Mick Abrahams, the original guitarist for Jethro Tull, has died at the age of 82.
Abrahams was a founding member of Jethro Tull and played a central role in shaping the group’s earliest sound. He appeared on the band’s 1968 debut album, This Was, and his guitar style, rooted in blues and early rock, helped define the band’s initial direction before they evolved into the progressive rock powerhouse they would go on to become.
Abrahams departed Jethro Tull shortly after the release of This Was, following creative differences over the band’s musical direction. While frontman Ian Anderson steered the group toward a more folk and progressive-influenced sound, Abrahams preferred to stay closer to traditional blues, a split that marked a turning point for the band.
After leaving Jethro Tull, Abrahams went on to found Blodwyn Pig, a blues-rock group that earned critical attention in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The band released two studio albums, Ahead Rings Out and Getting to This, both of which showcased Abrahams’ gritty guitar work with its heavy blues influence.
Though he never rejoined Jethro Tull as a full-time member, Abrahams remained an important part of the band’s origin story. His contributions to This Was have long been recognized as foundational, capturing a moment when British rock was still closely intertwined with American blues influences.
Over the decades, Abrahams continued to perform, record and collaborate, maintaining a devoted following among blues and classic rock listeners. His career stood as a reminder of the many creative paths that branched out of the late-1960s British rock explosion.
Members of the rock and roll band “Jethro Tull” pose for a portrait with their album “This Was” and record label executives in 1968 in New York. (Photo by PoPsie Randolph/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
When Abrahams left Jethro Tull, guitarist Marin Barre stepped in to replace him. Barre went to play with the band until it officially dissolved in 2011. The guitarist took to Facebook to honor his predecessor with a loving tribute.
“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.”
With his passing, the music world loses one of the early architects of Jethro Tull’s sound. Abrahams was a guitarist whose work helped launch a band that would go on to become one of rock’s most enduring names, and through his music his legacy lives on forever.
This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 20, 2025, where it first appeared in the Celebs section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.