JASON and the Argonauts from Greek mythology might not seem to have a direct link with 1970s British rock Wishbone Ash but they do.

The boat which Jason and the Argonauts sailed in to search for the golden fleece was called the Argo which was built by Argus.

And so we have our connection to Wishbone Ash as in 1972, they recorded what many fans and critics call their greatest album, you might have guest already, it was called Argus.

For any Wishbone Ash fans out there, you might want to keep the evening of May 5 free, as Martin and his band will be playing The Square and Compass in Ilminster.

This should be a treat for all Wishbone Ash fans as will this, an interview with the founder of the hard rock/blues rock and progressive rock band.

The group were formed in October 1969 by bass guitarist Martin Turner and drummer Steve Upton and between 1970 and 1976 produced some of classic albums including Argus in 1972.

The word classic or in Martin's case classical music formed his early interest in music.

As a young lad he used to sit and listen with his dad to a variety of classical music which for many youngsters in the 1950s was not the rock n roll thing to do.

As he said: "At the time I listened to Mozart with my dad which I realised later was something not too many kids did.

"I read years ago, a study in the USA said if young children listen to classical music is helps them develop and become more relaxed and confident.

"What classical music did for me was to teach me about mood and what type of music you wanted to listen too depending on the mood you were in.

"The 1970s were full on rock and roll, so when I first heard Abba I thought they were rubbish.

"But 10 years later when I had kids and the girls heard Abba on the radio they loved it.

"It was then I totally got it and now when I hear the songs you cannot help but sing along."

The other benefit to listening to classical music was Martin wrote songs by singing the tune and not committing anything to paper.

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This meant they were written as harmonies so when the sound was played on an electric guitar it gave it an new dimension.

He said: "It was pseudo-classical which at times did not seem very natural but when you played it on guitars it sounded like a guitar harmony and this gave Wishbone Ash its signature sound - all thanks to classical music."

Looking back at the early 1970s, it was as Martin said 'very crazy, sex, drugs and rock n roll'.

It was a period when the band was at its zenith but also a period when each of the members felt they had no control or say in what was happening.

Martin said: "It was difficult as our lives were mapped out a year to 18 months in advance.

"We felt like performing monkeys just playing and jumping through hoops.

"There was no time to rest, the diary was full of things to do and concerts to play.

"By 1974 we were all in desperate need of a break. It was at this time (1974) Ted Turner left the band, (to be replaced by Laurie Wisefield).

"I found it difficult to cope with getting in a plane every day and fly to a different city. My nerves could not take it and ended up taking prescription medication to calm me down so I could board the flight.

"This was not a natural way to live and for all of us it was mentally and physically hard."

Speaking about playing Argus live in its entirety, Martin said: "I was not great at writing hit singles as I was passionate bout the music. And what we all create with Argus was something which has longevity and has lasted.

"Some pop music people get sick of as it does not sustain where as Argus sounds as good today as it did in 1972."

- Tickets for Martin Turner’s The Beauty of Chaos tour at The Square and Compass in Ilminister cost £15.

They can be bought online at wegottickets.com or by credit/debit card by calling the pub on 01823480467