Rod Stewart honors Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis with a special message

Rod Stewart’s big night at Glastonbury

Rod Stewart, 80, performed on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury on June 29, 2025. He sang Maggie May and paused mid-set to invite festival founder Michael Eavis on stage. Rod said, “Happy Birthday to Michael Eavis” mid-performance

Rod honored Michael, who started the Glastonbury Festival in 1970. The crowd cheered as Rod’s tribute turned his set into a historic moment that showed deep respect for the man who created the festival.

Michael Eavis arrives on stage with Emily

Michael Eavis arrived in a wheelchair with his daughter Emily Eavis, 45, who now runs Glastonbury. Emily guided Michael onto the Pyramid Stage during Rod’s Legends Slot. Thousands of fans cheered as Michael waved.

Michael will turn 90 in October 2025. Emily looked proud, which showed the significance of the moment. Fans celebrated the founder who made Glastonbury possible more than fifty years ago.

Rod Stewart’s warm greeting to Michael Eavis

Rod hugged Michael and kissed him on the cheek instead of giving a simple handshake. Rod shouted “Michael, where are ya? Don’t be shy” into the microphone, which made the crowd laugh and cheer.

Rod also said, “Let’s all give him a big round of applause” from the Pyramid Stage. Fans clapped loudly that showing appreciation for Michael’s legacy in building Glastonbury into the world’s biggest festival.

A song that touched everyone at Worthy Farm

Rod performed I Don’t Want to Talk About It right after greeting Michael. He first recorded the song in 1975, and it hit number one on the UK charts in 1977. The crowd sang along to every word.

Rod’s raspy voice and the song’s lyrics created a powerful moment. The giant sing-along became a soft, touching tribute to Michael that showed how music unites people across generations.

Special guests join Rod on stage

Rod brought out Mick Hucknall from Simply Red to sing If You Don’t Know Me by Now, a hit Mick made famous in 1989. Fans were shocked to see both stars on the same stage together.

Rod then invited Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood to perform Stay With Me, their 2004 Faces song. Scottish singer Lulu joined afterward, which showed Rod’s dedication to creating a memorable night.

Songs that rocked the Glastonbury crowd

Rod sang Maggie May with the whole crowd dancing. He followed up with Do Ya Think I’m Sexy which kept everyone bouncing and singing in unison. His Legends Slot felt like a giant party.

Rod’s setlist covered his entire career, with each song bringing new energy. The hits sparked nostalgia and excitement that showed why his show was a highlight of Glastonbury 2025.

Eavis speaks on Glastonbury’s political side

Michael told the Glastonbury Free Press, “Oh heaven’s above, yes, of course it does” when asked if the festival still stood for something politically. His statement confirmed the event’s activist roots.

Michael said those who don’t like Glastonbury’s politics can go somewhere else. Left Field and Green Fields’ Speakers Forum still hosts debates that show the festival’s long commitment to social issues.

Rod Stewart’s own political statements

Before his show, Rod told The Times, “We’re fed up with the Tories. We’ve got to give Farage a chance,” referring to Nigel Farage of Reform UK. His comments sparked arguments among fans.

During his set, Rod dedicated Love Train to Ukraine. He said, “There’s been a lot about the Middle East lately, but I want to draw your attention to Ukraine,” which showed he cared about global events.

Rod’s investment in the show

Rod spent over $100,000 of his own money preparing for Glastonbury 2025. His investment showed he wanted his Legends Slot to be unforgettable for fans who came to see him live.

The tribute to Michael wasn’t on the setlist, which made it a surprise. Rod and Emily planned the exact timing and stage access for Michael’s wheelchair that showed care for every detail of the tribute.

Michael Eavis’s first festival and early days

Michael launched the Glastonbury Festival in 1970, inspired by Woodstock in America. Tickets cost one pound, and 1,500 people attended the first event. He gave out free milk from his Worthy Farm dairy to everyone there.

The festival had no famous artists but it laid the groundwork for today’s massive event. Michael’s idea of music and community started a tradition that showed his vision from the beginning.

The famous Pyramid Stage takes shape

In 1981, Michael introduced the Pyramid Stage, which quickly became the symbol of Glastonbury. The stage has hosted stars like David Bowie, Beyoncé, and Paul McCartney over the years.

The Pyramid sits on Worthy Farm’s fields, giving Glastonbury its unique rural setting. Rod’s 2025 tribute connected him with the history of the stage, which showed how each generation adds to the legend.

Glastonbury’s strong links with activism

In the 1980s, Michael connected Glastonbury with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Greenpeace. These partnerships made activism a central part of the festival’s identity from early on.

Left Field and Green Fields’ Speakers Forum continues to host talks with activists, politicians, and celebrities. Michael’s push for social change through the festival showed it was always more than music.

Eavis family’s festival leadership

Emily Eavis started co-organizing Glastonbury in the early 2000s, which helped shape the festival’s modern era. She booked Rod Stewart for the 2025 Legends Slot before the 2026 break year.

Emily and Michael opened the gates together earlier in the week. Emily told BBC Radio 6 it’s her favorite part of the weekend, which shows her passion for continuing her father’s legacy.

Worthy Farm’s unique transformation

Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, has hosted Glastonbury since 1970 and is still a working dairy farm with around 400 cows. The site turns into a temporary city every year.

More than 200,000 people attend the festival annually. During the event, cows move to nearby fields, and milking continues in biosecure areas, which shows the farm’s flexibility during the massive transformation.

Glastonbury’s green innovations

In 2010, Michael built the UK’s largest private solar power station on Worthy Farm, which showed a commitment to green energy.

Michael and Emily made sustainability key to the festival’s future. Glastonbury’s eco efforts set an example for other large events that big festivals can help protect the planet.

Want to know what happened to Rod Stewart’s milestone show? Find out why Rod Stewart canceled his 200th Las Vegas show due to illness.

Michael Eavis’s political and charitable work

Michael ran as a Labour candidate in 1997 and invited politicians like Jeremy Corbyn to speak at Glastonbury in 2017, which kept the festival’s political identity alive.

He donated millions to local housing, schools, and disaster relief. Rod’s tribute on stage honored Michael’s life of dedication to music, community, and positive change that showed how one person can make a difference.

Looking to see how Hollywood is honoring Val Kilmer? Check out how Hollywood payed tribute to Val Kilmer’s legacy.

Which moment was your favorite? Drop a comment!

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.