Donovan in Conversation

[@xochipilli8238]

im a 150 year old man and this music reminds me of the good ole days

[@dalehood1846]

Don't you wish! Then again, with health care the way it is, maybe not.

[@imaledzepfan]

you're daft , stop it silly old man

[@godspeed2939]

@@xochipilli8238 In the Year 2525 if man is still alive. Great song too. Just to add I was 17 in 1969. It was the most beautiful time in the States. Except for the establishments war, racism , assassinations murders Beloved John ,Bobbie , and Martin . The horrible abuse in the streets to our brothers and sisters black and white, the murder of innocent young students at Kent State university who were peacefully protesting the Vietnam fake war . The horror of blood shed and mane of children and women in the streets of Vietnam on our tv every night. Just sayin

[@godspeed2939]

@@xochipilli8238 kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5bWqpuHoL6lh68si=3v14rvWvIFI-Kbly

[@lanadelreyismom]

It's 2021, I am 14 and I'm a fan girl for this man. I wish I could talk to my friends about him and they'd understand my fascination.

[@danielalexandermclachlanga3781]

glad You enjoy Donovan , and that Yer 14 , utterly beautiful ... For Little Ones is an amazing album of Donovan's , blessings Lass

[@marymiller873]

That's fantastic to hear! I haven't looked him up for years until tonight (because I suddenly remembered "Lalena") but I have always admired him. I went to London with a friend in 1964, we were 14, and we got off a train in Wembley and he was walking towards us. We didn't say anything to him but I think he heard us gasp his name.

[@cre8lite11]

That’s fantastic, glad to hear the younger generation can appreciate the 60s music. I saw him once in concert in Santa Barbara many years ago solo acoustic. He’s a Taurus like me. What’s your favorite songs?

[@cre8lite11]

I made a comment below. Perhaps you can educate them!

[@ryanfoghat1962]

In a guy and fucking love Donovan

[@chaoscultus]

I was a a teen in the 80s/90s who had found a few 60s garage bands, VU, Yardbirds, early Stones etc and my beautiful friend Maria who had a 60s look and was soo hip turned me onto Donovan. I can still hear her saying to me "oh I just love Donovan, he's soo Groovy!" Well his music and all the others have stuck on me to this day. Thank You Maria E.

[@K._Oss]

There’s something about Donovan that people who usually don’t listen to folk music usually end up loving the hell out of him

[@lasater32256]

Summer of '68 was the magical year for me. I loved his music!

[@bernardomedina5943]

Who says "Youth Is Wasted On The Young"??? Donovans' music is Timeless. I first heard him when I was 13, & Im now 72, & STILL a huge fan. Viva Donovan! ❤

[@TaylorStJohn-fp9zs]

Donovan kept his youthful appearance for so long. Of course, he lived an honest existence, and that will keep one in their prime for years. Such a great guy. Would have loved to have known him and talked music.

[@TaylorStJohn-fp9zs]

@67psych3 Exactly. You're spot on.

[@cheeseballthegreat179]

Lol your acting like he’s dead

[@TaylorStJohn-fp9zs]

@@cheeseballthegreat179 Lmao. You're right.

[@Jay-D92]

You talk as if he's dead

[@TaylorStJohn-fp9zs]

@@Jay-D92 I know. It totally sounds that way. Lol. It sounds like a eulogy. You're now the second person who has mentioned it. Now I'm just waiting on Donovan's "ghost" to make reference to it.

[@jamesjackson-df1hi]

HIS SPEAKING VOICE IS SO HYPNOTIC.

[@tariqalkassem1414]

like george harrison tbh

[@jamesjackson-df1hi]

@@tariqalkassem1414 YEAH, LOVE GEORGE TOO, THERES QUITE A FEW HYPNOTISING SPEAKING VOICES OUT THERE BUT MY ULTIMATE ONE WOULD HAVE TO BE "ATTENBOROUGH".

