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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.