Glastonbury's 90-Year-Young Founder Still Rockin' and Rollin'!

Michael Eavis, the founder of the famous Glastonbury Festival, has just turned 90 years old and says he feels 'very well. ' He credits the festival for keeping him active and happy. Eavis started the first Pilton Pop, Folk and Blues Festival in 1970 with his late wife Jean. At the time, he was a struggling dairy farmer and hoped the event would help him pay off his debts. Today, Glastonbury has grown into the largest greenfield festival in the world, transforming Worthy Farm into a temporary city with a population of about 200,000 people during the festival. The event attracts some of the biggest names in music, as well as celebrities, circus acts, comedy shows, and theatre performances. Eavis describes the festival's history as 'a long story of excitement,' and says that is probably what keeps him going. He always considers the most recent festival to be his favorite.

Although Eavis still sees himself as a farmer first, his influence has reached far beyond Worthy Farm. The festival has raised millions of pounds for charities, with £5. 9 million donated in 2025 alone. Eavis has also built more than 50 social houses in Pilton, which were opened by former footballer Gary Lineker in 2023. He says his mother would be proud of him for the houses, and he enjoys seeing them shine in the sun as he drives by. In 2024, Eavis received a knighthood for his services to music, and he was photographed laughing and holding up his golden medal in front of Windsor Castle.

Jekka McVicar, an award-winning gardener who grew up in Pilton, knows Eavis well. She helped build the first Pyramid Stage and was the first female musician to perform at the festival with her band Marsupilami. She remembers the stage being made out of milk crates and planks of wood, which could move if you stood in the wrong spot. McVicar says Eavis' legacy is unique and cannot be repeated. The first Pyramid Stage was built in 1971, and a black and white photo shows crowds gathered around it. When Eavis spoke to the BBC in 1970, he described himself as 'an average sort of fella' and hoped the festival would help him clear his overdraft. More than fifty years later, Glastonbury is one of the most sought-after tickets in the world, with about 2. 5 million people trying to get one each year.

However, the festival's journey has not been without challenges. In its early days, local residents were upset as crowds flooded nearby villages. There were concerns about drug use, gatecrashers, and even court battles over the festival's license. Eavis says he was often 'at war' with the council, the village, local magistrates, and the police, but eventually things worked out. He believes the struggle was what made the festival successful and says it was worth it.

Eavis remains modest about his favorite festival years, always saying the most recent one is the best. He has handed over the festival's organization to his daughter Emily, but he still plays with his band and draws large crowds. For his 90th birthday, Eavis plans to celebrate with a party in the village, singing three songs with his band, though he keeps the song choices a secret.

Michael Eavis is proud of what he has achieved with Glastonbury Festival. The event has become a symbol of music, community, and charity, and Eavis continues to be an important part of its story. Even at 90, he is excited to keep celebrating and making memories with his family, friends, and festival-goers.