[@leahflower9924]

@@tariqalkassem1414 he reminds me of marc bolan when he talks its like musical even when they are talking lol

[@phillipshosie9233]

Resembles Marc Bolan a little, Yeah, I also thought that. ​@leahflower9924

[@user-nq9gz4xf7f]

He had a magical 60s sound as i remember. Part medieval part folk part psychedelic, very entrancing.

[@NaturesCalendarClock]

I love how he integrated the old pagan nature vibe roots into his music. His music transports me to another way of viewing the world. He took that old perspective and layered with psychedelica, such beautiful twist of old and new.

[@MK-dj5vz]

Beautifully said

[@willkittwk]

Wonderful comment and yes I get exactly what you mean.

[@georgetterobin7122]

You nailed it!

[@nonsensemoniker1]

Ancient mystery religions

[@alangordon8906]

At one time it was, who is better, Donovan or Bob Dylan One is a self absorbed egomaniac in love with his legend, and then there's this guy, who actually did some really good material, and with a voice you can listen to

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

Bloody right!

[@axiomist4488]

First time I heard Donovan I was 19 and at a friends home, I heard Legend of a Girl Child Linda. I was enthralled by the story and learned all 20 verses. A beautiful song, written without chorus or bridge. Just a poem. Love Donovan since (1966). In Xmas '67 he released Gift From a Flower to a Garden. It's been my favorite album ever since. That was his masterpiece.

[@evarobson2973]

i was 19 the first time i heard him too, only it was just a few months ago and i’m still 19 now!! it’s so great to see his lovely music is both held closely to the hearts of older people of the time and also finding its way to young folk today :)

[@shemanic1]

I am a 70 year old Hippy & loved Donovan's music from the 1st. At festivals, if there was a hitch kin the running, some band not turned up, there was Donovan to fill the gap, as he played he pulled others out of the audience to assist. I have seen him play loads of times & each time was a joy. One of the singer/songwriter Troubadours of our times, up there with Bob Dylan & dare I say it Ed Sherrin.

[@godspeed2939]

@@shemanic1 71 years and retired all I want to do is watch live in concert footage by the gods of music that our great generation loved . And to see the bands when they were young makes me feel the emotions and the memory of the moment I was listening to it, back in 60s & 70s Hippy love and Peace was absolute

[@Momcat_maggiefelinefan]

From the very first time I heard Donovan on the radio … Hurdy Girdy Man … when I was just 11 or 12. The very first record I bought was that album. I’m in my 70’s now and still listen to his music every day! When I was in my 30’s and working as an ER nurse in Toronto, Canada, I finally got to see him in a big bar called Rock & Roll Heaven. Since it was a bar, not a stadium, I had my camera and took several photos. The best one hangs on my bedroom wall. Called my blonde Guinea pig Saffron from Mellow Yellow. Donovan is my absolutely favourite singer and always will be. My fave song … “Intergalactic Laxative” from Cosmic Wheels. My iPod has more Donovan than any other artist. His wife and I share a first name as well. Cosmic or what! 🇨🇦🖖🏻🇨🇦

[@bardofely]

I am a 71-year-old singer-songwriter, poet and author, and big fan of Donovan's. I have seen him in concert several times and even met him many years ago when he was a special guest at Robin and Bina Williamson's wedding held at Insole Court in Llandaff, Cardiff. I would list Donovan as one of my influences and I have played my cover of his "Catch The Wind."

[@JoePublicFilms]

"Seagulls attacked me when I went on the island. It was lovely. It was beautiful." LOL

[@jacquelynwood9856]

Listen to Donovan's lyrics and you understand what a beautiful person that he is. I have adored him the 60's. He was astonishing good looking. He keeps getting better.

[@johntechwriter]

Wow, what a biography. Only the most talented got record contracts and club work. Back in the early 1960s. Here he gives his accounting of his start. Donovan’s style was evocative of that time when artists were appreciative and hung back to see what would have tell. But even after his original hit, Donovan presented some thing nobody else has. I would rank Him as the holy grail of modern Celtic music, which thanks to Van Morrison got he ball rolling. His Celtic attitude got his Celtic rock where are they now.

