Donovan On teaching guitar technique to Beatles
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 เม.ย. 2012
- Donovan stopped by the Rolling Stone studio to chat about getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by his friend John Mellencamp and reminisce about teaching John Lennon his distinct finger-picking acoustic guitar technique while studying Transcendental Meditation with the Beatles in India back in 1968. "I used to play acoustic guitar all the time. In fact, Ringo used to say, 'Don, you never stop playing guitar,'" he recalls. "In that nonstop playing, after we meditated, after we ate our health food, after we chased the monkeys off the table, we would play, and as I
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Donovan "most coherent survivor of the 60s" Leitch
It's the quality education system the progressives now want rid of for everyone else.
@@MrDustpile What the fuck??
@@paranoidplane9799 Glad you asked! At the last Labour Party conference, the SJW delegates voted for the abolition of fee-paying private education to be party policy, yet when that failed to make the manifesto in the election against Boris Johnson, they triggered. Well, boo! Especially as top SJWs like Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbot enjoyed quality education.
It's also fun (actually, no) to note that a previous Labour politician in office, Tony Crossland, told his wife that "If it's the last thing I do, I'm going to destroy every fucking grammar school in England."
@@MrDustpile What is their policy on education as a whole? Do they want to increase funding for schools on all levels, or just get rid of grammar schools and keep all current spending the same?
Aye, a guid Scottish education lol.
Fortunate to have met Donovan, he Is Not only a Brilliant Musician, but a man of thought, and compassion .Long may he Run.
ive met him too, Got photos of me and him.
What brilliance are you referring to? He was no Wes Montgomery, or even Eric Clapton on guitar. He had nice finger picking. But ,brilliant guitar playing, well that one's off the list. Then songwriting. He wrote folk pop tunes. They were simple and easily singable. Is that billiiant? I don't think so. He had imaginative lyrics, but they were not deep, philosophy wise. So those aren't billiant. What brilliance are you referring to?
@@KenTeel Play us a few of your chart toppers please.
@@randymillhouse791 Hey play me song that you've written and recorded. Have you done any of this, or are you simply and expert at counting record sales? Get started counting rap music sales, if that's the case. Because you and I both know that it's such excellent music, based on your criteria of record sales being proof of good music. By the way Van Gough sold two paintings. By your criteria, he wasn't much of a painter.
@@KenTeel Sober up and reply again please.
This guy's speaking voice is hypnotic.
you should try his music then....lol xD
He's channelling James Mason.
The kind of voice you'd expect to be speaking about Churchill, Montgomery and The Blitz....
@loopy Ruane You are daft! This great singer/songwriter may not be a Christian like myself...but he's certainly not Satanic.
Sounds like you have a serious problem with "seeing" Satan everywhere. You shouldn't allow Satan to influence YOU to that degree!
@@THE-HammerMan
Rejecting Christ is Satanic.
Take away this man's storied association with the Beatles and you have a body of work and a legend that stands on its very own
He did wonderful work. Very fine songwriter; unique lyrics and melodies.
In the 60s and 70s he was a global superstar that did hundreds of concerts and sold every one out in hours.
In the early seventies in Melbourne, I was riding my motor cycle and saw Donovan walking down the street, I tooted and waved to him and he bowed to me. How lucky was I.
I like how he remembers every detail in this story , especially him being observant on how McCartney was learning and paying attention on not sitting down with them but walking in and out and picking up the technique by ear. Great interview.
Except that part isn't accurate because he seeks to imply McCartney was learning the techniques from him. McCartney had been using these exact techniques for many years and says he wrote Michelle 'in Chet Atkins's fingerpicking style'.
There's no arrogance at all in Donovan's explanation of teaching guitar techniques to the three Beatles guitar players. He strikes as a humble, good man. I always loved his unique music and style.
Absolutely on the money. What Donovan is doing here is passing along knowledge that would otherwise have been lost over time. Of course the great guitar genius of that era was Lenny Breau, and if you don’t believe me, check out some of his performances here on TH-cam.I had no idea that finger picking on the guitar originated with bluegrass banjo playing, but I have long admired their self-taught virtuosity. Great guitarists like Mark Knofler and Lindsey Buckingham are in their debt, and they’d be the first to acknowledge it.
Or course there is arrogance. He's acting like he was the Beatles' teacher. He taught them a couple of things and that translates into him giving them a full course on music theory ? This is an exaggeration, and yes, there is ego involved. He tries to disclaim it, but you can see it. Donovan is a good pop song writer, and finger picks a bit.
