I've seen a few. No one looks like they are having a good time. They seem to be just doing their jobs. Ian ought to find a reason to live and a meaning for his life outside of Jethro Tull and music. He seems to think he will just go on and on until he drops dead on stage. That seems really sad when you consider his family. I just noticed a while ago that Ian has a brother. The more I find out about the person the more the band loses in my eyes.

I have always felt that when the "band purge" happened after the "Stormwatch" album, I began listening and purchasing Jethro Tull music less and less and eventually stopped. I've viewed a video interview clip here on KZfaq with Martin Barre and he went into a bit about his split with Ian Anderson, saying "Ian talked and I listened" which, in my opinion, means that Anderson told Barre that he would not be part of any of Anderson's projects moving forward, including Jethro Tull. Barre also said that the Jethro Tull brand is "so diluted" today. Barre had to start from the ground up to start his own band. And he genuinely seems extremely happy now. Here's a link to the interview clip with Martin Barre: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fdOqd8SHnbKpYWw.html

My son and I saw Martin this last week end. What an amazing show. He did look happy and was very energetic. The musicianship was tops. My son was blown away. He knew nothing of what to expect. @@mistermac56

Couldn't agree more. We also saw this concert on 11/2. Very happy Ian Anderson is still singing, and making music but all those videos about the environment, new bleh songs, and very little Jethro Tull when they sold us tickets as Jethro Tull. Also you could hardly hear Anderson's microphone. Flute playing was wonderful. Polite clapping since we (the audience) was not sure how to respond to all the weird images on the large screens which seemed to have nothing to do with the music. Ian Anderson's ego is getting in the way.

I don't believe for one minute John Evans and Dee Palmer weren't responsible for much of their great music. Tull had not just songs, but musical pieces because of them. After them, they are just songs.

I don't now - it's time for Anderson to retire - voice is shot. Old age comes for us all.

You probably dont give a damn but does any of you know a trick to get back into an instagram account? I stupidly forgot the login password. I love any help you can give me!

@Leighton Marcellus i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and im trying it out atm. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

@Leighton Marcellus It worked and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thanks so much you really help me out!

@Brennan Shepherd glad I could help :D

Here.Here ! Absolutely agree.

Here-Here, I Absolutely agree!

I'm envious! Never got to see that era live due to not being born yet

"We shan't work together again."

@@sratus 😂

You're obviously not a guitarist.

@@theeouapolal7262 - And how would you know that, please tell.

@@D800Lover I surmise that if you WERE a guitarist, you might understand that Barre was much more than merely "important" to Tull. My "fuel pump" is "important" to my car. The whole engine block, well, that would be Martin Barre.

@@theeouapolal7262 - It seems to be that you are engaging in the sport of starting completely unnecessary arguments. Why?

@@D800Lover I agree that this argument is unnecessary... But since you asked "Why?" I'll tell you... The subject of "Jethro Tull" is common to many people... They've been around since my childhood, and I'm an old man now. So it's perfectly reasonable that people will react to comments over subjects that have affected them in their lives. Jethro Tull happens to have had an enormous impact on me. To me, what you said seemed to TRIVIALIZE the importance of Martin Barre's Role in Tull. I thought my previous two responses were adequate enough to express my reaction/objection to your screwy comment, without being "unnecessarily" rude. I gave my opinion with an analogy of using the word "important" to describe the weight of an artist's contribution who was CLEARLY more significant than you made him out to be... Let me remind you that you went FURTHER in a, THUS PUBLIC forum, to tell "us" (meaning everybody) that we should "never forget" YOUR PERCEPTION of Barre's role in Tull. Frankly, I thought that was JUST STUPID!! I didn't say that at first, I was trying to be "politically correct." But since you now, after telling all of us what we should and shouldn't do, AND... after prompting me to, "please tell,' now you tell me that my reaction to your nonsense is "unnecessary," so then, I'll take the latitude to be not so "politically correct," and respond in kind... I THOUGHT WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT ONE OF MY FAVORITE GUITARISTS WAS DEMEANING TO HIM AS AN ARTIST, AND I THOUGHT WHAT YOU SAID WAS IMBECILIC!! So now you have your answer as to "why"!!

permaveg I meant to express condolences for Glenn as he kind of hinted at it in the interview, spaced it in the moment, Ian's a legend indeed!

