Donovan

The Profile

Donovan (born Philip Donovan Leitch) is a Scottish singer-songwriter who rose to prominence in the 1960s, moving from acoustic folk into psychedelic pop and related styles. Reviews frequently describe him as an underrated peer of the era, often compared to Bob Dylan, with a reputation for strong melodies, poetic imagery, and stylistic flexibility across decades.

Publicly known as Donovan (Philip Donovan Leitch), a Scottish singer-songwriter associated with 1960s folk and psychedelic pop; widely noted for hits including "Sunshine Superman" and "Mellow Yellow".

Across these reviews, Donovan is portrayed as a Scottish singer-songwriter often unfairly overshadowed by Bob Dylan, yet praised as a chameleonic melody-maker. His mid-60s run (from acoustic folk to psychedelic pop) is repeatedly framed as his most inspired era. The 70s and beyond are described as uneven but full of worthwhile turns: glam-leaning rock, refined folk, and even electronic protest. Consensus: underrated artist with many gems, plus a few notable stumbles (especially "Beat Café").