Michael Eavis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Eavis
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Eavis in June 2024
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Athelstan Joseph Michael Eavis
17 October 1935 Pilton, Somerset, England, UK
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| Known for | Co-creator of Glastonbury Festival |
| Children | 5, including Emily Eavis |
Sir Athelstan Joseph Michael Eavis (born 17 October 1935) is an English farmer. He is famous for starting the Glastonbury Festival. This huge music event takes place on his farm in Pilton, Somerset, England.
Contents
Early Life and Farming
Michael Eavis was born in Pilton, Somerset, on 17 October 1935. He grew up on Worthy Farm, which is where the Glastonbury Festival now happens. His father was a dairy farmer, and his mother was a school teacher.
Michael went to Wells Cathedral School. After that, he studied at the Thames Nautical Training College. He then joined the British Merchant Navy as a trainee officer. He planned to work at sea for many years. This would help him earn money to support the family farm.
When Michael was 19, his father passed away. Michael then took over the family farm. It had about 150 acres (60 hectares) of land and 60 cows. For a few years, he also worked in a coal mine to earn extra money for the farm.
Michael has been married three times. He has five children, including his daughter Emily Eavis, who now helps run the Glastonbury Festival.
Creating Glastonbury Festival
In 1969, Michael and his second wife, Jean, went to a music event called the Bath Festival of Blues. They saw the famous band Led Zeppelin play. Michael was so inspired by this experience.
The next year, in 1970, Michael decided to host his own music event. He called it the Pilton Pop Folk & Blues Festival. It was held right on his farm. In 1971, a free festival called Glastonbury Fayre was organized. This event later grew into the massive Glastonbury Festival we know today.
In 2010, the festival celebrated its 40th year. Michael Eavis even appeared on the main stage. He sang "Happy Birthday" with the famous musician Stevie Wonder.
Community and Causes
Michael Eavis has always been interested in helping his community. His family's background and his time as a miner influenced his views. He was a member of the miners' union.
In the early 1980s, he helped start a local group for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). This group worked to stop nuclear weapons. Michael decided that the Glastonbury Festival should raise money for CND. It did this from 1981 to 1987.
Michael has also supported the Labour Party in elections. In 2004, he suggested people vote for the Green Party to protest the war in Iraq. However, he later went back to supporting the Labour Party.
In 2017, Michael invited Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to speak at the festival. Michael supported Corbyn's ideas against nuclear weapons and against cuts to public services.
Helping Others
Michael Eavis uses the money made from the Glastonbury Festival to help many good causes. Some of the money goes to local projects, like fixing up old buildings in his village.
In 2009, Michael was in a short film. This film was made to promote the county of Somerset. He wanted to show how great his home area is.
Michael was also a vice-president of the Somerset Wildlife Trust. This group works to protect nature in Somerset. He stepped down in 2018.
Awards and Recognition
Michael Eavis has received many honors for his work.
- He has honorary degrees from the University of Bath (2004) and the University of Bristol (2006).
- In 2007, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This was for his services to music.
- In 2009, Time magazine named him one of the top 100 most influential people in the world.
- In 2012, he received another honorary degree from the University for the Creative Arts.
- Train companies have even named trains after him!
- On 3 May 2022, he was given the Freedom of the Town of Glastonbury.
- In early 2024, Michael Eavis was made a Knight Bachelor by the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle. This was for his services to music and charity. He is now known as Sir Michael Eavis.
See also
In Spanish: Michael Eavis para niños
- Max Yasgur, an American farmer who hosted the Woodstock Festival in 1969
