The Hurdy Gurdy Man - Softcover

Leitch, Donovan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0099487039 ISBN 13: 9780099487036

Publisher: Arrow, 2006

Synopsis

Donovan's autobiography charts his life from a post-war, Glaswegian childhood to the height of an international career as one of the leading figures of the 1960's music scene.

Always feeling like an outsider he found relief through music and poetry. The book reveals how he came to be influenced by Buddhist teachings and the music of Woody Guthrie and Joan Baez. The book explores the significance of falling deeply in love with the woman who was to become his muse, and the profound sense of loss he felt when their relationship came to an end, and how the loss affected him both personally and creatively.

A leader of the folk revival in both Britain and America, the book recounts how he rose to be an international star, releasing songs such as Mellow Yellow and Catch the Wind, and his most successful album, Sunshine Superman. Donovan is acknowledged as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 1960's.

The book provides a frank account of his early experiments with drugs and his search for self. He reveals the story of how he developed friendships with Baez, Dylan and the Beatles, with whom he a shared spiritual sojourn to meditate with the Maharishi in India. Donovan's autobiography offers first-hand insights into his music and poetry, recollects his rise to fame and the way in which destiny was to play a hand by re-uniting him with the lost love of his life through a chance meeting.

About this title

Review:

"Anyone who lived through that time, or anyone curious to know what the 'magic' or theswinging 60s where about, will enjoy this trip through 'histories of ages past' with the original Hurdy Gurdy Man." (The Guardian)

"Entertaining and indisputably personal account" (MOJO)

"Three cheers for the Hurdy Gurdy man for approaching his autobiography as a serious book rather than a quick cash-in or headline grabbing confessional...a pleasing trip back to a time, not so long ago, when every gentle heart believed peace was a real possibility" (The Telegraph)

"An unqualified delight" (The Observer)

"Touching, illuminating and frank" (The New York Times)

From the Publisher:

The autobiography of the Prince of Flower Power. Alongside the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan, Donovan's music defined a generation.

Donovan is revealed as one of the most original figures of the Sixties, the first singer-songwriter to introduce poetry into pop songs, the first to write about drugs – and the first to be busted! – and to use psychedelic artwork on his album covers. A great influence on the Beatles, he also wrote some of the lyrics of Yellow Submarine, taught John and George new guitar styles that gave the White Album its distinctive feel – as well as coming up with the idea for the cover of that album. Sunshine Superman was the first jazz fusion record, and he also originated Celtic rock, Led Zeppelin first coming together as his backing band on The Hurdy Gurdy Man. He was the first to play sitar in a Western rock concert, and the interest he shared with the Beatles in Eastern mysticism coloured the whole ofSixties culture.
The phrase ‘flower power’ was first used in article about one of Donovan’s concerts, after he had thousands of flowers collected to turn the stage into a giant mandala.

By 1968 Donovan was the hottest ticket on both sides of the Atlantic, but as the decade drew to a close he became disillusioned with the increasing commercialisation of rock, and he decided to drop out.

Now at a time when he feels that values of the Sixties are needed more than ever ‘here comes the Hurdy Gurdy Man singing songs of love’.

About this edition

• Publisher: Arrow
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0099487039
• ISBN 13: 9780099487036
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 416