Jethro Tull in Helsingborg

Ian Anderson (vocals, flute)

On May 22, 2022, the progressive rock band Jethro Tull visited Helsingborg. The band with front man Ian Anderson started its musical journey 1967 in Blackpool. 55 years later the sitting audience in the Helsingborg concert hall was taken on a musical trip “The Prog Years” through times in which 46 albums have been produced (studioalbums, live albums, compilation albums, source: wikipedia). In 2022 “The Zealot Gene”, Jethro Tulls latest album was released. The first album, “This was”, was released in 1968.

John O’Hara (keyboard)

Without the deep knowledge of the band discography and musical successes I had a great time accompanying a friend and Jethro Tull knowledgeable. Classical albums like “Aqualung” (1971) and “Heavy Horses” (1978) goes withouth saying have passed my record players over the years. The concert, or more of the “historical show”, therefore was very educational.

In a very memorable welcoming by Ian Anderson he asked the audience supported by a huge graphical “prohibition sign over a mobile phone” asking everyone to turn off their mobiles during the show. At first a surprising sound in the concert hall was heard and then immediately followed by nodding and expressions were heard like: “What an excellent idea! Really brilliant!” Already half through the first song Ian Anderson playing a flute solo and doing the famous one leg pose spots one person just below the scene filming by mobile phone. Mr. Anderson points with a full hand at the person and by clear body language asks again for the mobile to be turned off. If anyone has that on film it may be a classical sequence! The discipline thereafter was spotless and everyone was given the time during a few last songs to film and take photos. For that we say thank you and how great it was to relax on taking pictures and focus on the presentation!

Ian Anderson: “No photography, please!”
David Goodier (bass)
Joe Parrish (guitar)
Scott Hammond (drums)
A tribute to Jethro Tull for a great show!

With an increased knowledge of the band via a fantastic concert in Helsingborg and a really full and well written article in the Swedish “Rock’n’Roll Magazine #1/2023” (pages 43-54, “Guiden till Jethro Tull” by Anders Lundquist) we would like to spread the musical message of the band by guiding to our Discogs account where a number of their original LP releases are listed for sale. LP’s are used, but in good VG+ and VG condition on media and cover/inner sleeve. Please, use the link and easily search and sort at the metalsouth discogs account on “Jethro Tull”. In a recent post under “Records” a picture of the albums may be found. Please, note that some are sold already. Below can also icons/links to our Facebook-, Instagram- and Discogs accounts be found. We hope to see Jethro Tull soon again and welcome back to Helsingborg!

p.s. In the excellent source of information, the article by Anders Lundquist/Rock’n’Roll Magazine referred to above, on page 44, we learn that Tony Iommi (Earth, Black Sabbath) made a short appearance in Jethro Tull in 1968. d.s.

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