[@1feloniouspunk]

Love Donovan's knowledge of the history of music!

[@abiwii16]

i love this man. im 30, and admittedly a bit of a old soul, i love 60s music, and the whole hippie scene, in general. i go walking down the street, playing a gift from a flower to a garden, almost every day. i love that album so much, ots definitely in my top 5.

[@axiomist4488]

Mine too (see comment above (axiomist). I heard it when it came out in Xmas 1967 and I've always loved it. Still listen often. I'm now 75, Donovan is 76 and the wheel keeps turning .

[@richardforschmidt4206]

His music is timeless. I had the pleasure of meeting him twice after his concert. A beautiful soul. I guess through if we see it in him we see it in ourselves as well.

[@sweetcaroline2060]

​@@axiomist4488 I love Donavan. Everything he did. I'm 68 and was enchanted by his music 🎶.

[@onesunnyday5699]

Just turned 60. Loved this music growing up, happy to hear it being discovered by young artists & them giving their spin on it. 😊❤

[@elsaswanson6792]

The very first Donovan song I ever heard was Season Of The Witch when I was around 5, now I’m 13 and listening to his music in math class has become a daily for me

[@SAVANNAHEVENTS]

Indeed, this is how deep and great music, like Donovan's, gets passed down to a select few in each generation. He truly is a vintage Celtic bard intertwined with The Transcendent cosmos via folk music and storytelling. So it seems to me. JGD, Donovan. And thanks for posting

[@raoulhubris]

For Little Ones has kindled my childhood for fifty+ years.

[@jennifersimpson3751]

My dad is of Scottish descent and enjoyed Donovan in the 60s. I acquired his 45 of Sunshine Superman as a little girl of 5 and played it on my little red record player. When I saw him for visits over the summer he would sing to me "Jennifer, Juniper." I really enjoyed this interview.

[@Fortunapage839]

I met Donavan big fan at a book storein Boston MA.Loved his music big fan as a preteen. Shame people don’t listen to this kind of music in pop. Music business has changed so much.

[@cf2796]

Whoa!Beautiful singing AND speaking voice.

[@lewiseckert9089]

This man is great, deserves a lot credit

[@pascalennis9123]

Back in the60s my older brother played your stuff in wexford and i loved it ,little did i know that i would marry a donovan ,so were still here after 45 years ,so i think in 2025 i may aswell catch the wind

[@abireeve-jones4536]

He’s such a deep and real person wish I was alive to meet him.

[@axiomist1076]

Whaaat ? You wish you were ALIVE to meet Donovan ? So, then, youre DEAD ?

[@th3fpsguru]

LOL

[@asheryusto8902]

worry not, he is still alive! he's 74 years old and still performing, he has a concert in Codogan Hall on October 12th 2020 in fact

[@ADAMdinho1]

What's it like on the other side????

[@tripullizer3]

Still Can.

[@BoulderMamacita]

An iconic artist whose music has always touched me deeply. Beautiful voice and unique guitar style. I am a classical musician by profession and consider Donovan a HUGE inspiration in my development as a young brat in Boulder!

[@lefeuviolet]

Hey, we love Donovan here in Boulder! 🦋

[@lilymadelineholland293]

Possibly the most beautiful Scottish man I have ever seen 😍

[@dalehood1846]

@lilymadeline,. You might want to check out this video. "Donovan discusses His early years and why his father named him Donovan". The site is "Youghal Online." A lot of information in this interview.

[@dalehood1846]

In addition, it was filmed in 2022 at Sea Church at County Cork in Ireland.

[@willkittwk]

Interesting guy. Intelligent and great vibe coming from him. I knew of Donovan and his music but actually never heard him in an interview. This guy is so fun to listen and hear him talk about himself and his knowledge of music. He has a great sense of the poetic of nature and life.

[@baller-vh2kn]

I love how he talks about the 70s being so "ahead of time". Ohh the good old days. A child of the 90s loves the 70s and the kids of this age like the 90s. I would have never pictured that. But people who like them I hope it's not a fad. That it's truly from the heart. Xx

[@aaronazagoth6373]

I discovered Burt Jancsh only a few years ago. An absolute genius.

