Photo by Tom Copi/Getty Images
Standing on one foot playing the flute is only one of the many talents of Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson who celebrates his 75th birthday today! Anderson has always resembled a mythical creature since he formed Jethro Tull in 1967 and fused together progressive rock, jazz, classical, and hard rock. To this day, Jethro Tull hits like Aqualung and Cross Eyed Mary remain some of the most unique, yet recognizable classic rock tunes thanks to Anderson.
To celebrate the eccentric character who is Ian Anderson, here are a few fun facts about the birthday boy you might not have known.
- Ian began his musical journey as a guitarist, but because of his frustration trying to be as good as Eric Clapton, he switched to the flute.
- Jethro Tull’s album Aqualung was inspired by photographs taken of street people by Anderson’s former wife Jennie.
- Although the rumor claims the man drawn on the cover of Aqualung was Anderson himself, it is not.
- Anderson was once referred to as a “deranged flamingo” for his famous one-legged flute stance.
- His main form of listening to music is through digital audio files while wearing headphones. He apparently does not own a CD player, turntable, or a surround system.
Watch Ian Anderson perform a wild flute solo live in 1976 here:
