Donovan

3.1.1. Early Hit Singles and UK Success

In 1965, Donovan gained initial recognition through live performances on the popular British television series Ready Steady Go!. After signing with Pye Records that year, he recorded singles and two albums in a folk style for Hickory Records. His early releases quickly found success in the UK, with "Catch the Wind" reaching No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart. This was followed by other UK hits such as "Colours" and "Universal Soldier", the latter a cover of a song written by Buffy Sainte-Marie. Despite some television appearances, his early success was primarily confined to the UK.

3.1.2. Relationship and Comparison with Bob Dylan

During Bob Dylan's visit to the UK in the spring of 1965, the British music press frequently drew comparisons between Donovan and Dylan, framing it as a rivalry. The Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones noted, "We've been watching Donovan too. He isn't too bad a singer but his stuff sounds like Dylan's. His 'Catch The Wind' sounds like 'Chimes of Freedom'. He's got a song, 'Hey Tangerine Eyes' and it sounds like Dylan's 'Mr. Tambourine Man'."

This perceived rivalry was further highlighted in D. A. Pennebaker's film Dont Look Back, which documented Dylan's 1965 UK tour. Early in the film, Dylan reacts to a newspaper headline mentioning Donovan, exclaiming, "Donovan? Who is this Donovan?" Throughout the film, Donovan's name appears alongside Dylan's in headlines and posters, and he is consistently referenced by Dylan and his entourage. Donovan eventually appears in the film, playing his song "To Sing For You" for Dylan. Dylan later commented, "He played some songs to me. ... I like him. ... He's a nice guy."

In a 2001 BBC interview, Donovan acknowledged Dylan's early influence but distanced himself from "Dylan clone" accusations. He stated that Martin Carthy taught them traditional songs and that American folk artists, including Dylan, were influenced by Celtic music. Donovan noted that while he might have sounded like Dylan for a brief period, he was encouraged to mimic, just as other British bands copied American pop and blues artists. He emphasized that both he and Dylan, as troubadours, could write about any aspect of the human condition, making comparisons natural but not indicative of him being a mere copyist.

3.1.3. Collaboration with Mickie Most and Psychedelic Sound

In late 1965, Donovan ended his original management contract and signed with Ashley Kozak, who worked for Brian Epstein's NEMS Enterprises. Kozak introduced Donovan to American businessman Allen Klein, who in turn connected him with producer Mickie Most. Most, known for his chart-topping productions with artists like The Animals and Lulu, went on to produce most of Donovan's recordings during this period. Donovan, however, stated in his autobiography that some recordings were largely self-produced with minimal input from Most.

Their collaboration proved highly successful, yielding numerous hit singles and albums. These recordings often featured a roster of talented London session musicians, including Big Jim Sullivan, Jack Bruce, Danny Thompson, and future Led Zeppelin members John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page. Other key musical collaborators included John Cameron on piano, Spike Heatley on upright bass, Tony Carr on drums and congas, and Harold McNair on saxophone and flute. Carr's distinctive conga style and McNair's flute playing became hallmarks of many of Donovan's recordings. Cameron, McNair, and Carr also accompanied Donovan on concert tours, notably featured on his 1968 live album Donovan in Concert.

By 1966, Donovan had moved beyond his earlier Dylan/Guthrie influences and embraced the burgeoning flower power movement. He incorporated elements of jazz, blues, Eastern music, and the sounds of the new generation of counterculture-era US West Coast bands like Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead. This period marked his most creative phase as a songwriter and recording artist, culminating in Sunshine Superman, which is considered one of the pioneering psychedelic pop records.

3.1.4. Major Hit Singles and Albums

Donovan's international success began after he signed with CBS/Epic in the US. His first collaboration with Mickie Most, the album Sunshine Superman, was a landmark in psychedelic pop. Its release was delayed in the UK for months due to a contract dispute with Pye Records, which had a US licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Records. This led to different versions of the album being released in the UK and US, with several tracks from his late 1960s Epic (US) LPs not being released in the UK for many years.

