Nineteen Sixty Eight was a year in which the Beatles and singer-songwriter Donovan found quite a lot in common. Last year I acquired this signed Donovan photo of the Beatles in India with the Maharishi. Donovan made a few contributions to a couple of Beatles songs that they wrote in India and he taught John Lennon a unique way to approach his guitar playing. Donovan labels this the clawhammer style of playing that he taught to John.
This style, evident in both the songs “Julia” and “Dear Prudence” on the Beatles “White Album proved to be another way the Beatles were extraordinary in being able to assimilate what they were being taught by other musicians and to incorporate those abilities into their own musical canon. Donovan also contributed lyrics to the 1968 Beatles composition “Yellow Submarine.” George Harrison wrote an extra verse for Donovan’s song “Hurdy Gurdy Man.” Donovan decided not to use it, but many years later he issued a recording of the song with the extra Harrison verse.
It has been mentioned that Paul McCartney makes a contribution to the smash hit “Atlantis” by Donovan. There is also an underground recording of Paul jamming with Donovan at Abbey Road doing a number called “Heather.”
Donovan also wrote 3 songs on Postcard, the Mary Hopkin LP, which Paul McCartney produced.
DONOVAN – GEORGE HARRISON TRUIBUTE – YouTube Donovan appears at a Fest for Beatles Fans talking about his friendship with the Beatles
Donovan talks about his guitar style link to the Beatles
Donovan On teaching guitar technique to Beatles – YouTube
Donovan had strong links to the folk tradition and there is an existing video of Donovan in a hotel room with Bob Dylan. It was obvious that folk music was soon to take root in the Beatles musical lexicon.
In closing, here is a version of Donovan performing the hit song “Atlantis.” Thank you Donovan for your many contributions to music and the Beatles catalog…
donovan ♦ atlantis ♦ stereo remix – YouTube
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