John Glascock
Encyclopedia
John Glascock was the bass guitar
ist, backing vocalist, and occasional lead vocalist for the progressive rock band Carmen
. He was also the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock band Jethro Tull
from December 1975 until August 1979. He died in 1979, at the age of 28, as a result of a heart valve defect, resulting from an abscessed tooth.
(early 1965 - June 1967, September 1967 - February 1969), Head Machine (1970), Toe Fat
(June 1969 - December 1970) and Chicken Shack
(January 1971 - March 1972).
In 1973 he joined Carmen
.
In Carmen John Glascock played Bass Guitar
, sang backup vocals, occasionally played Synthesizers, and even sang lead vocals on High Time from Carmen's final album, The Gypsies.
Glascock then joined Jethro Tull. He played on the Jethro Tull albums Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die!
, Songs from the Wood
, Heavy Horses
, Live - Bursting Out, and certain tracks on Stormwatch
.
Glascock replaced the longtime friend of Ian Anderson
, Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond. He also played electric guitar on-stage when Anderson's arrangement required it, as for instance in performances of "Skating Away (On the Thin Ice of the New Day)" from the Bursting Out
live album, when the rest of the band was playing xylophone
, glockenspiel
and percussion.
Glascock's health problems became apparent when he was unable to perform on the Heavy Horses
tour, missing a transatlantic simulcast
from Madison Square Garden
. Despite the diagnosis of heart valve damage caused by an infection, he continued his previous lifestyle, which involved heavy drinking, hard drug use, and wild parties. His health continued to deteriorate. Ian Anderson gave him several warnings before finally laying him off with pay during the production of Stormwatch
, completing most of the bass guitar parts himself. During the subsequent promotional tour with replacement bass player Dave Pegg
, Anderson learned of Glascock's death and had to break the news to the rest of the band. Glascock's close friend Drummer
Barriemore Barlow
was devastated. He left the band at the end of the tour. Mark Craney
replaced him.
The resulting dislocation, Ian Anderson's own artistic vision, and a decision from the label, prompted a complete overhaul of the lineup, leaving only Anderson and Martin Barre
as full members.
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
ist, backing vocalist, and occasional lead vocalist for the progressive rock band Carmen
Carmen (rock band)
Carmen was a British-American band active from 1970–1975. Their style was a fusion of rock music and flamenco music and dance. While the band achieved some success in recording and performance, its greatest significance lies in later contributions of its members to more famous rock...
. He was also the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock band Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
from December 1975 until August 1979. He died in 1979, at the age of 28, as a result of a heart valve defect, resulting from an abscessed tooth.
Career
The first band John Glascock played with was The Juniors (1962–1964). He then played with The GodsThe Gods (band)
The Gods were an English group founded in 1965. The original bandmembers included Mick Taylor , Brian Glascock, and his brother John .-Career:...
(early 1965 - June 1967, September 1967 - February 1969), Head Machine (1970), Toe Fat
Toe Fat
Toe Fat was an English rock music band, active from June 1969 to 1971, notable for including two future members of Uriah Heep.-Career:Formed in June 1969, the band was fronted by former Rebel Rouser Cliff Bennett and, in the course of its two year, two album career, featured lead guitarist and...
(June 1969 - December 1970) and Chicken Shack
Chicken Shack
Chicken Shack are a British blues band, founded in the mid-1960s by Stan Webb , Andy Silvester , and Alan Morley , who were later joined by Christine Perfect in 1968.-Career:...
(January 1971 - March 1972).
In 1973 he joined Carmen
Carmen (rock band)
Carmen was a British-American band active from 1970–1975. Their style was a fusion of rock music and flamenco music and dance. While the band achieved some success in recording and performance, its greatest significance lies in later contributions of its members to more famous rock...
.
In Carmen John Glascock played Bass Guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, sang backup vocals, occasionally played Synthesizers, and even sang lead vocals on High Time from Carmen's final album, The Gypsies.
Glascock then joined Jethro Tull. He played on the Jethro Tull albums Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die!
Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die!
Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll: Too Young to Die! is the ninth studio album released by British band Jethro Tull. It is widely considered a concept album. The remastered 2002 CD version contains two bonus tracks that were cut from the original LP, "Small Cigar" and "Strip Cartoon"...
, Songs from the Wood
Songs from the Wood
Songs from the Wood is the tenth studio album by Jethro Tull and is considered to be the first of a trio of folk rock albums despite the fact that folk music elements are present in the work of Jethro Tull both before and after this trilogy...
