Alan Stivell was born on January 6th, 1944, in a family originally from Gourin ("Kernew uhel") in Brittany.
He spent his childhood in Paris, influenced by Edith Piaf, jazzy radio, Maugrabin cafe, classical composers, and anticipation comics. 
By chance, through the vehicle of a harp, he was destined to rediscover the dream of the country of his ancestors. Breton books and Breton pioneer writers restored for him the culture of a country that he did not previously know.
Soon afterward he took the number 96 bus to Montparnasse, and then hitch-hiked to Brittany. As a teenager, he was passionate and reflective, and he soon replaced his 'fanatic' celtic fervor with balanced respect for other cultures. 
But his first musical influences were classical: Piano lessons at 5, along with instruction on harp with Denise Megevand.
In April 1953, his father, Georges Cochevelou, at age 64 remade the ancient Breton celtic harp. The instrument filled the young Alan with wonder and became for him the Stradivarius of harps, through which the child prodigy developed a Segovia-like, unmatched skill.
The harp, like Ariadne's claw, grew progressively tighter and more resonant, and by the sounding of its strings wove the makings of a legend in Alan Stivell.
This return to Breton cultural sources afforded the chance for the development of a panoramic view of history, akin to that of Jean-Louis Chretien's view from space, and awakened in the millions of exiled Bretons a vision of the unity of the pan-celtic world.
On a personal level for Alan Stivell, these studies of the harp might have proved dangerously superficial if they hadn't been broadened by his endeavor to study and master the Breton bombarde (before of the bagpipe), Breton dances, language, and to subsequently compete in the various regional Breton folk festivals, in which he received several first prize.
Finally, in 1973, he settled in the Poher district of west-central Brittany--the birthplace of his family name, Cochevelou (Kozh-stivelloù), which means, "old spring". 
Without the recovery of his lost roots, Alan Stivell could never have begun his never-ending cultural experiment.
His fame has spread worldwide, and the 1990's saw a renewed interest on the part of the general public. 
Uncontested leader of the New Celtic music movement, the coming years promise more recognition of the world-wide appeal he has so richly deserved.
(1) if we refer to newspaper at this period.
(2) nobody to our knowledge, even in Ireland, played it solo, Mary O'Hara and two or three other youg women accompanied herself with it. 


Some key dates:
1953 : first public recital on solo celtic harp ("Maison de la Bretagne").
1955 : three songs Olympia (Musicorama Europe 1 radiostation) .
1959 : 1st recording of celtic harp solo.
1961 : Leads the Bleimor bagad.
1964 : electrified a bardic harp.
1966 : 1st songs (American Center and Kemper).
1967 : Took the stage name Alan Stivell. Philips international contract.
1968 : Concert in Orly airport during the strike. 1st part of the Moody Blues concert (London).
1969 : Received green light from record company for direction and writing.
1970 : Huge start with "Brocéliande-Son Ar Chistr" and "Reflets" records.
1971 : The EP "Pop-Plinn", 1st rock Breton fusion composition. Recording of "Renaissance of the 
Celtic Harp" and the beginning of an incredible infatuation for the instrument all over the world.
1972 : The "Olympia concert" in Paris, the "Musicorama", the tour and the album (1.5 million 
copies sold) was one of the biggest musical event, cultural, and popular events of the 70's in Europe, a cultural milestone which, in large part, was responsible for the survival of Breton culture.
1973 : Bobino (Paris), Canada, USA, Elizabeth Hall, Great Brittain. "Chemin De Terre" voted Album of the Year by "Melody Maker" and "Best" "The conquerer cometh ...".
1974 : Founding of Keltia III (not to be confused with the later company). Concert at the Dublin National Stadium, the largest venue in the British Isles. First electro-acoustic harp developed by Alan Stivell.
1975,76,77 : World Tours (sold out in Australia, Germany, and the Royal Albert Hall, London.) 
1979 : "Celtique Symphonie - Tir na n-Og" : an important major musical crossover project, combining symphonic, celtic and world ethnic, rock, jazz-rock and new-age music.
1980 : Develops a venue where 300 musicians are featured with a large orchestra, pipe-bands, choirs, sitars, rock group, percussion, and synthesizer, drawing 10,000 spectators, at Lorient (dubbed the Festival Interceltique, produced every 2 years. Concerts in stadiums and parks in Italy, drawing 12,000 spectators at Rome and 14,000 at Milan.
the 1980's : Alan plans and creates new types of harps, electro-acoustic and "solid body". Begins annual tours in the USA (selling out the Beverly Theater, Los Angeles, the Town Hall, New York, and in Toronto, Ottawa, etc.). Large concerts in Italy, Spain, and in Brittany at An Oriant and at Kemper.
1985 : His CD "Harp Of The New Age" is awarded an Indie Award in America, a few years after his nomination at the Grammy Awards for "Renaissance Of The Celtic Harp"
1987 : An agreement between Keltia III and Disques Dreyfus creates a tremendous resurgence of interest as all of Alan Stivell's albums are reissued on CD.
1989 : Took part in the Kate Bush's "Sensual World " album.
1991 : "The Mist of Avalon" released.
1992-93: Records and issues the CD, "Again". TV advertisements on TF1 insure an immediate success (170,000 copies sold) which opens the door for further developments.
1994 : Breton and french Tour with Jacques Abalain ends with 5,000 spectators at Penfeld at Brest in Brittany.
1995 : Issues the CD, "Brian Boru" with the help of Martin Messonnier, featuring a more 90's sound, incorporating various accoustic sounds, loops, grooves, techno-rock, African musical influences and dithyrambic beats Sales nearly reach 100,000 copies.
1996 : French tour concluded by a triumph at "La Fete De l'Huma" with 60,000 spectators. Starts his 19th album.
1997 : Works on a new album, conducts a North American tour (with 4,000 spectators at Lincoln Center), and releases two CDs, "Zoom" and "Routes". 500,000 records sold in 5 years.
1998 : Release of the event-album, "1 DOUar" (One World) accompanied by a tour (BackLine-VMA) until summer 1999.
April 18th, 2000 : New album "Back To Breizh" european release,USA and Canada release.

 

Courtesy from
Alan Stivell

www.alan-stivell.com