[@georgegisoldi3305]

I was just out of Puberty ( 🤔) when I heard a Donovan sing 🎶 a good vocal touch l thought ( the songs rose high on the charts ) . When l heard him playing just a minute ago l heard the Irish in there , ( l am American Italian raised in Brooklyn NYC ) , lo and behold he mentions Scottish Irish Roots. It’s obvious he put forth his values with a interesting combination of songs that are mind opening , audience intuitive , and inviting . He wasn’t Dylan , he is Donovan , he is Great 👍🏼, and helps me know , so can others, as well as myself . Thank You Brother Donovan . 🕵🏻‍♂️❤️🙏🏼👍🏼

[@chekia7767]

The Smothers Brothers were great fans of Donovan and really brought him out to the American public.

[@patriciacollier128]

I have always loved Donovan, used to sit with my dad as he drank cider - wonderful memories

Great interview with Donovan from 1982. I've been a fan since he first appeared in 1965. "Fairytale" and "What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid" were two of the first three albums I ever bought.

[@katipohl2431]

My first music star when I was age 12 and I still love him. He had a good influence on me and I always discover something new with him.

[@ellenmurphy2150]

Great voice and so cute back then.

[@ellenmurphy2150]

@Greg Normal fuck off Greg Normal Im Queer I'm not interested grandpa.

1982.

[@pixiepqueen]

He’s so gorgeous 😍😍😍 totally my kind of guy

[@firejadianmassaro1004]

I just showed this song to my son and he was blown away his name is shaman. He got pumped! I don’t know who wouldn’t feel absolutely inspired by this song but I wish those people all the love that it would take to turn their numbness to feeling . This kind of art is as magical as the Rubiayat of Omar Khayyam. I can’t remember the last time I showed someone a song on KZbin and they got goosebumps. If music be the fruit of love please play on don! More magic indeed

[@tomcarl8021]

You named your son Shaman? How pretentious of you.

[@danlum304]

a gentle soul, love Donovan

[@stephenpenwolf]

Wow... what a great interview with a legendary artist!

[@djtdub1]

There's a haunting video of Sunny South Kensington with period film clips. I can watch it about everyday.

[@linexi]

i love him so much

[@michelegraybeal]

Thank you for your contribution. It's an intimate view from Donavan's perspective of a specific time in music and more so in the UK. It's amazing he basically became a success in such a short time period. Without the "paying one's dues" part. He is a special artist to be sure.

[@martydixon647]

what a treasure.

[@johntechwriter]

He is a star but his roots are very Celtic, so all of us whatever our background, we can engage in his experience of this life all of us are born into.

[@WildBuffaloGal]

I found Donovan recently from a friend in another country who recommended his music to me. Glad I found him! His music is amazing! I went and listened to as many albums as I could and they never disappoint! So unique and beautiful.

[@deirdre108]

Love his accompaniment with the bouzuki.

[@innate-videos]

Delightful guy, a true rarity

[@frankboyd.]

Good interview. If you want to be in a creative mood listen to any Donovan recording. You can't avoid being inspired.

[@mickmul4224]

Thanks for this, He seems like a really down to earth and grounded guy. :-)

[@neilreedie]

This man has made some beautiful music that has improved my life, but... he is an absolute walloper.

[@jaddison1112]

What a wonderful interview with Donovan. So much information of how he got his start. ~ He mentioned his first record label "Hickory". I was really into his music with those first three singles on "Hickory", and they are still around my house someplace. He is still one of my all time favorites. I just recently found out my DNA shows I'm 29% Scottish, 9% Irish. ~ Maybe that is why I've always liked him so much. Ha !

[@atombomb31458]

Donovan even very well spoken in his youth. Very interesting man to listen to.there are a handful of these guys....Iggy pop being another of them

[@dongervich8649]

Donovan taught John Lennon a finger picking style for the guitar that Lennon used on "Julia" and other songs on The White Album and beyond.

