# Ian Anderson always dreamed of being a guitar-god. But one 1966 album was so out of his league he turned to the flute instead

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/ian-anderson-always-dreamed-of-being-a-guitar-god-but-one-1966-album-was-so-out-of-his-league-he-turned-to-the-flute-instead/
- Published: 2026-11-06T11:00:43+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T11:34:27+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/album-1966-made-ian-anderson-give-up-guitar-flute/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Clapton’s 1966 album pushed Anderson away from guitar.
- Anderson found his musical voice on the flute.
- Jethro Tull built a sound that crossed genres.

## Summary

Ian Anderson’s interest in guitar gave way after hearing Eric Clapton on John Mayall’s 1966 album *Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton*. Rather than compete with guitarists he admired, he chose the flute, a decision that helped give Jethro Tull a distinctive sound.

Anderson also praised Jimi Hendrix’s *Are You Experienced?*, calling it a “lesson in sadness and madness”. He later said the Clapton record persuaded him to abandon ideas of guitar-playing excellence and “toot the flute instead”. The article also credits Jethro Tull’s tours with Led Zeppelin with showing how rock could draw on folk and other musical traditions while reaching a wide audience.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.