Songcraft: Spotlight on Songwriters

Ep. 33 - DONOVAN ("Sunshine Superman")

Episode Summary

Beginning his career as a key player in the UK folk revival of the early 1960s, Donovan scored early hits with “Catch the Wind” and “Colours.” Embracing jazz, world music, and psychedelic influences, he expanded his sound and found success with the major hits “Sunshine Superman” and “Mellow Yellow” in 1966. Additional hits followed, including the Top 20 US singles “Epistle to Dippy” and “There is a Mountain,” as well as the Top 10 hits “Hurdy Gurdy Man” and “Atlantis.” He has recorded nearly thirty albums. Donovan’s songs have been recorded by Neil Young, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Richie Havens, Van Dyke Parks, Jefferson Airplane, the Animals, the Allman Brothers Band, Cher, Eartha Kitt, Glen Campbell, Johnny Rivers, Duane Eddy, Buck Owens, Chet Atkins, Kenny Loggins, Susanna Hoffs, Joan Jett, Sarah McLachlan, Richard Thompson, and many others. He was awarded the prestigious BMI Icon award in 2009, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, and inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014.

Episode Notes

Beginning his career as a key player in the UK folk revival of the early 1960s, Donovan scored early hits with “Catch the Wind” and “Colours.” Embracing jazz, world music, and psychedelic influences, he expanded his sound and found success with the major hits “Sunshine Superman” and “Mellow Yellow” in 1966. Additional hits followed, including the Top 20 US singles “Epistle to Dippy” and “There is a Mountain,” as well as the Top 10 hits “Hurdy Gurdy Man” and “Atlantis.” He has recorded nearly thirty albums. Donovan’s songs have been recorded by Neil Young, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Richie Havens, Van Dyke Parks, Jefferson Airplane, the Animals, the Allman Brothers Band, Cher, Eartha Kitt, Glen Campbell, Johnny Rivers, Duane Eddy, Buck Owens, Chet Atkins, Kenny Loggins, Susanna Hoffs, Joan Jett, Sarah McLachlan, Richard Thompson, and many others. He was awarded the prestigious BMI Icon award in 2009, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, and inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014.