Donovan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Donovan
Donovan performing on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1969
Born	Donovan Phillips Leitch (1946-05-10) 10 May 1946 (age 79) Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland
Occupation	Musician songwriter record producer
Years active	1964–present
Spouse(s)	Linda Lawrence ​ (m. 1970)​
Partner(s)	Enid Karl (1966–70)
Children	5; including Donovan Leitch and Ione Skye
Musical career
Genres	Folk pop rock
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Labels	Pye Hickory Epic Sony Wonder
Associated acts	The Jeff Beck Group

Donovan Phillips Leitch (born 10 May 1946), known simply as Donovan, is a Scottish musician, songwriter, and record producer. He became famous in the mid-1960s. His music mixed folk, pop, and jazz styles. It became a symbol of the flower power era.

Donovan first gained attention with live shows on the TV series Ready Steady Go! in 1965. He signed with Pye Records and released singles and two albums. These included hits like "Catch the Wind", "Colours", and "Universal Soldier". Later, he signed with CBS/Epic in the US. This led to more international success.

He worked with producer Mickie Most. In 1966, "Sunshine Superman" was a number one hit in America. "Mellow Yellow" also reached number two in the US. In 1968, "Hurdy Gurdy Man" was a top 5 hit in both the UK and US. "Atlantis" reached number 7 in the US in 1969. His album Donovan's Greatest Hits was released in 1969 and reached number 4 in the US.

Donovan became friends with famous musicians like Joan Baez and the Beatles. He taught John Lennon a special guitar style in 1968. Lennon used this style in songs like "Dear Prudence" and "Julia". Some of his backing musicians later formed Led Zeppelin, including John Bonham, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones.

After 1969, Donovan's music became less popular for a while. He continued to perform and record in the 1970s and 1980s. In the 1990s, his music saw a comeback, especially with the rise of rave in Britain. He moved to Ireland in 1994, where he still lives. He was honored by being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. He also joined the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Donovan was born on 10 May 1946, in Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland. His family later moved to Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England. When he was a child, he had polio, which left him with a limp.

He loved folk music because of his family. He started playing the guitar at age 14. He briefly attended art school but left to travel and live like a beatnik.

Learning and Busking

Donovan in 1965

Back in Hatfield, Donovan played in local clubs. He learned the crosspicking guitar technique from musicians like Mac MacLeod. In 1964, he traveled to Manchester and then spent a summer in Torquay. There, he learned more about traditional folk and blues by busking (playing music in public for money).

In late 1964, Donovan got a management and publishing deal with Pye Records. He recorded a demo tape with songs like "Catch the Wind" and "Josie". His early songs showed the influence of folk artists like Woody Guthrie. Because of this, he was often compared to Bob Dylan.

Donovan and Bob Dylan

When Bob Dylan visited the UK in 1965, the British music press often compared Donovan to him. This created a friendly rivalry. The Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones even commented on how similar their songs sounded.

In the film Dont Look Back, which shows Dylan's 1965 UK tour, Donovan's name appears often. Dylan and his friends sometimes talked about him. Donovan eventually appeared in the film, playing a song for Dylan. Dylan later said he liked Donovan and that he was a "nice guy."

Donovan later explained that many British bands, including the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, learned by copying American artists. He said Dylan encouraged artists to be brave in their songwriting. He felt it was natural to be compared to Dylan, but he was not just a copycat.

Working with Mickie Most

In late 1965, Donovan started working with producer Mickie Most. Most had produced many hit songs for other artists. Their partnership led to many successful singles and albums. They recorded with talented musicians like Big Jim Sullivan and future Led Zeppelin members John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page.

Many of Donovan's recordings from the late 1960s featured John Cameron on piano, Danny Thompson on bass, Tony Carr on drums, and Harold McNair on saxophone and flute. Their unique sounds became a key part of his music.

Sunshine Superman Album

Donovan performing in Finnish Broadcasting Company's television program Ohimennen in June 1966.

By 1966, Donovan had developed his own unique sound. He was one of the first British pop musicians to embrace the flower power movement. He explored jazz, blues, and Eastern music. He worked with Mickie Most and arranger John Cameron on the album Sunshine Superman.

There were some legal issues that delayed the release of Sunshine Superman in the UK. This meant the UK and US versions of his albums were sometimes different. During this time, Donovan traveled to Greece and wrote new songs. He also became friends with Paul McCartney and contributed a line to the Beatles' song "Yellow Submarine".

In spring 1966, Donovan signed a big deal with Epic Records. He recorded tracks for the Sunshine Superman album in Los Angeles. The album blended folk, jazz, and psychedelia. "Sunshine Superman" was released as a single in June and quickly became a number one hit in the US. The album followed in August and also sold very well.

The US version of the Sunshine Superman album used many different instruments. These included acoustic bass, sitar, saxophone, and harpsichord. The song "The Fat Angel" was written for Cass Elliot of the Mamas & the Papas. The album also featured the sitar played by Shawn Phillips. Phillips also helped Donovan create many songs from this time, including "Season of the Witch".

Mellow Yellow and More Hits

The Royal Albert Hall, London

In October 1966, the single "Mellow Yellow" was released. It was arranged by John Paul Jones. This song became one of Donovan's most famous tunes in the US, reaching number 2 on the charts.

In 1967, Donovan worked on a double album. He also gave a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London. In March, Epic released the Mellow Yellow album in the US, which was a success. He also released the single "Epistle to Dippy".

