Ian Anderson To Celebrate Jethro Tull’s 50th Anniversary With North American Tour

Legendary rocker Ian Anderson will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jethro Tull over the course of an extensive North American tour next year. The tour is currently scheduled to span from late May through September. Anderson will be backed by bassist David Goodier, keyboardist John O’Hara, guitarist Florian Opahle and drummer Scott Hammond.

Look for each show to include material from throughout the past 50 years including Tull’s ’70s heyday. “I am not usually a birthday or anniversary kind of guy but, just for once, I won’t be a party-pooper either,” Anderson said in a statement. “I treasure the memories of the earlier years of Jethro Tull repertoire, associated as it is with the adventures of visiting so many countries for the first time to connect with new fans around the world. And this is a celebration of all the 33 band members who graced our ranks— musicians who brought their talents, skills and styles to bear on the performances live and in the studio.”

“Join me and the current band for a nostalgic evening of varied music, representative of my ever-changing songwriting as our careers progressed through the years,” finished Anderson’s note.

The tour is currently scheduled to begin at Comerica Theatre in Phoenix on May 30. From there, Anderson and his band head to California for a series of shows. A Pacific Northwest swing is planned for mid June and will be followed later in the month by a Midwest run. The extensive tour is set to conclude with concerts in the Northeast including the closer at New York City’s Beacon Theatre on September 11.

[via Guitar World]