Jethro Tull - "Living in the Past" on The Tonight Show (+ interview)

Jethro Tull performs a new arrangement of "Living in the Past" on The Tonight Show on April 28, 1993. The band that night (day?) were:
Ian Anderson - vocals, flute
Martin Barre - guitar
Andrew Giddings - keyboards
Doane Perry - drums
Matthew Pegg - bass
Other guests that episode included Matthew Broderick, George Steinbrenner, and Branford Marsalis leading the Tonight Show band.

[@thepman1964]

As a US Air Force member stationed in the greater London area from 1993-1996 (RAF Uxbridge), I was fortunate enough to see Jethro Tull on their 25th anniversary tour (promoting the box set Jay was showing off) at the Hammersmith Apollo theater. What an incredible experience to see one of the greatest British rock bands perform on such a milestone tour in downtown London itself! As an extra treat, original guitarist Mick Abrahams and drummer Clive Bunker were on hand to play a couple numbers with the current members. Another treat from being over there was seeing the Rolling Stones live at Wembley Arena during their Voodoo Lounge tour. Not bragging or anything... OK maybe just a little!

[@Driver2616]

This song is now more than half a century old! Quality never dies.....

[@aztiff]

that was so bad-ass, untouchable, great!

[@777edmatt]

Jethro Tull and especially Ian Anderson have always been Fantastic! I just love Ian though, such a great flutist and entertainer!

[@billsmith2212]

Correction to my comment : That's MATT Pegg on tour with Procol Harum .

[@angelaleishman1570]

Just brilliance personified ❤

[@lekunberriko1]

Brilliant Ian.

[@jamiereno3959]

Have to hand it to Ian for writting a 4/5 time song that doesn't sound like 4/5. Great dynamics and a screaming solo by Martin.

[@renhoek3687]

its 5/4 but you were close

[@nolaserv]

@@renhoek3687 Inversely correct though. LOL!

[@gfoursux9]

@@renhoek3687 Legend has it that Anderson wrote that in that time signature to spite the record label

[@cafepaul1957]

Yup, too bad he blew his voice out. Love Martin too.

[@MyVeryHappyDay]

@@cafepaul1957 Yup…Too bad your comment is irrelevant to this conversation.

[@ctfair]

This is such a great rendition of “Living in the Past.” I can watch it over and over and not tire of it. And I wonder how many Americans, from watching TV in their living rooms or in the studio audience, became Tull fans that evening. 🤔😏👏👏👏

[@RichardBaubau]

No one else can play flute like this....nor would they try!!

[@DukeLaCrosse20]

As I watch this, its been 24 years since this show aired, and the tune was 24 years old at the time. How quickly 48 years passes by.

[@MichaelGilman489]

It's nearly 50 years now.

[@gregthornton4209]

I bought Benefit the day it came out. So, yeah...I'm with ya Bro!

[@davidbutler8850]

A original minstrel !!!!! Greatest!!!

[@overmarsdaria3222]

Where do you f......g find musicians like that nowadays? What an amazing band.

[@paulpeartsmith]

Fantastic flute my goodness

[@lancepickett5653]

Jethro Tull is to rock what Benny Goodman (look it up) was to Jazz, giving musicians the room to play and be themselves within the song. This is every bit as valid as the original. If you don't like it fine...I myself and most of my musician friends love what Ian and company do.

[@benheflin9005]

Great sound for a tv show 😀

[@keithharris7569]

Wow! What more can I say....

[@DonTrishLayne]

This is about the time i saw them at a relatively small arena in Chattanooga, one of the best concerts i have ever saw. The only other of that caliber was johnny winter at riverbend blues block party.😊

[@charlesgates4387]

1st time seeing this version. My favorite, now. Leno's band is no slouch...imagine they were diggin' it too. :-) 50 years folks.

[@cpdaddy7]

Matt Pegg on bass! Dad was washing his hair. The only clip I've seen with Matt on board.

