Ian Anderson

Video

Oral History Information

Interview Date
Job Title
Musician, Flutist

Ian Anderson grew up in England during the 1960s and had a long list of guitar heroes who inspired him to play music. However, he found the power of people like Eric Clapton to be disconcerting, as young Ian felt inferior next to such guitar gods. He felt his best chances to success in rock was to play an instrument that Clapton did not play and so he found his way to the flute. Ian’s ear and passion for music allowed the otherwise non-rock instrument to not only fit in, but to become an influence. He formed the innovative rock group Jethro Tull, recorded a string of best selling albums and toured the world.