John played the Green Fields Avalon Stage on Saturday 24 June at 11pm, closing the day following performances earlier in the evening by Rolf Harris at 8pm and Nick Harper at 930pm.
David Bowie, Travis and The Chemical Brothers headlined the festival on the Pyramid Stage. This was John’s last appearance at the festival.
A short interview with John was included in the programme.
FOLKING IN THE BUSHES
JOHN MARTYN, SATURDAY, 11PM
The legendary singer songwriter talks Worthy Farmbard dances and French festival mishaps
Didn’t you play the first ever Glastonbury Festival?
“I played the first and the second – one of them was with Weather Report. Even then, it seemed more than just a festival. The socially conscious side of it appealed to me. I’d actually known Micahel for quite a while. He used to have this old barn out the back of the farm and I would gig at these dances he used to hold. I vividly remember playing my nuts of for him.”
What was the first festival you played?
“Some event at Bordeaux. I was very ill and fell off the stage. It wasn’t self inflicted, I assure you. I just had this wicked flu and the promoter had to take me to hospital. That was the very early days… I must have been about 21 or 22. We’re talking about the best part of 30 years ago!”
It’s no secret that you’ve battled the booze down the years. Is it more of a temptation at festivals?
“You could say I’ve had my moments over the years, but I’m not really into that side of festivals. I tend to just go in, play my set and then get the hell out of there.”
What about the other bands?
“I like Portishead, Faithless, Macy Gray. I saw John Lee Hooker in America last year and hung around with him for a while. That was cool. But the thing is that the music should have a bit of style and there doesn’t seem to be much of that about.”
The title of your 1973 ‘Solid Air’ album was about your friend Nick Drake. There’s a story about you once having a falling out…
“There’s lots of stories about me and Nick and I have loads of memories about him, but I’m keeping them all to myself. That’s sacred territory!”
Do you think you’ll ever feel ready to retire from the festival scene?
“I don’t give a shit about my age. I don’t see why it should bother other people. I don’t think people sit in front of the stage trying to work out how old I am – they just want to hear some good music!”
Danny Scott
