Credit: Will Ireland

Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson admits “time is running out”

Thu 11 April 2024 9:47, UK

The impact Jethro Tull have had on the music industry is significant, as is their continued commitment towards their craft. The band’s creative approach towards songwriting has inspired listeners and artists for decades, earning praise from artists such as Geddy Lee, but their career may finally be reaching a close.

Despite being rock veterans, the band seem to still be driven by a constant need to make music. With over 20 studio albums in their arsenal, frontman Ian Anderson likens their creative attitude to Stephen King.

“Back in the ‘70s, we released a new album every year, which sounds like quite an industrious process,” he said last year, “But, in fact, I’m reminded of Stephen King, the novelist – he’s managed two books a year for pretty much all of his adult life.”

Anderson went on to say that the reason he works relentlessly is because of a desperate need to flex his creativity. The musician likes to be innovative, and as such, the idea of not working on something for one year and taking a break doesn’t appeal to him whatsoever.

“Those of us who are creative for a living, it’s hard to imagine a year going by, and you haven’t come up with something new,” Anderson added, “Even though, in my case, it may not be a new album release every year, but there’s lots of other creative things that I’ve been doing in the period of time.”

Despite his affinity towards creativity, Anderson is under no illusion when it comes to the band’s longevity moving forward. “We’ve been very busy,” he confessed in a recent interview with the Brazilian radio station A Radio Rock, before morbidly admitting, “And part of the reason, I guess, being busy, is also because I’m at an age where I know this won’t go on forever.”

The frontman attests to the fact that so long as his body and his mind will let him, he will continue to make music, but Anderson also admits that it is becoming increasingly difficult to do so. “I’m well aware that time is running out,” he said, “So I’m driven by the passions and sometimes the ethical obligation of showing up for work.”

Ever the realist, Anderson is aware that there will become a point where he is simply unable to keep making music and performing in the way that he does. He quickly pondered over what he would do when he retired and shuddered at the prospect.

“There has to be that point where you just recognise that you don’t have it in you anymore to do that stuff,” he said, “But I can’t imagine what that would feel like. The idea that there’s nothing left; now I have to take up golf or go fishing or something – God help me.”

Watch the new interview below.