@@johntechwriter Donovan is nowhere near the guitar player that Lenny Breau, was. The only thing that they had in common was the time in which they played.
You are correct, there is no arrogance, very humble, very down to earth. Everyone just ignore the 2 replies above me, just some guy seeking attention he'll never get sadly.
Donovan's music was absolutely the #1 reason I started playing guitar in 1966. To hear him speak so eloquently all these years later about his life is fantastic to say the least. I hope he doe more videos.
He is beautiful awesome
Donovan, incredibly underrated and under appreciated. A young Donovan would absolutely kill it today as a performer. Where are you, young Donovan? Won't you come out to play?
He'd be a flop today.
@@golden.lights.twinkle2329 run along. Your bad taste and ignorance is your problem.
Unfortunately young Donovans today would be shunned by Cowell & Co for not having the required lips, teeth, hair and botty to be accepted.
"And so it goes on: I learnt it from my teacher, who learnt it from his teacher; and I passed it on to those guys, and then they passed it on to millions of people, and that's how it works."
I've never heard Donovan speak before - comes across as a really friendly guy.
Yes Carl. Also articulate, intelligent and very comfortable within himself. I was always a big fan so maybe I'm biased, but hey, what the hey. 'Way down, below
the ocean...way down, below the sea....."
@@colkilgore100 - Yes, very composed and articulate. I've been a fan since the 60s and I've never heard him talk before!
Delicous voice. He sings beautifully and also speaks beautifully. I am Brazilian, my listening is poor but I can understand almost everthing he says easily.
Such a friendly and humble guy !
@@colkilgore100 could've TRIPPED out easy! xD
Donovan is a poetic songwriter and even here you can tell he speaks with a poetic rhythm.
He just flows in his speech. Very eloquent. What a treat listening to him talk about those long ago days hanging with the Beatles and pickin' guitars!
I don't understand the negative comments. It doesn't seem to me he is arrogantly going on about how he taught the Beatles all they know. Just sounds like someone enjoying the chance to reminisce about a treasured time.
Agreed.
Loved the Beatles first but..
Growing up a young teen in the 60's my friends and I welcomed the airy,mystical almost playful Donovan tunes.
So different from Dylan who masked feelings with an abundance of words though his tunes are great as well.
Hail Atlantis!!
agreed
People are strange...
He sounds like somebody who actually knows what he's talking about. A real experienced musician.
He's just telling how musicians learn styles and writing and whatever from each other and on. Its how the arts go. Donovan wasn't as much of a hustler for the big time as the beatles I think and one guy never could compete with the four beatles anyway. That said some people find it hard to believe the beatles could learn from one or two guys. The beatles of course had the great studio additions and great song writing that lifted them into the clouds.
One of the very greatest folk-rock musicians of our time.
I love how self aware he is! He knows exactly what you're going to be thinking as he says this stuff, winking into the camera, leaning in to do Beatles impressions, it's the best.
"when we relaxed enough into the jungle, right there in the ganges, we got the guitars out." Imagine being able to say that sentence, and that you were once a rockstar playing guitar in the ganges of India with John Lennon. What a life. Much respect.
You forgot the monkees 🐒🐒🐒
And you're a star yourself... at least back then
@@andrealanzillotta4388 That's what i said: "that you were once a rockstar playing guitar in the ganges"
Read his autobiography, it's fascinating.
@@marioarias9942 It was probably Mickey Dolenz and Peter Tork.
One of the most underrated singer-songwriter-guitarists of all time.
He spoke at my son's music industry class at USC a couple of years ago. My son was extremely impressed with him.
One of my heroes when I was a teenager. I really loved Donovan, his voice, his guitar playing, his poetic approach.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is a true, true legend. Thank you Donovan!!
What a wonderful well spoken man.
I was just thinking that as well
@@bengunns9500 He's originally from Glasgow but picked up an annoying English twang in his accent because his family moved there when he was young.
@@Revolver1981 i expect if he spoke like a true Glaswegian nobody would understand him, so maybe that's why he practiced speaking correctly.
BenGunns Your screen name contains the name Gunn, and you think an English accent is correct?
@@TheMaineSurveyor well thats the way its spelt, is it wrong?
His impersonation of John Lennon’s voice is hilarious.
Scottish Scouse, really cool :'D
I agree 😆
I know . I loved that. Classic. It reminds me of Bowie imitating Mick Jagger . It was hilarious.
Ha ha , yes like Paul John would say , " SING-GING," instead of ," SINGING.
From the way he tells the story, simple and very clear, no wonder he influenced The Beatles big time. He's a great teacher!