Despite the delays, "Sunshine Superman" was released as a single in the US in June 1966, quickly becoming a massive success, selling 800 K copies in six weeks and topping the Billboard Hot 100 for one week in September 1966. It went on to sell over one million copies. The album followed in August, reaching No. 11 on the US Billboard 200 and selling over half a million. The US version of Sunshine Superman featured a rich instrumentation including acoustic bass, sitar (played by Shawn Phillips), saxophone, tablas, congas, harpsichord, strings, and oboe. Notable tracks included "The Fat Angel", written for Cass Elliot of The Mamas & the Papas, which famously named Jefferson Airplane before their international recognition. "The Trip" chronicled an LSD trip in Los Angeles, while "Season of the Witch" featured Donovan's first recorded performance on electric guitar.

On 24 October 1966, Epic released the single "Mellow Yellow", arranged by John Paul Jones, purportedly with Paul McCartney on backing vocals. The song became Donovan's signature tune in the US, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and selling over one million copies. The Mellow Yellow LP (not released in the UK) followed in March 1967, reaching No. 14 on the US album charts. He also released the non-album single "Epistle to Dippy", a Top 20 hit in the US with a pacifist message and psychedelic imagery.

In May 1968, Donovan released the psychedelic single "Hurdy Gurdy Man". Initially considered for Jimi Hendrix, it was recorded by Donovan himself, with Jimmy Page credited for electric guitar in some studio sessions, though Alan Parker is also sometimes credited. Donovan himself credited Page and "Allen Hollsworth" (a misspelling of Allan Holdsworth) as "guitar wizards" who created "a new kind of metal folk". With John Bonham and John Paul Jones also playing on the track, Donovan suggested the session might have inspired the formation of Led Zeppelin. The heavier sound of "Hurdy Gurdy Man" was an attempt to appeal to a wider US audience, where hard-rock groups like Cream and The Jimi Hendrix Experience were gaining traction. The song became one of Donovan's biggest hits, reaching the Top 5 in both the UK and the US, and the Top 10 in Australia.

In July 1967, Epic released "There Is a Mountain", which narrowly missed the US Top 10 and was later famously used as the basis for The Allman Brothers Band's "Mountain Jam". In September, Donovan released his fifth album, A Gift from a Flower to a Garden, which was one of the first rock music box sets and only the third pop-rock double album. It was divided into two parts: Wear Your Love Like Heaven for his generation, and For Little Ones for future generations. Despite initial concerns from Epic boss Clive Davis, the boxed set steadily sold, peaking at No. 19 in the US album chart and achieving gold record status. The album's psychedelic and mystical themes were evident, with Karl Ferris's infra-red cover photograph of Donovan at Bodiam Castle and a back photo showing him with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The liner notes also included an appeal for young people to abandon drugs.

His next single, "Jennifer Juniper", inspired by Jenny Boyd (sister of George Harrison's wife, Pattie Boyd), was another Top 40 hit in the US. In early 1969, the comedy film If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium featured music by Donovan, including the title tune and his performance of "Lord of the Reedy River". His single "To Susan on the West Coast Waiting", a gentle calypso-styled song with an anti-war message, became a moderate US Top 40 hit. However, when DJs in America and Australia began playing its B-side, "Atlantis", it became a major hit, reaching No. 7 in the US in May 1969 and No. 1 in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. "Atlantis" later featured prominently in Martin Scorsese's 1990 film GoodFellas and was parodied by Donovan himself for an episode of Futurama in 2000.

In March 1969, Epic and Pye released Donovan's Greatest Hits, which became the most successful album of his career. It reached No. 4 in the US, sold over a million copies, and remained on the Billboard album chart for more than a year. On 26 June 1969, "Barabajagal (Love Is Hot)" was released, reaching No. 12 in the UK. For this track, Donovan was backed by the original Jeff Beck Group, featuring Jeff Beck on lead guitar, Ronnie Wood on bass, Nicky Hopkins on piano, and Micky Waller on drums. This collaboration was Most's idea to bring a heavier sound to Donovan's work while adding lyrical depth to Beck's.