[@DeniseJanick]

I love ian anderson

[@yukimaruzam]

I love how this starts with Leno talking about how many albums they have over how many decades and how much platinum and... the Hall of Fame is so deaf it is just stupid. Jethro Tull is groundbreaking. Invite them in.

[@badumpy]

hey thanks for posting..i missed this one and appreciate chance to see it!

[@jnwd1723]

Best version of this song is in 1969....that's the way I remember hearing it when I was around 14 in 1976.....my brother liked Jethro Tull and got me to liking it.....back when music was good and unique....Ian Anderson was like the "Pied Piper" with his music....best way I could describe him besides the band sounding so cool!!!! :-)

[@michaelgasiciel9317]

I just listened to the’69 studio version and then was scrolling down and found this one. What date is this though.

[@perseusrex614]

Ian is one of those rare guys that looked younger in 2000 than he did in 1970 😂

[@jojober1980]

like other versions better but they are always great! and with all the band members passing through, it would not be Jethro Tull without Ian Anderson.

[@texasjohnnyboy]

Nothing wrong with this tune at all. I do prefer the original arrangement over this one but, this one is far more rock. Yes, Glen Cornick's bass line was a huge part of this original composition... it had a wondeful bouce that was part of a great Glen Cornick skill. Realistically, ya can't expect a band to play a tune the same for 25 years as, if they do, they have cut off their artistic expression of the moment. I could criticize this vid but, why? Hard to out do an Anderson performance

[@nicholashill2887]

The music of jethro tull is music that takes me somewhere else...like it takes me back to the time before electricity came to arkansas, lol...but seriously it is amazing stuff. and then there's doane perry one of the best but sadly most overlooked drummers in the business...he's been in the drivers seat for a long time and that's a good thing...plus he was 1 of my instructors when i attended musicians institute, i consider myself very lucky to have spent time with him. :)

[@justgivemethetruth]

I liked that version and they really had a lot of energy back then, but I more like the Aqualung band, Ian, Martin, Jeffrey, Clive and John Evan. But then I also liked the band with Barriemore Barlow on drums with David (at that time) Palmer. Those were the biggest concerts and most selling albums.

[@patrickkelcey2435]

But every time you listen you just want more... ...yes... More for everybody... Enjoy!

[@boxersmum]

Ian Anderson is an animated talent.

[@HaikuAutomation]

classic Ian, voice a little more mature and calm, but the playing and band just as dynamic.

[@soula48]

Well played sir, well played.

[@SuperBillybob53]

Martin Is a Monster Guitarist.

[@bonniebailey3747]

I remember this show. Took place in Los Angeles. Love you Ian Anderson and all Tull members.

[@dennismartinovich4639]

Outstanding performance,seen Tull at Garden and a few other spots (the Pier West Manhattan) back in the 80s

[@clairwalshe9468]

I am a total tullite. Ian has lost his voice a bit now, however, he surrounds himself with the very best of musicians as always, always a very canny and astute frontman.

[@justgivemethetruth]

LOL, thanks for the memories. I am amazed at the sheer volume of Tull videos there are on the Internet these days ... seems like more Tull than about anything else.

[@leonardodaria7370]

Bella giacca🎉

[@danielweiss5859]

Wonderful version. Just love it!

[@rednoise0]

There's no reason to miss it - the original recording hasn't gone anywhere.

[@charlesnolan7602]

I bought Living in the Past, the album on Dec 22, 1972, soon to be a half century ago! It was such an important album, because it was the first time I learned the band members via the pictures. I had owned Aqualung and TAAB on cassette previously!

[@Pattieire]

Thanks for posting - great clip !

[@Nudiescorner]

I remember I was 12 in June 1972 and bought the Living in the past album at TSS stores .That was an INCREDIBLE SUMMER....It will be Fifty years next June when it was released...meaning the album not the song.....FIFTY YEARS...CAN YOU DIG IT????

[@rogerthomas169]

Benefit, Standup, as well as Thick as a Brick are hard to beat

[@cygnustsp]

Hard to believe this was 30 years ago, and I'm 5 years older now than Ian was then. Interesting how Ian made big bucks on salmon but ended up getting out because he wasn't happy with the environmental issues. I love salmon, I should've bought some of his.

