Donovan Philips Leitch (usually known simply as Donovan) (born May 10, 1946, in Maryhill, Glasgow) is a Scottish musician. Emerging from the British folk scene, Donovan shot to fame in the United Kingdom in early 1965 after a series of showcase TV performances. His success was initially restricted to the UK, but after signing with the American Epic Records label and joining forces with record producer Mickie Most, he developed an eclectic but very successful style that blended folk, jazz, pop, psychedelia and world music.

Donovan quickly rose to become one of the most famous and popular British recording artists of his day, producing a string of trans-Atlantic hit albums and singles between 1966 and 1970. He also became a close friend of The Beatles and was one of the few artists to collaborate on songs with them. Donovan's commercial fortunes waned after he parted ways with Most in 1969, and although he continued to perform and record sporadically in the 1970s and 1980s he gradually fell from favour, with his gentle musical style and hippie image increasingly scorned by critics, especially after the advent of punk rock. Donovan withdrew from performing and recording several times during his long career, but underwent a strong revival of interest in the 1990s with the emergence of the rave scene in Britain. Late in the decade he recorded a successful album with acclaimed producer and long-time fan Rick Rubin and released a new album, Beat Cafe, in 2004.

Early life and career

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Donovan grew up in Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland; he contracted polio as a child but suffered no permanent injury. In 1956 the family moved to Hatfield, England. Influenced by his family's love for Scottish and English folk music, he began playing guitar at fourteen. After leaving school, Donovan and long-time friend Gypsy Dave traveled for several years around Britain, busking and playing folk songs.

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#Video: #3: Donovan's Reef [VHS] http://bit.ly/vzhNf
Amazoner (The Best Products) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:06:39 -0000
#Video: #3: Donovan's Reef [VHS] http://bit.ly/vzhNf
#5: Donovan's Reef [VHS] http://ff.im/b6VRF
michaelehancock (Michael E. Hancock) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:06:30 -0000
#5: Donovan's Reef [VHS] http://ff.im/b6VRF
Yes, we'll happily host Donovan F. Just have him contact me. $200 raffle money ought to cover it, yeah? ;) Jay http://bit.ly/1tXUy2
Periginals (Peregian Originals) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:05:02 -0000
Yes, we'll happily host Donovan F. Just have him contact me. $200 raffle money ought to cover it, yeah? ;) Jay http://bit.ly/1tXUy2
Game tomarrow, and i love him <3, and you got nothing on me cause i dont care hunn <3 Donovan im your lightning!!!<1
hockeeyy44dog (Emilie Budynas) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:03:06 -0000
Game tomarrow, and i love him <3, and you got nothing on me cause i dont care hunn <3 Donovan im your lightning!!!<1
If I get mistaken for Donovan Mcnabb one more time...
kennblanchard (Kenn Blanchard) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:41:25 -0000
If I get mistaken for Donovan Mcnabb one more time...
@blacklightradio nice flipside Friday today, was listening on my drive home to that Donovan song and some Simon and Garfunkel!
treygar (treygar) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:27:49 -0000
@blacklightradio nice flipside Friday today, was listening on my drive home to that Donovan song and some Simon and Garfunkel!

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