Mick Abrahams

Mick Abrahams
Birth name Michael Timothy Abrahams
Born (1943-04-07) 7 April 1943
Luton, Bedfordshire, England
Genres Rock, Blues Rock
Occupation(s) Guitarist, Vocalist
Years active 1960s–present
Labels Island, A&M, Chrysalis
Associated acts Jethro Tull, Blodwyn Pig, Screaming Lord Sutch[1]
Website squirrelmusic.com

Michael Timothy 'Mick' Abrahams (born 7 April 1943) is a guitarist and band leader, best known as being the original guitarist for Jethro Tull.

Jethro Tull

Abrahams was born in Luton, Bedfordshire. He played on the album This Was recorded by Jethro Tull in 1968, but conflicts between Abrahams and Ian Anderson over the musical direction of the band led Abrahams to leave once the album was finished. Abrahams wanted to pursue a more blues/rock direction, while Anderson wanted to incorporate more overt folk and jazz influences. He was replaced first by Tony Iommi who would leave Tull after only a few weeks and would later go on to form Black Sabbath, and then by Martin Barre who remained with Jethro Tull until the band ceased in 2011.

Blodwyn Pig and later career

Abrahams went on to found Blodwyn Pig and the group recorded two albums, Ahead Rings Out (1969) and Getting to This (1970) before breaking up in 1970. Abrahams soldiered on with the short-lived Wommet, then the Mick Abrahams Band and has continued to release albums by himself and with reunited versions of Blodwyn Pig. He has worked as a driver, lifeguard and financial consultant, occasionally playing gigs, especially to support causes in Dunstable, Bedfordshire.[2]

Abrahams caused some controversy in Tull fan circles for his formation of a band called 'This Was' in the late 1990s, which reunited the members of the first incarnation of Jethro Tull (with the exception of Anderson) to perform songs from that era of Jethro Tull's music. Tull fans disapproved but Anderson apparently was not too offended, as in recent years Abrahams and Anderson have guested on each other's records. Abrahams has also participated in Jethro Tull reunions, as well as one-off projects and gigs over the years.

According to his website, Abrahams suffered a heart attack in November 2009 and would have to recuperate before resuming work. In April 2010 his website revealed that he was suffering from Ménière's disease, which would hold him back from performing at least for another year. In December 2013, he posted an update referring to his continuing health problems and mentioning that he hoped to release an album in 2014.

In 2015, Abrahams announced a new studio album called Revived!, with several guests – among them, his replacement in Jethro Tull, Martin Barre.[3]

Discography

Jethro Tull

Blodwyn Pig

Mick Abrahams Band

Solo

Reformed Blodwyn Pigs

This Was Band

References

  1. ↑ MICK ABRAHAMS . collecting-tull.com
  2. ↑ "allmusic – Mick Abrahams > Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-12-04.
  3. ↑ https://classicrock.teamrock.com/news/2015-04-01/mick-abrahams-details-revived
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