***** a legend and gentleman.as he talking about martin barre !!!

***** He did hint at Glenn's passing indeed, this is the 2nd bassist he's lost as the excellent John Glascock died in 79 aged just 28, admittedly Glenn had long since left Tull but John was still an active member, Ian has/had an incredible knack of selecting great musicians to bolster the Tull vibe since day 1, with him as the figurehead how could Tull fail really.

+Marc Vee Re: "No rock artist can sing the same way as when they were 20 or 30 years of age." Most singers lose their voices gradually. Ian Anderson lost his at a relatively young age and fairly abruptly. He's been very difficult to listen to for decades.

Although it had changed, his voice was OK for most of the 1990s, (at least in the studio) but it seemed increasingly to be a struggle when playing the older songs live. If Jethro Tull really are/were a band, as opposed to Ian Anderson and hired hands, then it would have made complete sense to take on a full time vocalist. I guess that isn't easy though, when you have written all of the songs, and have an ego and are used to being the frontman!

In the studio, he still sounds better than most rock singers. I advocate more studio albums and less touring since 30 years, but no one listens to me. ;-)

Marc Vee I saw Bad Company last year and Paul still has a fantastic voice.

@@wickedcoolname5756 I hear that Queen used him as a vocalist for awhile (of course after Freddy's death). For touring I believe, and more recently, he must have a voice.

moonlitme i

Ian is obviously trying to avoid giving an honest answer as to why he ditched Martin, so he tries to appear as if he's taking the high road...over a situation in which he himself is the aggressor. Don't get me wrong I am a huge fan of Ian's work over the years, but he comes off looking like a huge dickhead in this thing with Martin. Ian trying to pass off his personal backing band as "Jethro Tull" is the icing on the cake.

This video aged badly, didn't it :/

@@dready8192 Why do you think so🤔?

@@YouBetterYouBet Still today Ian hasn't brought back Martin and just made another fake Jethro Full album with his hired statist "band" members. Martin was asked about why he got sacked and just said to ask Ian. Ian or both are hiding something.

thank you!

Agreed

I still have my dad's vinyl copy of this album. Apparently it was played quite a bit while I was still in the oven along with great music of circa 1972. Vinyl has its own compression as does the tape it was recorded on. Some old albums like Dark Side and Moving Pictures sound best on vinyl. Drums often sound shite on digital.

I honestly don't get the appeal of vinyl. It was a revelation the day I got my first CD player... I couldn't believe how good it sounded, and I've never looked back. Vinyl just sounds awful to me.

I've gotten over the vinyl thing . To me , now , it's the performance of the music that's important . I have a good turntable , but there is just so much convenience on line and with CDs .

To my ears, the first CDs in the first CD players did not sound better than vinyl, but the price of a CD was twice the price of a vinyl record, despite the production costs of CDs being LOWER - a rip-off of bizarre proportions. That's why I bought music on vinyl as long as possible, and was quite angry for a long time that people accepted the prices of CDs.

Stormwatch153 I agree that that lineup was spectacular, Barriemore Barlow's drum work especially during that era was just jaw-dropping, sadly, I've only experienced said lineup secondhand through video footage and whatnot as I was not born when they were touring...:(

***** We have a bit similar problem, I was already born at that times, but what does baby know about Jethro?!!?!?

Stormwatch153 That'd have to be one hip baby...

So This Was, Stand Up, Benefit, and Aqualung weren't Jethro Tull albums?

