Michael Eavis honoured by music industry

The Music Industry Trusts has called Eavis "a true visionary"

Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis is to be honoured for his contribution to the music industry.

The Music Industry Trusts (MITS) award recognises his achievements in staging live music and supporting charity.

Eavis first held Glastonbury festival on his Somerset farm in 1970. Profits go to Greenpeace, Oxfam and WaterAid

"When I set out on this crazy hippy trip 44 years ago, little did I know how this rollercoaster would run," the 78-year-old said.

"But now I have to pinch myself every morning when I wake up to the excitement of another day - heading up a team of the most creative artists anywhere in the world."

'Tireless dedication'

Eavis was inspired to create the festival when he saw Led Zeppelin playing at the Blues Festival at the Bath and West Showground in 1969.

He staged his own event, initially called the Pilton Pop, Blues and Folk Festival, a year later. Marc Bolan's Tyrannosaurus Rex were the headliners, with tickets charged at £1.

Metallica, Kasabian and Arcade Fire are due to headline this year's festival on 25-29 June.

Tickets for the three-day event, priced at £210, sold out in just one hour and 27 minutes in October.

David Munns, chairman of the MITS Award committee, said Eavis was being honoured "as the creator of the world-renowned Glastonbury Festival, the largest greenfield festival in the world, attended by over 175,000 each year and raising millions of pounds for charities".

"Through his tireless dedication, Glastonbury has become an important landmark in the cultural life of this country, with its influence spreading well beyond these shores."

A gala dinner will be held on 3 November.

The Music Industry Trusts Award, now in its 23rd year, has raised over £4.5 million for Nordoff Robbins and the BRIT Trust.

Previous recipients of the award include Sir George Martin, Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and Annie Lennox.