Jethro Tull - Aqualung (Live At Madison Square Garden, 1978) - Including "'The Meaning of "Aqualung'".

[George McGovern]

Last edited Fri Feb 27, 2026, 12:57 AM - Edit history (3)

Including — "The Meaning of “'Aqualung'” by Jethro Tull"
from "American Songwriter"
https://americansongwriter.com/the-meaning-of-aqualung-by-jethro-tull/

"Aqualung" is one of the "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1001_Albums_You_Must_Hear_Before_You_Die

[3Hotdogs]

1. I may have been at the concert. Tickets were $4.00

I was in front row, on the side of the stage. I remember he sweated on me.

But not as impressive as when I was side stage at Who concert. Townsend cut is hand on the strings and I got bled on.

That's why I don't go to concerts no more. I can't afford the laundry bill - that, and my hearing ain't too good from going to all those concerts and sitting in front of speakers. I know I lost hearing in front of speakers at The Who in Hampton, Va.

[George McGovern]

3. Wow - you've had some experiences! I can't imagine being bled on by anyone, never mind Townsend!

And being that close to Ian Anderson! Tull and the Who - timeless music. Thanks!

[3Hotdogs]

4. I remember one time, being at Dylan's "Rolling thunder" concert and directly in front of me, was

Rodney Dangerfield.

Several concerts, I would be in the first or second row and Annie Liebowitz would be in the pit, taking hundreds of photos.n She hand a bandolier of film canisters which means she took about 500 photos of each concert.

[George McGovern]

6. Annie Liebowitz is legendary. I found this article: https://www.hauserwirth.com/artists/24984-annie-leibovitz/

Thanks 3HotDogs! (I hope she didn't sweat or bleed on you.)

[ProfessorGAC]

8. They Played The Field House...

...at the biggest high school in the city where I grew up.
'74 or '75. I was in college at the time.
They were as good as I expected them to be.
We had backstage passes, but when we got there we realized we had left them at home. Since we were in, we no longer had the ticket to get in. So, out of luck
That was dumb, huh?

[George McGovern]

9. Ahh, memories. Shit, regrets. But, did you get into The Field House?

[ProfessorGAC]

11. Yeah!

We remembered the tickets, just forgot the passes.
I usually remember the opening acts, but I don't remember who opened for Tull.

[George McGovern]

14. Living up to expectations, they must've been really good. 'Cause expectations would've been really high.

[MIGuy]

2. That's a really good song

[George McGovern]

5. Yes it is MIGuy! I've liked Aqualung since it was first released. Just ordered a CD of the album.

[ProfessorGAC]

7. Terrific

That album was epic.
Every song is great. No weak links.
The studio version of this has one of most underrated guitar solos ever.
It's melodic; it builds as it goes; forms a cogent thought. Plus it's executed flawlessly & it was a first take.
Fun Tull Fact: Martin Barre, the guitarist, played flute, just like Ian. The internal agreement was Ian was better at flue, Martin was better at guitar (especially lead), so they stayed in their respective lanes for the good of the band.
But, on some rough demos, Martin played a flute solo, but then passed the baton to Ian for the album.

[George McGovern]

10. I've always known Barre was a gifted guitarist. And Anderson a hell of a flautist.

Together, rounded out by the others, the band made memorable music. "Wond'ring Aloud" is one of my favorites.

Thanks Professor!

[ProfessorGAC]

12. For A Song Not On Aqualung...

...I'm very partial to this one.
I love the way the song builds layers as it goes.
BTW: the sing actually starts at around 28 seconds

?si=USjVrje3Ezv7QbXR

[George McGovern]

13. How could you have known, that as I write I'm listening to this very album?!?

I'd forgotten about "Skating Away", hadn't heard it for a long, long time, until it came up after "Locomotive Breath". So funny and quite cool you should post it here and now. Looking back, many's been a time of thin ice on a new day.
And, for lack of any better ideas, to go on and skate away. Come what may.

"'Cause you were bred, for humanity
And sold to society
One day you'll wake up, in the present day
A million generations removed from expectations
Of being who you really want to be"
———How Profound.

Thank You.