Mick Abrahams

Mick Abrahams
Mick Abrahams
Born	April 7, 1943 (age 83); Luton, Bedfordshire, England
Occupation(s)	Guitarist, vocalist, band leader
Years active	1967–present
Known for	First guitarist of Jethro Tull, founder of Blodwyn Pig

Michael Timothy Abrahams (born 7 April 1943) is a renowned English guitarist, vocalist, and band leader, recognized primarily as the first guitarist for Jethro Tull during 1967–1968 and as the founder of Blodwyn Pig.

Jethro Tull

Hailing from Luton, Bedfordshire, Abrahams contributed his guitar work to Jethro Tull's 1968 release This Was. Differences in artistic vision with frontman Ian Anderson—Abrahams inclined towards blues and rock, whereas Anderson preferred folk and jazz influences—led to Abrahams' exit soon after the album was finalized. Additionally, he played guitar on a later non-album single by the band.

Blodwyn Pig and subsequent endeavors

Abrahams went on to establish Blodwyn Pig, which produced two studio albums: Ahead Rings Out (1969) and Getting to This (1970), before disbanding. He subsequently fronted the Mick Abrahams Band and continued releasing both solo projects and Blodwyn Pig reunion records. Outside of music, his career included roles such as driver, lifeguard, and financial advisor, while still performing occasionally for charitable events in Dunstable, Bedfordshire.

Following a heart attack in November 2009, Abrahams took a break from performing to focus on recovery. In 2010, he revealed via his website that Ménière's disease would restrict his live appearances for at least a year. By December 2013, despite ongoing health struggles, he announced plans to release a new album in 2014.

In 2015, Abrahams unveiled Revived!, a fresh studio album featuring guest appearances including Martin Barre, who replaced him in Jethro Tull.

Jethro Tull

1968 This Was

Blodwyn Pig

1969 Ahead Rings Out
1970 Getting to This
1997 Live at Lafayette (Bootleg)
1999 Live at the Fillmore West: 3 August 1970 (Bootleg)
1999 On Air: Rare Singles & Radio Sessions 1969–1989 (Bootleg)
2000 The Basement Tapes
2002 Live at the Marquee Club London 1974 (Official Bootleg)
2003 Rough Gems (Official Bootleg No.2)
2012 Radio Sessions '69 to '71

Mick Abrahams Band

1971 Mick Abrahams (credited solely to Mick Abrahams; early editions list "Band" on label) (Chrysalis Records)
1972 At Last (Chrysalis Records)
1997 Live in Madrid
2008 Amongst Vikings

Solo

1971 Mick Abrahams (recorded with Mick Abrahams Band but credited solo) (Chrysalis Records)
1975 Have Fun Learning The Guitar with Mick Abrahams
1991 All Said And Done
1996 Mick's Back
1996 One
2000 Novox (Instrumental)
2000 The Very Best of ABY (Compilation)
2001 Music to the Play 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
2001 This Was the First Album of Jethro Tull
2002 The Best of ABY Vol.2
2002 How Many Times (With Sharon Watson)
2003 Can't Stop Now
2005 Back with the Blues Again
2005 Leaving Home Blues
2008 65... The Music
2013 Hoochie Coochie Man – Unreleased studio album – Secret Records
2015 Revived!

Reformed Blodwyn Pigs

1993 Lies
1995 All Tore Down – Live
1996 Pig in the Middle
2000 See My Way
2004 All Said and Done
2005 Pigthology
2011 Times Have Changed (Reissue of Lies)
2013 Cat Squirrel Blues

This Was Band

2001 This Is (Live)

Collaborations

1971 : El Pea – Various Artists; features Mick on "Greyhound Bus"
1996 : To Cry You a Song: A Collection of Tull Tales – Various Artists; Mick performs on several tracks
2007 : Beggar's Farm – Itullians, an Italian Jethro Tull tribute group including former members Jonathan Noyce and Clive Bunker

Freemasonry

Mick Abrahams is affiliated with Freemasonry as a member of Chelsea Lodge No. 3098, a lodge dedicated to individuals from the entertainment sector, as recounted in his autobiography, What Is A Wommett?

External links