Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre arrives in Victoria July 21 to perform at the Royal Theatre, and he’ll celebrate the Aqualung 50th Anniversary Tour with original Tull band member Clive Bunker.
In 1969, a band of four English musicians arrived in New York and took America by storm. Over the next 50 years, this legendary band accumulated over 65 million record sales and generated a loyal fanbase that are the envy of rock bands worldwide. This band was Jethro Tull.
Aqualung, probably the most famous of all Jethro Tull’s albums, now celebrates 50 years since its 1971 release. At the centre of Tull’s unique sound is guitarist Martin Barre, renowned for his formidable riffs, power chords and soaring melodic solos.
Martin Barre was Jethro Tull’s guitarist for over 43 years. His sound and playing were major factors in the band’s worldwide success, with his Aqualung playing voted the 25th best solo ever in the USA and 20th best in the UK. Barre’s playing on the album Crest of a Knave earned him a Grammy Award in 1989.
Martin says: “Aqualung was the album that defined Tull. Sumptuous melodies, big dynamics and power riffs galore. Acoustic met electric…and it all worked.”
Martin is thrilled to present the 50th anniversary of the release of the iconic and legendary Aqualung album with a worldwide tour including tour dates in Canada this summer. This spectacular show will feature The Martin Barre Band—featuring lead vocalist Dan Crisp, keyboard player Alan Thomson and drummer Darby Todd, together with original Jethro Tull drummer and percussionist Clive Bunker.
The anniversary tour is a once in a lifetime opportunity to sit back and relive this legendary album, played in full and in sequence for the first time.
Show starts at 7:30 pm and tickets are on sale now at the Royal Theatre Box Office by phone (250) 386-6121 or online at rmts.bc.ca.