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NEW MUSICAL EXPRESS
19 June 1971
JETHRO DRUMS: SURPRISE SWITCH
Jethro Tull are working with a new drummer — Barry Barlow, replacing Clive Bunker — on their current tour of America which last week played before a riot-torn audience in Denver, Colorado. No reason has been given for the switch and it is not known if Bunker was sacked or if he left of his own accord.
A spokesman for Tull's British agency Chrysalis told NME: "I do not have any information on this. Terry Ellis (their manager) is in America and is staying on there a while."
Writes NME staffman Roy Carr, who formerly fronted a Blackpool-based group in which Barlow was a featured drummer:
"I regarded him at that time as without a doubt the finest drummer in the North West. He was obviously much respected by others who would come along to watch him play. I recall that at that time he never wanted to become a pro musician. He was happier working as a toolmaker."
Apparently Barlow was also formerly drummer with the John Evan Band, a Jethro Tull nucleus which also contained Ian Anderson and Glenn Cornick. He came to London with the band when it also contained Mick Abrahams — but returned to Blackpool after two days.
Thanks to Mike Wain for this article.