Mick Abrahams, the original guitarist and founding member of Jethro Tull, has died aged 82.
The band’s lead vocalist, Ian Anderson, confirmed his passing via a post on their official website on December 21, with news first emerging on a fan Facebook page that he had passed on December 19.
No official cause of death was given. The musician suffered a heart attack in 2009, and the following year was reported to have been diagnosed with Ménière’s disease, an inner ear condition which causes bouts of vertigo and hearing loss.
It is with great sadness that we learned yesterday of the passing of Jethro Tull founding member Mick Abrahams,” Anderson wrote, revealing he had sought confirmation of Abrahams’ death. “Mick had endured worsening ill health for the last 15 years leaving him finally unable to perform or interact socially to any degree.”
He continued: “Mick was vitally important to the early Tull formation out of the ashes of The John Evan Band and McGregor’s Engine, the blues band he formed with Clive Bunker in the Luton/Dunstable area.”
Jethro Tull was formed in 1967, with Glenn Cornick and Clive Bunker joining Abrahams and Anderson on the recording of the group’s first album, ‘This Was’. Abrahams would leave shortly after the album’s completion and go on to form blues rock outfit Blodwyn Pig in 1968.
The new band’s first two studio albums, ‘Ahead Rings Out’ and ‘Getting To This’, would both reach the top 10 in the UK charts before their 1970 breakup. They would reunite to perform together and release two albums in the 1990s. He would later perform solo and as the frontman of the Mick Abrahams Band. His last release was the solo album ‘Revived!’ in 2015.
Anderson’s tribute continued: “a strong vocalist and experienced, powerful and lyrical guitarist, Mick commanded the stage in his rendition of Cat Squirrel at the Marquee Club and every show we did together – even when we supported Cream on one occasion! As his party piece, Mick continued to add to and develop those musical ideas into a tour de force display of his instrumental talents for the rest of his performing days.”
Regarding Abrahams’ departure from Jethro Tull, he wrote: “We had 11 months of mutual benefit and learning experiences before the eventual falling-out – caused primarily by our different preferences as to future musical direction. I wanted to embrace broader musical influences while Mick – died-in-the-wool rocker and blues man – wanted to stay with the more traditional style of our first album, ‘This Was’.”
He concluded: “We all offer our condolences to Mick’s family and close friends, who can feel justifiably proud of his achievements and musical legacy.”
Mick Abrahams is survived by his wife Kate, their two sons and his grandchildren.