Alan Stivell
Alan Stivell has spent 64 years building a distinguished career as a Musician in French.
Breton musician
"His seminal concert at the Olympia in Paris on February 28, 1972, marked a turning point for Breton music." — About Alan Stivell
| Metric | Alan Stivell | Avg Musician | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 82 | 57 | +25 yrs |
| Career length | 64 yrs | ~35 yrs | +29 yrs |
| Based on 830 Musician profiles in our database | |||
See also
Facts about Alan Stivell
Did you know that Alan Stivell's birth name is Alain Cochevelou, and he adopted "Stivell" (meaning "spring" or "fountain" in Breton) as his stage name to symbolize renewal?
- His father, Georges Cochevelou, was instrumental in reconstructing the modern Celtic harp in the 1950s, a project Alan inherited and popularized.
- He is proficient in over twenty instruments, including bagpipes, bombarde, flute, and various guitars, not just the Celtic harp.
- Alan Stivell recorded the first rock album in the Breton language, "Reflets", in 1970, blending traditional sounds with electric instruments.
- He performed at the legendary Olympia concert in Paris in 1972, which is widely credited with igniting the "Breton music revival".
- Stivell introduced the electric Celtic harp to a global audience, pioneering its use in contemporary music genres.
His seminal concert at the Olympia in Paris on February 28, 1972, marked a turning point for Breton music. This sold-out performance, featuring traditional instruments alongside rock arrangements, propelled Breton culture onto the national and international stage, sparking a major folk revival.
Alan Stivell is widely recognized as the father of modern Breton music, revitalizing a rich cultural heritage and influencing countless artists in the world music genre. His fusion of traditional Celtic sounds with contemporary styles paved the way for a new generation of musicians.