An Epochal Open Letter from Ian Anderson to Jethro Tull, Fans, and the Tull Community.
Dear Jethro Tull’s bandmates, loyal fans, and the ever-passionate Tull community,
As I sit with my flute in hand, reminiscing on our great trip together, I am overcome with gratitude and emotion. The journey from Blackpool to international stages has been nothing short of incredible. But none of it—neither the music nor the memories—would have been possible without you.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone of my former and current bandmates. Each of you contributed your own distinct talent, creativity, and spirit to Jethro Tull. Together, we created a singular sound that resisted easy categorisation, fusing rock, folk, jazz, and classical influences into something entirely unique. Your passion, both onstage and in the studio, has been this band’s lifeblood.
To our fans, whose unflinching support has spanned decades and generations: you are Jethro Tull’s lifeblood. From the raucous audiences of the 1970s to the quiet listeners spinning vinyl at home now, your excitement has fuelled our imagination. You accepted our idiosyncrasies, musical experiments, and even the occasional misstep, giving us the space to develop and progress. Your encouragement, messages, and tales have touched me greatly, reminding me of the tremendous bond between artist and audience.
Thank you to the entire Tull community—promoters, road crews, sound engineers, and countless more behind the scenes—for creating a climate in which our music could grow. Your dedication and enthusiasm meant that our events ran well and our albums reached eager ears all around the world.
As I look ahead, I feel proud and joyful about our common heritage. The music we’ve created together is eternal, not because it topped the charts or sold well, but because it moved people’s hearts and souls. I am honoured to have been a part of this journey, and I will be eternally thankful to everyone of you for walking it with me.
With deepest gratitude.
Ian Anderson