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Andrew Kerr, the man who co-founded Glastonbury Fair back in 1971, has passed away, it has been confirmed.
Glastonbury Fair '71 was the original forerunner to Glastonbury as know it today. Writer Kerr and Arabella Churchill started the event as a sequel to Michael Eavis' first Pilton Pop Festival of 1970.
The event was not only the first time that the name 'Glastonbury' was used, but also the first time that a now iconic Pyramid Stage was erected and the now traditional June date was set. Needless to say, Kerr was a key part in making Glasto one of the biggest festivals on the planet.
Kerr died in Yeovil hospital, after falling ill just before the day that tickets to Glasto 2015 went on sale day on Saturday night (Saturday 4 October). Tickets this year sold out in a record-breaking 26 minutes.
Michael Eavis has since issued the following statement on the Glastonbury website:
"Andrew Kerr, who was in his eighty-first year, died today at 2.30 pm. He had been ill for some time and went into Yeovil Hospital yesterday. Andrew came to me in 1970 with ideas to run a free festival, and with the help of Arabella Churchill and others he raised the necessary funds.
"He brought a new green conviction to Worthy Farm, raising environmental and ecological concerns to a national level of debate for the very first time. His charisma and charm dissolved any opposition to the Festival and the Glastonbury we know now owes so much to his vision."
Glastonbury 2015 takes place from Wednesday 24 to Sunday 28 June, with rumoured acts including Fleetwood Mac, Muse, Queen Depeche Mode, AC/DC, Diana Ross, Foals and Fatboy Slim.
Below: Who could play at Glastonbury 2015?
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