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1978 Glastonbury Archive

ON 6 music
Steve Lamacq

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Glastonbury 1978

The "Impromptu" Festival

After deciding not to organise any more festivals, the arrival of some 500 washed-out Stonehenge travellers (who believed a festival was taking place) led to Michael Eavis holding a free miniature Glastonbury Fayre. Nik Turner of Hawkwind, who was on route to perform at a nearby festival with a stage inspired by the Egyptians in tow, made his way to Worthy Farm to perform on a Pyramid stage powered from a caravan.

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Photo Gallery

  • Clowns entertain on the Pyramid stage
  • Clowns entertain on the Pyramid stage
  • Michael Eavis passes the stage on his tractor
  • Michael Eavis rescues a broken down bus
  • The cattle enjoy the impromptu festival
  • Pure Joy van
  • Campers from 1978
  • Tipis appeared at the early festivals
  • The Pyramid stage
  • Camping in front of the Pyramid
  • Working on the stage
  • Nik Turner's Sphynx

Your memories

Comments

    • 1. At 11:52am on 08 Jun 2010, ChrisRamsbottom wrote:

      I remember serving beer from the back of a Transit!

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    • 2. At 11:01pm on 17 Jun 2010, Martin Ashford wrote:

      My first Glastonbury (aged 20)and I actually got to perform some spontaneous poetry on the tiny pyramid stage. My friend David spent ages jamming with a band into the wee hours (he wasn't on the bill either!).

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    • 3. At 11:10pm on 24 Jun 2010, Avalon1 wrote:

      This was my very first Glastonbury, I went to with my mum and dad, I was aged 6 and it has stuck with me ever since. I'm no hippy but went most years till the end of the 20th century. Hope to maybe go next year...

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    • 4. At 4:55pm on 28 Jun 2010, redspan wrote:

      I seem to remember we headed for Worthy Farm straight after the Stonehenge Free Festival. My buddie Rob and I pitched up and cooked chapati's selling them for 10p each, with a choice of marmalade or peanut butter toppings. Lovely.

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    • 5. At 7:25pm on 03 Jul 2010, Dan wrote:

      My first Glastonbury! arrived after Stonehenge, with Wiggy,Andy, Giles and a few others I cant remember, we camped under the pylons other than that its a bit of a blur!

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      Line Up 1978

      View full line up View full line up
      • Nik Turner
      • Nice and Easy
      • White Island
      • Motivation
      • Tribe
      • Pedro
      Karen O - Yeah Yeah Yeahs Glastonbury Quiz Test your knowledge and challenge your friends with our history of Glastonbury quiz.

      TV & Radio

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      Watch highlights and interviews from Glastonbury.TV & Radio Schedule

      Archive FAQ

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      Related Links

      • Official site - 1978
      • UK Rock Festivals - 1978
      • GlastoEarth - 1978

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