GLASTONBURY Festival co-founder Michael Eavis has been knighted in the New Year Honours.
He joked that he may “take a couple of tickets” to his world-famous festival in his pocket if the Prince of Wales performs the investiture ceremony.
The dairy farmer, 88, who first hosted the Pilton Pop, Blues & Folk Festival at Worthy Farm in 1970, has been recognised for services to music and charity.
In an interview with the official Glastonbury website, Sir Michael said his daughter Emily, who he now runs Glastonbury Festival with, had brought him the official letter about his knighthood.
“I was really surprised to see it, actually. Why did they choose me, I wonder?," he said
“What can I say, really? I’ve done quite a lot of stuff in my life and I’ve always been fairly sure that I was doing the right thing."
Athelstan Joseph Michael Eavis was born in Pilton, Somerset, in 1935, and educated at Wells Cathedral School.
He later went to the Thames Nautical Training College and initially joined the Union-Castle Line, part of the British Merchant Navy, as a trainee midshipman.
In 1954, he had a change of career after he inherited his parents’ 150-acre farm and 60 cows.
Speaking about his knighthood, he told the Glastonbury website: “When I got the CBE in 2007, I went and told my mother, who was 95 at the time.
"And she just said, ‘Oh that’s a pity, I thought you would have got a K’!”
Asked about the knighthood ceremony and if he had met the King before, Sir Michael said: “I have, actually - last time I met him, I got a suit especially.
“And he said, ‘Why aren’t you wearing your shorts?’!
"But I think William might do the ceremony - he’s made a few mentions of wanting to come to the festival, so I’ll probably take a couple of tickets in my pocket!”
Sir Michael still plays a key role in the running of Glastonbury, but his daughter Emily and her husband take full responsibility for the line-up.
During the festival, he chooses to walk among the crowds instead of opting for the more protected back-routes, and is often seen taking selfies with fans.
In 2023 he performed on the festival's Park Stage before the music officially kicked off, much to the delight of those in attendance.
Hundreds chanted “Michael” as he was wheeled out on an office chair to perform a collection of classics whilst recovering from a recent leg operation.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel