Jethro Tull (band)

Jethro Tull was a British rock band formed in Blackpool, Lancashire in 1967. The band started in the 1960s British blues scene but quickly developed a unique style of progressive rock. They mixed hard rock, English folk music, and classical music, and often changed their sound over the years. The band was founded and led by Ian Anderson, who was also the main composer, lead singer, and a skilled flute player.

After getting noticed in London clubs, Jethro Tull released their first album, This Was, in 1968. Their second album, Stand Up, became very popular in the UK. The album Aqualung in 1971 helped them become famous around the world. Later albums like Thick as a Brick showed their growing complexity and creativity. The band kept making music and touring through the 1970s and 1980s, trying out new styles like folk rock and electronic rock.

Jethro Tull sold about 60 million albums worldwide and won a Grammy Award for the album Crest of a Knave in 1987. They stopped recording new studio albums in the 2000s but continued to tour until they disbanded in 2011. Since 2017, Ian Anderson has used the Jethro Tull name again to make new music.

History

Jethro Tull was a British rock band formed in Blackpool in 1967. The band, led by its founder Ian Anderson, blended hard rock, English folk music, and classical music, creating a unique progressive rock sound. Over the years, the band underwent many stylistic changes and line-up shifts.

The group started by playing blues and quickly gained popularity. Anderson, known for his flute playing, became the main composer and vocalist. Early albums like This Was and Stand Up showed the band's evolving style, mixing blues with jazz and folk influences. As the band grew, they experimented with longer, concept-style albums such as Thick as a Brick and A Passion Play.

In the late 1970s, Jethro Tull explored folk rock with albums like Songs from the Wood and Heavy Horses. The 1980s brought a shift to electronic rock, seen in albums such as A and The Broadsword and the Beast. The band continued to evolve, incorporating world music influences in the 1990s with albums like Roots to Branches.

Throughout its history, Jethro Tull released many live albums and continued touring. In 2003, they released The Jethro Tull Christmas Album, a collection of traditional and original Christmas songs. The band officially disbanded in the early 2010s, but Anderson continued to perform and record under his own name. In recent years, Anderson has released new albums like The Zealot Gene, RökFlöte, and Curious Ruminant, continuing to explore new musical directions.

Legacy

Many famous musicians were inspired by Jethro Tull. Some of them are Steve Harris and Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden, Blackie Lawless from W.A.S.P., Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam, John Myung from Dream Theater, Marcus Siepen from Blind Guardian, Joe Bonamassa, and Jenny Conlee from the Decemberists. The band Rush also admired Jethro Tull. Their member Geddy Lee said he was a big fan of the band from a young age.

Even though Jethro Tull was very successful and influenced many other bands, they have never been added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band's leader, Ian Anderson, doesn’t think they should be included because he believes the Hall of Fame should focus on American music.

Members

Main article: List of Jethro Tull members

The band Jethro Tull has had many members over the years, but some of the current members include Ian Anderson, who sings and plays the flute, and David Goodier, who plays the bass guitar. Others in the band now are John O'Hara on keyboards and accordion, Scott Hammond on drums, and Jack Clark on guitar.

In the past, many other talented musicians have played with the band.

Discography

For a more comprehensive list, see Jethro Tull discography.

Studio albums