Donovan
Biography
Donovan is a Scottish singer-songwriter and record producer who emerged from Britain's folk scene in 1965 and became known for blending folk, pop, psychedelia and jazz. Performances on the television show Ready Steady Go! brought him early notice, and he scored UK hits with Catch the Wind, Colours and Universal Soldier after signing to Pye Records. A deal with Epic in America and a partnership with producer Mickie Most led to Sunshine Superman topping the US chart in 1966, followed by Mellow Yellow, Hurdy Gurdy Man and Atlantis. He appeared in Dont Look Back (1967), provided music for If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium (1969) and took the title role in The Pied Piper (1972). His commercial fortunes fell after 1969, but he recorded Sutras in 1996 and Beat Cafe in 2004, and in 2012 entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with the Songwriters Hall of Fame following in 2014.
80years old
Turns 81 on May 10in 181 days
- Born Glasgow
- Star sign: TaurusThe sign runs April 20 to May 20
- Also credited as Donovan Phillips Leitch and Donovan Philips Leitch
Movie Career
- Films
- 5
- Career span
- 50 years1967 to 2017
Every film, newest first
- 2017My GenerationIMDb rating 7.1
- 1996Message to Love - The Isle of Wight FestivalIMDb rating 7.6
- 1972The Pied PiperIMDb rating 6.3
- 1969If It's Tuesday, This Must Be BelgiumIMDb rating 6.3
- 1967Bob Dylan – Don't Look BackIMDb rating 7.9
Genres
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Getting ready for a role
In 1968 Donovan showed John Lennon a finger-picking guitar style. Lennon went on to use it in songs such as "Dear Prudence", "Julia" and "Happiness Is a Warm Gun".
Early training
Donovan learned the crosspicking guitar technique from local players Mac MacLeod and Mick Softley while playing clubs around St Albans and writing his first songs.
Behind the camera
After Donovan came back to London, he became friends with Paul McCartney and gave the line "sky of blue and sea of green" to "Yellow Submarine".
Donovan movies on Netflix
Worked with
Donovan shares two films with Joan Baez, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Joan Baez's page
Michael Caine's page
John Hurt's page
Donald Pleasence's page
Kris Kristofferson's page
Ian McShane's page
All films by D. A. Pennebaker
All films by Mel Stuart
David BattyDirector, 1 film, 2017
All films by David Batty
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 2012 | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame | Won | |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.