The first album given to me was by my Aunt Pat- “Meet the Beatles”- but the first album that I purchased was “Warchild” by Jethro Tull. Tull was my favorite band freshmen year while at Holy Cross High Schiool in Queens; this was also my only year at Holy Cross before transferring to Saint Francis Prep overlooking the Long Island Expressway at Francis Lewis Boulevard.
The obvious most memorable moment of the two Jethro Tull concerts at MSG was during Livingston Taylor’s opening set. Word had it that Ian Anderson was under the weather for the NYC gigs and James Taylor’s brother had the unfortunate circumstance to perform his solo acoustic act to rabid Jethro Tull fans who most had never heard of Livingston, never mind having had heard any of his music. To say Mr. Taylor’s set did not go over very well would be an understatement. Livingston found himself bobbing and weaving while seated trying to survive as he was pelted from items thrown at the stage. Years later I told an acquaintance about the concert and he said he was working at the Garden selling pretzels and people were buying them and throwing them at LivingstonTaylor. At some point Taylor waived the white flag and fled the stage creating a void requiring a lengthier than anticipated intermission.
I last saw the band at Forest Hills Stadium during their 50th Anniversary tour. Jethro Tul concerts in recent years have been a mixed bag, and Ian Anderson’s voice is not what it used to be, but the Forest Hills show was a pleasant surprise and really good on every conceivable level.
There are some great full length Jethro Tul concert videos on YouTube where I am trying to get my live music fix during the continuing pandemic quarantine situation.
Nothing Is Easy
Rock on!
GQ