[@gogoyubari366]

One of my favorite JT songs!

[@billsmith2212]

Tight and I am sure road tested ! Great musicians . Martin is absolutely playing a searing hot 🔥 guitar . I have seen Dave Pegg on tour with Procol Harum several times . I can't wait to see Martin on tour with his own band again . I have already seen them 4 or 5 times .

[@jimf710]

Me and Mrs always go see the Martin Barre Band when we get the chance. Recommend to all who haven't had the pleasure.

[@rednoise0]

@dukeblue1110 - Tull has never played the same arrangement that appeared on the record, more than 40 years ago. Many bassists have played in the band since Cornick, and none of them duplicated his bass part. Matthew Peg accurately played the bass line that Ian Anderson wrote for this arrangement. Nothing was "frigged".

[@marksolarz3756]

Great Tull line up!..........not everyone's cup of tea of course!...........but I can and do love Tull! Love to go fishing with Martin and Ian!

[@JohnnyNation]

Strange how no bassist plays this like Glenn Cornick did !!!###

[@St.IrenaeusOfLyons]

Cherry axe-playing, Mart man!

[@justgivemethetruth]

They did not F the song up at all. This was the updated version of living in the pat they started playing somewhere in the late 80's or early 90's. It has more changes and and upbeat tempo - more jazzy. They always have done it this way until today as far as I have seen.

[@4TuLLHEAD]

As I mentioned on my posting of this video on 9-20-08, I was there that night in Burbank and there are two things that I shall never forget. When that self-absorbed gasbag Steinbrenner blabbed endlessly about his (then) awful Yankees, Ian Anderson turned to the audience and feigned a theatrical yawn, causing a huge burst of laughter which was idited out of the broadcast! Then George kept on babbling beyond his time slot, depriving Tull of their scheduled finale performance of Thick As a Brick!

[@billsmith2212]

At the top of their game ! Martin's tone is screaming ! This is a great mix for a TV show .

[@caravaggio31]

Beautiful version

[@drj602]

Martin!

[@handebarlas6248]

What a delight!!! Thanks so much for the upload.

[@alessandrodimeco9768]

Questi mi fanno sangue da morire.mi piacciono tutte le musiche . questo fa paura troppo troppo forte e bravo.anche chi lo accompagna accompagna non sono da meno

[@gerald4133]

It's good to see it performed. 👍

[@selectooldave]

His voice was really shot even by this time. Too bad.

[@moopjas00]

Also stop be so GD condescending bout performances...shit sounds different cuz of mixes, and what the venue is using...ppl have no idea of what goes into a musical performance, and the trials and tribulations artists have to go thru, this is much better than anyhting out there today...unless u r up their doin it shut your trap...ppl get old and things change...ppl r too dumb to figure that out...In my opinion Ian is still a great talent

[@colehara]

Ian Anderson always a class act.

[@simonbarber2098]

It's a real shame to see Ian unable to sing. I actually loved Under Wraps but him pushing his voice to breaking point on that tour left irreversible damage. Also 1 date in UK on latest tour is disappointing

[@angelaleishman1570]

But he's still an amazing musician with an exciting stage presence.

[@alsaxe1]

re-read my post...i miss that version of the band...they made the best tull musice..although Aqualung was great also w/jeffrey hammond on bass...i miss the 70's...some awesome rock came out then...

[@rlanham8203]

love it.....new musicians ...diff sound

[@zencan2379]

Great piece of music

[@JuanCarrionHappiness]

Living in the Past was my best favor hit sang by Jethro Tull .I was looking for it thru All this time of 2016's.

[@edfederoff2679]

Phallic flute-sitting!! What a "Cod" piece!!

[@YodatheHobbit]

Really too bad that the singer can't really sing anymore but just speaks the lyrics. Odd, considering how great his flute playing still is, you'd think I'd be a similar muscle, just saw them live last night. Music was fantastic, other than the guitar had such a generic and uninteresting tone, but the vocals made Aqualung quite underwhelming.

