Personalities | Jethro Tull | Sixties | Rock

(Vocal/instrumental group, 1967–present)

While this group – originally Ian Anderson (vocals, flute), Mick Abrahams (guitar), Glenn Cornick (bass) and Clive Bunker (drums) – rose on the crest of the British ‘blues boom’ in the late 1960s, they absorbed many other musical idioms, principally via composer Anderson. The image of his matted hair, vagrant attire and antics with his flute during early TV appearances was not easily forgotten, for, as well as being a popular album act, especially after the second one, Stand Up (1969), sold well in North America, they were also mainstream pop stars by 1969 when ‘Living In The Past’ all but topped the UK chart. Such entries, however, dried up by 1971 when Aqualung, a ‘concept’ album, appeared. By the 1980s, the group had become Anderson and Martin Barre (guitar) plus backing musicians, whose living depended mostly upon US consumers’ continued liking for 1987’s Grammy-winning Crest Of A Knave and whatever other albums the financially secure Anderson chose to record.

Styles & Forms | Sixties | Rock
Personalities | Tom Jones | Sixties | Rock

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley

AUTHORITATIVE

An extensive music information resource, bringing together the talents and expertise of a wide range of editors and musicologists, including Stanley Sadie, Charles Wilson, Paul Du Noyer, Tony Byworth, Bob Allen, Howard Mandel, Cliff Douse, William Schafer, John Wilson...

CURATED

Classical, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country and more. Flame Tree has been making encyclopaedias and guides about music for over 20 years. Now Flame Tree Pro brings together a huge canon of carefully curated information on genres, styles, artists and instruments. It's a perfect tool for study, and entertaining too, a great companion to our music books.

Rock, A Life Story

Rock, A Life Story

The ultimate story of a life of rock music, from the 1950s to the present day.

David Bowie

David Bowie

Fantastic new, unofficial biography covers his life, music, art and movies, with a sweep of incredible photographs.