What was the >real reason< why Glenn Cornick got fired from Jethro Tull after all?

The explanation given in the "Stand Up" DE edition book is frustrating as it merely reflects what's in the Tull official Web site - where Ian Anderson plainly washes his hands off of everything by imputing the split to the "other guys" reclusiveness or something (makes sense?), and to a decision from Terry Ellis...

...and Ellis is quoted by Glenn, in the aforementioned book, has having acted on Ian's order ("Ian doesn't want you to play in the band any more")...

So aside from Glenn having been gregarious and a party animal, which was his private life anyway, what was wrong about him in the end? Missing gigs or soundchecks, playing badly because of substance abuse, etc.?...

It must have been relatively serious for a band getting where they were getting in terms of popularity, and on the point of recording a new album... To get rid of a great player like him, with flamboyant stage presence and practically as physically iconic as Ian himself for the group's image, even contributing as Ian admits to a bit of the writing, with the prospect of forcing a new bass player out of a retirement from music of several years to learn all the stuff new and old, then jump back on the road again...

 

The usual story (which is also in the documentary video) appears to be true, Ian simply didn't like it when members of the band got into the party lifestyle and Glenn seemed to be the member of that lineup who was most into it. Doubtless there were personal issues as well, as he brought one of his best friends in as replacement.

 

Hmm, hmm...

What documentary video are you referring to?

 

The "Classic Artists" series. Very enjoyable if you don't mind that it's nearly all talking/history, though there are a few vintage clips as bonus. (Oops, I see it's out of print though...)

https://www.amazon.com/Jethro-Tull-Classic-Artists/dp/B002TZS50G

 

Sounds interesting. I just bought one on ebay for $6.99 w/ free shipping, seller has additional quantity...

 

You'll enjoy if you're a Tull fan. ~As a history of the band it's very fair and thorough. And the story about Dave Pegg taking a whiz into Terry Ellis' drink is worth the price.

 

In the documentary, GC strongly defends himself against any charges of unprofessionalism/lateness/musical inadequacy, and I believe him.

Martin Barre claims he 'wasn't completely surprised' by Glen's dismissal.

GC is my favourite Tull bass-player, not just for what he contributed musically, but also for his great look but I think interpersonal relationships between band members can count for a lot and Ian may have worried that Glen was about to become unreliable.

Then again, from what I can gather, the Tull members never socialised much offstage and Ian would spend most of his 'down time' on his own, anyway.

After Mick Abrahams left/was forced out, Ian's word was law and what Ian wanted, Ian got.

Terry Ellis was only doing his job in firing Glen. It must have been awful for GC, but that's showbiz. The only aspect of the case that really rankles is the briefings against Glen in the press, which weren't necessary and must have been hurtful to him.

 

TBH, I have no ideas why Glenn Cornick left Jethro Tull.

However, being aware that many successful bands are reliant upon not only great skill, talent, creativity, marketing, etc -
There often must be a firm, steady infrastructure of solid leadership, a balance of delicate egos, continual and constant communication, and desire to focus on mutual goals.

Quoting your words, I wonder if Cornick’s attributes somehow actually became his disadvantages:
“a great player like him,”
“with flamboyant stage presence” and
“practically as physically iconic as Ian himself for the group's image”
“even contributing as Ian admits to a bit of the writing,”

Those jumped out at me as possible negatives, in a band wherein one member seizes sole leadership (sometimes with an entirely valid reason)...and desires more acclaim and credit.

Some bands require a clear and distinct “pecking order”.

 

I remember reading an interview with Ian, he stated that Matin Barre was the man behind hire and fires and Ian joked that he may come in and find himself fired. I am not sure of how true this was.

 

Cornick's band Wild Turkey played as a support act for Tull, so it couldn't have been too fatally acrimonious. So did Blodwyn Pig. They may have all three been on the same bill a few times.

 

I felt the band lost its Mojo after he and Clive Bunker left. I was a big fan of "Stand Up", but lost interest with them after "Aqualung" and the concept albums that followed.

 

I always thought it's "Cormick" with an "m." .Did I misread his name on the album covers all these years?

 

Yes, it's CorNick.

 

According to the Ministry of Information page, the first time Wild Turkey supported Tull was in April of 1972.

 

Note the "ellipsis" with regard to our topic at around the 5:00 mark... Just as if nothing had happened...

 

Which was around the time their first album came out; the second one at the end of the year.

 

Pretty true, although Songs From The Wood is a good one.

 

Whatever the reason - and it certainly wasn't addressed in the video - little did we know it was the first indication of the revolving door that became Jethro Tull.

 

Well once Jeffrey had joined, no one got fired for a good while.

 

partially agreed here - I like the post-Aqualung/pre-Songs From the Wood albums, but Tull started to really cook again when Ian's friend departed and Glasscock (and later Pegg) took over on bass.

 

Just about ALL the members of the mid-seventies though to 1980 band had flamboyant and distinct (if assumed) stage presences. Tull portrayed themselves as bunch of English eccentrics who just happened to play instruments.

And I think all Tull members contributed to the writing (John Evan wrote the Locomotive Breath intro and Martin Barre contributed lots of instrumental ideas, as did David Palmer). According to Barre, they received royalties for their contributions even if they didn't get writing CREDITS.

 

I get the impression Ian was a somewhat dependent character in the early days of Tull, constantly needing reassurance from Terry Ellis and preferring to be surrounded by familiar faces - hence, the recruitment of Jeffrey and Barrie.

 

Thanks...
At least you have proven me correct -
If only on one count!