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Formed in Blackpool, England, in 1967, Jethro Tull was one of the most influential bands of the progressive rock era, thanks to multi-international hits like "Living in the Past" and "Bungle in the Jungle." The band took its name from the 18th century inventor of the seed drill, an eccentric choice that seemed to mirror the unique stage persona of Jethro Tull's frontman and flute player, Ian Anderson. Although the band's 1968 debut, This Was, failed to generate an audience, Anderson's quirky, jazz-influenced style and complex songwriting helped steer 1969's Stand Up to Number 1 on the UK Albums Chart. The album also helped popularize the prog rock genre, and hit singles like "Living in the Past," "The Witch's Promise," and "Bungle in the Jungle" all followed in its wake, along with thematic albums like 1971's Aqualung (a gold-certified success in UK and triple-platinum blockbuster in America), 1972's Thick as a Brick (which marked the band's first time topping the American charts), and 1973's A Passion Play. Despite ridicule from some critics, Jethro Tull doggedly maintained a passionate following as the musicians began pursuing a folk-rock path with late-'70s releases like Songs from the Wood. A decade later, 1987's Crest of a Knave went gold in both the UK and America and controversially beat out Metallica at the 1989 Grammy Awards for "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental." Although it was the last Jethro Tull album to receive a gold certification in either country, Jethro Tull remained popular well into the 21st century and released its 22nd studio album, The Zealot Gene, in early 2022.
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