A Brief
History
of the Band
  The band was formed in Blackpool, England, in 1967.
   Among the early members were:
Ian Anderson (vocals, flute, guitar)
Michael Stephens (guitar)
Jeffrey Hammond (bass)
John Evans (drums)

   The band had various names but Jethro Tull is the one that stuck, which has confused people from the beginning.  Many people think that Tull is a person and many think that person is Ian Anderson.   The historic Jethro Tull was actually a 17th century inventor of a seed drill.   
The first album released by the band was in 1968 and was titled "This Was".  At this time the band was made up of Anderson, Mick Abrahams on guitar and vocals, Glenn Cornick on bass, and Clive Bunker on drums.  The sound was on the bluesy side but unique, especially the flute of Anderson.  "A Song for Jeffrey", "Beggar's Farm", and "Dharma for One" were among the tracks.

   The next year
"Stand Up" was released with Martin Barre replacing Abrahams on guitar.  The sound was more the traditional Tull style with "A New Day Yesterday", "Look into the Sun", "Back to the Family", and "Fat Man" as some of the popular songs.

   In 1970
"Benefit" was released.  This album was much the same style as "Stand Up".  "Teacher" is probably the best known song from this album.  "With You There to Help Me", "Nothing to Say", and "For Michael Collins, Jeffrey, and Me" were other tracks.  John Evan (formerly Evans) was again a member of the group, this time on keyboards.

   The best selling Tull release ever came in 1971 with
"Aqualung".  The lyrics to the title track were written by Anderson's wife.  "Aqualung" and "Locomotive Breath " are among the best known Tull songs of all time.  Among other songs were "Cross Eyed Mary", "Up to Me", "My God", "Windup", and "Hymn 43".  Jeffrey Hammond (now known as Hammond-Hammond) replaced Cornick on bass. This album was hard driving and many of the songs made statements about society and its relationship to God and social misfits. This was the last studio recording with Clive Bunker on drums.

  
"Living in the Past" was released in 1972.  It was a combinateion of previously released and new material. 

   Barriemore Barlow was the new drummer.
"Thick as a Brick" (1972) and "Passion Play" (1973) were the next two albums.  Both of these releases featured a lengthy  song  with the former considered a classic by many. 

   In 1974 the group returned to a more traditional format with
"Warchild".  The popular tune "Bungle in the Jungle" was on this album.  "Queen and Country", "Sealion", and the title track "War Child" were some of the other songs.  It is classic rock.

  
"Minstrel in the Gallery" was released in 1975.  "Baker Street Muse", "Cold Wind to Valhalla", and "Minstrel in the Gallery" were on this album. 



  

  



  
Glenn Cornick
Clive Bunker
Mick Abrahams
John Evan
Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond
Martin Barre
Ian Anderson with the best known flute in rock and roll
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