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.”
… 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”.
… the three songs Jethro Tull always play.
Tickets for the Curiosity Tour 2026 here: jethrotull.com
Ian Anderson presents Christmas With Jethro Tull:
Thursday 18 December 2025 - Bath Abbey
Friday 19 December 2025 - Peterborough Cathedral
Saturday 20 December 2025 - Southwark Cathedral
","author_name":"Mark Ellen, David Hepworth and Alex Gold"}