Whoever got knighted wearing shorts! Coldplay's Chris Martin honours wheelchair-bound Glastonbury founder Sir Michael Eavis, 88, in touching on-stage tribute before inviting Michael J Fox to join him playing guitar on Fix You amid his Parkinson's battle
Coldplay's Chris Martin has honoured the wheelchair-bound Glastonbury founder Sir Michael Eavis in a touching on-stage tribute.
The popstar serenaded the 88-year-old telling the crowd he was a 'living, total, 100 per cent legend' and singing 'we just want to thank you'.
After paying tribute to Sir Michael, the popstar invited Back to the Future star Michael J Fox, who is battling Parkinson's,to play the guitar during the song Fix You and Humankind.
The 100,000-strong crowd and BBC viewers were left in tears after the touching tribute to the two Michaels.
It was a milestone moment for Coldplay, who made history by becoming the first group to headline Glastonbury five times.
Coldplay's Chris Martin honoured the wheelchair-bound Glastonbury founder Sir Michael Eavis in a touching on-stage tribute
Sir Michael, 88, was serenaded by the popstar who told the crowd he was a 'living, total, 100 per cent legend' and sung to him 'we just want to thank you'
Frontman Chris Martin, 47, continued serenading Sir Michael, singing: 'As humans go you're the best of all sorts.
'You're a musical charmer, you're the world's greatest farmer. Whoever got knighted wearing shorts?
'Thank you Michael, thank you for everything, we love you, everybody loves you.'
The popstar then told Sir Michael 'listen to this' and paused to let the massive crowd give a loud cheer to show their appreciation to the man who started the world-famous festival.
Sir Michael remained sitting throughout the tribute but he was beamed on the big screen for all the crowd to see.
He started Glastonbury, then known as the Pilton Pop Folk & Blues Festival in 1970, and it would go on to become the largest greenfield festival in the world.
Sir Michael remained sitting throughout the tribute but he was beamed on the big screen for all the crowd to see
Michael Eavis surveys his empty farmland on what would have been the opening day of Glastonbury in 2020, but it was cancelled due to the pandemic
Michael Eavis and Emily Eavis at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset
The iconic festival has expanded over the years. Pictured: The Pyramid Stage in the Eighties
Pictured: A poster for the first event (The Kinks cancelled to be replaced by T-Rex)
The early festivals had a close proximity to Michael's dairy cows on the farm
He inherited his parents’ 150-acre Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, in 1954, and decided to host a festival there after being inspired by a 1969 Led Zeppelin performance at the Bath Festival of Blues.
The festival is named after town of Glastonbury, which is the closest big settlement to the farm itself at a 20 minute drive.
In April he was awarded a knighthood for services to music and charity at Windsor Castle by the Princess Royal.
Although he didn't have shorts on for the knighting ceremony, the dairy farmer is famous for wearing them on all manner of occasions.
On his legacy and the future of Glastonbury, Sir Michael previously said he hoped the festival's organisation would remain 'in the family' and called it the 'best job in the world'.
In an interview with the official Glastonbury website at the time, Sir Michael said his daughter Emily, with whom he runs the festival, had brought him the official letter about his knighthood, adding: 'I was really surprised to see it, actually. Why did they choose me, I wonder?
'What can I say, really? I've done quite a lot of stuff in my life and I've always been fairly sure that I was doing the right thing.'
Michael Eavis is made a Knight Bachelor by the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle in April
Eavis, 88, was knighted with a sword by Princess Anne at a ceremony at Windsor Castle (Pictured together)
Eavis (pictured) smiling after receiving his knighthood to services to music and charity
Greenpeace, Oxfam and WaterAid all receive donations from the festival and the event aims to raise around £2 million per year, which also helps hundreds of local causes.
In 2023, the festival donated more than £3.7 million to a range of charitable causes and campaigns including homelessness organisation Centrepoint, food redistributors Fareshare, several refugee charities and mental health charity Mind.
Before receiving his knighthood, the farmer was made a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2007.
He has also previously been politically active and unsuccessfully stood as a candidate for the Labour Party in 1997.
After the tribute to Sir Michael, Chris Martin turned his attention to Michael J Fox who he credited as being the 'main reason' Coldplay are in a group.
He said: 'The main reason why we're in a band is because of watching 'Back to the Future', so thank you to our hero forever and one of the most amazing people on Earth, Mr Michael J. Fox. Thank you so much, Michael'.
The British band made their debut at the iconic festival in the New Bands Tent in 1999, before headlining in 2002, 2005, 2011, and 2016.
Coldplay made history as they became the first group ever to headline Glastonbury five times on Saturday (frontman Chris Martin pictured)
The Back To The Future actor, 63, who is battling Parkinson's, appeared on stage in his wheelchair as he played the guitar and leaving viewers in tears
After the camera searched the crowd, the frontman serenaded Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis, before the beloved Hollywood actor (L, pictured with Chris) was revealed
Chris sung: 'Here is another legendary Michael, one who just totally rocks, with his chuck Berry quiff and the way he punched [Back To The Future villain] Biff, ladies and Gentleman please welcome Michael J.Fox'.
