Jethro Tull – Thick As A Brick Tour – November 9, 1972 – Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI
It was 47 years ago this week that I saw Jethro Tull’s ‘Thick As A Brick’ Tour in Detroit. I was a 19 year old fan of this unique, eclectic rock band from England. Aqualung was a captivating lp that was released my senior year in high school and made me a huge fan of Ian Anderson and the band; so much so I bought Benfit and Stand Up shortly thereafter. Thick As A Brick was a highly anticipated album. The reviews of the album were mixed. Tull had made the progression from an electric folk band (Benefit) to a full-blown rock band (Aqualung) to a Prog Rock band with Brick. I am not certain everyone was ready for this progression when it was released. But, I ran out and bought it right away.
I still own my original copy with the newspaper insert. (Album Art was so cool.) The lp took a bit of time for me to warm up to, however, after a just a few listens, the 22 minute plus side one has become a staple in my collection.
At the announcement of the concert at Cobo Arena, I jumped at the opportunity to attend. Ian Anderson was mesmerizing … They played the entire 22 minute Thick As Brick. That was followed by numerous cuts from ‘Aqualung’, ‘Benefit’ and ‘Stand Up’.
How is this band not in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. What kind of politics are being played here? Aqualung and Thick As A Brick alone should get them a nod. I vote in the Rock Hall ballot every year, and every year I see bands that are not as worthy as Jethro Tull to be enshrined if Rock’s Hall? I just don’t get it. What do you think?