Surprise - Concert Balloons: More than Hot Air

For oh so many years, Tull concerts have ended with the traditional balloon toss of the gigantic variety. You'll even find one floating above Ian's head on the late 1970's "Bursting Out" live album and three of them chase "Aqualung" in the opening of the "Slipstream" VHS from the early 1980's.

For almost as long, fans have queried about their origin ("War Child" tour possibly, still checking), who blows them up (roadies, poor lads and lassies), what's the record for longest period tossed around an audience without popping (some do go unscathed and rather amusing to watch fans trying to take them out without first deflating), and what the heck do they look like in the pure, virginal state (that's uninflated).

Well, to answer the last item, here is a picture of one, unencumbered with human carbon dioxide emmisions. Click on the picture to view the actual size. It is from the 25th anniversary tour.

You may have noticed Tull doesn't reprint new balloons for every tour. Very rubber frugal. They get taken from Ian's storage and placed on the road so you never know when you might see a "Rock Island" one (as the webmaster saw last year).

There will be a little contest to win one of these beauties in late Fall after the album contests. Just promise the band you will not bring it inflated to any concert.

Have you got a great picture of a Tull balloon launch, or maybe a great story about the flight of a balloon (they have been known to get stuck in the roof lighting)? Email it to webmaster@jethrotull.com for a future special section.