co-wrote music and lyrics for multiple tracks, with Andy providing production guidance and guitar oversight in a familial crossover. These endeavors, including occasional tribute appearances, reinforced Powell's preference for ensemble contributions over independent ventures.

Personal life and legacy

Family and residence

Powell married Natasha Gascoine in May 2013. The couple separated briefly in early 2014 amid accusations of but reconciled later that year. They have two sons: , born on 1 January 2015, and a second son born in September 2018. Powell's parents were supportive during his , driving him to matches before he could drive himself. As of 2021, Powell and his family relocated to the area in , where his sons joined the junior section of Southwell . He continues to reside there with his family.

Recognition and later activities

Powell is remembered for his powerful, hard-running style as a number 8, earning 23 caps for and selection for the 2009 tour. His career included standout performances, such as being named Man of the Match on debut against in 2008 and a 26-tackle effort against at the . However, it was also marked by off-field controversies, notably his 2010 arrest for a golf buggy on the , which led to a 15-month driving ban. After retiring in 2016 due to a , Powell transitioned to coaching and mentoring. He served as at Southwell in starting in 2021. In 2023, he founded the AP8 Academy, which runs training camps for children aged 6–15, hosting events at clubs including Southwell and Whitchurch . He took on a coaching role at Whitchurch in in 2024 and was appointed at Long Buckby in in June 2025. Powell also engages in after-dinner speaking events, sharing stories from his playing career. In 2025, Powell came out of retirement at age 43 to play for the Legends in a two-match series against the Classic Wallabies in . He featured in both games but suffered a injury requiring .

Discography

Andy Powell has not released any musical albums or recordings. His media appearances primarily include -related podcasts and documentaries, such as the 2022 episode on The Rugby Pod and a 2020 documentary Andy Powell - Life After Rugby on RugbyPass.

References

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