3.1.5. Interactions with The Beatles and Influence

Donovan forged close friendships with other prominent musicians of the era, including Joan Baez, Brian Jones, and The Beatles. His connection with The Beatles was particularly significant. In early 1968, he was part of the group that traveled to the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh, India, alongside all four Beatles, Beach Boys lead singer Mike Love, and actress Mia Farrow and her sister Prudence (who inspired John Lennon's song "Dear Prudence").

During this time, Donovan taught Lennon and Paul McCartney finger-picking techniques, including the clawhammer style, which he had learned from Mac MacLeod. Lennon subsequently used this technique on songs like "Dear Prudence", "Julia", "Happiness Is a Warm Gun", and "Look at Me". McCartney applied it to "Blackbird" and "Mother Nature's Son". Donovan also contributed the line "sky of blue and sea of green" to The Beatles' song "Yellow Submarine" in 1966. He also claimed to have interested The Beatles in transcendental meditation.

3.1.6. Arrest and Drug Controversies

On 10 June 1966, Donovan became the first high-profile British pop star to be arrested for possession of cannabis. His drug use primarily involved cannabis, with occasional use of LSD and mescaline, the latter indirectly referenced in some of his lyrics. Public attention was drawn to his marijuana use by the TV documentary A Boy Called Donovan in early 1966, which showed him and friends smoking cannabis at a party. This arrest marked the first in a series involving prominent musicians like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

In early 1967, Donovan was the subject of an exposé in the News of the World, titled Drugs & Pop Stars - Facts That Will Shock You. The article, reportedly based on an interview with an ex-girlfriend of his friend Gypsy Dave, made several false claims, including mistaking Brian Jones for Mick Jagger and alleging drug use by other stars. It later emerged that News of the World reporters were providing information to the police. Although Donovan's arrest was not as sensational as later ones, it resulted in him being denied entry to the US until late 1967, preventing his appearance at the Monterey Pop Festival in June that year.

3.2.1. Open Road Album and Celtic Rock

In late 1969, Donovan's collaboration with Mickie Most ended after an argument during a recording session in Los Angeles, reportedly over drug use. Donovan stated he wanted to record with other producers, and they did not work together again until 1973. Following this rift, Donovan spent two months writing and recording the album Open Road as a member of the rock trio Open Road. He aimed to strip down the sound from Most's heavy studio productions to something that could be performed by a live band, dubbing this new sound "Celtic Rock". The album peaked at No. 16 in the US, marking his third-highest chart position for a full-length release.

Donovan described this period: "I was exhausted and looking for roots and new directions. I checked into Morgan Studios in London and stayed a long while creating Open Road and the HMS Donovan sessions. Downstairs was McCartney, doing his solo album. I had left Mickie after great years together. The new decade dawned and I had accomplished everything any young singer-songwriter could achieve. What else was there to do but to experiment beyond the fame and into the new life, regardless of the result?"

His plan for Open Road involved a year-long world tour, starting with a boat voyage around the Aegean Sea, documented in the 1970 film There is an Ocean. This was partly advised by his management for tax exile purposes, requiring him to stay out of the UK until April 1971. However, after touring France, Italy, Russia, and Japan, he cut the tour short due to a "gentle breakdown," deciding to break the tax exile despite millions at stake. The band Open Road continued without Donovan, releasing the album Windy Daze in 1971 before disbanding in 1972.

