John Glascock of Jethro Tull left us WAY too early...

[Ivan May]

The younger brother of sometime Motels and Iggy Pop drummer Brian Glascock, and originally a founding member of the British flamenco progressive rock band Carmen (for which he had several co-writing credits and also was lead vocalist), John Glascock joined Jethro Tull in 1975 after Carmen toured with Jethro Tull earlier that year, replacing Jeffrey Hammond Hammond. John's first JT album was the infamous concept album Too Old to Rock N Roll: Too Young to Die!, on which he also sang backing vocals. He would continue to play bass on the albums Songs From The Wood and Heavy Horses, as well as 3 tracks on Stormwatch.

 

However, when the tour for Heavy Horses occurred in 1978 (showcased on the finely made 2 record set Bursting Out), John had been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect that required surgery, which left him unable to play on most of the 1979 album Stormwatch. Ian Anderson eventually completed the rest of the bass tracks, and there was a story that John Glascock had been defying doctor's orders (John was a heavy smoker and had also been an avid user of drugs, especially marijuana and alcohol), and Ian decided to fire John with pay if he didn't clean up. Glascock died at age 28 on November 17, 1979, from heart surgery complications, and I believe that the group was on tour in San Diego (By this time, Dave Pegg, the bassist for Fairport Convention had been hired as Tull bassist) when they learned of John's death.

 

Drummer Barriemore Barlow eventually paid for John Glascock's funeral, as John died with no money or will, and left Jethro Tull after the Stormwatch tour because of the depression he sank into after John died. He was cremated someplace in London.

 

I own several Jethro Tull albums, and I believe John usually played with a pick. His amps of choice were Ampeg B15 and Ampeg SVT 810 amps.

 

Among the basses John Glascock played a Chapman Stick and a Wal bass, as well as a sunburst, CBS Fender Precision Bass.

 

He also played a natural 1976 Music Man Stingray bass, which he used on Heavy Horses and Songs From The Wood

 

and a Rickenbacker 4001 in Mapleglo, which he used mostly during his tenure in Carmen

 

 

John Glascock and Glenn Cornick were some of the best bassists Jethro Tull ever had in my opinion. A shame both of them are gone. I hope this thread helps shed light on John Glascock's skilled bass playing and that there are some Jethro Tull fans who appreciate this thread.

[Mark Schmieder]

Yep, John Glascock really is the primary reason I picked up bass guitar in my mid-twenties (I was primarily a clarinetist and pianist before then). I was devastated when he died. And I was surprised recently to learn that Ian wrote most of the bass lines for his bassists anyway, which explains why there's such a seamless blend on Stormwatch. But as bass is more about feel than the specific notes, no one could ever really replace Glascock, even though Tull's bassists as a whole are all in my top 20! Each one unique.

[Yngve66]

My older brother bought the Heavy Horses album when it came out. So I grew up learning to love this album. And now as an old man, I have picked  up the bass guitar, to try learning to play it. Not easy, since I am old and stiff-fingered. I like playing my old favourites, and John Glascocks basslines from the Heavy Horses album are awesome to try playing. He was a very good bass player, so his lines aren't easy. Often fast like on Acres Wild. It's sad he went away so early. I am sure he would be much more known today, if he had lived on with his art. Thank you for the nice facts you have given us. And the pictures. By by from Norway.