Ian Anderson in the 70's

Ian Anderson, Jeffrey Hammond and John Evan (originally Evans) knew each other form grammar school in Blackpool (UK) and formed the John Evan Band (later the John Evan Smash) with 3 others in 1964. They played blues and Motown hits.

Johan Evan Band

In 1967 they changed the name of the band frequently with names like "Navy Blue", "Ian Henderson's Bag o' Nails" and "Candy Coloured Rain" but finally they used the name "Jethro Tull". Jethro Tull was the name of a 18th-century British agriculturist.

Anderson possessed a large overcoat, his father having given it to him with the words "You'd better take this. It's going to be a cold winter". This overcoat and the flute became part of his early stage imago. Ian Anderson is the only member of the band who was in all line-ups throughout the years.

Jethro Tull in 1971

At first the band did blues rock and jazz fusion and influences of rock, folk and even classical music. The frontman of the band is Ian Anderson who plays accoustic guitar, flute and also is the lead vocalist. They released their first album in 1968 titled "This Was" followed by "Stand Up" (1969) which reached the #1 position in the UK. Then another album titled "Benefit" was released in 1970. Then they moved into the progressive rock sound with "Aqualung" (1971), "Thick As A Brick" (1972) and "A Passion Play" (1973).

Jethro Tull in 1977

Then in 1977 they moved back to their folk roots with "Sons From The Wood" followed by "Heavy Horses"(1978) and "Stormwatch" (1979). The music at that time was inspired by English pagan folklore and countryside living.

This is my top 3 of albums from Jetho Tull:

  1. Songs From The Wood (1977)
  2. Thick As A Brick (1972)
  3. Aqualung (1971)
Orginal album cover

Songs From The Wood (1977)
Songs from the Wood / Jack-in-the-Green / Cup of Wonder / Hunting Girl / Ring Out, Solstice Bells / Velvet Green / The Whistler / Pibroch (Cap in Hand) /Fire at Midnight

Orginal album cover

Thick As A Brick (1972)
Thick as a Brick, Part I / Thick as a Brick, Part II

Orginal album cover

Aqualung (1971)
Aqualung / Cross-Eyed Mary / Cheap Day Return / Mother Goose / Wond'ring Aloud / Up to Me /
My God / Hymn 43 / Slipstream / Locomotive Breath / Wind-Up


Aqualung

My God
Thick As A Brick - live in 1977

Velvet Green

Hunting Girl