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 psychedelia rock
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Labels	Pye Hickory Epic Sony Wonder

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 from the British folk music scene. Donovan had many hit songs and albums during the late 1960s. His music became a symbol of the flower power era. It mixed folk, pop, psychedelia, and jazz styles.

Donovan first became known for his live performances on the TV show Ready Steady Go! in 1965. He signed with Pye Records and recorded folk songs. He had three UK hit singles: "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 1966. Later hits included "Hurdy Gurdy Man" (1968) and "Atlantis" (1969). His album Donovan's Greatest Hits (1969) was also very popular.

Donovan became friends with other 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". Donovan's backing musicians included future members of Led Zeppelin. After 1969, Donovan's popularity changed, and he took a break from the music industry. He continued to perform and record in the 1970s and 1980s. His music became popular again in the 1990s. In 1994, he moved to Ireland, where he still lives. He released albums like Sutras (1996) and Beat Cafe (2004). Donovan 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 parents were Donald and Winifred Leitch. He had polio as a child, which caused him to have a limp. His family later moved to Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England.

Donovan loved folk music because of his family. He started playing the guitar when he was 14. He briefly attended art school but left to pursue his dream of being a beatnik. This meant traveling and living a free-spirited life.

Donovan's Music Career

Rising to Fame in the Mid-1960s

Donovan in 1965

After traveling, Donovan returned to Hatfield. He spent months playing in local clubs. He learned a guitar technique called crosspicking from other musicians. He also wrote his first songs. In 1964, he traveled to Manchester and then spent the summer in Torquay, Devon. There, he practiced busking (playing music in public for money). He studied guitar and learned traditional folk and blues songs.

In late 1964, Donovan received a management and publishing contract. He recorded a demo tape with 10 songs. This tape included his first single, "Catch the Wind". His early songs showed the influence of folk artists like Woody Guthrie. Because of this, people often compared him to Bob Dylan.

Donovan became friends with Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones. He also met Jones's ex-girlfriend, Linda Lawrence. Their relationship influenced Donovan's music. They later married in 1970. Donovan also had other relationships and became a father to two children, Donovan Leitch and Ione Skye, who both became actors.

Donovan and Bob Dylan Comparisons

Donovan being interviewed by Casey Kasem, 1965

When Bob Dylan visited the UK in 1965, the British music press often compared him to Donovan. They made it seem like a competition. The Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones even commented on the similarities between their songs.

Donovan is mentioned in D. A. Pennebaker's film Dont Look Back, which shows Dylan's tour. Dylan and his friends often talked about Donovan in the film. Donovan eventually appeared in the film, playing his song "To Sing For You." Dylan later said he liked Donovan and that he was a "nice guy."

Donovan later explained that Dylan was an early influence. He said that many British bands, including the Stones and the Beatles, learned by copying American artists. He felt it was natural to be compared to Dylan. He said he sounded like Dylan for a short time, but then developed his own unique style.

Working with Producer Mickie Most

In late 1965, Donovan started working with a new manager. He was introduced to producer Mickie Most. Most had produced many hit songs for other artists. Their partnership led to many successful songs and albums for Donovan. They worked with talented session musicians in London. These musicians included future Led Zeppelin members John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page.

Many of Donovan's recordings from the late 1960s featured musicians like John Cameron on piano. Other key players were Danny Thompson on bass and Tony Carr on drums. Harold McNair played saxophone and flute. These musicians also toured with Donovan.

The 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 became one of the first British pop musicians to embrace the flower power movement. He explored jazz, blues, and Eastern music. He also liked the new counterculture bands from the US West Coast. This was a very creative time for him.

His first collaboration with Mickie Most was Sunshine Superman. This album was one of the first psychedelic pop records. However, its release was delayed due to a contract dispute. This meant the UK and US versions of his albums were sometimes different.

In spring 1966, Donovan signed a big deal with Epic Records. He and Most recorded tracks for a new album in Los Angeles. The album mixed folk elements with jazz, American west coast psychedelia, and folk rock. The single "Sunshine Superman" was released in the US in June. It was a huge success, selling over a million copies and reaching number one. The album followed in August and also sold very well.

