Tags
Classic Rock, Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull, Music, Progressive Rock, Rock&Roll, Self-Taught, The Flute
The hey-day for Jethro Tull would have to be the 1970s, though I always thought they got a lot more airplay after the classic rock stations began to form in the late 80s. They sort of peaked as an active band, and then peaked again with a trace of nostalgia a few years on down the road, not that they’ve ever stopped touring. It just seems that their biggest hits really took off a little after the fact.
Back in the early 80s when I was in high school, most of my classmates had no idea who these guys were. The only people that did know about Tull seemed to be the metal-heads, which was a little odd, because Jethro Tull was hardly a metal band. They had one album that could be called hard rock, and that was Aqualung, but the rest was hard to classify. Today folks tend to call it ‘prog rock’. In any event, for those that do know about them, Jethro Tull has always been known for one thing, the way that front man, Ian Anderson, played the flute. The flute is more than a little unusual for a rock band of any sub-genre. Oh sure, folks may add it to a tune here and there, but to have a band incorporate it as a standard instrument throughout their entire body of work. Well that was weird. The instrument absolutely defined the band. In any event, I’ve been a well-hooked fan ever since first hearing my older sister’s 8-track of Songs from the Wood.
…which is why I found this story to be so damned interesting. You see, in this interview (and a few others), Ian Anderson explains how he learned the proper fingering technique for playing the flute.
…in 1991.
And a little sample…
northierthanthou 
Give a listen to A Classic Case if you enjoy Jethro Tull. The first cut is “Locomotive Breath” and is just amazing.
I am thinking that I might actually own a couple of their original albums. After reading this, I will have to check.
The interview was fascinating! How he became a flautist for all the wrong reasons was a hoot! (Or a “toot”!?)
Always a good thing to get the impression, opinion and back story. Nicely done.
On somewhat of a roll on music this week, eyh Dan?
Nice to hear Ian Anderson talk about his flute playing. Very nice lyrics “The Whistler,” and straightforward compared with some which were fairly abstruse as I recall.
I think a lot of people were unfamiliar with Jethro Tull. And you could tell someone wasn’t much into music when you’d hear them say, “Yeah, I’ve heard of him.” Well, I’m no audiophile either, and came across some who truly were.
I saw them in concert, maybe 1976. I’m six or seven years older than you. They were more imaginative than many other bands of the time, so I wanted to see them perform, but never liked most of their sound, kind of annoying really. Preferred, and do, Moody Blues.
What is “prog rock?” Sounds like frog rock to me lol! And maybe sort of pretentious. A British phrase maybe?
Thanks for the education! I’d always thought he started playing as a child, classically trained, not self taught. Love the song! I played it in the background while listening to the interview. Pretty freaking cool!
As someone who played the flute as a kid, I found this really interesting. Thanks for sharing!
I grew up listening to JT thanks to my parents. There was a concert they played on TV that we recorded on our VCR (haha); I think it was called Slipstream. I loved that concert. One of the dudes played a see-through electric violin and I thought that was the coolest thing. Great music. Thanks for triggering the memory!
Jethro Tull…one of my all time favorite musicians, thanks for sharing. ~ Dave