Mick Abrahams Guitar, Vocals 1967–1968

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Mick Abrahams, born April 7, 1943, in Luton, England, was the original guitarist for Jethro Tull, contributing to their debut album This Was (1968) before leaving due to musical differences. He formed the influential blues-rock band Blodwyn Pig and pursued a solo career, but retired from performing after a stroke, residing with family in Luton.

Mick Abrahams, born April 7, 1943, in Luton, England, during the height of World War II, began playing guitar in the early 1960s, initially with rock and roll bands before gravitating toward R&B and blues, with a touch of jazz influence. In 1967, he formed McGregor’s Engine with drummer Clive Bunker and bassist Andy Pyle, catching the attention of Ian Anderson when the band supported Anderson’s John Evan Band at a Luton club. Later that year, Abrahams and Bunker joined Anderson and bassist Glenn Cornick to form the prototype of Jethro Tull in December 1967. Through the winter and early spring of 1968, the band honed their blues-based covers and original songs, securing a residency at London’s Marquee Club in March 1968.

Abrahams’ fiery guitar work defined Jethro Tull’s debut album, This Was (1968), but musical differences and personality clashes with Anderson and Cornick led to his departure in November 1968. Seeking a stronger blues direction, he formed Blodwyn Pig in 1969, which gained a cult following with albums like Ahead Rings Out (1969) and Getting to This (1970). Abrahams also pursued a solo career, releasing over a dozen albums between 1971 and 2017, and continuing with various incarnations of Blodwyn Pig and the Mick Abrahams Band. He also collaborated sporadically with Ian Anderson on acoustic, blues-based recordings and live performances.

Known for his spirited and soulful guitar style, Abrahams built a dedicated fanbase over decades. However, health challenges, including a stroke, forced his retirement from live performances. He now lives quietly with his family in Luton, England, where he remains a respected figure in the blues-rock scene, celebrated for his foundational role in Jethro Tull and his enduring contributions to Blodwyn Pig and beyond.

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