[@sheilaregal2566]

Always enjoyed Donovan's music and his sweet soul. I bought his first album when it came out. Lovely man, Donovan.

[@robertpamler5372]

Legend Donovan!

[@PinballLunatic]

I just love Donovan songs and they are favorites to my girlfriend when I occasionally hug the guitar.

[@aubitron]

Donovan is a philosopher

[@jameskennedy721]

Just as important as Clapton , Jagger , Townsend and others who got more attention . His best work includes several really strong albums .

[@SAVANNAHEVENTS]

Indeed, though he transcends those names as well when it comes to the bardic tradition of the Celtic lands. Robin Williamson comes to mind but Donovan went to India, learned meditate, how to transcend the surface timelimes and brought it all back to his bardic roots in the end. Yes?

[@jameskennedy721]

McCartney talked about it in an interview . The ancient roots of the ballads . The wandering singer as the bringer of news to the little towns . The hidden rebellion against cruel kings in songs with a sly message against authority .The Incredible String Band was so deep , I still havent absorbed everything they did . @@SAVANNAHEVENTS

[@wati52]

Fantastic interview.

[@kiras8759]

The "protestant side with the celts and the Hairy Legs!" AHhaha. Just today my mind quoted the "I want you to cheer like protestants" from the Quiet man film, didnt even make sense. I thought ah, a protestant shame I got someones paint bottles on my brothers floor tom he left behind (cautiously) but still. He deserves to be cherished forever. This should have more than 8,600 views undoubtedly. Donovan bought his first guitar for 2.10 pounds pshhh.

[@annebarker38]

Kilts

[@mickmul4224]

I got mine for 8 quid in Glasgow, a guy that worked for the cleansing department, emptying houses, sold me it, 8 quid gets you a deal of hash :-)

[@lilyofthevalley5586]

Very articulate, and knowledgeable man. He looks like my nephew and late brother in law who were of Scottish descent.

[@Looey]

That was great!

[@martinkristensen8398]

A lot of people probably dont recognise that the interviewer is B.A Robinson a very funny guy who had hits from 79 to 82 with "Bang bang" "Kool in the kaftan" "to be or not to be" "flight 19" "hold me" with Maggie Bell in the UK Charts and he was from scotland too

[@KrisHughes]

What a lovely interview. It's actually rare to see Don that relaxed, and talking about such an interesting range of stuff. I've loved his music from the beginning, but, bless him, he can be a bit of a poser and very self-promotional in interviews.

[@MargoGuryanFan1]

Brilliant video

[@rockabillyrevolution]

Fascinating discussion

[@brianjenkins6538]

Knew Donovan early 60s,St Albans and Hatfield,introduced him to some great blues stuff,like Chevrolet by Eddie and Lonnie Young. Good days.

[@DannyHood-j]

He was in Nashville during sisters. I was in Nashville in 86 lived in Brentwood mansion without no furniture. We had Jerry reeds old limousine. There was small scene in Nashville nobody looked like us . There wasn’t a lot in Nashville even in 80s. I heard everything changed in 90s. I can’t imagine Nashville during sixties. Grand ol oprea was like cult

[@56davidwright]

....did you know this is the guy who tried to teach Paul how to play guitar....but he couldn't because Paul couldn't sit down...but he still wrote blackbird out of gratitude...thanks Donny

[@Notmehimorthem]

Another great band from around Hatfield/St Albans - The Zombies

[@misternewoutlook5437]

It's hard to place Donovan in the sphere of popular music without talking about Bob Dylan. They're both out of the Woody Guthrie school of folk activism. You can include Don MacLean in there if you want. But Donovan had a bit more of the love bead 1960s caste in his style from the others which made him one of the icons of the period.

[@timwhitmore7]

@@dustybroke597 Universal Soldier's a big one though

[@alexbowman7582]

Donovan was largely fixed Dylan was a progressive artist.

[@david-pb4bi]

@@alexbowman7582 That’s a great explanation, I never thought of it that way. To me Donovan’s songs didn’t have any depth, Dylan is probably bottomless.

