Michael Eavis

Michael Eavis
Eavis in June 2024
Born	Athelston Joseph Michael Eavis (1935-10-17) 17 October 1935 Pilton, Somerset, England, UK
Occupations	Farmer * businessman
Children	5, including Emily Eavis

Biography

Michael Eavis is a British dairy farmer and festival organizer best known as the founder of the Glastonbury Festival, one of the world’s most iconic music and performing arts events. He was born Athelstan Joseph Michael Eavis on October 17, 1935, in Pilton, Somerset, England. After attending Wells Cathedral School, he joined the British Merchant Navy before returning home in the 1950s to take over the family farm.

Eavis's life took a historic turn in 1970 when, inspired by the Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music, he decided to host a similar event on his farm. The first Glastonbury Festival (then called the Pilton Pop, Blues & Folk Festival) took place in September 1970 and attracted around 1,500 people, with tickets costing £1 and including free milk from Eavis’s cows.

The festival grew steadily in scope and reputation, becoming a fixture of British culture and an international symbol of creativity, activism, and community. It is especially known for blending music, politics, environmentalism, and charity work. Glastonbury has hosted legendary performances by artists such as David Bowie, Beyoncé, Radiohead, and Paul McCartney.

Despite facing challenges like weather, crowd control, and local opposition in its early years, Eavis has remained at the heart of the festival's evolution. He is admired for his down-to-earth demeanor, philanthropic values, and unwavering commitment to keeping Glastonbury both a grassroots and global event. Much of the festival's profits go to charities, including Oxfam, Greenpeace, and WaterAid.

Michael Eavis was appointed a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2007 for his services to music and charity. Today, he continues to live and work on Worthy Farm, and though his daughter Emily Eavis has taken on much of the festival’s organization, Michael remains an enduring symbol of its spirit.

Music (likes)

BBC's Desert Island Discs (2008)

• Children of the Revolution – T. Rex
• Twelfth Street Rag – Pee Wee Hunt
• How Great Thou Art – Elvis Presley
• Uncle John's Band – Grateful Dead
• I Threw it All Away – Bob Dylan
• Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before – The Smiths (Morrissey, Johnny Marr)
• Waterfall – The Stone Roses
• The Scientist – Coldplay

Literature (likes)

Miscellaneous

• Blake - Peter Ackroyd