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Jethro Tull formed in February 1968 from the ashes of two unsuccessful blues/rock bands of the era.

Ian Anderson brought his unique and innovative style of flute playing to a public raised on the guitar based British bands who courted acceptance at London's famous Marquee Club.

After their first tentative blues oriented album, titled "This Was", the group moved through successive records towards a more progressive sound, and with "Aqualung" in 1971 achieved their first real international level of success. A few hit singles, notably "Living in the Past", livened up their early career although it was as an album band with songs of real substance, that the group really took off, both on record and as a major live concert act.

So-called concept albums followed in the early 70's (Thick as a Brick" and "A Passion Play") with the attendant platinum No. 1 album chart sales. Tull survived the critical backlash of the return-to-basics later 70's to produce some of their finest creative efforts which, although not quite matching the commercial success of the previous works, established the band as one of the truly creative exponents of progressive music throughout the 70's, 80's and 90's.They have continued to constantly reinvent themselves, albeit with several personnel changes along the way.

Ian Anderson (flute and vocals) and Martin Barre (guitar) provide to this day the musical and historical backbone of the group, joined by Doane Perry on drums, Andrew Giddings on keyboards, and Jonathan Noyce on bass.

With sales of around 60 million albums and more than 2500 concerts in 40 countries, the band continue to tour and record, typically performing 100 concerts per year. In early 2002, Jethro Tull completed their first DVD of live concert and performance material. Also released is the new associated live CD. Both are entitled, "LIVING WITH THE PAST".

In 2003, Ian A. released his fourth solo album, RUPI'S DANCE, Martin Barre launched his guitar towards STAGE LEFT and Tull did the almost unthinkable: THE JETHRO TULL CHRISTMAS ALBUM was released to celebrate the "other" Christmas. With its fair quotient of "cynicism and grumpiness" as Ian puts it, this record will delight old fans and new fans alike with the alternative and conventional Christmas spirit combined.

Re-masters of the entire Tull catalogue are being released, dusted down and spruced up. Hear that tambourine again.... the breath behind the flute.... the pick on string and the stick on skin.

(submitted by rodney quill)

Visit j-tull.com for the latest news on the band, interviews with Ian Anderson, and concert information.