I was fortunate enough to have attended more than 50 Tull shows. The first being the TAAB tour. I attended my last Tull show a few years ago. The Tull you see now is NOT the real Jethro Tull. And now, with Martin Barre gone, what you see is Anderson and a bunch of side men. TAAB2 was an embarrassment.

And a general prick to his band mates.

Keil Auditorium was what it was called, no?

Herbert Wells Yep he would make a great politician dude

van doosel I bet he would at that--and I'd probably vote for him, but if I ever worked for him I'd diversify my stock, so to speak.

+Herbert Wells Martin expelled? What's your inside info on that? Not saying it didn't happen (I have no idea), but I find it hard to believe his departure would be Ian's wish.

+MrSnappy67 Look for an article in Goldmine Magazine called "Jethro Guitarist Martin Barre Takes High Road on TAAB2 Rift". (If Barre's departure weren't Anderson's "wish", it would have to be Barre's "wish", wouldn't it? I mean, those pretty much exhaust the possibilities, don't they? Surprising either way, but the article leaves no doubt that Anderson was the agent.)

+Herbert Wells Thanks for the magazine info, would like to read that article. Exactly, I'd have much more expected it to be Martin's wish than Ian's. But as I said, I wouldn't know the details of their relationship and it wouldn't be the first time Ian expelled a valuable bandmate.

It's like your employer justifying firing you in order for you to "find a better" job".

Yes I think Martin said on KZfaq about it that "Ian spoke and I listened", apparently the reference to sending him things in the post is a highlight of the "troubles", as Ian wanted him to adopt the digital technology for arranging dates and times for tours etc. and Martin didn't want to adopt so Ian still had to send him snail mail or whatever, so Ian was making that point about the post because obviously Martin can't do his own tours without changing somewhat at that point. People have fallen out over less and it has happened to many groups, I'm not sure if they are friends but work colleagues, there is a big difference!?!

It's interesting that the newer technology of email vs. a necessity to send snail mail would have been a contributing factor for Ian to have Martin leave the band. To be honest, it sounds almost like an excuse for a ruler who replaces his officers every so often to ensure the monarchy and one-person rule. Don't get me wrong- I love the band and especially Ian, but to me, replacing underlings is a way of ensuring unchallenged reign.

@@stuarthecht8196 No one can challenge Ian; there could be no Jethro Tull without him. But to ditch Martin, who has been a massive, defining part of Tull's sound over the decades, astounds me. Martin's playing has always been excellent as opposed to Ian's voice. Perhaps Martin is better out of it. As I think you mean , Ian Anderson IS Jethro Tull and all band members are expendable commodities.

@666msg666 for sure- it didn't start that way, but it probably changed quickly- that's likely why Mick Abrahams left the group right after the debut album. Regardless, I do agree with you that Ian IS Jethro Tull!!

dadadruma That's awesome re: Brian May! Tull was the first band I ever got into, goes all the way back to 1st grade for me, so it was pretty humbling and even a bit intimidating to talk to him...There's tons I'd like to ask the guy so hopefully I get another go at it next year!...Thank you very much for those incredibly kind words, I just try to create stuff I think is cool and hope it keeps moving forward !! :)

+OU8121ST Fair point, though I do miss Martin, I would like to catch his new band though, and they play smaller rock clubs which is pretty cool

Martin i miss him ive been lucky enough to see them in the 70s 80s 90s and 2000s

What a mindless comment! It's never over, Anderson's music will live many years after he's gone and many years after your do-nothing critical ass is forgotten on this earth. Shut up please!

+wind0less With all due respect perhaps it hasn't yet been mentioned because it isn't true...All of my references were from Homo Erraticus, in particular the track Puer Ferox Adventus

I saw that show twice and found it quite good on both occasions. "2" is an excellent album of fresh, new, original music. If 40 years ago one could have projected how Tull might sound if they made it into the new millennium, I think this is it - - and that is a good thing! Being skeptical initially upon hearing of it's release, I was pleasantly surprised upon my first listen and remain very pleased with the music on Thick as a Brick 2. It is "modern Tull" and yet very approachable. I enjoy it mixed in with my other rock/pop/folk music, both new and old, and am often asked about it with positive curiosity.

