Why isn't Jethro Tull in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
brianlux
Posts: 42,033
in Other Music
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame confounds me at times. Some of the bands and musicians that get in seem like long shots at best to me (I won't mention any by name, that's not for me to say here). And yet Jethro Tull is still shunned by that institution. I don't get it. Thoughts?
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Jethro Tull was my second concert, Madison Square Garden 1978 with Uriah Heep opening. The album, Bursting Out, will always enable me to cherish the amazing performance. I think that Ian Anderson solo and Jethro Tull should both be solidly ensconced in the RRHOF, but they have a very strange way of choosing 'Rock & Roll' talent.
Thin Lizzy & T Rex & The Doobie Brothers are on this years ballot but I guarantee that non rock and roll choices will be inducted over them.
I share your confoundment.
EDIT to correct Yes's Chris Squire & not Steve Howe passing away in 2015. Was inducted posthumously in 2017. Brain malfunction. RIP CS.
screw the hall of fame
2016: Lexington and Wrigley 1
And no offense to JT, there are artists who aren't in as well, who had a way bigger impact than JT. Its just weird how they do it.
the Aqualung album alone should merit induction.
But "Thick as A brick" is a real beauty
They pretty much ignored hard rock/heavy metal for a long time. Black Sabbath eligible for 11 years before finally getting in is absurd, or Deep Purple taking till 2016 to get elected makes no sense. There was definitely an anti hard rock bias for a number of years which has thankfully eased a bit in recent years.
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They were the first blues/prog band to use woodwinds so predominantly. Flutes weren't seen as legitimate in a rock band until Tull showed how impactful they could be. The image of Ian Anderson playing the flute on one leg is iconic.
Aqualung, Skating Away, Locomotive Breath, Too Old to Rock & Roll Too Young To Die, Teacher, Hymn 43, Thick as a Brick (radio cut), Cross Eyed Mary, Bungle In The Jungle, Living In The Past, Bouree, The Whistler, To Cry You a Song, A Passion Play, My God, A Song For Jeffrey, Songs From The Wood, Warchild, the Christmas song Ring Out Solstice Bells..... are just a few of their songs that were successful with radio play &/or the billboard charts .....
Their albums achieved gold & platinum status & charted as high as #1.
Fun fact - Tony Iommi was with Tull for about a minute but he timed it well as he appeared on the Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus with them. (@brianlux posted the video).
Jethro Tull were huge in the 70's, huge & a large enthusiastic fan base followed them into the 80's & onward. Critics didnt know what to make of them which is one of the things that makesTull so great. They floated between blues, prog, fusion, hard rock, folk music seamlessly. Ian Anderson is a musical, lyrical visionary, genius, an original.
They made an enormous impact on rock music, in my honest opinion.
I do believe that Ian Anderson is happiest when he is playing acoustic, folk rock. That's where his heart truly beats. Just my take.
Great musical choices, thanks for posting!
Tull absolutely blew up the mold with nearly every release during this period.
The only artist who comes close (for me) is David Bowie.
(Note to Metallica fans: Crest of a Knave is actually a pretty damn good album; you can even hear a bass guitar on it. And Rock Island is even better.)
No, they really don't measure up with the biggest of the big boys, you are right.
That's fine, until you consider the list of bands that have been inducted includes...
The Moonglows
The Flamingos
Chaka Khan
The Dells
Roxy Music
ABBA
Donna Summer
Etc etc
Add the rap groups and the other solo pop artists and it's a damn crime that Doobies and Till aren't in.
I agree about Zevon. One kitschy song does not a HOF inductee make.
these institutions are a joke.
www.headstonesband.com
screw the Hall
screw Rolling stone
Jethro Tull kicks ass