Best known perhaps for his string of hits in the '60's, like "Hurdy Gurdy Man", "Sunshine Superman" and "Season Of The Witch". Early in his career Donovan befriended then Rolling Stones Guitarist Brian Jones and had a somewhat of a press feud with up and comer Bob Dylan. By the mid 60's however Donovan has begin to shed the Dylan/Guthrie comparisons and began to embrace the flower power sound with the hit "Sunshine Superman". Donovan became on of the first British musicians to improves the West Coast movement. Upon signing to Epic Records in '66, Donovan released "Mellow Yellow", which was arranged by future Led Zeppelin Bassist John Paul Jones, and allegedly to feature backing vocals by Paul McCartney. The tune became Donovan's signature tune stateside and turned him onto the American audiences. As the years went on, Donovan soon befriended The Beatles, going so far as teaching John Lennon figure picking techniques on the Guitar. In '68 Donovan released "Hurdy Gurdy Man", perhaps the song most associated with him. The linear notes of reissues claim the song was intended for Jimi Hendrix, but he had passed on it, and insisted Donovan record it. Unable to get Hendrix to play on it, he enlisted the help of Jimmy Page. In fact John Bonham cites Donovan as helping create Led Zeppelin. As the 70's progressed, Donovan withdrew himself from the music scene to focus on other things. However he didn't manage to sing on the Alice Cooper track "Billion Dollar Babies" and opened up for Prog Rock giants Yes.
As the new millennium approached, Donovan played himself on an Episode of Futurama. You know the one where Fry meets a mermaid is the lost city of Atlanta. Donovan continues to write and record new music and occasionally will play live gigs. in '12 he was inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. Donovan for me is somewhat of a forgotten by product of the Hippie Love Generation. But take a listen to 'Greatest Hits' here on some headphones and really get into the music and Donovan's vocal work. Great stuff that still sounds great today.