Ian is a Scot.

@@stevejones8660 I forgot for a moment that Scots don't like to be lumped in with Englishmen, but to Americans you're all just folk from the same quaint, fabled island.

@@TheShinedownfan21 You mean the land of elves and fairies?

@@AJ-tp9bk And Robin Hood and King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

+Fluteristic Fair point

***** I imagine its a good paying job being a band member as well. A jETHRO Tull band member probably gets a better dental plan than what I now have. And congrats on scoring a very knowledgeable and intelligent interviewee. Ian introduced the Flute as a singular voice in rock music. As a flute player, it was the Roland Kirk tune he did on the first album that inspired me to play. That, and the stand-out Traffic album Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys--I will be eternally grateful for these influences in my life playing music.

"however, in being inured to playing a majority of someone elses' compositions" This might be true if Martin's new band wasn't playing 95% Tull songs. And a really terrible rendition of Elenor Rigby!

Thanks for the update. i lost interest with Passion Play and found rock bands of the 80's and 90's very derivative. Jazz Fusion really captured my ear as I developed my jazz chops on flute listening to Hubert Laws, Paul Horn, Tim Weisberg a little, impressed with Joe Farrell, but by and large Ian introduced the Flute to Popular rock as a dominant voice. I t was a major breakthrough and hasn't been equaled by another band . The post-bop sound of Lee Morgan became my favorite styling, so I learned all his runs on flute. Harry good to hear someone out there to engage and stimulate the dialogue. I found myself last Sunday spontaneously playing Brain Salad Surgery after years past, only to learn Keith Emerson has passed away shortly after. They were the best LIVE act of all their contemporaries.

@@huggysshit I love Martin Barre and his part in Jethro Tull ... but he is just does not have the creative talent that Ian did. I an seems to be lost and not really knowing what he is doing when not being Jethro Tull. He is trying to expand Ian Anderson to include Jethro Tull, but it just seems like he is lost without going around being the boss, hiring, firing and telling everyone else what to do and insulting them. I am used to be my rock musical hero ... if I ever had such a thing, but the more I hear him the more of a jerk I think he is.

If Ian Anderson is 99% Jethro Tull , why the current band sound completely different to the last lineup which ended in 2011 , the current band is nothing special , why Ian Anderson doesn’t give the current band the same majesty he did from the 70s to 2000s , you know why , because the lack of the old members . The Ian Anderson ego killed him musically .

When I look at the many albums Martin has done, and I have bought I think all of them, I don't think a single one of them is as good as the worst Jethro Tul album. He is just not that great a composer or lyricist. He is a great player, and I think he seems to be able to improvise somewhat, but he also is very shy and cannot face that crowds well. i think most of the guitar parts in Jethro Tull were written by Ian, and Ian on the one hand is kind of an ass, but i think he is too nice to say that he did basically everything in jethro Tull. That probably puts him in a tough position, but so what, oh, to have such problems.

@@justgivemethetruth That’s what you think , but don’t have proofs , if this were true why the new guitarists Don’t play the guitar as Martin Barre , if Ian wrote all the guitar melodies then the new guitarist should play better than Martin, you are completely wrong , The old members have done very very too much contributions to the music of Jethro Tull . You don’t appreciate any of the old members . To me this new Ian Anderson band is too too far away at least from the band ended in 2011.

joeschultz2 Yeah, that's true...I was actually kind of hoping he would've went into a little bit more on Martin, I was tempted to pry a bit further but I realized he's likely said as much as he's willing to say on it, plus I only had so much time.

***** There's little sense arguing with him, from the interviews I've seen with him on KZfaq he has definite ideas of what he's going to say and that's it. I'm willing to take his word about Martin Barre, he's been with the band since what-1969? My guess is that over the course of years Barre has written songs and made suggestions some of which have not made the final cut, and the time is coming when these guys are going to be too old to go on tour. Maybe Barre decided to form his own band and do it his way before it becomes time to call it quits.