International Success

In July 1967, "There Is a Mountain" was released. It was later used by the Allman Brothers Band for their song "Mountain Jam". In September, Donovan toured the US. That same month, Epic released his fifth album, A Gift from a Flower to a Garden. This was one of the first double albums in rock music. It was split into two parts: "Wear Your Love Like Heaven" for his generation and "For Little Ones" for future generations. The album was a big success.

The album cover showed Donovan at Bodiam Castle, dressed in a robe. The back cover showed him with Indian guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. This showed his interest in spiritual ideas.

In late 1967, Donovan wrote two songs for the film Poor Cow. His next single, "Jennifer Juniper", was inspired by Jenny Boyd, sister of George Harrison's wife. It was another top 40 hit in the US. Donovan became very interested in transcendental meditation. He even introduced the Beatles to it.

In early 1968, Donovan joined the Beatles and Beach Boys singer Mike Love on a trip to India. They visited the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. During this trip, Donovan taught John Lennon and Paul McCartney a special finger-picking guitar technique. They used this technique in songs like "Dear Prudence" and "Blackbird".

Donovan's next single, "Hurdy Gurdy Man", came out in May 1968. It had a heavier sound. Jimmy Page is often credited with playing electric guitar on the song. Since John Bonham and John Paul Jones also played on it, Donovan wondered if this session inspired the formation of Led Zeppelin. "Hurdy Gurdy Man" became one of Donovan's biggest hits.

In July 1968, Donovan in Concert was released. It was a recording of his 1967 concert in Anaheim. In the summer of 1968, Donovan worked on a second album of children's songs, released in 1971 as HMS Donovan. In September, the single "Laléna" was released. The album The Hurdy Gurdy Man followed, reaching number 20 in the US.

He later worked with Paul McCartney, who was producing an album for singer Mary Hopkin. Hopkin covered three of Donovan's songs. McCartney also played tambourine and sang on Donovan's next single, "Atlantis". This song became a hit in the UK and US. It was even featured in the 1990 film GoodFellas and a 2000 episode of Futurama.

In March 1969, Donovan's Greatest Hits was released. It included many of his popular songs. This became his most successful album, selling millions of copies. In June 1969, "Barabajagal (Love Is Hot)" was released. For this song, he was backed by the Jeff Beck Group. This collaboration aimed to bring a heavier sound to Donovan's music.

In July 1969, Donovan performed at a free rock concert in Hyde Park. In September 1969, the "Barabajagal" album reached number 23 in the US. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Donovan lived on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.

Later Career and Recognition

In the 1970s, Donovan's music style faced challenges. The rise of punk rock in Britain made the "hippie" style less popular. Donovan continued to release albums like Neutronica (1980) and Lady of the Stars (1984). He also performed at the Amnesty International benefit show The Secret Policeman's Other Ball alongside artists like Sting and Phil Collins.

In the 1990s, Donovan's reputation began to improve. A tribute album called Island of Circles was released in 1991. In 1992, Sony released a 2-CD set of his music, Troubadour: The Definitive Collection 1964–1976. He also worked with producer Rick Rubin on the album Sutras in 1996.

2000s and Beyond

Donovan before a show in Washington, D.C., on 10 August 2007

In 2000, Donovan appeared as himself in an episode of Futurama. He released a new album, Beat Cafe, in 2004. This album returned to the jazzy sound of his earlier music. In May 2004, he performed "Sunshine Superman" at a royal wedding concert in Denmark. His autobiography, The Hurdy Gurdy Man, was published in 2005.

In 2007, Donovan performed at the Kennedy Center and other venues. These concerts supported the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education. He also presented a radio series about Ravi Shankar for BBC Radio 2. In 2009, he was honored as a BMI Icon for his lasting influence on music.

In October 2010, Donovan released the double album Ritual Groove. On his 75th birthday in 2021, he released a music video for the song "I Am the Shaman", produced by David Lynch. In 2013, he recorded the album Shadows of Blue, exploring a country style.

A tribute album to Donovan, Gazing with Tranquility, was released in 2015. In 2019, he released Eco-Song, an album about ecological themes, inspired by Greta Thunberg. He also released Joolz Juke, a tribute album to Brian Jones. In 2021, he released Lunarian, dedicated to his wife. Donovan and his wife also created an animated children's TV series called Tales of Aluna.

Donovan released the album Gaelia in December 2022. He plans a sixtieth anniversary concert series for 2025.

Personal Life

Donovan has five children. He married Linda Lawrence in October 1970. They have two children together, Astrella and Oriole. Linda was the inspiration for his song "Sunshine Superman". Donovan is also the adoptive father of Julian Brian, Linda's son with Brian Jones.

As of 2024, Donovan lives in Castlemagner, Ireland. He has a lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Donovan identifies as pagan.

Awards and Honors

In November 2003, the University of Hertfordshire gave Donovan an honorary Doctor of Letters degree. On 14 April 2012, Donovan was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Discography

Film and TV Appearances

Actor

• If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium (1969)
• The Pied Piper (1972)
• Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)

As Himself

• A Boy Called Donovan (1966)
• Dont Look Back (1967)
• "The Deep South", Futurama season 2 episode 12 (2000)

Musical Composer

• Poor Cow (1967)
• Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972)
• The Pied Piper (1972)

Music and Documentary DVDs

• Festival (1967), with footage from the Newport Festival
• Dont Look Back (1967)
• There is an Ocean (1970)
• Isle of Wight festival (1970)
• The Secret Policeman's Other Ball (1981)
• Donovan: The Donovan Concert Live in L.A. 21 January 2007
• Sunshine Superman: The Journey of Donovan (2008)
• I Am The Shaman (2021)

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See also

In Spanish: Donovan para niños