Courtesy of Jethro Tull Dot Com

 

He forged an indelible identity on one of the most innovative and influential rock ensembles of any generation: Jethro Tull.

 

The first in a long line of bassists who worked under the auspices of Ian Anderson; Glenn Douglas Bernard Cornick anchored Tull’s most enduring early collections: This Was (1968), Stand Up (1969), and Benefit (1970).

 

Judging from the photographs that have been published over the years, Glenn utilized a wide array of basses, ranging from a battered graffiti laden reverse neck ’62 Fender Jazz to various Gibson instruments (Thunderbird, EB-3), to cite a few.

 

Regardless of his tools, Glenn’s phrasing, tone, and approach afforded him instant recognition as his lines were simultaneously supportive and melodic. 

 

The rhythm section of Glenn and drummer Clive Bunker were the driving force beneath Tull’s signature meld of blues, jazz and progressive – these cats could swing and rock at the same time.

 

Glenn Cornick Sound & Vision with Jethro Tull…

 

“Bouree” https://youtu.be/z6ZJGaT30wk

 

“Back to the Family” https://youtu.be/a3uqdoJxJ50

 

“Teacher” https://youtu.be/NyLPX-YhpLo

 

“My Sunday Feeling” https://youtu.be/nzjp-cFkNoE

 

 

KYBP Adjunct “Il Professore” Tony Senatore’s Cornick Clinic 

Explanation of Jethro Tull’s “Bouree” https://youtu.be/oTrMIuFltEQ

 

 

Working on “Bouree” https://youtu.be/XHEsfehUK-Y

 

Tony Senatore’s Complete Rendition of “Bouree” https://youtu.be/aA08zaXmbH8

Tony Senatore’s rendition of “Inside” https://youtu.be/oAVDpSpNh4A

 

 

Tony Senatore’s rendition of “Living In The Past” https://youtu.be/cNfV5RgNrg4

 

 

Tony Senatore’s rendition of “Nothing Is Easy” https://youtu.be/9ppRo_8a2sQ

 

 

Tony Senatore’s rendition of “Nothing to Say” https://youtu.be/tHoj47W1aUg

 

 

 

Following Glenn’s departure from Tull, which was never fully explained, Cornick formed prog-rock collective Wild Turkey with guitarists John Blackmore, Graham Williams, vocalist Gary Pickford, and drummer John Weathers. 

 

 Glenn with Wild Turkey on their debut slab, aptly titled Wild Turkey – waxed in 1972 https://youtu.be/qsEU1QfF9Y0

 

Despite critical acclaim Wild Turkey folded after two releases, and Glenn entered into a collaboration dubbed Paris, a decidedly hard-rock trio with ex-Fleetwood Mac member Bob Welch and former Nazz drummer Thom Mooney, and later, for their second slab drummer Hunt Sales.

 

Once again, despite critical acclaim and extensive touring, Cornick’s ensembled folded after two releases.

 

Glenn with Paris “Pale Horse Pale Rider” https://youtu.be/kY-xYPEb0j8

 

In his later years, Glenn -whom Anderson noted was the only member of Jethro Tull who maintained his signature appearance as he aged – worked in assorted Jethro Tull repertory ensembles with his former bandmates, participated in a Tull reunion with Anderson, and also reunited on occasion with Wild Turkey, in addition to other musical projects. Cornick passed in 2014.

 

Ian Anderson’s tribute to Glenn Cornick, courtesy of Drew Cornick https://youtu.be/GObmgmmjrts

 

 

 

 

Akin to many of his generation, it all started for this Birmingham, England bred bassist with Bert Weedon’s Play In A Day – the “simple” instruction manual which “launched” a thousand or so careers….

 

Affectionately known as “Peggy” amongst his peers, he is a player who exemplifies virtuosity in the genre loosely dubbed “electric folk.”

 

Not to be confused with American folk-rock; Pegg and his peers derived their strongest influences from the Celtic cultures – though their yen for Yanks Bob Dylan and The Byrds is most obvious.  Peggy plies his craft on trad four and extended range with the utmost dexterity – rendering melodic counterpoint, improv, inventive solos, and supportive in-the-pocket playing as the situation warrants.

 

In addition to his tenure as the longest serving member of Fairport Convention, Peggy, who also plays mandolin and croons, has anchored seminal recordings by several artists of note, namely: Nick Drake (Bryter Layter, 1970), Sandy Denny (Like An Old Fashioned Waltz, 1974), Richard & Linda Thompson (Pour Down Like Silver, 1975; Shoot Out The Lights, 1982), Richard Thompson (Hand of Kindness, 1983), Linda Thompson (Fashionably Late, 2002), John Martyn (Solid Air, 1973; One World, 1977), and Steve Ashley  among many, many others.

 

During his fifteen-year stint in Jethro Tull, Peggy and drummer Doane Perry enabled Ian Anderson and Martin Barre to rekindle some of the old magic from their early years on stage and on such fine releases including Crest of a Knave (1987), Rock Island (1989), and Catfish Rising (1991).

 

An engaging, often outrageous performer, I witnessed Fairport Convention at the Bottom Line in New York City sometime in the 1980s wherein an enraged Dave Pegg, outfitted in extremely snug white shorts, nearly swallowed his microphone in the midst of a vitriolic rant directed at club owner Allan Pepper. For some reason FC never returned to the hallowed venue…

 

David Pegg Sound & Vision…

 

Nick Drake: “Bryter Layter” https://youtu.be/9DjWvjeZ6ww

 

Richard and Linda Thompson “Shoot Out the Lights” https://youtu.be/2ljITeqfSQw

 

Fairport Convention “Dirty Linen” https://youtu.be/MTWrtWl0zwQ

 

Sandy Denny “Solo” https://youtu.be/AVWCvBUFsso

 

Peggy working a Steinberger XL bass with Jethro Tull “Steel Monkey” https://youtu.be/G6-Jy133XLI

 

Jethro Tull “Hunting Girl” https://youtu.be/2Mti0IUAocY

 

Peggy with a vintage Fender Jazz with Jethro Tull “Broadsword” https://youtu.be/2TMnSBQxeAw