Glastonbury Founder Michael Eavis on Clearing His Overdraft and Creating a 'Euphoria' in 1970

In a rare archival interview from 1970, Michael Eavis, the visionary founder of the Glastonbury Festival, shed light on the humble beginnings of what would become a global cultural phenomenon. Speaking from Worthy Farm, Eavis revealed his initial, rather pragmatic, motivation for hosting the first festival: to clear a personal overdraft. "I've got an overdraft, I've got to try and clear it, you know," Eavis stated in the interview. When asked if it was the quickest way to do so, he affirmed, "I think this is the quickest way of clearing my overdraft, yeah." Beyond the financial impetus, Eavis described a deeper, almost spiritual, essence of the festival's location. He characterized Worthy Farm as a "super place" and "absolutely ideal," fostering a sense of "euphoria" that offered a respite from "the awful realities of life." Despite an interviewer's suggestion of potential "unpleasant surprises" ahead, Eavis maintained an optimistic perspective. "I might be, but I'm looking on the good side of it at the moment. I don't want to look on the bad side of it, otherwise I'd probably faint on the ground or something," he remarked with a smile, showcasing the resilient spirit that would define Glastonbury's enduring legacy.