The US version of the Sunshine Superman album featured many instruments. These included acoustic bass, sitar, saxophone, and harpsichord. Notable songs included "The Fat Angel", written for Cass Elliot. The album also featured the sitar, played by Shawn Phillips. Phillips also helped Donovan with some songs, including "Season of the Witch".

Mellow Yellow and More Hits

The Royal Albert Hall, London

In October 1966, Epic released the single "Mellow Yellow". This song became one of Donovan's most famous tunes in the US. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over a million copies.

In early 1967, Donovan worked on a double album. He also gave a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London. In March, the Mellow Yellow album was released in the US. It reached number 14 on the album charts. He also released the single "Epistle to Dippy", a Top 20 hit in the US. This song was a message of peace to a school friend. In February 1967, Donovan was invited by the Beatles to their studio. He watched them record "A Day in the Life".

International Success and Spiritual Journey

In July 1967, Epic released "There Is a Mountain". This song was later used by the Allman Brothers Band. In September, Donovan toured the US. Later that month, his fifth album, A Gift from a Flower to a Garden, was released. This was one of the first double albums in rock music. It was split into two parts: Wear Your Love Like Heaven and For Little Ones. The album eventually sold well and became a gold record.

The album cover showed Donovan in a robe, holding flowers. The back cover showed him with Indian guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Donovan became interested in Eastern spirituality. He encouraged the Beatles to learn transcendental meditation.

In early 1968, Donovan joined the Beatles and others on a trip to the Maharishi's ashram in India. During this time, Donovan taught John Lennon and Paul McCartney a finger-picking guitar technique. Lennon used this style in songs like "Dear Prudence" and "Julia". McCartney used it for "Blackbird".

Billboard advertisement, June 15, 1968

Donovan's next single, in May 1968, was the psychedelic "Hurdy Gurdy Man". This song featured a heavier sound. Jimmy Page is credited with playing electric guitar on the song. Since John Bonham and John Paul Jones also played on it, Donovan believes this session might have inspired the formation of Led Zeppelin. "Hurdy Gurdy Man" became one of Donovan's biggest hits, reaching the Top 5 in both the UK and the US.

In July 1968, Epic released Donovan in Concert, a live recording from his 1967 tour. In September, the single "Laléna" was released. The album The Hurdy Gurdy Man followed, reaching number 20 in the US.

Donovan collaborated with Paul McCartney in 1968. McCartney produced an album for singer Mary Hopkin. Hopkin covered three of Donovan's songs. McCartney also played tambourine and sang backing vocals on Donovan's next single, "Atlantis". "Atlantis" was released in late 1968 and became a hit in the US in 1969. It was later featured in the film GoodFellas and an 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, reaching number 4 in the US and selling over a million copies. In June 1969, the song "Barabajagal (Love Is Hot)" was released. It featured the Jeff Beck Group. This song brought 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, Donovan lived on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. He formed a small community there.

Changes in the 1970s

In late 1969, Donovan stopped working with Mickie Most for a while. Donovan wanted to try new things. He spent two months writing and recording the album Open Road. He formed a rock trio called Open Road. He called their new sound "Celtic Rock". The album was successful, but Donovan's overall popularity began to decrease as new music styles emerged.

Donovan wanted to tour the world with his new band. He started with a boat trip around the Aegean Sea. He also traveled to France, Italy, Russia, and Japan. However, he cut the tour short and returned to the UK.

Reuniting with Linda Lawrence and Mickie Most

Donovan and Linda Lawrence reunited and married on 2 October 1970. Donovan focused on writing music and his family. He released the children's album HMS Donovan in 1971. He also wrote music for the films The Pied Piper (in which he also acted) and Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972).

Donovan reunited with Mickie Most in 1973. This led to the album Cosmic Wheels. It was his last album to reach the top 40 in America and Britain. Later that year, he released Essence To Essence. He also recorded a live album in Japan. During this time, Alice Cooper invited Donovan to sing on his song "Billion Dollar Babies".

Donovan released two more albums for Epic Records: 7-Tease (1974) and Slow Down World (1976). In 1977, he opened for the band Yes on their North American and European tour. His 1978 album, Donovan, reunited him with Most and Cameron. However, it was not as popular during the rise of new wave music.

