Classic rock band mourns death of ‘vitally important’ original guitarist
Mick Abrahams, a founding member of the legendary classic rock band Jethro Tull, has died. He was 82.
Abrahams died on Friday, Dec. 19, American Songwriter reported . His former band also confirmed the musician's death on social media.
"It is with great sadness that we learned yesterday of the passing of Jethro Tull founding member Mick Abrahams," a post on Jethro Tull's Instagram read.
"Mick was vitally important to the early Tull formation out of the ashes of The John Evan Band and McGregor's Engine, the blues band he formed with Clive Bunker in the Luton/Dunstable area," the post read. "We all offer our condolences to Mick's family and close friends, who can feel justifiably proud of his achievements and musical legacy."
A cause of death was not reported, but American Songwriter noted that Abrahams had been contending with health issues.
Born April 7, 1943 in Luton, England, Abrahams was the original guitarist for Jethro Tull. He appeared on the band's 1968 debut album, "This Was," before leaving the group over musical differences, according to Jethro Tull's website .
Abrahams' departure preceded the group's folk-influenced sophomore album "Stand Up," which topped the U.K. albums chart. Jethro Tull's international breakthrough came with the release of "Aqualung" in 1971, while 1972's "Thick as a Brick" fully established their progressive rock identity.
With more than 60 million albums worldwide, 11 gold and five platinum albums, Jethro Tull has been described as "one of the most commercially successful and eccentric progressive rock bands" by Rolling Stone.
Jethro Tull continued to routinely tour and release music throughout the '70s. The band earned their first and only Grammy Award in 1989 for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal Or Instrumental. The band stopped recording music in the 2000s, but continued to perform live until disbanding in 2011.
Martin Barre, the guitarist who replaced Abrahams, posted a tribute to Abrahams on social media.
"He was so nice to me and that is something I will never forget!" Barre wrote, according to a Facebook post . "What a magnificent guitar player who gave us so much."
Abrahams later formed the influential blues-rock band Blodwyn Pig before pursuing a solo career. The guitarist retired from performing after having a stroke, which, according to American Songwriter, occurred in 2009. He had been living with his family in Luton ever since.
Ray Dorset, frontman of the veteran U.K. band Mungo Jerry, also paid tribute to Abrahams on social media.
"[I just] … got the very sad news that Mick Abrahams has left the building," he wrote. "He was such a lovely guy as well as being a terrific guitarist. It was an honour to support his band Blodwyn Pig prior to Mungo Jerry taking off."
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