The actor, who is an avid musician and famously played the guitar in the iconic 1985 sci-fi movie, was first diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's at just 30 years of age in 1991, before revealing the news publicly in 1998.
Parkinson's disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years, according to the NHS website.
The NHS says there are three major symptoms, including tremors or shaking, slowness of movement and muscle stiffness.
Two years after going public with his diagnosis, Michael created The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000.
Since then, the foundation - which he founded with his wife of 36 years, Tracy Pollan - has raised over $2 billion for Parkinson's research.
Viewers were left in 'tears' following his surprise appearance as he joined the group in a rendition of their hit Fix You.
Taking to X, they said: 'Michael J Fox joined Coldplay on stage oh my god': 'I love that Chris Martin from Coldplay brought Michael J Fox on stage, love Coldplay': 'Coldplay rocking Glastonbury and then bringing out Michael J. Fox will be the best thing I see all year': 'Michael J. Fox on stage with Coldplay at Glastonbury, great to see'.
'Coldplay, wow just wow. What a show and Michael J. Fox, don't tell me you weren't in tears': 'Blown away by the selfless perfomance by Coldplay at Glastonbury a celebration and reminder of hope in our world. Brining on Michael J Fox truly beautiful': 'Michael J Fox bless his heart on stage with Coldplay'.
Chris sung: 'Here is another legendary Michael, one who just totally rocks, with his chuck Berry quiff and the way he punched [Back To The Future villain] Biff, ladies and Gentleman please welcome Michael J.Fox'
Michael pictured in 1985's Back To The Future
Viewers were left in 'tears' following his surprise appearance as he joined the group in a rendition of their hit Fix You
The British band, fronted by Chris Martin, 47, made their debut at the iconic festival in the New Bands Tent in 1999
They were then the headliners in 2002, 2005, 2011, and 2016
The show was watched by a whopping crowd of 100,000 plus including Hollywood stars Tom Cruise, 61, Simon Pegg, 54, and Gillian Anderson, 55.
Viewers at home were left stunned by the huge audience and branded it the festival's 'biggest ever'.
Taking to X they said: 'Biggest crowd I’ve ever seen at glasto! Amazing': 'What an insane crowd for Coldplay at Glastonbury': 'COLDPLAY not too shabby at all @GLASTONBURY humongous crowd':'Wow! Look at that #Glasto crowd for #Coldplay': 'How awesome does that crowd look at Glastonbury here? Coldplay. Amazing'.
Kicking off fifteen minutes late, the group opened their historic set with 2000 hit Yellow as the sea of festival goers joined in singing.
But some viewers at home were left frustrated by the delay and took to social media to make their feelings known.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter: 'You're running late lads. Put a shift in!': 'Always late but worth the wait': '10 mins late FFS classic Coldplay': 'Coldplay late what's new': It really is a Coldplay show if they are late'.
Chris oozed confidence as he strutted about on stage alongside fellow band members Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and performed some of the group's most famous hits.
The show was watched by a whopping crowd of 30K including Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, 61
Mission Impossible's Tom (L) watched the the swanky VIP area with co-star Simon Pegg (R) and Crown star Gillian Anderson (C)
The Hollywood actor flashed a huge smile as he enjoyed the show
The trio chatted intently before the show kicked off
Viewers at home were left stunned by the huge audience and branded it the festival's 'biggest ever'
Fans were provided with light up bracelets which flashed in time to the music
The set featured fireworks as well as confetti enveloping the crowd
Taking to X they said: ' Biggest crowd I’ve ever seen at glasto! Amazing': 'What an insane crowd for Coldplay at Glastonbury': 'COLDPLAY not too shabby at all @GLASTONBURY humongous crowd'
However the historic show left fans divided with some viewers branding it 'iconic' and were left in tears by the emotional tunes, others branded the show 'boring'.
Taking to X excited fans wrote:'OMG Coldplay are smashing it': 'Perfection': 'Coldplay are just insane': 'Chris Martin never disappoints .. Coldplay are spectacular.. can't stop singing'. 'Coldplay are always incredible at Glastonbury, and the visuals this year are gorgeous': 'I'm not really sure how you can NOT be moved by this perfomance': 'What a beautiful moment': 'Coldplay absolute class act, that's how you headline'.
While others bemoaned: 'Coldplay just meh really aren't they?': 'Same old thing. Absolutely boring': 'Coldplay. Again. By a stretch the most boring performance I've seen at Glastonbury since their last one': 'I like Coldplay but they've done every festival for god knows how long and it's a bit boring now, I'm watching Disclosure instead': 'Coldplay are incredibly dull. I can't work out how they made so big'.
They were later joined by disabled pianist Victoria Canal, 25, who played and also sung back up vocals for an incredible rendition of 2011 hit Paradise.
