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

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

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