, Heavy Horses
Heavy Horses
Heavy Horses is the eleventh studio album by Jethro Tull, released on 10 April 1978. It is considered the second album in a trilogy of folk-rock albums by Jethro Tull, although folk music's influence is evident on a great number of Jethro Tull releases...
, Live - Bursting Out, and certain tracks on Stormwatch
Stormwatch (album)
Stormwatch is the twelfth studio album by the rock group Jethro Tull. It is considered the last in the trilogy of folk-rock albums by Jethro Tull...
.
Glascock replaced the longtime friend of Ian Anderson
Ian Anderson (musician)
Ian Scott Anderson, MBE is a Scottish singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his work as the leader and flautist of British rock band Jethro Tull.-Early life:...
, Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond. He also played electric guitar on-stage when Anderson's arrangement required it, as for instance in performances of "Skating Away (On the Thin Ice of the New Day)" from the Bursting Out
Bursting Out
Bursting Out is a 1978 live album by rock band Jethro Tull. It was recorded at various locations during the European Heavy Horses tour of May and June 1978, but it is not certain where each track was recorded...
live album, when the rest of the band was playing xylophone
Xylophone
The xylophone is a musical instrument in the percussion family that consists of wooden bars struck by mallets...
, glockenspiel
Glockenspiel
A glockenspiel is a percussion instrument composed of a set of tuned keys arranged in the fashion of the keyboard of a piano. In this way, it is similar to the xylophone; however, the xylophone's bars are made of wood, while the glockenspiel's are metal plates or tubes, and making it a metallophone...
and percussion.
Glascock's health problems became apparent when he was unable to perform on the Heavy Horses
Heavy Horses
Heavy Horses is the eleventh studio album by Jethro Tull, released on 10 April 1978. It is considered the second album in a trilogy of folk-rock albums by Jethro Tull, although folk music's influence is evident on a great number of Jethro Tull releases...
tour, missing a transatlantic simulcast
Simulcast
Simulcast, shorthand for "simultaneous broadcast", refers to programs or events broadcast across more than one medium, or more than one service on the same medium, at the same time. For example, Absolute Radio is simulcast on both AM and on satellite radio, and the BBC's Prom concerts are often...
from Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
. Despite the diagnosis of heart valve damage caused by an infection, he continued his previous lifestyle, which involved heavy drinking, hard drug use, and wild parties. His health continued to deteriorate. Ian Anderson gave him several warnings before finally laying him off with pay during the production of Stormwatch
Stormwatch (album)
Stormwatch is the twelfth studio album by the rock group Jethro Tull. It is considered the last in the trilogy of folk-rock albums by Jethro Tull...
, completing most of the bass guitar parts himself. During the subsequent promotional tour with replacement bass player Dave Pegg
Dave Pegg
Dave Pegg is an English multi-instrumentalist and record producer, arguably most visible as a bass guitarist. He is the longest-serving member of the pre-eminent electric folk band Fairport Convention and has been bassist with a number of important folk and rock groups including The Ian Campbell...
, Anderson learned of Glascock's death and had to break the news to the rest of the band. Glascock's close friend Drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Barriemore Barlow
Barriemore Barlow
Barrie "Barriemore" Barlow is an English musician, best known as the drummer and percussionist for the rock band Jethro Tull, from May 1971 to June 1980....
was devastated. He left the band at the end of the tour. Mark Craney
Mark Craney
Mark Craney was a drummer for the rock band Jethro Tull from June 1980 to May 1981...
replaced him.
The resulting dislocation, Ian Anderson's own artistic vision, and a decision from the label, prompted a complete overhaul of the lineup, leaving only Anderson and Martin Barre
Martin Barre
Martin Lancelot Barre is an English rock musician.Barre has been the guitarist for rock band Jethro Tull since 1969. He has appeared on every Jethro Tull album except their debut This Was...
as full members.
Personal life
John Glascock had a relationship with bandmate Angela Allen while in Carmen and sometime after. According to Ian Anderson, he was well liked by his fellow bandmates and Barriemore Barlow was particularly fond of him.Equipment in Jethro Tull
John Glascock generally used Fender Precision basses and Music Man Stingray Basses. When he needed to use an Acoustic Bass, he would use a Yamaha Acoustic. For Amplification, he used Martin Bass Bins and Horns, Crown Amps, Martin pre-amps, and Acoustic pre-amps.[1]External links
- Biography at Jethro Tull official website
- Website for birth info
- http://www.tullpress.com/s17jan76.htm