My Old Friend Aqualung The Story Behind This Londons Times Cartoons by Rick London

I loved Jethro Tull…..and I still love them, though I’ve not heard them in quite awhile; though I did listen to “With You There To Help Me” on iTunes yesterday, just because I like to hear some of my favorite old JT songs every now and again.

Please tell me I’m not the only one who, upon first hearing of the band, though for sure that guy with the flute’s name was “Jethro Tull”.  I later found out it was/is in fact “Ian Anderson” and felt like a nut for many years….okay still do.

And I just learned today how they got the name “Jethro Tull” straight from the horse’s mouth…okay flutist’s…Anderson says, “Our agent, who had studied History at college, came up with the name Jethro Tull (an eighteenth century English agricultural pioneer who invented the seed drill). That was the band name during the week in which London’s famous Marquee Club offered us the Thursday night residency.”

What was it about Jethro Tull that was so special?  They used phenomenal engineering to enhance the music, though it was not only engineering. I noticed upon seeing them in concert several times that the music was every bit as stylish and listen-able as it was in the studio.

I also remember the novelty of when I first heard Blood, Sweat, And Tears and Chicago and their risk-taking adding brass to their repertoire.  The same is true of adding wind instruments (flute) to Jethro Tull. It was new, it was different, and the fact that they made music, a lot of music that remained classics makes me still want to listen to them.

And why this cartoon?  Well the entire song is about being good friends with an inanimate device, an aqualung (used for deep-sea diving).  I imagine it is probably symbolic for someone who provides oxygen but that’s only a guess.

In any case, I envisioned what it might be like if the two ever parted.  And this was the result.

To see (or buy) this image on over 100 items such as tees, cases, mugs, home decor, and much more…..

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Rick London is an author, songwriter, cartoonist, and gift designer.  He is best known for his Google #1 ranked Londons Times Offbeat Cartoons & Funny Gifts.

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The Story Behind Jethro Tull Aqualung Parody Cartoon And Gifts By Londons Times Cartoons

 

I believe that everyone has milestone “oldies” music that stick in their minds forever.  Occasionally one might erupt during a vigorous shower, a hike in the forest or even a long walk down Main St (or off a short pier). 

Aside from the Beatles “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” and “I Saw Her Standing There”, I can just about count on 76 fingers the others (I ate a lot of Monsanto products before going organic vegan) other such songs that packed a powerful punch on my psyche. One of those songs that seemed to “change my life” at the time, was Aqualung. I imagine some of the lesser played numbers on that album such as “Teacher” “With You There To Help Me” and “Locomotive Breath” were also major influences in my own love of music and my motivation to try to learn new songs on my cheap little guitar.  I loved playing it but was not very good.  I became relatively better later in life, but still, in my mind, not stageworthy….though I did play in some garage bands in my younger days and played a few times in public, both bars and in the park as a more matured adult.  By then, I knew to keep my mouth shut, given that my singing voice had not improved much at all since age eight (if any).  But my guitar playing became fairly good. 

In my sometimes complex autistic mind, I often wondered the the musician’s real story behind every song I loved.  So many incidences could have been the impetus for Jethro Tull’s “Aqualung”.  I became so curious I saw that Ian Anderson had a website and I wrote his email, only to predictably hear nothing back.  I wrote several more times before I realized I was going to have to guess the scenario by my own volition. And I knew since I probably wouldn’t get it right, I could probably make it a bit absurd using artistic license.  But I’ll let you be the judge of that.

Collectors enjoy our “The Story Behind Jethro Tull “Aqualung” cartoon gifts and collectibles. 

You can see the entire collection by clicking on “Shop Now” below (though there is no obligation to shop but to simply browse if you like (for as long as you like).  There’s a lot of neat items, a little something for everyone; and most of them are quite reasonably priced.  

Hope you find something interesting; and if not, please share with some friends.  

To see the Aqualung collection of gifts, tees, mugs, phone cases, home decor, glassware, and much more –