Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis has made Time magazine’s list of the most influential people on the planet, with Coldplay singer Chris martin paying tribute to the Somerset farmer.
Glastonbury began as a free event in 1971. Together with his late wife Jean, Michael Eavis is responsible for turning the Somerset event into one of Europe’s biggest music events. With its legendary atmosphere and ability to secure some sensational headliners, Glastonbury has a place in the heart of every British music fan.
The new list in Time magazine honours some of the world’s most influential people. Americans dominate the list, however a few Brits do sneak in notably Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Boris Johnson – the bumbling television presenter turned London mayor.
Coldplay singer Chris Martin was invited to pay tribute to Eavis. “Michael is one of the people to whom I owe my life and career,” Martin wrote. “Every year he does a thank-you for the surrounding village where the festival takes place. He asked Coldplay to play this little fete and picked us up at the airport. It was like being met by a friendly uncle”.
“We were sitting in the back of his farm vehicle that smelled of cheese and cattle when he said “Maybe you’d want to headline next year?” We spat out our drinks! It remains the biggest event in our band’s life. It changed everything,” he said.
Few contemporary musicians make the list, however Sri Lankan born / British raised singer M.I.A. is one of the notable few to be cited. Legendary director Spike Jonze claimed of the singer “there are no borders for her”.
