This came from a Portland Oregon radio station today.
The Day I Played Drums for Jethro Tull
by Dave Scott
Radio is a haven for frustrated musicians. Even though I may not make a living at it, I can at least enjoy the lifestyle vicariously. One night Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull took that a step further.
The Jethro Tull tour had come to Portland. It was a unique show that relied heavily on audience participation and improvisation. Inessa and I were recruited to sit on stage during the set, on a very comfortable couch, to spice things up and give Ian someone to play off.
It was thrilling watching the band perform from that perspective. Although the stage lights keep you from seeing anything beyond the first few rows, the energy from the audience is palpable. Ian's hairline had receded but his famous one-legged flute playing was as frantic as ever.
Suddenly he stopped the show and turned his attention to Inessa and me. The lead singer from Jethro Tull was asking us about our lives in front of a packed house right there in the Newmark Theatre! It is a lot easier ASKING the questions than it is answering them. In the course of the conversation Inessa mentioned that I was a drummer.
You would assume that a nationally touring, veteran rock act like Jethro Tull would take that information with a grain of salt. Imagine my complete surprise when I was suddenly invited to join the band in a song. It's hard to describe the feeling having your teenage fantasies come to life in front of 3,500 people. As a roadie ushered me to the drum riser, my mind was a blur. "What song were they going to have me play? "What if it was one of those complicated passages from Thick As A Brick?" The trepidation in the guitarist’s eyes didn't make me feel any better. As I settled in behind the drum kit, Ian leaned over the floor tom and asked if I knew "All Right Now" by Free.
Every once in a while the stars align and things just fall your way. Luckily, All Right Now was a part of every sock hop, kegger and bar gig I've ever played. Without answering, I counted it down and the band kicked in behind me. The audience burst into applause, perhaps out of relief I didn't make a fool of myself, as I led the same group I used to watch from the nose bleed section as a kid. It was mind-boggling.
As the final chords rang out, Ian gave me a quick thumbs up along with a great story to tell next time I get together with the neighborhood garage band.
Hey, does anyone know Bungle in the Jungle?