Picture by Alan Fretten at Ashcon 2005
Kevin Chilcott
Luthier
ASHCON 2005
THE WISHBONE ASH 35th ANNIVERSARY
Venue: Mansfield Leisure Centre
Date: October 29th
2005
First of all, a huge thanks to Wishbone
Ash: Andy, Ray, Bob and Muddy.
This was a magnificent event arranged by
Dave Moore and Guy Roberts with the very able assistance of Andy Yates when
required ;0)
Behind them was a huge team of Crew who organised Security, Roadies, Staff on
the Door and on the Merch stalls, 'Taxi drivers' and guys making teas and
coffees etc. In fact there were numerous people who helped all through the day
with all aspects of the event and it couldn't have been achieved to the extent
and certainly not to the success it was if Wishbone Ash wasn't the incredible
community it is. This is the unique feature of this Amazing band now celebrating
35 years on the road.
Other guys to especially thank who made the
day it was are:
Aynsley Powell (Crewing for his Dad & the Band in general), Dan (from
France on the Desk), Sue (on the Merchandise), FD ("Beer and more Beer" ;0) who
was working tremendously hard behind the scenes, Nick de Jong, Rene Ten
Berg, and Harry (The Dutch Boys), Fred Renz, Dave Jenkins, also Bob Greaves and Alan Fretten
for their astounding pictures of the event we can treasure forever. We're
sorry we can't remember you all, but we'll catch up next year no doubt :0)
(Sling us a line to add you to the list please anybody involved)
The afternoon session ran from 12pm until
5pm and comprised of a stand
of the Wishbone Ash Merch, Talking Elephant Records CDs and Info, our Royale
Guitars stand... and that on all these stands folks could browse round and their
leisure, gaze, take pix and ask questions.
We feel very privileged to have been able to play a just small part in this
wonderful event.
During the session Wishbone Ash also did a 'Meet and Greet' in another part of
the venue for all the fans.
Afternoon Session
Royale Guitars Section
Picture by Alan Fretten at Ashcon
2005
Larissa & Lyn sorting out bits & bobs on the Merch stall
Display of Royal Guitars from 1981 to1989
Picture by Alan Fretten at Ashcon
2005
L to R:
'85 'SCS' 'TV' Junior, '87 Red Electra, '88 Pink Electra Bass, '89 Black Electra,
'88 Pink Electra and 1981 'DCS' 'TV' Junior
We managed to 'acquire' 15 guitars in all for the display
"Hands On"
Picture by Alan Fretten at Ashcon
2005
Kev doing a bit
of 'practical'
A couple more 'Hands On'
Picture by Alan Fretten at Ashcon
2005
Kev with Nick de Jong, who has got his hands on the 'Angel' V that Kev's making for him - although it's in bits!
Later Kev did a 'very brief seminar' on the
development of the electric guitar from 1948 to1967, then Andy joined him on
stage and they discussed various aspects of 'PC', the first guitar Kev made for him.
Andy then did a wonderful workshop section with several amateur guitar players
of varying ages and abilities, That was a really memorable experience for
everybody there.
Brilliant !
Soundcheck
Picture by Alan Fretton at Ashcon
2005
Muddy playing Kev's 1985 vintage Royal 'SCS' Junior during the sound-check
Evening Acoustic Set
In the evening, first there was the
Acoustic set Piped in by 'Pumpkin' fully attired in his wonderful full Scots
dress uniform and Bagpipes.
The Boys were joined on stage by Nick Parker from London on Accordion and Tony
DeMarco from New York on Violin.
It was great. An experience that confirmed in me that this Band is truly
multidimensional.
Pix to come - link below.
Just before the Electric
Set
Picture by Alan Fretten at Ashcon
2005
Andy's Royale Angel ('PC') alongside his Famous 1967 Gibson V that Kev has restored... with a backing of Matamps
Later, after a short break came the
Electric Set.
Wow !!!
Were do you start with the Superlatives!
Much later in the set there were some suddenly imposed time constraints by the venue which was very unfortunate!
Ted came onstage to join the Boys to a
rapturous round of applause and they finished the set with two numbers including
Jailbait.
Ted came on again with them for the encore and they and wound things up with a
brilliant rendition of 'Why Don't We'.
The unfortunate last minute change by the
Centre Management meant that the gig was cut short!
The Boys managed 32 songs by the end of the night we think, though they had
planned 35, but the Crowd were in raptures anyway.
The missed ones we believe were Living Proof and Phoenix in the set and Blowing
Free in the encore.
We would have loved to hear Muddy do Phoenix as we believe he would have been
spectacular.
This was a very special occasion indeed.
Best Gig we've even seen !!!
PHOTOGRAPHS
Alan Fretten (By Permission)
Below will be some more photos from the
afternoon session part of the day alongside those of the gigs in the evening.
The Pictures are supplied by, Alan Fretten,
Bob Greaves and Lyn Chilcott.
THE WISHBONE ASH INFORMATION SECTION