Way back in 1968 on the 2nd of February when the Marquee Club was on Wardour Street a band with a penchant for rock, blues and something a little different stopped changing their name and first performed under one that stuck, Jethro Tull and later that year they would release an album titled This Was on the fledgling Island record label. Next year will mark the band’s 50th anniversary and April tour dates have been announced to commemorate the occasion – Some having sold out already!
“I am not usually a birthday or anniversary kind of guy but, just for once, I won’t be a party-pooper either!” said Jethro Tull’s lead singer and flautist Ian Anderson who will celebrate the band’s golden anniversary with eight UK concerts going out under the banner 50 Years of Jethro Tull as part of a worldwide tour.
“I treasure the memories of the earlier years of Jethro Tull repertoire, associated as it is with the adventures of visiting so many countries for the first time to connect with new fans around the world. And this is a celebration of all the 33 band members who graced our ranks – musicians who brought their talents, skills and styles to bear on the performances live and in the studio.” Anderson continued.
Jethro Tull would go on to release 30 studio and live albums, not only becoming one of the most successful and enduring bands of their era but one of the biggest selling progressive rock bands of all time encompassing folk, blues, classical and heavy rock in their repertoire with over 60 million albums sold worldwide.
The anniversary concerts will feature a broad mix of material, some of it focussing on the earlier formative period through to classic albums such as Aqualung and even more recent works such as Thick As A Brick 2 from 2012. “Join me and the current band for a nostalgic evening of varied music, representative of my ever-changing songwriting as our careers progressed through the years,” said Anderson who will be accompanied by “Tull band musicians” David Goodier (bass), John O’Hara (keyboards), Florian Opahle (guitar), Scott Hammond (drums) and surprise virtual guests.
50 Years of Jethro Tull April 2018 Tour Dates
Tuesday 3rd – Manchester O2 Apollo.
Thursday 5th – Newcastle City Hall.
Friday 6th – Edinburgh Usher Hall
Saturday 7th – Liverpool Auditorium.
Monday 9th – Bristol Colston Hall (SOLD OUT).
Tuesday 10th – Birmingham Symphony Hall (SOLD OUT).
Wednesday 11th – Cambridge Corn Exchange (SOLD OUT).
Tuesday 17th – London Royal Albert Hall (SOLD OUT).
Tickets are available from here and venue box offices.
