Donovan didn’t plan on being a musical icon. The guitarist, singer and songwriter, who helped usher in the psychedelic ’60s, was simply following his passion.
“I just knew it was my vocation and bliss to be a poet singer,” Donovan said. “When one is doing what one is here for, it’s easy.”
Donovan will perform at 8 p.m. June 9 at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora.
“I decided that on this ‘Sunshine Superman 50th Anniversary Tour’ that I would do it solo; to play how all the songs began: me and my acoustic guitar,” Donovan said. “It has been fun, and I tell stories about my career, some of which I can’t believe actually happened.”
The Scotland-born Donovan (whose full name is Donovan Philips Leitch) started in the music business in the 1960s as a folk singer. He scored hits in the United Kingdom in 1965 with the folk songs “Catch the Wind” and “Colors.” In the same year, Donovan appeared in a series of live performances on the British television series “Ready Steady Go!,” which gave him a wider audience.
Also in 1965, Donovan started working with the British independent record producer Mickie Most. The result was the “Sunshine Superman” album, released in 1966, which many people consider to be the first psychedelic album.
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The album helped ignite the musical counterculture revolution. Donovan had developed an eclectic and distinctive style that blended folk, jazz, pop, psychedelic, classical and other music, such as calypso. For Donovan, the change was natural.
“It is all meant to happen and one must be open to it,” he said.
The Donovan and Most collaboration followed up with such hit singles as “Mellow Yellow” in 1966 and 1968’s “Hurdy Gurdy Man.” Other Donovan songs include: “Lalena,” “Atlantis,” “Wear Your Love Like Heaven,” “Epistle to Dippy,” “There Is a Mountain,” “Jennifer Juniper” and “Barabajagal.” Many of the songs will be featured in the Paramount show.
“I will play my main big hits and some new ones.” Donovan said.
In 1969 Donovan released a greatest hits album, and has continued to make new records. Donovan has continued to tour, and he also wrote music for films, such as “Brother Sun, Sister Moon,” released in 1972.
In 2012, Donovan was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He said he will probably not officially retire.
“I retired already, maybe at least 10 times,” said the 71-year-old entertainer. “Now I take a long breaks.”
But Donovan still enjoys performing.
“The real chore of what we do is getting to the concerts, to the promotions, the search for healthy food and hotels with windows that open,” he said, “and then the few hours I can spend with my audience is the joy and the true bliss.”
Randall G. Mielke is a freelance writer for The Beacon-News.
‘Donovan — The Sunshine Superman 50th Anniversary Tour’
When: 8 p.m. June 9
Where: Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora
Tickets: $60.50-$100.50
Information: 630-896-6666; www.paramountaurora.com