Alan Stivell

Alan Stivell (born Alan Cochevelou, January 6, 1944 in Riom, Auvergne, France) is a Breton musician and singer, recording artist, and master of the Celtic harp. Alan's father had made a reconstruction of an ancient Breton harp in 1953 and Alan learned to play the harp at home, as well as the bagpipes and Irish flute. In 1966, Alan Stivell began to perform and record as a singer. From the early 1970s, he revived global interest in the Celtic harp and Celtic music and, as a bagpipe and bombard player, he modernised traditional Breton music and singing in the Breton language.

He was the precursor of Celtic Rock. He is inspired by Celtic culture and is a staunch defender of the Breton culture and language.