Talk:Donovan

I think that Donovan's first big hit in the US was Universal Soldier in 1965

Article name

Shouldn't the article be at Donovan? He is more commonly known by that name. See Wikipedia:Naming conventions (common names).
SimonMayer 05:53, 28 Aug 2004 (UTC)

Ireland

Obviously, he's British. Just checked his site to make sure. However, note that his site is a .ie. He's also more popular here than anywhere else, and spent a lot of time doing the usual fading-celebrity stuff like narrating childrens books onto tape and appearing in stage productions in Ireland in the 80's

Is there any reason for this and is it worth mentioning in the article?

Kiand 23:58, 6 Nov 2004 (UTC)

hrm, seems he's a tax exile here. Admitted on his own site.... Kiand 00:00, 7 Nov 2004 (UTC)

Rick Rubin

The author of the article is surprised by Rick Rubin's interest in Donovan. He is probably unaware that Rick Rubin was one of the original Beastie Boys, and that Donovan's daughter Ione was the long-time partner of Beastie Boy Adam Horovitz. This might explain the connection.

Photo

We really should put a better photo here.Like a photo of him in the 60s.

MrGater 12:58, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

Adding an old photo or two might be nice, but I kind of like the contemporary photo. That's who he was, but this is who he is. The photo on the Universal Soldier page is pretty cool too. —221.12.170.77 11:40, 19 October 2006 (UTC)

Beatles

Returning to London, he collaborated with The Beatles, contributing lyrics (and uncredited backing vocals) to the song "Yellow Submarine", which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios on 26 May 1966.

Put up a reference or strike this please? There is no record in standard Beatles literature of Donovan's songwriting participation in the Revolver era (or at any other time...).

I don't have a source for it, but I remember reading about 30 years ago that Donovan contributed to the writing of the song Rocky Raccoon (which appeared on the White Album) while he was reportedly with The Beatles in India with the Maharishi. I seem to remember that McCartney wrote most of the song. Sorry, I don't know where the support for this is. Yours, Famspear 16:14, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

LSD Use

"Look on 'yonder misty mountain; see the old monk meditating rodhedendron forest; over dusty hills I ask you; What has been like being you? Through all level's you've been changing; getting a little bit better, no doubt; that doctor bit was so far out; looking through crystal spectacles."

This excerpt was from his song "Epistle to Dippy". I here many many references to LSD use in this song (as well as many other songs by Donovan, but they to numerous to mention) such as crystal spectacles (which is pretty much a loose description of how things sorta look on LSD) the "Doctor bit being so far out" (before it was ruled out for medical use, hippies and other intellectual adventurers would go to doctors to get LSD, often without any real reason for needing it) and shifting visions (Monks, Mountains, etc) Why am I the only person who thinks that this entire song (as well as "First there is a Mountain" and "Wear Your Love Like Heaven) was about an LSD trip or related experiences, and why doesn't this article mention the inffluence of LSD on his works? And If Donovan hasn't admitted to taking it (which chances 11 out of 10 he has) can we at least mention the similarities? Stevo D 03:36, 16 October 2006 (UTC)

I think you've got some of those lyrics a little bit wrong. It was a young monk. And I think it's "the doctor bit was so far out". IMHO, we should not speculate here in an "original research" fashion, although it is basically OK to report the contents of particular sources that do. 221.12.170.77 11:22, 19 October 2006 (UTC)

Let's not forget "Elevator in the brain hotel", which I recall Donovan saying (maybe in concert, maybe in his recent book) was the all-time favorite line of somebody (John Lennon?) 221.12.170.77 11:27, 19 October 2006 (UTC)

Spouse

According to IMDB he's been married to Linda for 36 years; maybe the article should state that more clearly. Cranston Lamont 19:54, 10 November 2006 (UTC)

Meeting Gypsy Dave

Donovan didn't meet Gypsy Dave in St. Ives. When he was still living at home in Hatfield, he met Gypsy Dave first briefly in neighboring St. Albans, then later at a jazz club in Welvyn Garden City, after which they became friends. That summer they hitchhiked together to St. Ives.

The picture on his page

Instead of having a pic of what he looks like now.

There should be a pic of him at his peak of career instead —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 209.121.56.7 (talk) 02:53, 8 December 2006 (UTC).

I heartily agree. Does anybody know if there's a good pic available? Cgingold 11:00, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

K i changed it. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by S.mulleady (talk · contribs) 21:43, 2 January 2007 (UTC).

NPOV

Who wrote this article - Donovan's press agent? It consistently violates NPOV. My feeling is it should be completely rewritten omitting all the hype and superlatives. 72.89.0.244 14:47, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

I don't know if it needs to be rewritten, but it definitely could use a lot less editorializing. Paroche 08:36, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

cleanup

The detailed descriptions of what's on the albums should go on pages for those albums. Also, maybe the drug bust should have its own article, since it affected a lot of other popsingers and could be considered a scandal in its own right. --Bluejay Young 06:19, 21 March 2007 (UTC)