Jethro Tull Celebrates 40th Anniversary!

The 40th Anniversary of Jethro Tull is upon us this year - 2008.  The group, which is made up of frontman/flutist/guitarist Ian Anderson, guitarist Martin Barre, drummer Doane Perry, keyboardist John O'Hara, and bassist David Goodier is in the midst of a variety of tourdates that include Europe, the UK, the Middle East and North America.....

Anderson says the group will choose its set list, "to a large extent from the first few albums but with some representative songs from the '80s and the '90s, too. Songs and tunes which defined the early Jethro Tull from blues band to eclectic, pre-prog inventiveness."

But he says that this year he plans "to visit a few less places than last year. I already have some time set aside for studio work and lazing about in the garden."

The 90 shows between April and December, with which will include eleven in the United States, will be updated on the band's web site, www.jethrotull.com.

While there are no new recordings available in 2008, there are a few historical releases scheduled over the next months, including a live DVD collection of performances in Germany, a newly produced DVD documentary and history of Jethro Tull, which Anderson says will feature the contributions of most past band members, friends and associates as well as live performances from a multitude of sources over the years.  Contributions include reference information from many fans and liner notes from the group's original basssist Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond. The artwork features a painting by Jeffrey depicting Blackpool, the town where Anderson, Hammond, drummer Barriemore Barlow and keyboard-player John Evan, formed a band in 1964.

On June 10, Capitol/EMI Records is re-releasing the group's first album; THIS WAS as a 2-CD and digital release of a remastered and expanded Collectors' Edition of the Tull's 1968 debut album, This Was. This release presents, for the first time on CD, the album's original mono mix as well as a new stereo mix of the album. Also featured are nine related 1968 recordings for John Peel's BBC Radio program, Top Gear, plus four rare 1968 UK singles: Sunshine Day, Song For John Gee, Love Story and A Christmas Song. The commemorative package includes 35 tracks in all, as well as package notes and anecdotes from Jethro Tull's members.

On May 20, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Jethro Tull's Jack In The Green:  Live In Germany, an enticing DVD compendium of in-concert rarities [running time:  96 minutes] spanning the years 1970 to 1993. 

Jethro Tull have carved out a musical niche all their own with a career that has spanned over three decades. Selling over sixty million albums including Aqualung, Thick As a Brick and Stand Up; albums which have offered up Classic Rock radio staples Locomotive Breath and Aqualung. The band has played over 2500 concerts around the world and helped define a unique blend of acoustic and electric music that draws influences from the world's music, including Asian, Jazz, Classical and Folk.

As live performers, Jethro Tull are unparalleled. Famous for instrumental virtuosity and theatrical flair, Jethro Tull live is an event that welcomes longtime fans and new converts alike.

JUNE    

20 Heidenheim, Germany Im Brenzpark

21 Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic Castle Amphitheatre

22 Kamenz(Dresden), Germany Hutbergbühne

30 Rome, Italy Stadio della Pallacorda- Tickets

JULY    

1 SOGLIANO SUL RUBICONE (FC), Italy Piazza Matteotti - Tickets

2 Milan, Italy Teatro Arcimboldi- Tickets

4 Schio (VI), Italy Arena Campagnola - Tickets

5 Pistoia, Italy Piazza del Duomo - Anteprima Pistoia Blues Festival- Tickets

6 Taormina, Italy CANCELLED the local authorities have forced cancellation of this concert due to severe restriction of audience capacity. We express our apologies and regrets.

10 Ludwigshafen, Germany Friedrich-Ebert-Halle 

11 Tuttlingen, Germany Ruine Honberg

12 Rastatt, Germany Badenerhalle

13 München, Germany Tollwood

16 Stuttgart, Germany Freilichtbuhne Killesberg

17 Bochum, Germany Ruhrkongress

18 Kempten, Germany Big Box 

19 Imst, Austria City Square

21 Lucerne, Switzerland Blueballs festival, KKL, Luzernersaal 

AUGUST  (American tour and then back Europe)

3 Gilford, NH Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion - TICKETS ON SALE NOW with Peter Frampton

4 Boston, MA - Bank of America Pavilion - with Young Dubliners TICKETS ON SALE NOW

6 Vienna, VA Filene Center at Wolf Trap - with Young Dubliners TICKETS ON SALE

7 Bethlehem, PA Bethlehem Musikfest - TICKETS ON SALE

8 Philadelphia, PA  Mann Center for the Performing Arts - TICKETS ON SALE NOW - with Peter Frampton

9 Wantagh, NY Nikon at Jones Beach Theater - TICKETS NOW ON SALE with Peter Frampton

10 Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena - TICKETS NOW ON SALE

12 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheater - TICKETS NOW ON SALE guest Steve Lukather

14 Valley Center, CA Harrah's Rincon - TICKETS NOW ON SALE 

16 Indio, CA Fantasy Springs Resort Casino - TICKETS NOW ON SALE

17 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre -with Young Dubliners - tickets on sale 6/15

-   

21 Beverungen, Germany Am Weserufer

22 Bad Brückenau, Germany Kurpark

23 Hanau, Germany Amphitheater

24 Bonn, Germany Museumsmeile

OCTOBER  

29 Zwolle, Holland  IJsselhallen

31 Siegen, Germany  Siegerlandhalle (www.siegerlandhalle.de)

NOVEMBER    

1 Heilsbronn, Germany www.kulturverein-heilsbronn.de

3 Debrecen, Hungary Fornix Hall 

4 Budapest, Hungary Petofi Csarnok

5 Bratislava, Slovakia PKO

18 Copenhagen Amager Bio

19 Herning, Denmark Kongrescenter

20 Randers, Denmark Værket

21 Gothenburg, Sweden Lisebergshallen

22 Oslo, Norway Sentrum Scene