Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull and 58 years of one-legged live performance

2025-07-01

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Ian Anderson is touring again in 2026 and talks to us here about tweed stage-wear, an audience of four, his teenage heroes and the first shows he ever saw and played. There’s all sorts within, including … … playing his first gig to Catholic schoolgirls at the Holy Family Youth Club in Blackpool – “we emptied the room”. … queues round the block at the Marquee in 1968 – “the moment I knew we’d arrived.” … how Joe Cocker nicked his breakfast. … seeing Cliff at the ABC in Blackpool – “he was our Elvis.” … guitari...

… playing his first gig to Catholic schoolgirls at the Holy Family Youth Club in Blackpool – “we emptied the room”.

… queues round the block at the Marquee in 1968 – “the moment I knew we’d arrived.”

… how Joe Cocker nicked his breakfast.

… seeing Cliff at the ABC in Blackpool – “he was our Elvis.”

… guitarists who played “nicely”– Hank Marvin, Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Ritchie Blackmore. “Precise, accurate, they sang melodies.”

… the ceremonial christening of Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond.

… exotic clothes, stage names and parallels with Beefheart’s Magic Band.

… recording Feel Like Makin’ Love with the 90-year-old Engelbert Humperdinck.

… learning Guitar Tango by the Shadows - “not blues or rock and roll - progressive pop!”

… the fine art of dressing up: Jethro Tull in America – tweeds and deerstalkers v check shirts and denim.

… fund-raising shows for imperilled cathedrals.

… the allure of touring by train – “I’m Michael Portillo with a flute”.