Donovan's still mellow after all these years

Aug 11 2006 Liverpool Daily Post

SIXTIES superstar Donovan tells Philip Key about his links with Liverpool and the Beatles

DONOVAN was always one of the more laid-back performers on the 1960s music scene and 40 odd years later he has not changed. He speaks in a slow, easy-going style, retains his restrained Glasgow accent and talks of peace and brotherhood.

The Ireland-based singer/ songwriter whose songs like Catch the Wind and Mellow Yellow became anthems of the era is in Britain launching his new CD compilation, The Very Best of Donovan.

But he is also happy to talk about his friendship with The Beatles and his first ever appearance in Liverpool's Beatles Week this month.

Donovan, now 60, probably got closer to the group than other pop acts of the 1960s, a friendship that continues to this day.

"I ran into Ringo recently and he was soon exchanging these fast, funny phrases. I do miss the Liverpool humour and I think I am going to get a dose of it when I come up."

Donovan is headlining at a special Beatle Week show at the Liverpool Empire on Saturday, August 26.

"I think it's going to be great," he enthuses. "I have been invited to the event over the years and I kept passing on it but wondering what it really was.

"I thought it was just loads of soundalike groups in mop-top haircuts and I thought maybe I could not add much to that.

"You see, I had a very real personal and spiritual connection with the Beatles and I thought it might not be the right thing for me. Then, over the years, I realised that it was actually a celebration and now it has expanded to a whole week."