Mick Abrahams

Mick Abrahams
Born
Michael Timothy Abrahams

(1943-04-07)7 April 1943
Luton, Bedfordshire, England
Died19 December 2025(2025-12-19) (aged 82)
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • vocals
Years active1960s–2025
Labels
Formerly of

Michael Timothy Abrahams (7 April 1943 – 19 December 2025) was an English musician, best known for being the original guitarist for Jethro Tull from 1967 to 1968 and the leader of Blodwyn Pig.

Early life and career

Michael Timothy Abrahams was born on 7 April 1943 in Luton, Bedfordshire. He played on the album This Was recorded by Jethro Tull in 1968, but conflicts between Abrahams and Ian Anderson over the musical direction of the band led Abrahams to leave shortly after the album was finished, but not before contributing guitar to one further non-LP single. Abrahams wanted to pursue a more blues/rock direction, while Anderson wanted to incorporate more overt folk and jazz influences.

Blodwyn Pig and later career

Abrahams went on to found Blodwyn Pig, and the group recorded two albums, Ahead Rings Out (1969) and Getting to This (1970), before breaking up in 1970. Abrahams soldiered on with the short-lived Wommett, then the Mick Abrahams Band, and he continued to release albums by himself and with reunited versions of Blodwyn Pig. He worked as a driver, lifeguard, and financial consultant, occasionally playing gigs, especially to support causes in Dunstable, Bedfordshire.

Abrahams suffered a heart attack in November 2009 and took time to recuperate before resuming work. In April 2010, his website revealed that he had Ménière's disease, which would hold him back from performing at least for another year. In December 2013, he posted an update referring to his continuing health problems and mentioning that he hoped to release an album in 2014.

In 2015, Abrahams announced a new studio album called Revived!, with several guests–among them Martin Barre, his replacement in Jethro Tull.

Death

Abrahams died on 17 December 2025 at the age of 82.

Discography

Jethro Tull

Blodwyn Pig

Mick Abrahams Band

Solo

Reformed Blodwyn Pig

This Was Band

Collaborations

References

  1. 1 2 Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Blues (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 11. ISBN 0-85112-673-1.
  2. ↑ "RockPeaks - Mick Abrahams". RockPeaks | Music Video Community. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  3. ↑ "allmusic – Mick Abrahams > Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 December 2009.
  4. ↑ Harrison, Flicky. "Mick Abrahams cancels gig due to heart attack". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  5. ↑ "Mick Abrahams details Revived". Classicrock.teamrock.com. 1 April 2015.
  6. ↑ Boroń, Michał (20 December 2025). "Nie żyje Mick Abrahams. Zagrał na słynnym debiucie Jethro Tull". Interia Muzyka. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  7. ↑ "Mick Abrahams, 1st Jethro Tull Guitarist and Blodwyn Pig Founder, Dies". Best Classic Bands. 20 December 2025. Retrieved 20 December 2025.