ZapGossip

Ian Anderson: I don’t care about chart success


Ian Anderson insists his record making it into the Top 20 in the charts doesn’t mean anything to him.

The Jethro Tull frontman, whose recent album ‘Homo Erraticus’ reached number 14 in the UK Album Charts, admits he doesn’t care about doing well in the charts, although it’s nice to "pop in" to let people know he’s still around.

He told BANG Showbiz: "Charts are just not my thing. It doesn’t mean anything to me at all, quite frankly.

"Of course, what it’s about is a loyal group of fans rushing out to buy the album as soon as it’s made available to them.

"And I thoroughly appreciate the anxiousness to acquire it before anybody else does, but it will be a short-lived chart position. After some 45 years, I know for sure [it will be]."

But the 66-year-old flutist and singer thanked his team for working hard to promote the record, his highest-charting album since Jethro Tull’s ‘Songs From The Wood’ in 1977 and his highest charting solo album to date.

He continued: "People working with me on the promotion of the album have worked very, very hard to do their best to let people know it’s coming out."

Ian claims he doesn’t plan to use the Jethro Tull name much in the future and prefers to use his own name for concerts and albums.

He said: "It’s a brand name, I own the copyright, but it’s not something I’d choose to use very often.

"If it was ‘The Best of Jethro Tull’ concert, that broad selection of historical music, then there would be justification.

"But I prefer to use my own name [now] in the twilight years before I snuff it. I’d rather people got used to me as the guy on the ticket."