[@luisalbertofloresgalindo8438]

Excelente!!!!!!!!

[@ifutureman]

@rednoise0 actually there is a huge difference in this arrangement compared to the original: the verse was originally in a major mode, contrasting with the minor-key instrumental sections. But here, they stay in minor the whole time. The verses are supposed to be happy, contrasting with the spooky interludes. And on the subject of verseS, what the heck happened to the rest of the lyrics? Where'd the second verse go? I much prefer the original.

[@jojober1980]

me too

[@lindaspidel7242]

Me also

[@NuntiusLegis]

The best, most energetic version is the completely instrumental one on "A Little Light Music" (1992): kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp_Qk4WtgJeVbqs

[@sanddab]

makes you appreciate Glenn Cornick even more.

[@GTLyons]

+slw59 you are so right, it's like a huge hole in this song... RIP Glenn Cornick , yep and Amen

[@mr.smash698]

He was the best bass player in Jethro Tull.

[@willischirwa3992]

Soooo true

[@atbglenn]

Agreed. Glenn was the best. I didn't like this bass player at all. Plus, the 5 string bass sounded like crap here IMO.

[@jgmiller804]

This is when Dave Pegg's son Matthew would fill in for him occasionally. He sounds fine for a young guy playing on tv. Of course Glen was great, but this arrangement of living in the past had been around for awhile at this point. Living in the Past hadn't been played like the record for many years.

[@alphadogstudio]

One of my favorite Jethro Tull songs but this version sucks! No groove, bass player isn't even attempting to play it correctly. The original had a nice jazz feel, while this is some lame attempted to "update" it with lame metal overtones. Sorry, just one man's opinion.

[@tonyfunzi9914]

This must be an old video. Jethro Tull is one of my favorite bands of all time. And why in God's name why aren't they in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. What idiot doesn't see this. Shame on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

[@pcatful]

This doesn't do it for me as their original release. It seems like Ian's voice is already going at this point. They've changed the rhythm, while not the time, and maybe even some of the harmony, to their own purpose, no doubt, but not my cup of tea. The original version is one of my favorite songs, in the top five. I've seen them after this, and they are still great, better than this performance.

[@lewisrosenbaum5907]

Yes,top quality lives beyond Tim and space,except for silly tophats,watahyagunnado😊

[@SteveJonesPerezCom]

Who says Martin Barre don't play HEAVY METAL!!!!

[@vistarecords4930]

Martin could play those Metal riffs with the best of them! And if you watch Tull shows from the mid 70's and early 80's he was fairly animated on stage. A legit, "Rock Star."

[@josephalvaro5244]

Sorry but that intro on the 5 string bass was a big fail.The original by Glenn Cornick was perfecto.Why mess with it?

[@jjacer1]

Jesus! Gets the legend to bloody sign it on tv ... come on man! embarrassing.

[@rednoise0]

@cheezer57 Looks good to me, not a note out of place. What's wrong with it?

[@rednoise0]

@dbltrplx - There's no reason to listen to the original. This is not a recreation of the original. This is a new and different arrangement, not intended to sound like the original. They played this arrangement frequently around that time. This is an accurate and precise performance of the arrangement. Not a note out of place.

[@CSBourne]

Fat and voiceless as Ian is today, We must never forget him in his pomp.

[@mr.smash698]

The only thing I don't like about Jethro Tull is that they had many member changes over the years, besides that I like their music.

[@investorbootcamp5506]

Pretty much the same guitar player though.

[@arkanoiddude]

Jethro Tull was mostly just a vehicle for Ian Anderson's musical vision, he was definitely the dominant member, similar to Robert Fripp with King Crimson. With that said, I know Martin Barre and some other members did contribute to the writing quite a bit.

[@DarkeningSkies1]

3) I guess what I mean is, bands playing live after their heyday is not to everyone's taste- some can pull it off, some look and sound preposterous. By and large, Tull still pull it off with a good amount of conviction. I prefer the original arrangement as well. I think I'll go play the album and watch this when I want to see Jethro Tull playing live on american television in 1994, which is itself a small miracle.