Chris oozed confidence as he strutted about on stage and played a string of the group's most famous hits
Chris oozed confidence as he strutted about on stage alongside fellow band members Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion, and performed some of the group's most famous hits
Kicking off fifteen minutes late the group opened their historic set with 2000 hit Yellow as the the sea of festival goers joined in singing
However some were left frustrated when the group's set started 15 minutes late at 10pm and took to social media
At one point Chris ran over and took Victoria's face in his hands clearly over come with the emotion of the moment.
Victoria previously told The Times how she was asked by the singer to join them on stage via a surprise video call.
'[Chris] said, "Hey, Victoria. Do you want to play piano and sing with me on stage at Glastonbury?".
'I said, "OK …? That sounds great". And so from that moment on, I have been rehearsing and figuring out what I'm going to wear on the biggest stage ever.'
Frontman Chris previously predicted the band's astronomical success the year before they had even released their first album.
On June 26, 1998, a then-22-year-old musician stood in the field of UCL's Wye Farming College during his end-of-year ball and declared what the future of Coldplay, then just a year old, would be.
He said: 'Jon Buckland, Chris Martin, Will Champion and Guy Berryman Act of the Coldplay. They're going to go on to be such a huge band. This will be on national television within four years. Four years.
The band were later joined by disabled pianist Victoria Canal (pictured)
The talented musician, 25, took to the piano and sung back up vocals for an incredible rendition of 2011 hit Paradise
The show left fans divided, while some branded it 'iconic' and were left in tears by the emotional tunes, others branded the set 'boring'
Some branded the group's perfomance as 'iconic' and the ballads left them emotional
While others branded the world famous group 'dull and boring'
They made history after previously headlining the festival for a fifth time, pictured headlining in 2002 (L)
Headlining in 2005
Pictured on stage in Glastonbury in 2011
And their final headlining set in 2016
Chris with (L-R) Will, 46, Guy, 45, and Johnny, 46 in February
By 26 June, 2002, Coldplay, the band, or whatever they're called then will be known, just all over man. We're going to be so big.'
He finished: 'Guy, Will, John and Chris. Don't you forget. Massive, absolutely huge.'
The next year they performed at Glastonbury for the first time. They headlined for the first time just three years after that.
Each of the members Chris named stayed on to see the band's success, and they added manager Phil Harvey along the way.
Earlier this year actor Michael spoke about outliving his original Parkinson's diagnosis, after doctors told him in 1998 that they were 'hopeful' he would be 'functional for at least another 10 years and maybe well into old age.'
Now more than 25 years later, Michael- who hinted at coming out of acting retirement - is still thriving, revealing to People that he has always believed in himself.
Earlier this year actor Michael spoke about outliving his original Parkinson's diagnosis, after doctors told him in 1998 (pictured) that they were 'hopeful' he would be 'functional for at least another 10 years and maybe well into old age.'
Now more than 25 years later, Michael- who hinted at coming out of acting retirement - is still thriving, revealing that he has always believed in himself. (pictured earlier this month)
'What I believed then and what I believe now, I might not put it in the same words, but you can do anything. Anything,' Fox said.
'You don't have to follow other people's prognostications for what life is going to be. Life's going to be what you make it,' he continued.
His foundation even made a breakthrough in 2023, with research funded by the foundation discovering a biomarker that can determine if someone has Parkinson's before symptoms arise, which Fox was incredibly proud of.
'It was one of the few times I cried about what we were doing. We wanted to find a way that we can diagnose the disease before the symptoms are there,' he said.
'Because then we could treat it, and you'd never have it. It was a big break — and a great moment,' he admitted.
Michael J Fox's 30-year battle with Parkinson's
Michael J Fox was just 29 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's, a life-changing condition for which there is still no cure.
Now aged 63, the Back to the Future star has spent a lifetime raising awareness and backing the funding of vital research through his foundation.
But Fox kept his condition secret for several years before going public.
Fox, already an icon in his late 20s, developed a tremor in 1991 while filming Doc Hollywood. A consultation revealed he had young-onset Parkinson's.
Parkinson's tends to affect older people; the most common group in the UK (2020) was between 70 and 79. But some can be affected much younger.
Fox kept his condition private while working on other films and through the births of his twin daughters. Then, in 2000, he left award-winning Spin City when he 'realised that he could no longer hide' his condition.
The young actor retired from full-time acting to focus on his advocacy and fundraising, founding the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research that year.
Parkinson’s affects one in 500 people. It is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world and there is currently no cure.
In the UK alone, there are around 153,000 people already living with the condition, and 1 in 37 people alive today will be diagnosed in their lifetime.
We do not yet know exactly what causes Parkinson's - but researchers believe it is related to factors including age, genetics, environment that affect the production of the hormone dopamine.
There are more than 40 associated symptoms but Parkinson's affects people differently.
Common symptoms include slowness of movement, tremors, stiffness, fatigue and depression.
Michael J Fox's foundation is currently exploring new medications and therapies aimed at reducing symptoms and helping affected people live more comfortable lives.
And scientists have come closer to finding a cure by uncovering the link to genetics and understanding the sequence of events that leads to the loss of brain cells, advancing the condition.
Source: parkinsons.org.uk ; www.michaeljfox.org/
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