Posted on 01/28/2022 6:30:00 PM PST by nickcarraway
Ian Anderson has a timely theory for the reason prog-rock — and his band Jethro Tull specifically — wasn't stopped by the rise of punk in the '70s.
“I think the punks thought that they were the triple vaccination that would rid the world forever of the horrible virus of prog rock,” he said in a recent interview with The Telegraph. “Unfortunately, like in the real world, the virus tends to bounce back in a slightly revived or even re-energized form.”
In a separate interview with The Guardian, Anderson noted that where other punk or rock bands were leaning into blues, he was seeking something more avant-garde. “I loved the blues, but for me, it was just a pragmatic way of opening the door because it wasn’t really what I wanted to do musically,” he said. “The signposts were the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and then Pink Floyd’s The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. I thought, 'I want to try to do something like that, something that’s eclectic.'”
In Anderson's view, some bands and their respective music-making strategies were too common for his liking, and Jethro Tull's unconventional approach, though it may have baffled listeners from time to time, was worth it in the long run. “Over all those years, Jethro Tull tried hard,” he said. “Some people might say we tried too hard, but it’s better to do that and fall on your face once in a while rather than sit comfortably backpedaling in order to keep on an even keel. I’d get restless if I did generic music like the [Rolling] Stones or even the Who, or the Ramones in the world of punk.”
Still, he hopes his reputation through the decades reflects sincere consideration and reverence for the process of making music. “I fully understand if people look at my meanderings over many years and think, ‘Oh, if you’re making lists of words, the ones that come to mind about Ian Anderson would be pompous, vain, arrogant and self-indulgent,'" he said. "But, hopefully, you might also think serious, studious, passionate and, above all, engaged.”
I’ve admired them and their music for years. I discovered their Christmas Album a couple of years ago. It’s the most innovative Christmas music I’ve heard in a long time. Outstanding!
“We’d like to thank Jethro Tull for not releasing an album this year.” Lars Ulrich
Ian Anderson remembering David Bowie:
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In 1974 I was asked by British folk group Steeleye Span to try to get David Bowie to play alto saxophone on a track I was producing for them. Somehow, although we didn’t know each other, I managed to get his phone number and he agreed to come to the session. In prompt and professional fashion he executed the desired solo lines and went on his way with the recorded words, “I’ll see you later.”
Many years later in 1997, I managed to push my way past minder heavies into his dressing room at a big German TV show we were both appearing on. I thanked him for playing on the Steeleye song and, more importantly, for serving as a role model to me in regard to offering the gift of music with no fee or royalty for performing on other artists’ records, something I have always done since.
He looked at me thoughtfully and said, “I’d forgotten about that. I suppose it’s too late to send in an invoice?” This while smiling a dazzling smile with his new and perfect teeth.
Punk did kill Prog via subsequent post-punk/new wave . I was a big Tull Fan from the first album through Heavy Horses but got bored with them and other self-indulgent “ prog “ and jazz fusion bands in the late 70’s . Never looked back .
Right now, I just keep playing “Rover” and crying.
Saw them once in Germany in ‘81 or ‘82 at a soccer stadium in Darmstadt at an all day concert, two stages, Tull, Foreigner, King Crimson, Blue Oyster Cult, Kansas, Molly Hatchet and some metal bands.
We missed Neil Young (last act) because we had to catch a train back to base.
Tull was the best in my opinion.
Loved and played many of his songs professionally. Locomotive Breath always wound the house up.
One of the few writers I could listen over and over and not burn out.
Thick as a Brick was my fav album. Sorry I don’t have the album jacket .... only the CD which I played several times about a month ago.
“Really don’t mind if I sit this one out”. Such a great opening line.
As a fellow child of the 60s I’m “Living in the Past” too
It’s always a sad day for me when a favorite band (especially a prog band) is finally abducted into the “Rock and Roll” “Hall of Fame.”
Real rock-n-roll is supposed to be irreverant, whatever the style, and the R&RHOF is a zoo full of de-fanged, de-clawed, and neutered acts.
It’s like the Pulitzer of Music.
Where is “prog rock” now?
Exactly..
Oh, if you’re making lists of words, the ones that come to mind about Ian Anderson would be pompous, vain, arrogant and self-indulgent,’” he said. “But, hopefully, you might also think serious, studious, passionate and, above all, engaged.”
Yup..pretty much so.
JT’s work was tremendous at times and sincere as hell. Hard driving like Locomotive Breath or a tender ballad like Black Satin Dancer. Bouree is a pleasant ear worm.
Need to dust off the albums...
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