Ian Anderson (born August 10, 1947 in Dunfermline, Scotland), is a British singer, songwriter, guitarist and flautist, and is best known as the head of the rock band Jethro Tull.
Anderson as a songwriter is noted for his (often cynical) songs about god, Christianity, Christmas and the winter solstice, particularly on the Jethro Tull albums Aqualung and The Jethro Tull Christmas Album. As a flautist, Anderson is self-taught; he was stylistically influenced by Roland Kirk.
He is also capable on several other instruments, notably having played bass guitar on the Jethro Tull album Stormwatch. His list of played musical instruments on the entire Tull catalogue is impressive, including flute, acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar, saxophone, drums, keyboards, trombone, a variety of whistles, and violin.
Anderson also owns a salmon farm.
He should not be confused with Ian Anderson who was leader of the British National Front for a time.
Flag controversy
In 2003, Anderson came under severe cricitism in the United States for some comments he made in an interview. "I hate to see the American flag hanging out of every bloody station wagon, out of every SUV, every little Midwestern house in some residential area. It's easy to confuse patriotism with nationalism. Flag waving ain't gonna do it" he was quoted as saying in New Jersey's Ashbury Park Press . At least one New Jersey radio station vowed never to play a Jethro Tull song again as a result of the remarks. Anderson soon issued an apology: "I now regret the tone of these statements and offer my belated apologies to those offended by any perceived slur on the Stars & Stripes. I really didn't understand -- even after 35 years of visiting the USA on a regular basis -- that this symbol had such fierce resonance for so many people as is now apparent to me... I was out of line on the flag thing and I am sorry for it. I know I have forever lost some American friends as a result."
Solo albums