Martin Barre, who succeeded Abrahams in Jethro Tull and played with the band until its dissolution in 2011, posted a tribute to his predecessor on Facebook. (UCR report)
"My friend and mentor Mick Abrahams has passed," Barre wrote. "He was so nice to me and that is something I will never forget! What a magnificent guitar player who gave us so much! Rest in peace."
Mick Abrahams' Early Career: Jethro Tull and Blodwyn Pig Success
Born on April 7, 1943 in Luton, Bedfordshire, England, Abrahams co-founded Jethro Tull in 1967 alongside vocalist Ian Anderson, bassist Glenn Cornick and drummer Clive Bunker. He played on the band's debut album, This Was, released in October 1968.
Abrahams' tenure with Jethro Tull was short-lived. He left the band in December 1968, in part because of disagreements over the band's musical direction. Abrahams brought prominent blues rock and jazz fusion elements to the group, while future releases would feature Jethro Tull's classic mix of prog and folk rock.
Blodwyn Pig initially disbanded in 1970 but reformed intermittently over the years. Abrahams formed the short-lived Wommett, then embarked on a solo career, releasing his self-titled debut album in 1971. Several more solo albums followed over the years, as did albums with the reformed Blodwyn Pig.
