Donovan Singer, poet, guitarist, composer Date of Birth: 10.05.1946 Country: Great Britain

Biography of Donovan

Donovan, born on May 10, 1946, is a singer, poet, guitarist, and composer. Often referred to as the "British answer to Bob Dylan," Donovan carved out his own unique style and did not fit into the English folk scene. He made history by being the first artist invited to perform on the opening of the television program "Ready Steady Go!" This event marked the beginning of Donovan's success in the music industry.

His debut hit single, "Catch The Wind," set the stage for a series of popular songs that were highly regarded in the English-speaking world until the early 1970s. While his expressive compositions such as "Colours" and "Turquoise" maintained his folk image, Donovan's music began to incorporate elements from different styles. His most memorable songs, "Sunshine Superman" (1966) and "Mellow Yellow" (1967), became anthems for the hippie generation and were regularly featured in Donovan's numerous compilations. These songs showcased Donovan's departure from Bob Dylan's style and his active search for his own creative identity. The album "Sunshine Superman" was produced by the renowned Mickie Most.

Donovan's use of allegories and allusions to drugs in his lyrics led him to be associated with the hippie movement, although some music critics believed this classification to be artificial. Donovan achieved success with simpler material, such as songs with calypso elements like "There Is A Mountain" and "Jennifer Juniper" (the latter being written specifically for Jenny Boyd during Donovan's fascination with the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi). However, the peak of Donovan's musical career came with the composition based on Lewis Carroll's works, "Hurdy Gurdy Man." This song became the foundation of Donovan's new image as a troubadour enthralled by poetry and light drugs.

As the 1960s came to an end, Donovan and his complex musical poems gradually fell out of fashion. Despite being almost forgotten in his home country, Donovan was warmly received in the United States. Most of his albums from that time were initially released in America and only later, when deemed successful, were reissued in England. Some of his records did not make it to the British market, and those that did sometimes had rearranged compositions or borrowed tracks from other albums, resembling the confusion surrounding The Beatles' early albums simultaneous release in the US and England.

For a period, Donovan collaborated with Jeff Beck in 1969, and they achieved undeniable success with the composition "Goo Goo Barabajagal (Love Is Hot)," which showcased a style unlike Donovan's typical sound. His double album "A Gift From A Flower To A Garden" marked his passion for jazz (influenced by Jeff Beck). Donovan often included jazz-oriented tracks, typically b-sides, in his singles, with excellent examples being "Sunny Goodge Street" and "Preachin' Love."

During this time, many critics accused Donovan of excessive fascination with Eastern mysticism and literal quotations of Indian parables in his songs. However, the musician openly admitted to following in The Beatles' footsteps and believed that new ideas could only be found in the East, particularly in India. Donovan spent some time in Ireland, returning with a ready-made soundtrack for the film "If It's Tuesday This Must Be Belgium." In 1973, he wrote music for another film, "The Pied Piper," in which he also had a small role. Shortly before that, Donovan released a powerful piece, "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" (1970) and its eponymous album.

The album "Cosmic Wheels," released in 1973, is considered the pinnacle of Donovan's creative success. It achieved record-breaking sales and included the magnificent composition "Intergalactic Laxative," which later became a golden hit. However, the subsequent studio album "Essence To Essence" failed miserably, and after this setback, Donovan struggled to regain his footing. He briefly hosted the TV show "7-Tease" and then worked on a conceptual album in Nashville.

Donovan reemerged from obscurity in the early 1980s, participating in a rock festival in Edinburgh and touring Germany and France. He successfully performed at a charity concert at the London Palladium, alongside Ralph McTell and Billy Connolly, during Christmas of 1981. In 1990, the popular English band Happy Mondays "rediscovered" Donovan, and in 1991, he embarked on a joint tour with them. The Happy Mondays single "Donovan" briefly brought him back into the limelight, resulting in significant press attention and record company interest. Several compilations featuring Donovan were released, and he returned to television, appearing in a parody of his song "Jennifer Juniper" created by English comedians.

Amidst the reissues of his old albums, Donovan managed to record a new studio album, which demonstrated his regained creative form. In 1992, he embarked on a massive tour of the United Kingdom, and the superb CD compilation "Troubadour" was released, featuring the best of Donovan's work throughout his long career.