@@joeschultz2 That's not the way Martin remembers it...

@@RonPlacone Really good interview.

Shaun Kelly As much as I have enjoyed Martin's playing over the years I think even if it's just Ian it's still JT. I saw some clips of Martin's new project and have not been very impressed. They substitute sax and other instruments for the flute parts, and the front-man just doesn't do it for me.

***** Anderson's solo tour didn't do it either Ron! I saw Martin Barre's band last year - it's enjoyable, but it's not Tull, I could say the same thing for Anderson's solo shows. In fact over recent tours the musicality of the band (and Martin's playing) has compensated for the fact that unfortunately Ian can't sing any more.

Shaun Kelly No doubt Ian can't do what he used to vocally, not even close. I enjoyed IA solo stuff more than Martin's new project but I'm basing this off clips I've watched as I haven't seen either live. Last time I saw JT Martin was still in the fold and I enjoyed it very much! Even though I didn't enjoy the frontman nor did I enjoy the flute substitutions, if Martin's project came to the states I would probably go see it just to see him in such an intimate setting (I'm assuming they'd probably play 500-1,000 seater in the states). I don't know if that's in the cards for them though...where'd you see them?

***** I saw them in a small hall in a little town in Devon, UK called Budleigh Salterton. It was a really enjoyable, intimate evening.

Ron Placone I just got to see Martin Barre Band live in Orlando FL at The Plaza Live. They were phenomenal!!! Their music was really great and the way they play the Jethro Tull material is nothing short of fantastic!!! I highly recommend seeing them live. Martin's rapport with the audience is fantastic and the intimate setting can't be beat. After the show they come out and talk with fans and sign autographs as well. Go see them, you won't be disappointed.

Not my intention, at the time there were conflicting stories so I thought 'departure' was the most neutral way to put it. If you get a chance I hope you'll check my interview with Martin, he gives his side of it.

Branimir9000 Thank you sir! Yeah, Ian's voice ain't holding up to great these days, he still wails on the flute though

Branimir9000 Maybe if Ian hadn't smoked so much all these years, his voice would have been better preserved.

+Ron Placone I wish my voice had held up a good as Ian's and I'm about 10 years younger than he is. His voice still sounds pretty good on Homo Erraticus. Regarding Martin Barre, it sounds like Ian doesn't want to work with him any more, but he doesn't want to say that he doesn't want to work with him any more. That's not earth shaking news. We have their great work from the mid-70s. Lately it seems like Ian is stuck in Minstrel In The Gallery musically so Martin's rock guitar isn't going to shine much anyway.

+mousehitscat The throat problems he had in the late 90's had more to do with it then anything else.

@@TheSteveGainesRockBand Ian has always had a good feeling for phrasing and vocalizing on albums, but live I think all his concerts have not been very good, the first one I saw being 1973 Passion Play. He's always had a nasally twang to his voice that he does not on the albums. Ryan should have taken over, but I think he does not like working with Ian ... because Ian doesn't give him anything to do. On one of the announcement videos Ian made he just insulted Ryan horribly pretending it was a joke. The guy sounds like such an asshole.

He has history.. The way he treated John Glascock. But he has also given us some beautiful and unique music, which I'll be listening to as long as I have breath in my body.

@@neilandfi Yes, and before that his expulsion of Glenn Cornick, which Cornick claimed never to have been given a reason for. As well as informing both John Evan and David Palmer through mail that they were dismissed. Ian has a long history of ditching band members in dubious ways.

