The word "rocker" tends to conjure up images of unruly long hair, heavy make-up and electric guitars rather than someone who cares about the environment and goes supermarket shopping - much like Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson.

"I'm supposed to help my wife with the shopping at Waitrose, and am planning to increase my carbon footprint with a gas-guzzling four-wheel-drive," he says, sighing.

You won't catch Ian in compromising situations with other women either, as he's happily married to his wife of almost 30 years, Shona.

He says: "Our secret is about working together, more than anything else. If you are able to do that, then everything else falls into place.

"My wife and I, for much of our marriage, have worked together as she's involved in the business aspect of what I do musically. We used to be in the dressing room - she'll be there doing the touring stuff and I'm tuning my guitar.

"I can't imagine not being with my wife," he admits. "The early danger is when things are okay and you tend to take things for granted."

It's refreshing to meet a "green" musician who actually worries about the environment. Ian is involved in forestry, and helps to plant trees in the Wiltshire countryside where he lives.

"I am increasingly concerned with the enormous and out-of-proportion contribution that I personally make to the issue of climate change. It's something I can't escape from, being a travelling musician," adds the multi-talented instrumentalist, who plays many instruments including flute, guitar and mandolin.

"We are tens of times above the average UK footprint. For some of us who have a private aeroplane or have a limo, or do things in an extravagant over-the-top way, it is enormous.

"Wealthy travelling music stars shouldn't really be doing this, and given this day and age, we are the villains."

Fans will be able to hear some new Jethro Tull material in the autumn, as Ian reveals that they have started recording songs. As he turns 60 this year, he adds that retiring is far from his mind.

"I normally think about giving up on Mondays," he says, laughing.

"It's a health thing, not a state of mind. Most of us would like to carry on as long as we can. I guess, around the age of 70, it's going to be kind of difficult."

  • The Best Of Acoustic Jethro Tull is released this week. Jethro Tull plays Salisbury City Hall on April 1.