When Jethro Tull released Aqualung in March 1971, it was perhaps with more of a sense of relief than pride. Their fourth studio album had endured a difficult gestation period – not only had they abandoned two previous recordings, but band leader Ian Anderson had struggled with line-up issues.
Bassist Glenn Cornick was fired while recording was in its early stages, to be replaced by Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond. Keyboardist John Evan was making his first full-time appearance in the studio. Dee Palmer provided orchestration but was yet to join the band, while drummer Clive Bunker was about to bow out. Manager and producer Terry Ellis had attempted to take a more back-seat position, but Anderson called him back.