@@arkanoiddude I have all the dubious feelings you do about Ian, but to run a band like this,, to work with temperamental artists, to manage, book and get everything together, which is what Ian did very early on in the band, I think he had to develop his own manner of doing things. I learn every day about the mistakes I have made in losing my temper with someone I care about that I work with, and how when you do it or say it just once you cannot fix certain things. I'd have to say Ian deserves a little consideration. The stories on these events are also not vetted either. Ian says that management fired the old Tull lineup. If I had to come to some judgement on Ian I'd say from what I have heard he is basically fair. We have no idea what was going on with Tull and Ian at the time and why Ian wanted to get away from Tull. That persona for him might have been pretty hindering, but it was also something for him to hide behind. I'd say the guy is a psychological study. It is odd that for a guy who hates hippies and the counter-culture that Ian chose the work he did. I wonder if there is some real art, somewhere that shows how and who he really is.

@@justgivemethetruth I understand that it's Ian's right to work with whomever he wants to work with...just that in the case of many band members (Glenn Cornick, John Evan, David Palmer, Martin Barre and Doane Perry), they have found out about their firings from second-hand sources. Ian seems to be kind of cowardly when it comes to telling people he doesn't want to work with them anymore.

@@arkanoiddude Due to his ego , Ian Anderson crated a bad band , nothing to see with the old members. This Ian Anderson band not to be a good band musically . Jethro Tull over in 2011 .

Yup, that's me, I'm a Producer/Writer for TJDS, and I still do this show (IB + my own YT clips) once a week :)

I don't think they did either, I miss Martin but am interested in seeing his new project

@@RonPlacone Martin's stuff has never really met the mark. Now Ian's stuff is worse for his constant micromanagement and heavy-handedness.

"From What I heard". Do you believe everything you hear ? I'd resist the impulse to do that, friend.

+Larry Gilliam Thanks for checking it out!

Frederic Sallecroix Oui, (sorry only French I know), let me try to get that for you, KZfaq has something that does that now.

***** Merci Ron,la barriere de la langue...

Always and more than a bit.

Ian is like an old schoolmaster who kicks kids out of class for misbehaving, it all began with Mick Abraham's.

Jethro autocorrect

You're an idiot

1st 3 albums had just as much input from Glenn Cornick. In fact, he arranged most of the songs. JT's best period, too.

@UC2dBdizurytiJmW_NpTmwFg Do you understand what arranging is?

Jettison Dull

Awhile ago, yes.

@@RonPlacone That's an awesome interview! One of the greatest minds in music and he still seems quite sharp.

Paul Parks ...yes ...he can be a pompus ass...

You think???

Ha-Nothing is Easy

+Walter Peretiatko His music an direction changed after he married Shona Learoyd who I saw in concert with Ian in Long Beach Ca in 1976 or 77 . Which was the first time I had seen Tull. I just remember him fading off an wondering why he wasn't making any music. But then also things changed musically in the 80's. I thought Ian quite the entertainer an such the character on stage. All things must change an the Ian we all loved is gone

+sheriwhispers Yes, things did change in the 80's and I don't think Ian would have attempted New Wave music as, for example, the prog rock band Renaissance had done. Oh yes he's very entertaining, almost like the Ring Master of a circus. And married life can do things to you too!

justgivemethetruth I didn't get into TAAB2, but I'm actually really impressed by the new album. The music is solid and works within Ian's current vocal range and lyrically it has the depth and narrative that's made me a life-long Tull fan in the first place...I see what you're saying about things being less introspective post-Aqualung though...

TAAB 2 is way way better than Homo Erraticus. Ian isn't afraid to write about his own emotions. How about "Hand of Thumbs" from Rupi's Dance? Or "Lost in Crowds" from the same album? I can think of tons more that Ian has directly said are commentaries on aspects of his life and/or his emotions.

Richard Little ... do I hear a hint that you have a brain ... impossible to really tell given your many other posts. Keep it up, maybe some day someone will take you seriously. Probably not me though.

justgivemethetruth Must you be insulting? It sours what is otherwise a civil debate!

No, on occasion, yes, I must be insulting. Rich Little has been dogging my posts on all the Tull boards. That one post was a uncharacteristically civil one but I'm tired of it.

