Richard Ashcroft England". However, the pressures of touring and the tensions within the band led to McCabe's departure in mid-1998 and the announcement of the band's break-up in April 1999. In early 2007, Ashcroft made peace with McCabe and Jones and The Verve's reunion was announced in June. The band played gigs later that year and continued touring in 2008, headlining at several festivals around the world. A new album, "Forth", was released in August. In August 2008, The Verve broke up for the third time, though it was not announced until the following year. Ashcroft's first solo single, "A Song for
Johnny Ashcroft of an airline sick-bag. It became the Salvation Army’s 1975 Red Shield Appeal Song. The ‘Sallys’ then became widely known as the ‘Salvos’. It's probable no other Australian country artist appeared on Top 40 Charts as frequently as Ashcroft. Ashcroft also wrote Australia's first female trucking song, "My Home-Coming Trucker’s Coming Home", recorded by Gay Kayler. It became a country hit, which was also programmed into general airplay. His 1978 "And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" LP, included a faithful cover-reproduction of Fredrick McCubbin’s 1889 painting, "Down On His Luck". In another departure from modern country music, Ashcroft appeared on