Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull

IMHO, I believe Aqualung was Ian's finest hour. Growing up and living in Houston, I saw then at Jones Hall both in '77 & '78. Well, I say "saw them" .... but all the damn pot smoke at times made that a challenge. Nonetheless, on one of the performances at the very beginning, when the stage was jet black ... a spotlight appeared on Ian and he begin skipping and twirling his silver flute like a baton. Crowd went wacky. Great times. Love his ballad, Wondering Aloud. And Barriemore Barlow was my fav drummer back then and for quite some time. 

I always enjoyed Jethro Tull and Ian Anderson. Many Great albums. in 2014 Renaissance released a new album called Symphony of Light. I was pleasantly surprised to hear Ian Anderson playing the flute on track 5 - Cry to the World.

In high school, Tull was my favorite band and I still like them. I have never seen them live, unfortunately. I just read that Ian Anderson's favorite early influence was Roy Harper, so I have been listening to Roy's 60s and 70s solo stuff. I'll check out Ian's solo stuff as well. 

Jethro Tull and Ian Anderson were all around me during my college years and in the early ’70s. I was never a real fan, but heard most of their work during that time.

To the OP, I say this not to detract from Ian Anderson, but more to understand where his flute technique comes from: if you haven’t already, acquaint yourself with the jazz flute of Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Anderson admitted that Kirk’s "I Talk With the Spirits" album inspired him to pick up the flute . . . it also obviously inspired him stylistically. 

RRK, like every other jazz player, was inspired by those who came before him. It’s unclear to me whether he actually "invented" the sing/scat-through-the-flute technique, or just took it way higher than others had. Ironicallyl, the flute wasn’t even his "first" (favoritee) instrument--that was the tenor saxophone.

I conclude that both Anderson & RRK contributed heavily to the popularity and influence of the flute in various genres of music in the ’70s. 

@desktopguy 

I had not heard of that relationship before, but makes sense.  Not sure if I had listened to Kirk’s work before but will definitely check it out.  Thanks to you and others for your comments, much appreciated.  Many more fans than I expected.