Jethro Tull?

Question

Great band! Where did Ian Anderson get the name from. The more specific the answer (dates etc) gets voted best answer

Answer 1

Ian Anderson's first band, started in 1963 in Blackpool, was known as The Blades. It had developed by 1966 into a seven-piece white soul band called the John Evan Band (later the John Evan Smash), named for pianist/drummer John Evans, who dropped the final "s" from his name to make it sound less ordinary. At this point, Barriemore Barlow was the band's drummer, as he would later be for Tull itself beginning in early 1971. However, after moving to London, most of the band quit, leaving Anderson and bassist Glenn Cornick to join forces with blues guitarist Mick Abrahams and his friend, drummer Clive Bunker, both from the band "McGregor's Engine". At first, they had trouble getting repeat bookings and took to changing their name frequently to continue playing the London club circuit. Band names were often supplied by the staff of their booking agents, one of whom, a history buff, eventually christened them Jethro Tull after the 18th-century agriculturist who invented the seed drill. This name stuck simply by virtue of the fact that they were using it the first time a club manager (namely, John Gee of the Marquee Club, London) liked their show enough to invite them to return.

Answer 2

Alright, I don't know dates or etc., I'd have to really dig for that, but the rumor I heard was that they were not doing well when they first started and had a hard time getting places to play. The real group Jethro Tull didn't show up at one location and they said they were that group. The audience really liked them and so they kept that name.
Great band and really like the solo work from Ian Anderson as well. Have many of their albums!

Answer 3

Jethro Tull - Agricultural Reformist

Jethro Tull (1674 - 1741)

Born into Berkshire gentry, Tull studied law at Gray's Inn in preparation for a high flying political career. However, continuing illness stalled these plans and, after his marriage in 1699, he began farming with his father in Wallingford. He was not a natural: he hated the work and resented the reduction in profits caused by his labourers' salaries.

At the time, cereals were distributed into furrows ('drilling') by hand. However, Tull had noticed that traditional heavy sowing densities were not very efficient so he instructed his staff to drill at very precise, low densities. By 1701, his frustration with their lack of co-operation prompted him to invent a machine to do the work for him.

Inspired by the memory of an organ he had once taken apart, he designed his drill with a rotating cylinder. Grooves were cut into the cylinder to allow seed to pass from the hopper above to a funnel below. They were then directed into a channel dug by a plough at the front of the machine, then immediately covered by a harrow attached to the rear.

Initially the machine was only a limited success. In 1709 he moved to Prosperous Farm in Hungerford, and two years later decided to travel around Europe to improve his health and study agricultural techniques there. Upon his return in 1714, he perfected both his system and machinery. He pulverised the earth between the rows, believing that this released nutrients and so would act as a substitute for manure. While apparently successful - he grew wheat in the same field for 13 successive years without manuring - it is more likely that he merely prevented weeds from overcrowding and competing with the seed.

Eventually, as agricultural improvement became fashionable, more interest began to be taken in Tull's ideas. In 1731 he published his book, The New Horse Hoeing Husbandry, detailing his system and its machinery. It caused great controversy at the time, and arguments continued for another century before his eventual vindication. While several other mechanical seed drills had also been invented, Tull's complete system was a major influence on the agricultural revolution and its impact can still be seen in today's methods and machinery.

Answer 4

Early 1967 -
Band names were often supplied by the staff of their booking agents, one of whom, a history buff, eventually christened them Jethro Tull after the 18th-century agriculturist who invented the seed drill. This name stuck simply by virtue of the fact that they were using it the first time a club manager (namely, John Gee of the Marquee Club, London) liked their show enough to invite them to return.

Answer 5

Jethro Tull was a man who revolutionised farming in 13th century England. Well I think It was the 13th but i'm right about the man. I admire your tasts, Jethro Tull are Brilliant. ;-)......

Answer 6

Jethro Tull was the18th-century agriculturist who invented the seed drill.

Answer 7

i knew that Jethro Tull invented the seed drill too ... though what the hell a seed drill is and how i know this i have no idea!

Answer 8

Name was that of the inventor of the Seed Drill, in 1701.

Answer 9

I don't know either but im with you guys I remember listening to that music when i was a child my parents listened to it and it brings back good memories of camping.

Answer 10

I thought it was a rural revolutionary from the 17th century.
Power to him!