Jethro Tull Information

Jethro Tull was formed in Luton, England, in 1967 when Ian Anderson and Glenn Cornick, members of a visiting Blackpool blues group, John Evan's Smash, became acquainted with Mick Abrahams and Clive Bunker , Abrahams' colleague in local attraction McGregor's Engine, completed the original line-up which made its debut in March the following year with 'Sunshine Day'. A residency at London's famed Marquee club and a sensational appearance at that summer's Sunbury Blues Festival confirmed a growing reputation, while 'Song For Jeffrey', the quartet's first release for the Island label, introduced a more representative sound. The group's approach was highly exciting, with Anderson's propulsive flute playing, modeled on jazzman Rahsaan Roland Kirk, particularly effective. The album reached the UK Top 10, largely on the strength of Tull's 63live reputation in which the singer played an ever-increasing role. When future Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi proved incompatible, Martin Barre joined Tull for Stand Up, their chart-topping second album. The group was then augmented by John Evan, the first of Anderson's Blackpool associates to be invited into the line-up. Benefit, the last blues-based album, duly followed and this period was also marked by the group's three UK Top 10 singles, 'Living In The Past', 'Sweet Dream' both 1969) and 'The Witch's Promise' (1970). Cornick then quit to form Wild Turkey and Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond, already a legend in Tull's lexicon through their debut single, 'Jeffrey Goes To Leicester Square' and 'For Michael Collins, Jeffrey And Me', was brought in for Aqualung. Clive Bunker, the last original member, bar Anderson, left in May 1971. He was replaced by Barriemore Barlow as Jethro Tull entered its most controversial period. Although Thick As A Brick topped the US chart and reached number 5 in the UK, critics began questioning Anderson's reliance on obtuse concepts. However, if muted for this release, the press reviled A Passion Play, damning it as pretentious, impenetrable and the product of an egotist. Anderson retorted by announcing an indefinite retirement, but continued success in America, where the album became Tull's second chart-topper, doubtless appeased his anger. War Child, a US number 2, failed to chart in the UK, although Minstrel In The Gallery proved more popular. Too Old To Rock 'N' Roll, Too Young To Die marked the departure of Hammond-Hammond in favor of John Glascock, formerly of the Gods, Toe Fat and Chicken Shack. Subsequent releases, Songs From The Wood and Heavy Horses, reflected a more pastoral sound as Anderson abandoned the gauche approach marking many of their predecessors. David Palmer, who orchestrated each Tull album, bar their debut, was added as a second keyboards player as the group embarked on another highly successful phase, culminating in November 1978 when a concert at New York's Madison Square Garden was simultaneously broadcast around the world by satellite. However, Glascock's premature death in 1979 during heart surgery ushered in a period of uncertainty, culminating in an solo album, retaining Barre and new bass player Dave Pegg and Marc Craney . Long-time cohorts Barlow, Evan and Palmer were left to pursue their individual paths. The finished product, A, was ultimately issued under the Jethro Tull banner and introduced a productive period that saw two more group selections, plus Anderson's solo effort, Walk Into Light, issued within a two-year period. Since then Jethro Tull have continued to record and perform live, albeit on a lesser scale, using a nucleus of Anderson, Barre and Pegg. Catfish Rising in 1991, although a disappointing album, was a return to their blues roots. Roots To Branches was a return to the standard Tull progressive rock album, full of complicated time changes, and fiddly new age and Arabian intros and codas. Squire Anderson has also become a renowned entrepreneur, owning tracts of land on the west coast of Scotland and the highly successful Strathaird Salmon processing plant.

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