[@HayyimFeldman]

@@timwhitmore7 Universal Soldier was a hit for Donovan, but it’s not his song. Written and first recorded by Buffy Sainte Marie - another bright shining star!

@@alexbowman7582 Donovan's music evolved tremendously over his career.

[@AdrienneReneau-ky4sc]

I am Military dependent but I sang Donovan cannot recall I knew a guy that would jump a train from.TX to Cali he got bored

[@eddiewinters7184]

Although I love "Catch The Wind" I am glad he got away from the Dylan sound and developed his own sound and style, Brilliant song writer.

[@karinmenzel5825]

Damn, we was quite the looker 😍

[@RogerBaswell]

"Cool in the Kaftan, love and peace man"

[@perrycomeau2627]

Donovan has the ability to peck out the bad notes. He conceptualized trance for all of the beet nicks.

[@leahflower9924]

donovan is awesome he could rock and do medieval songs just like led zeppelin lol he made billion dollar babies one of alice cooper's best songs

[@kencoakley3959]

Jimmy Page wanted Donovan to join Led Zeppelin when the lineup was going to be Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck on guitars, John Entwhistle on bass, Keith Moon on drums and Steve Winwood on keyboards,

[@reflective5001]

@@kencoakley3959 Woooff! as they say in Glasgow, or the football commentators at least when there's a really exciting effort! What a line-up that would have been!

[@moegginger]

jai guru dev❤️

[@lewiseckert9089]

You're not Dylan you're DONAVAN Yeah!!!

[@alexbowman7582]

Donovan lived on St Vincent Street at the same time Billy Connolly lived on Dover Street, the two are parallel and it’s possible if they were close together that they knew each other.

[@davidevans3175]

The real Frodo.

[@lefeuviolet]

💜

[@Prodbynull]

I love Donovan he’s a beatnik/hippie legend, pure soul and musical genius overall and completely overlooked. Ignorant fools compare him to Dylan but In my opinion it’s comparing apples to oranges Donovan’s a psychedelic legend where as bob is a folk legend so the comparison wears thin

Overlooked? He was a global superstar in the 1960s and 1970s. He sold millions of records, and sold out concerts all over the world.

[@Prodbynull]

Yes but compared to his contemporaries his legacy isn’t even close

[@hauntedhose]

1982!

[@updownstate]

Greetings from Clan Johnston in the USA!

[@thiafalcone2622]

The most gorgeous men in the world come from Glasgow ❤

[@robertbridger111]

Vegetarian for years , even vegan a true hippie x

[@alexbowman7582]

Robert Bridger veganism is entirely conceptual. It’s impossible not to eat insects. There’s a legal allowance in flour.

[@Mandrake591]

@@alexbowman7582 There are true vegetarians and vegans. I'm one of them.

[@christopherolson1376]

Awesome! When was this?

[@GLD-hopeful]

What year was this?

[@KenMacGregor]

1980ish

[@KenMacGregor]

Actually 1981

[@carolinelabe3542]

‘Scotland is the last wilderness of Europe’

[@BK-wm1tg]

All this time I didn’t know he was Scottish

[@jarretheller2244]

Why does it seem like they’re quite a few artists from that era that used to poke fun of Donovan?

[@janicearnold636]

I just heard Donovan’s song written to David Crosby. When and why was it written.

[@MarilynCrosbie]

I think I heard Donovan say he went to Southend. Did I correctly?

[@desertedhome4364]

what year is this from?

1982

[@istt]

Donovan has always been superior to Dylan but Dylan had the larger market behind him.

[@calum66]

Bollocks- total bollocks !

[@squeers63]

He is neither superior or vice versa , he had his own fantastic style.Love them both.

[@PeanutSpring3]

I'd say Donovan was more artistic and perhaps a more talented composer, but generally folk music is about the subject matter of the song, and the way Dylan does that is top tier. But in the end it's 2 different but similar bags.

[@goodfrequency8171]

Nothing to compare-

[@goodfrequency8171]

Agree. In character and talent.