Full Name:
Donovan Philips Leitch
Donovan Philips Leitch
Born:
May 10, 1946
May 10, 1946
Birthplace:
Glasgow, Scotland
Glasgow, Scotland
Donovan Quote:
"Donkey rides on the wide dark sands, Punch and Judy, Victorian bandstands with salvation Army Brass Band and when the sun slipped into the sea I would lie in bed and marvel as Daddy read me Lewis Carroll. I dreamed of a sleepy yesterday of crinoline and parasol, walrus and griffin, seagull and seashell."
"Donkey rides on the wide dark sands, Punch and Judy, Victorian bandstands with salvation Army Brass Band and when the sun slipped into the sea I would lie in bed and marvel as Daddy read me Lewis Carroll. I dreamed of a sleepy yesterday of crinoline and parasol, walrus and griffin, seagull and seashell."
Significant Facts About Donovan:
- The first of his 28 studio albums was released in 1965, the most recent in 2004
- Through 1973, his albums consistently charted in the top 25 in both the U.S. and the U.K.
- First well known British music star to be arrested for marijuana possession in the mid-60s
Donovan's Quick Success:
Donovan began playing guitar at 14 and by age 18 had signed a publishing and management contract. His first single, "Catch the Wind" was released after his third appearance on British TV. It quickly shot to #4 and sold more than 200,000. His looks and his Folk Rock style drew comparisons to Bob Dylan. In fact, the two toured together after meeting in 1965. By the time his third album was released in 1966, he had morphed into a practitioner of the fledgling Psychedelic Rock genre.
Donovan began playing guitar at 14 and by age 18 had signed a publishing and management contract. His first single, "Catch the Wind" was released after his third appearance on British TV. It quickly shot to #4 and sold more than 200,000. His looks and his Folk Rock style drew comparisons to Bob Dylan. In fact, the two toured together after meeting in 1965. By the time his third album was released in 1966, he had morphed into a practitioner of the fledgling Psychedelic Rock genre.
Donovan's Collaborations:
His earliest recordings featured some other future stars like Jack Bruce (Cream), Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin). An uncredited background vocalist on "Mellow Yellow" was Paul McCartney. In 1967 the Beatles invited Donovan to join them on "A Day In the Life," the finale of their concept album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. He also joined them in their famous retreat with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and taught John Lennon several guitar finger picking styles.
His earliest recordings featured some other future stars like Jack Bruce (Cream), Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin). An uncredited background vocalist on "Mellow Yellow" was Paul McCartney. In 1967 the Beatles invited Donovan to join them on "A Day In the Life," the finale of their concept album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. He also joined them in their famous retreat with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and taught John Lennon several guitar finger picking styles.
Donovan's Fading Fortunes:
Donovan's fall from the pinnacle was much more gradual than his meteoric rise. Throughout the 70s, as Progressive, Punk and Hard Rock replaced Psych and Folk Rock in commercial favor, but Donovan continued to play the laid back hippie. By 1974 his albums were barely making it onto the charts, and by 1977 they were failing to chart at all.
Donovan's fall from the pinnacle was much more gradual than his meteoric rise. Throughout the 70s, as Progressive, Punk and Hard Rock replaced Psych and Folk Rock in commercial favor, but Donovan continued to play the laid back hippie. By 1974 his albums were barely making it onto the charts, and by 1977 they were failing to chart at all.
Donovan Comes Out Of Oblivion:
The release of several compliations of his work in the '90s helped generate new interest. He continues to record new material, and in November 2005 St. Martin's Press released "The Autobiography of Donovan : The Hurdy Gurdy Man."
This was the first CD box set of material from the peak years of his career. The collection aptly demonstrates his mixture of Psychedelic and Folk Rock styles.
The release of several compliations of his work in the '90s helped generate new interest. He continues to record new material, and in November 2005 St. Martin's Press released "The Autobiography of Donovan : The Hurdy Gurdy Man."
Essential Album:
Troubadour – The Definitive Collection 1964-1976This was the first CD box set of material from the peak years of his career. The collection aptly demonstrates his mixture of Psychedelic and Folk Rock styles.
