Interview: Will Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson Work With Martin Barre Again?

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October 28, 2019 - Guitarist Martin Barre joined the band Jethro Tull on their second album, "Stand Up" from 1968. He was with the group until 2012. Many fans would love a reunion between Tull leader Ian Anderson and the guitarist but that seems unlikely. We asked Anderson if there was a chance for the two to get together again?

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John Beaudin has been in major market radio (Edmonton, Vancouver & Calgary) for 35 years and a music journalist since 1989. He graduated from Broadcasting school as a newsman so he would have the skills to write about the artists that inspired him since he bought his first album, “Madman Across The Water” by Elton John as a teen. In the '80s Beaudin was the host of the syndicated radio show “The Cross Canada Report” which had two versions (Rock and A/C). Beaudin was also asked to be a judge at the Juno Awards (Canada's answer to the Grammys) Twice. He has anchored every position in radio including morning and afternoon drive and was a Program and Music Director for The Breeze and California 103 in Calgary. He currently hosts the popular Lovesongs at QM-FM in Vancouver and on iHeartRadio.

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[TheRealDrJoey]

Would Barre want to get together again is a better question. I saw Tull at the 25th anniversary show, at SDSU Amphitheater in San Diego. Every time Martin just touched his guitar it would EXPLODE! I'd seen Tull many times over the years, and Barre just kept getting better.

[danielz]

Without Martin Barre it's not Jethro Tull to me. In my opinion he's one of the most underrated guitarists in the world.

[scottblanton]

Martin is a wonderful guitarist and person.

[AbelAdames-mksi]

Sooo cold! I will always miss Martin Barre!!!

[EM-mwqr]

Martin Barre gave Jethro Tull its wings and made it fly.

[HughCorbyCruick]

When Ian did not even acknowledge Barre’s contribution to Tull during the 50th Anniversary tour it became quite obvious that there is no love lost between these two.

[Ciganeks]

This is a perfect example of being in a band. Egos, slights, resentment, etc. It’s why most bands don’t even get out of the rehearsal stages. This should show up in the next Spinal Tap film.

[martinschmidt]

Just saw Barre at the show in Copenhagen. Loved it! To me he is much of the sound of JT. Also recently saw JT as well. Not very impressed, sadly. Mr. Anderson has little or no voice left but his flute still works very well.

[westrover]

When it first happened, I remember Martin saying he was totally caught off guard as Ian had not mentioned anything to him about starting a new band without him. He was hurt and said he was really lost until trying to write his own stuff and starting to put a band together himself. He has succeeded much more than he thought he would and is loving life now without Tull.

[TJTinerella]

Well that's really rich right there. The Guy who opined for the Days of "Heavy Horses turning the land under me" is complaining his guitar player of 50 years won't do business via text and phone apps. This is really a Narcissist creating the cover for why he had to be the ONLY Jethro Tull member. If given free tickets to Anderson's Jethro Tull or Paying $50 to see Barre I am going to see Martin I for one still believe in loyalty to friends who have been there for decades.

[nogbadthebad]

So let me get this right, Ian is saying Martin could not cope with the culture and technology used in various aspect of managing the bands operations, including touring. This all sounds like dressed-up bullshit to me and is really disrespectful to Martin. Ian is deflecting with smoke and mirrors. This is not what the great Martin Barre intimates in his interviews. I would tend to believe Martin Barre's version of event any day of the week. Ian is a genius song-writer, no question, and I love the real Tull (with Martin) but Ian is an inconsiderate, self-absorbed tool.

[aineiss]

Martin is one of the most underrated guitarists around, not to mention his ridiculously impressive musicianship..truly should be in anyone's top 20 list..just let your ears convince you..

[zanzivar]

I have been in struggle with some of my own blood (I love them though) but, some of us are better off apart from each other.
The relationship could be whatever but, THE music prevails.
THANKS guys, EACH ONE OF YOU, who have been part of the trip, I really appreciate you ALL.

[stanleyyoung]

Sorry, it’s not Jethro Tull without Martin. It’s something much less. I find it hard to believe Ian doesn’t recognize this. But, Ian always had a colossal ego.

[EM-mwqr]

Martin Barre was never just "the guitar player."

[FrancisMann]

I wonder what the original mindful Ian Anderson, in 1970, would say when he’d be told “this is what you will say in 50 years”. And, yes, Martin was never “just the Tull guitarist”

[malcwhite]

I think Ian is bullshitting about email etc. If Martin can tour the world he is almost certainly using email etc.
Tull is definitely not Tull without Martin. The music is less incisive, more smooth, less cutting. Like Fairport without Swarbrick. I get why bands split but the new Tull just doesn't excite me.

[duder]

The classic lineup should be in the rock and roll hall of fame

[rightchordleadership]

I love Ian but to suggest that Martin shouldn’t/couldn’t be back in the band due to unfamiliarity with the internet is beyond absurd.

[beohyl]

Holy cow Ian just rambled on for 5 minutes without taking a breath about emails, the internet not using a tour manager… A glimpse into why Barre is touring on his own to be sure. Anderson prefers playing solitaire anyway