WHO cares about R&R hall of Fame, that is a total sham anyway.

@@dropdtune9199 True. if Stevie NIck(ers) can be inducted twice then that says it all.

Barre didn't leave, Ian told him that he wanted to end Jethro Tull and go solo.

Ian is just egomania. The Homo Erraticus album is so thin and the same musically, and the lyrics are full of latin and brand names. From being quirking and interesting to just sounding pathological now IA/JT is just not worth listening to anymore. I only do it out of habit because as a kid I took a liking to this music.

Ive always felt Anderson was a very average vocalist at his peak,who relied on great musicians surrounding to create the sucess. His vocal abilities now are non existent whilst Martins playing just gets better every year. Maybe you thought he was ok but players like Steve Vai,Gary Moore,Joe Satriani,Mark Knoppfler thought very different to you doh!!! The true Tull band were a million miles away from Andersons tribute band who are incredibly weak in comparison,it doesnt even resemble what Tull was about with a bunch of lame money grabbing session musicians.

+van doosel I lean more toward your perspective, van. What always marked (classic) Tull was the combination of musicianship & colorful personalities (Martin's "quiet one" persona notwithstanding). Dave Pegg fit that bill, too, certainly, and I enjoyed some much-cherished Tull concert moments in the 80's & early 90's...but, really, after the Evan/Barlow departures, they were never really a fully cohesive band again. Even if by Pegg's own report their relationships with Ian had decayed dreadfully even by the time he joined.

van doosel Far be it from me to argue for the virtues of Ian Anderson as a top vocalist. His talents were clearly in songwriting, composition, and performing - and not a bad multi-instrumentalist either. If one based their opinion of a band's level of quality on thge lead's vocals, you would have to omit MOST of the biggest acts of the 60's, 70's and into the present day. I mean, come on: Joe Cocker? Dave Matthews?(!) Bruce Springsteen? Not exactly The Three Tenors! Their voices are what their bodies came with. Their brain work and talent for writing and performing are what MADE them. I guess my point was (and remains) Ian Anderson MADE Tull, but I will agree their excellent sound in the first decade or so had an awful lot to do with the early/original "supporting actors" who were all quite talented - Barre included of course. But give credit where credit is due: Whether you love him, hate him, or find yourself somewhere in-between for whatever reasons, if there was no IA there would never have been a Tull - or even a band who played similar music in a similar style. The songs are ALL Anderson - and yes I know, there are a scant few exceptions and some of the band had a hand in a song or two, but be honest here, they wouldn't have even had the opportunity to present the non-Anderson material to a wide audience were it not for the seemingly endless tunes and pieces of poetry and prose that flowed from Anderson's mind... In a Beatles-esque way (with Anderson in the role of Lennon AND McCartney), its a shame the one big talent that propelled Tull to success seems to have been also the reason for the waning of this fantastic group's fame. On that tho... Tull keeps on ticking. HOw many bands start in 1960-something and are still making new music and touring FIFTY years later? The Beatles called it a day and lived on massive royalties and a few so-so songs here and there forever. Hand one to IA for keeping the Tull brand alive and well. After all, and at the end of the day, Ian IS Jethro Tull.

Ian certainly is, but ironically he seemed even stronger when surrounded by personalities whose names were known (and, of course, musical chops unquestioned). He was always the leader, but part of his stage magic came from being able to show off the likes of Clive Bunker, John Evan, Barriemore Barlow, and Martin. Not that anyone who can play with Jethro Tull could possibly be a slouch, but when the other players had higher stature in the band, it made Ian's position even more grandiose.

