![Why Ian Anderson Left a Club After Robert Plant Went Onstage](http://townsquare.media/site/295/files/2018/03/plantAnderson.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Why Ian Anderson Left a Club After Robert Plant Went Onstage
Jethro Tull leader Ian Anderson recalled how he met future Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant – and how Anderson’s band “got out pretty quickly” after Plant took a guest turn onstage.
The incident took place sometime in the mid ‘60s in London, before either artist had reached the pinnacle of success. “I’ve never been a strong singer,” said Anderson, who was complimented for retaining the vocal abilities of “a man decades younger” during a recent interview with Prog magazine. “Comparing me to, say, Robert Plant is absurd – he has a God-given talent, which I recognized, fearfully, the first time I ever met him, when [British blues icon] Alexis Korner brought him into a club we were in."
Anderson said they were playing in a "dreary, shitty club in town and it was awful" when Korner "came in with this lean youth and said, ‘All right if my boy stands in and does a number? He sings and plays harmonica.’ And I was like, ‘Well, that’s what I do, but sure, I’ll just sit this one out and he can have a go.’”
Anderson recalled that his reaction was immediate. “You knew instantly that he had something special about him," he said of Plant. "And he was a good harmonica player too. I sat there feeling this growing dread. … We got out of there pretty quickly, as I recall. Not too much looking back that night.”
Jethro Tull are marking their 50th anniversary with a tour that launches in the U.K. on Apr. 3 before reaching the U.S. on May 30. Anderson started work on a new album last year, although he remains unsure whether it will be released under his name or the band moniker. Plant recently said that Led Zeppelin were planning to discuss ways of celebrating their own 50th anniversary this year.
More From 94.9 WMMQ
![All Request Saturday Night Playlist for July 24, 2021 Cover Songs](http://townsquare.media/site/693/files/2021/07/attachment-cover.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Legendary Michigan Rock Clubs, The Grande Ballroom, The Brewery and The Silver Dollar Saloon](http://townsquare.media/site/693/files/2021/07/attachment-brewery-sign.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![All Request Saturday Night Playlist for July 17, 2021 KISS](http://townsquare.media/site/693/files/2021/07/attachment-gettyimages-1130243172.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Rock Out With KISS This Weekend On All Request Saturday Night](http://townsquare.media/site/693/files/2021/07/attachment-kissgenesimmonsetal_theboxset_7b6t.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![All Request Saturday Night Playlist July 10, 2021 Chicago](http://townsquare.media/site/693/files/2021/07/attachment-chicago.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![All Request Saturday Night Playlist June 26, 2021 Michigan Bands](http://townsquare.media/site/693/files/2021/06/attachment-rareearth_ecology_17s3.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![This Weekend It’s Michigan Bands on All Request Saturday Night](http://townsquare.media/site/693/files/2021/06/attachment-srcthescotrichardcas_src_2uoa.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![94.9 WMMQ 2021 Classic Rock Concert Calendar](http://townsquare.media/site/693/files/2021/06/attachment-gettyimages-805579984.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![All Request Saturday Night Playlist June 19, 2021 Kansas](http://townsquare.media/site/693/files/2021/06/attachment-kansas_audiovisions_52ds.jpg?w=980&q=75)