Jethro Tull 3,000?

[Kintail5]

I have been reading/hearing talk recently that Jethro Tull is set to perform their 3,000th concert later this summer... around the 15th in Iceland is what I've heard. Can anyone confirm this? This is a truly remarkable feat, if that's the case. The official Tull website doesn't make any mention of it whatsoever, but that's not too surprising as Anderson typically doesn't pay attention to such things. But I have read posts on the Net, and local radio stations were talking about it around the time of Ian's 60th birthday (8/10/07). Also, friends of mine who've also heard this suggest this number sounds about right. Anyway, if this is the case, I can't believe more isn't being made of it. Are any other live acts even close to this? Does anyone or any organization track such information? Sorry so many questions, but this just blows me away. Three-thousand friggin' concerts?! You gotta be kidding me. I saw them about four years ago, and although Anderson's vocals sounded a little weaker for the wear, their muscisanship and execution still blew my socks off... and all the more so considering they'd performed that many shows previously. I simply had no idea! In closing, any info/clarification you folks can provide on this will be greatly appreciated. K5

[Rick and Roll]

My favorite band, thanks for the info!

I agree, it's truly remarkable!

[progdirjim(Admin)]

I have no idea, but they've been touring for 40 years. If they toured every other year, and averaged 150 shows a year on touring years, there's 3000. I'd say it's possible and even likely.

[mailotron]

HInt:
in the book : MInstrels in the gallery a history of Jethro tull by David Roes/ Firefly publishing 1998 UK ISBN 0 946719 225 :
Appendix 3 of the book is called GIGOGRAPHY :
1968/ 60 GIGS FIRST AT THE MARQUEE LONDON 2 FEB 1968/ALL IN UK
1969/140 FIRST GIG ABROAD IN SWEDEN STOCHOLM é SHOWS/9 JAN 1969:FIRST USA GIG ON 24 JAN 1969 AT THENYC FILLMORE EAST
1970/103
1971/104
1972/150
1973/90
1974/51
1975/138
1976/38
1977/121
1978/67
1979/66
1980/66
1981/22
1982/88
1983/1
1984/67
1985/1
1986/6
1987/48
1988/38
1989/60
1990/29
1991/75
1992/78
1993/97
1994/76
1995/57
1996/72
1997/91
1998/28 TILL ATLANTA 9 OCT 1998

SO AROUND 2040 SHOWS AROUND THE WORLD IN 20 YEARS

I HAVE NO STATISTICS EASILY AVAILABLE FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS BUT 3000 UP TO NOW IS HIGHLY PLAUSIBLE

I APOLOGIZE FOR SLIGHT COUNTING MISTAKES

[CrzdmnD]

I've seen them last week in a concert they did in the medieval set of Sibiu Romania. They were great! They did a longer version of Thick as a Brick song than i expected.

If anyone's interested, here are some Jethro Tull Concert photos a friend of mine took last week.

[Kintail5]

Thanks for the info guys. I've also since been informed that a website -- the ministry of information -- also carries concert info from stem to stern, and that this might be a good place to check on Tull.

I would think that the various nafarious rock 'halls of fame' would track this and other kinds of info for all bands (i.e., longevity, endurance, etc. as one of several metrics of 'fame'), but then again, such info might just confound their preconceived notions of worthy inclusion (but I digress). Seems someone could make a living out of simply compiling various such stats for bands (but not me! Not without pay!).

BTW, crazy, those are some great photos from Romania. I can't believe the clarity, and so close too. Congratulate your friend on a job well done.

In any case, I'll continue to poke around and report back here as I find stuff. Thanks again for your input! K5