Hard to disagree. MIchael Jordan certainly had some amazing "supporting actors" in his rise to greatness in basketball and wouldn't have been as much the star without them, even tho yes, he still would have been great. We all do better when surrounded by those who compliment our talents. ...And to anyone who cares :) I did not mean to disparage Mr. Barre. I just feel sometimes Mr. Anderson gets railed on a little too hard and thus discredited b/c of "music business" decisions and such. As for the product, the art with which we as consumers are most concerned and focussed, I think IA deserves any and all credit (along with band members IN THE HONEST CONTEXT OF THEIR ROLES IN THE BAND) associated with Jethro Tull. Could he have done it without them? Who knows! It was, after all, The John Evan band at first, but clearly Ian somehow ended up in the lead role and brought the boys to great fame and fortune with composition, songwriting, and just as importantly (arguably), a memorable stage presence. Its unfortunate that the early members present during their greatest times are as bitter as they are depicted in the press. I mean, do any of them realize their wealth and success are owed in part if not entirely to Mr. Anderson? Would Martin, Evan, or Barlow have gone where Tull took them were it not for Anderson? As much as they act like prima donnas that could've been famous and wealthy without anyone else's help, I think they need to own up to the truth here and not behave like spoiled children. I can't help but think if they had gone from John Evan Band to The Ian Anderson Band (much like the Dave Matthews Band who has amazing talent in its members, but Dave composes and writes and sings), past Tull members might be singing a different tune?? Hey guys, dare I call you brothers given Tull fans are indeed a different "breed", they were a great group and have provided lifelong memories and tunes for us all. For that I will always be grateful.

+ Maximus Tull Respeto todas las opiniones y si me permites creo que deberias retirar la segunda palabra de tu seudonimo. Un Salido.

"Hasn't been able to write"; you surely must be joking, or maybe you closed your ears off after 'Minstrel'. His voice certainly changed in the 1980s, and deteriorated through the 1990s (especially live), but he has written some of his finest songs (and some of the most beautful in rock music) over the last four decades. Songs such as 'Weathercock' and 'Moths' (1978), 'Flying Dutchman' and 'Dun Ringill' (1979), 'Budapest' (1987) and 'At Last, Forever' (1995) to name just a few.

Songs from the Wood and Heavy Horses both came after minstrel, what the hell are you talking about ? both excellent albums before a change of direction with Eddie Jobson joined after stormwatch

@@kevinsmith-ee7ne Agree, Songs from the Wood and Heavy Horses were excellent, and Stormwatch was mostly good, then John G died, Barlow quit, Ian fired John E and David Palmer. Ian made that crap A album with Eddie Jobson (who I can't stand at all), they briefly returned to form with Broadsword and the Beast, and then resumed sucking.

What an opinion. I've listened to Jethro Tull since"Stand-Up" came out (1968?) The 1st time I heard Martin Barre's guitar sound and playing, I rate him along side Hendrix.Just an opinion.

@@stevemast5321 Martin is technically very good, but we do not know what or how much of anything that he played came from Ian. Ian is a complete micromanager. It's just in his blood, a perfectionist, at least how he sees it. But Martin is not a good composer. He is not a good band manager, booker, marketer, etc, all the things that Ian can do and that kept Tull going for decades. Martin is not a good MC or stage presence, and he cannot write lyrics. Still, he rose to be one of the finest most famous rock guitarists in the world. That is certainly something, and standing next to Ian such a figure, it must be frustrating, but I don't think Martin cares about that.

@@justgivemethetruth Maybe some truth in that, but Ian always manages to make him sound like the hired help. His 'turned up for work' comment demonstrated that. Personally, I think IA, for all his huge talent and stage presence, come across as boorish and arrogant, much to his discredit.

@@woofiedog7452 > IA, for all his huge talent and stage presence, come across as boorish and arrogant, much to his discredit. Yeah, exactly, I have to agree with that. It really detracts from from my enjoyment of Jethro Tull music and Ian's own band's music too. His attacks on other musicians, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Led Zepellin, etc. One wonders what is going on with the guy. I've never particularly enjoyed his stage presence that he is supposedly so expert at, especially the wanking his flute or sexually assaulting other band members with it. Like a major inferiority complex. He must be a weird person to work with, and yes, despite his huge musical talent.