1980s and 1990s Music

During the punk era (1976–1980), Donovan's music was less popular. He released albums like Neutronica (1980), Love Is Only Feeling (1981), and Lady of the Stars (1984). He also appeared in a TV show called Stars on Ice.

Donovan performed at the Amnesty International benefit show The Secret Policeman's Other Ball. He played several of his hits. He also appeared at the Glastonbury Festival in 1989.

In 1990, Donovan released a live album. In 1991, a tribute album to Donovan was released. Sony released a 2-CD set of his music in 1992, which helped restore his reputation. In 1994, his classic Epic albums were released on CD in their original form. He then worked with producer Rick Rubin and recorded the album Sutras.

Donovan in the 2000s and Beyond

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

In 2000, Donovan narrated and played himself in the Futurama episode "The Deep South". He performed a funny version of his song "Atlantis" for the show.

A new album, Beat Cafe, was released in 2004. It returned to the jazzy sound of his 1960s recordings. In May 2004, Donovan played "Sunshine Superman" at a wedding concert for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark. His autobiography, The Hurdy Gurdy Man, was published in 2005. He also toured the UK and Europe.

In 2007, Donovan performed at the Kennedy Center and other venues. These concerts supported the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education. Donovan continued to perform and give talks about Transcendental Meditation. In October 2007, he announced plans for an "Invincible Donovan University" in Scotland. In 2009, Donovan was honored as a BMI Icon. This award is given to songwriters who have greatly influenced music.

In October 2010, Donovan released the double album Ritual Groove. In 2021, he released the music video for the song "I Am the Shaman" from this album. David Lynch produced the track and directed the video.

In 2012, he released The Sensual Donovan. In 2013, he recorded the album Shadows of Blue in Nashville. This album explored a country style. A tribute album to Donovan, Gazing with Tranquility, was released in 2015. It featured covers by other artists.

In 2019, Donovan released Eco-Song, an album with songs about the environment. He was 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. The album featured David Gilmour on guitar for some songs. Donovan took a break in 2024 to prepare for a sixtieth anniversary concert series planned for 2025.

Donovan's Legacy

Donovan is seen as someone who truly represented the hippy-folk ideal. He meditated with the Maharishi and lived in a commune. He also created some of the most important music of his era.

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.

Personal Life

Donovan has five children. Two of his children, Donovan Leitch and Ione Skye, became actors. In October 1970, Donovan married Linda Lawrence. They have two children together, Astrella and Oriole. Donovan is also the adoptive father of Linda's son, Julian Brian (Jones) Leitch. Linda Lawrence was the inspiration for his song "Sunshine Superman".

Donovan lives in Castlemagner, Kanturk in County Cork, Ireland. He has lived there for thirty years. He has a lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Religious Beliefs

Donovan identifies as pagan. He was raised Protestant but left that religion after reading about Lao Tzu, Zen, and Celtic mythology as a teenager. His personal beliefs combine Celtic mythology, Buddhism, and goddess worship. He believes in celebrating the "Goddess," which he sees as Mother Nature.

Discography

Filmography

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 (directed by Murray Lerner, 1967), with footage from the Newport Festival 1963–66. Also with Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and Peter, Paul and Mary
• Dont Look Back (documentary film by D. A. Pennebaker, 1967)
• There is an Ocean (1970), a documentary of Donovan and Open Road traveling and performing outdoors on several Greek islands.
• Isle of Wight festival (1970, featuring "Catch the Wind")
• The Secret Policeman's Other Ball (1981, featuring "Catch the Wind", "Universal Soldier" and "Colours")
• Donovan: The Donovan Concert Live in L.A. 21 January 2007
• Sunshine Superman: The Journey of Donovan (2008, documentary directed by Hannes Rossacher)
• I Am The Shaman (2021, single produced and directed by David Lynch)

Literary Works

• Leitch, Donovan, The Hurdy Gurdy Man, Century, an imprint of Random House, London, 2005 (published in the US as The Autobiography of Donovan: The Hurdy Gurdy Man), St. Martin's Press, New York, 2005; ISBN: 0-312-35252-2

See also

In Spanish: Donovan para niños