70's/80's Rock Radio Soundtrack: From Jethro Tull to Jackson Browne..

My 86-song playlist / homage at the end of this post opens with Ian Anderson and his band. Jethro Tull front man, icon, innovator: Ian was the first to introduce the flute as a main rock music instrument.. and for me, the very first world-class musician I had the pleasure to interview!

And I DO mean that - he was absolutely delightful. Kind, accommodating.. generous in spirit. This guy certainly didn’t seem like the kick-ass rock and roller I'd seen a few years earlier on his 115 date, 1970 world tour - he felt more like a grandfather in his plaid shirt, vest and hat.. holding that signature pipe.

 

Comforting. 

As a 20-something with just a handful of radio years under my black leather belt.. I needed that. Only a thirty-minute warning that he would drop by the radio station for a pre-concert conversation? Freaked beyond belief. Ian Anderson!! How does one describe the '1st big interview' apprehension of talking live, on-air with such a beloved, bona fide icon whose music - by that time - helped shape the 70’s rock landscape?!

Scottish singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist who could sing, jump like a jester.. and play the flute on one leg while guitarist Martin Barre cranked out his amazing leads on the big stage.

I knew I’d freeze when I opened the microphone and I told him so. Not to worry, he kindly spoke.. assured me he’d do all the talking. He didn’t have to. Once I asked him how the tour was going our chat began to flow. 

 Re-released as a Collector's Edition in 2010

Will never forget my extraordinary intro to the art of Interview. I have Ian to thank and do that warmly today with an invitation to listen to this magical maestro’s album track.. and 85 other songs of the era - a tasty and diverse sampling of what we played on FM Rock Radio, then. 

Now.. 6 hours, 17 minutes and 31 seconds worth of tuneage - pretty much chronological in the order in which I interviewed each band and/or member of each group - some more than just once, tour after tour. Though this playlist is still a work in progress, ( stay tuned for more! ) it wraps with Jackson Browne whom I'll highlight in a future blogpost along with all the rest! 

                                   

  
Here’s to the remarkably gifted artists who gave us all of this incredible sound! Browse through the 86.. pick your favorites or play the whole list.. then play it again! Best to open the windows and turn the volume up. Way UP..


                      



- Still one of the coolest guys around - 

Ian Anderson continues to create music and perform (Thick As a Brick 2, was released April 2012 ) loves cameras, writes about Indian cuisine and is currently involved in protecting rescued wild cats! Keep on brother.. keep on.. (>'.'<)