[@justgivemethetruth]

I felt that way for a long time and I like both arrrangements, but I have to say now I guess I've gotten used to the adrenalized version and like it better.

[@rlanham8203]

jay has a kick ass band on his show

[@leonardodaria7370]

The beast🎇🎇🎇😁🎶

[@alsaxe1]

i miss the version of tull that consisted of martin on guitar, clive bunker on drums, glenn cornickon bass, and ian on acoustic and flute....that was the best incarnation of the band in my humble opinion

[@arkanoiddude]

My favorite was Ian, Martin, Jeffrey on bass, Barrie Barlow on drums, and can't forget about John Evans on keys.

[@davidmorgen4558]

Cool that anderson made mention of F.C. an Dave pegg

[@dmsdrumcovers9506]

Amazing!

[@DavidPlumley-er4jy]

The original arrangement is so much better

[@lionelb9490]

Leno: "My mom's from Greenock."Ian: "Greenock? So what."

[@justgivemethetruth]

I love Martin and his guitar playing, but that bozo haircut was really terrible.

[@jameschristiansson3137]

I couldn't hear the haircut so I let it slide.

[@williamcrudd830]

An absolute destruction of the original 60s arrangement. What possessed Anderson to screw up a brilliant song? And as for the tosser on bass Glenn Cornick he ain't!!

[@rednoise0]

Nothing is "destroyed" - the original recording is there for any time you choose to listen. And it's obvious that the bassist here is not Glen Cornick, and nobody claimed he was. And if one bothers to watch the entire video clip, they will find out that he's an emergency substitute, and is, in fact, the band's regular bassist, Dave Pegg's son.

[@Beartaich]

Holy Cow!!!

[@jimcook8933]

I've seen Martin play just about every brand of guitar live. This black Strat is buy far the best sounding of the bunch.

[@rednoise0]

I think it's a Tom Anderson Strat-type guitar - the headstock looks a little different than a Fender. Sounds good, though. I'll always be partial to his Les Paul+Hiwatt sound from the Thick as a Brick/Passion Play days. Sublime!

[@garypugh1153]

5/4 time signature sounds great.

[@rlanham8203]

good job Mathew....

[@dostfez]

Not a good version...

[@DarkeningSkies1]

2) .. be that shocked or annoyed by one such altered arrangement. Since Ian's voice changed so radically after 1987-ish, there are a number of "oldies" I wish Tull wouldn't do, as they sound so strained. You can always dig out the studio record and play it, guys. Plus, if another band of the "classic rock" era were around (then in 1994 or now), say The Beatles.. an they were doing altered arrangements of some of their late 60's songs on T.V. wouldn't you just be happy to have them around?

[@DarkeningSkies1]

1) Since the surprise U.S. Chart action this song got in 1973 (even though it was recorded and released as a single in 1969 in the U.K.), it has been (along with "Aqualung", of course) one of the few mainstream songs a U.S. audience would respond to, especially a bland, boring audience on a bland, boring show like Jay's Tonight Show. Given that even a casual fan of Tull would know they have been doing altered arrangements of this since the early 1980's, is is a little surprising anyone would...

[@justgivemethetruth]

Yeah .... cheezer ... what a geezer! ;-)

[@johng618]

Jay Leno gives away Ian's box set gift. Says it won't cost him anything when he's making millions. Total dork.

[@hillbillyvol]

Sad to see Ian's voice faltering at such a young age. Cigarette smoking took its toll on him. Jethro Tull is one of my all time favorite bands.

[@vistarecords4930]

Actually, Ian's voice went in 1984 while on tour for the Under Wraps album. He wrote some challenging vocal parts in the high part of his register, and he ended up with vocal cord damage. At that point his doctor told him to cut the tour short and rest his voice for a few months. Instead, the tour was extended and his voice was permanently damaged. It's just gotten a little weaker every year since. Age plays into it, but that tour just wrecked his voice.