3.2.2. Later Albums and Chart Performance

After his reunion and marriage to Linda Lawrence in October 1970, Donovan focused on writing, recording, and his family. The largely self-produced children's album HMS Donovan was released in 1971 but went unreleased in the US and did not achieve a wide audience. During an 18-month tax exile in Ireland (1971-72), he wrote music for the 1972 film The Pied Piper, in which he also played the title role, and for Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972). The title song from the Franco Zeffirelli film later provided a publishing windfall in 1974 when it was covered as the B-side of the million-selling US Top 5 hit "The Lord's Prayer" by Sister Janet Mead.

Donovan reunited with Mickie Most in early 1973 under a new deal with Epic, resulting in the LP Cosmic Wheels, which featured arrangements by Chris Spedding. This album marked his last significant chart success, reaching the Top 40 in both America and Britain. Later that year, he released Essence to Essence, produced by Andrew Loog Oldham, and a live album recorded and released only in Japan, which featured an extended version of "Hurdy Gurdy Man" including an additional verse written by George Harrison in Rishikesh. While recording Essence to Essence, Alice Cooper invited Donovan to share lead vocals on his song "Billion Dollar Babies".

Cosmic Wheels was followed by two more albums that same year: his second concert album, Live in Japan: Spring Tour 1973, and the more introspective Essence to Essence. His final two albums for Epic Records were 7-Tease (1974) and Slow Down World (1976). In 1977, he opened for Yes on their six-month tour of North America and Europe. His 1978 LP, Donovan, released on Most's RAK Records in the UK and Clive Davis's new Arista Records in the US, reunited him with Most and Cameron for the last time. However, it was not well received during the peak of new wave and did not chart.

3.2.3. Japan Performances

Donovan performed in Japan on several occasions during the 1970s.

• 1970 Tour:**
  • 6 June: Osaka Koseinenkin Kaikan, Osaka
  • 10 June: Shibuya Kokaido, Tokyo
  • 14 June: Tokyo Koseinenkin Kaikan, Tokyo
• 1973 Tour:**
  • 17 March: Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
  • 19 March: Hokkaido Koseinenkin Kaikan, Sapporo
  • 20 March: Tokyo Koseinenkin Kaikan, Tokyo
  • 22 March: Nagoya Shimin Kaikan, Nagoya
  • 25 March: Festival Hall, Osaka
  • 26 March: Osaka Koseinenkin Kaikan, Osaka

  The 1973 performances in Osaka, specifically from March 25 and 26, were edited and released as the Japan-only live album Live in Japan: Spring Tour 1973 in 1974. Two tracks from this album were later included on his 1990 album Rising.

3.3.1. 1980s and 1990s: Resurgence and Collaboration

The punk rock era (1976-1980) brought a backlash in Britain against the optimism and whimsy associated with the hippie era, of which Donovan was a prime example. The term "hippie" became pejorative, and Donovan's commercial fortunes suffered. During this period, he released the albums Neutronica (1980), Love Is Only Feeling (1981), and Lady of the Stars (1984). He also guest-starred on Stars on Ice, a half-hour variety show produced by CTV in Toronto.

A notable respite came with his appearance alongside artists like Sting, Phil Collins, Bob Geldof, Eric Clapton, and Jeff Beck in the Amnesty International benefit show The Secret Policeman's Other Ball. Accompanied by Danny Thompson, Donovan performed several of his hits, including "Sunshine Superman", "Mellow Yellow", "Colours", "Universal Soldier", and "Catch the Wind". He also participated in the finale, performing Dylan's "I Shall Be Released". On 18 June 1989, Donovan appeared at the Glastonbury Festival with the band Ozric Tentacles accompanying him onstage.

In 1990, Donovan released a live album featuring new performances of his classic songs. In 1991, Nettwerk released Island of Circles, a tribute album dedicated to him. Sony's 2-CD boxed set Troubadour: The Definitive Collection 1964-1976 (1992) further contributed to the restoration of his reputation, followed by the 1994 release of Four Donovan Originals, which saw his four classic Epic LPs released on CD in their original form in the UK for the first time. He found a significant ally in rap producer and Def Jam label owner Rick Rubin, with whom he recorded the album Sutras for Rubin's American Recordings label in 1996. In 1994, he moved permanently to Ireland, where he continues to live.

3.3.2. 2000s Onwards: Recent Work and Engagements

Donovan continued his artistic engagement into the 21st century with new album releases, concert tours, and involvement in various initiatives. In 2000, he narrated and played himself in the Futurama episode "The Deep South", which aired on 16 April, featuring a satirical version of his song "Atlantis".

His 2004 album, Beat Cafe, released on Appleseed Records, marked a return to the jazzy sound of his 1960s recordings, featuring bassist Danny Thompson and drummer Jim Keltner, with production by John Chelew. During a series of Beat Cafe performances in New York, Richard Barone joined Donovan to sing and read passages from Allen Ginsberg's Howl. In May 2004, Donovan performed "Sunshine Superman" at the wedding concert for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark. He also released his early demo tapes, Sixty Four, and a re-recording of the Brother Sun, Sister Moon soundtrack on iTunes. A set of his Mickie Most-produced albums was released on 9 May 2005. In May/June 2005, Donovan toured the UK and Europe with Tom Mansi on double bass, former Damned drummer Rat Scabies, and Flipron keyboard player Joe Atkinson. In 2006, he played British festivals and two dates at Camden's The Jazz Cafe in London.

In January 2007, Donovan performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Alice Tully Hall in New York City, and the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. These performances were held in conjunction with presentations by filmmaker David Lynch supporting the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and world peace. The Kodak Theatre concert was filmed by Raven Productions and broadcast on public television as a pledge drive. Donovan's partnership with the David Lynch Foundation continued through October 2007, involving concerts and presentations on Transcendental Meditation. He appeared at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa, in May 2007, and toured the UK with Lynch in October 2007. In April 2007, Donovan presented a three-part series on Ravi Shankar for BBC Radio 2. In October 2007, he announced plans for the "Invincible Donovan University," focusing on Transcendental Meditation, to be located near Glasgow or Edinburgh. The DVD The Donovan Concert-Live in LA, filmed at the Kodak Theatre, was released in the UK in October 2007. On 6 October 2009, Donovan was honored as a BMI Icon at the 2009 annual BMI London Awards, an designation given to BMI songwriters who have had "a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers."

3.3.3. Recent Albums and Projects

In October 2010, Donovan released the double album Ritual Groove, which he described as "a soundtrack to a movie not yet made." On 10 May 2021, his 75th birthday, Donovan released the music video for the album's song "I Am the Shaman", which was produced and directed by David Lynch.

In 2012, he released The Sensual Donovan, an album recorded in 1971 with John Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas, backed by The Crusaders. In 2013, he recorded the album Shadows of Blue at Treasure Isle Studios in Nashville, exploring a country music style with songs he had written in the 1970s. A tribute album to Donovan, Gazing with Tranquility, was released in October 2015 under the nonprofit label Rock the Cause Records to benefit the charity Huntington's Hope. It featured covers by artists such as The Flaming Lips, Lissie, and Sharon Van Etten.

In 2019, Donovan released Eco-Song, an album of songs with an ecological theme, inspired by Greta Thunberg. He had hoped to adapt the album into a rock opera but was unable to do so due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To mark the 50th anniversary of Brian Jones's death in 2019, Donovan released a tribute album, Joolz Juke, featuring Jones's grandson (and Donovan's step-grandson), Joolz Jones. In 2021, he released the album Lunarian, dedicated to his wife. The album included the song "Still Waters", recorded decades earlier with Nils Lofgren. Donovan and his wife, Linda Lawrence, also created an animated children's television series titled Tales of Aluna, with 26 episodes produced by Australian studio Three's a Company, a story they had developed over decades.

Donovan released the album Gaelia in December 2022. The album's singles "Rock Me" and "Lover O' Lover" featured David Gilmour on guitar. Donovan took 2024 off to prepare for a sixtieth anniversary concert series planned for 2025.