Can't hardly recall the last time I heard such an interesting interview. And he sure has a sweet catalog of music.
Hell yeah, I agree
Took the words right out of my mouth!
Get over yourself would ya
Marian Mc Shane be quiet
"From a Flower to a Garden" and "HMS Donovan" are my two favorite albums. They are both double albums and are full of innocent, mystical fairy tales set to music.
So here's a little story from the '90s. I was working at the Ontario Place Forum as a tech and The Rolling Stones were playing at the CNE. So because all the crew went to work that show a handful of us stayed and did a Donovan show. Easiest show i've ever worked. One stool, one mike, and one guitar cord, that was it. After a couple of songs Donovan broke a string and told the audience he'd be right back. 15min goes by, and over the headset radio I hear, "someone go to his dressing room and see where he is". From what I was told, they knocked on his door and he answered with a tumbler of (whiskey) and ice cubes. He had completely forgot he was doing a show. Man we laughed so hard. Great memories I have of those days.
Was he stoned or something?
@@vecernicek2 Doing lines.
Never ever heard of him drinking whiskey. Ever.
@@Light-Shift well maybe it was apple juice. It was just a story from 32 years ago.
You know I've never heard an interview with Donovan but he is quite humble he is very articulate with his words and he is not arrogant at all this is a guy I could sit down and talk with and have a two-way conversation and maybe a beer no attitude with this guy what a great musician.
He sounds like the audiobook voice. A perfect voice. Listening him speaking , is delightful.
I agree. I'm impressed by his intelligence, articulation and lack of pretence.
Donovan is forever a great and talented songwriter and musician.
Donovan sounds great. He recounts this tale perfectly and eloquently. He is also very interesting to listen to. I'm surprised because many other veteran rock artists do not come off this educated, wise and well-spoken. (His incredible vocals on the chorus of "Billion Dollar Babies," on the Alice Cooper classic is what made that song so powerful. Many to this day, don't know it was Donovan).
jimmy page?
Hey Dude Thanks for that info. I always wondered who sang that part. Seeing that none of the band members were British. I thought one of them was imitating a British accent.
Was not aware of that, but Jeff Beck plays on "Barabajagal" and "Trudi"
I didnt . wow
News to me. Wow.
I got to meet him way back in the early 70's. He's exactly like he is here. Chill.
Donovan & George set me on a gentle path when I was 15, in 1966. Still there. I've strayed, but I keep coming back. Connectedness.
I was 15 in 1966 as well. We came through life at an extremely interesting time.
They did the same to me, when I was 15, in 2019. Truly timeless, and I am forever grateful to them both.
This man is a legend.
There's no arrogance in him. He's in a class of his own. His music was transcendental.
YES. Well said. He's great. I discovered his music back in 92 when I was 20 and I was mesmerized. Hurdy gurdy man and Colors were among my favorites. I listened to all of his stuff. I bought 'Troubador' and listened to the whole 2 CD set over and over again. Then in 97 I bought the CD 'Sutras'. And loved that whole piece of mucic as well.
It's amazing how someone could talk of teaching the Beatles guitar techniques and still seem humble, but he pulls it off.
not really.
Ive listened to Donavan for decades but listening to him speaking about the journey is so relaxing and deeply wonderful. wow.
Metroal, I met him in Dingle, Ireland at Mazz O'Flaherty's record store. Mazz and her family are old friends. An absolute gentleman. I've run into him in county Cork a couple of times since then. He's very sharp and has no air of self importance at all. If he meets you he calls you by your first name the next time he sees you, like you've been friends forever. He has some hilarious stories too. Like going off in the jungle, not knowing his album was number one and then not having enough money to get home. He had to borrow money, not knowing how he would pay it back, while not aware that his album was making him a fortune. The way he tells it is hilarious..
Had a co-worker who sat next to him on a plane and he said the same thing. Ironically, a "down to earth" guy who was very friendly.
Yeah but hearing him speak here, I don't believe that story either.
ok, WHERE is that story??? sounds epic
Great songwriter . I'm a hard rocker but can appreciate his contribution to the music industry.
There is nothing more natural than hearing someone with a British accent telling stories of the early days of rock.
Still a cool guy after all these years, good on you Donovan.
I love this man, talented, intelligent and genuine.
or his author...
He just kind of hypnotizes when he speaks. So awesome.
What’s the horoscope for today 11/22/1950
that's the scots accent for you lol
Here we have a kind, humble and gentle soul with the rare gift of understanding human nature more than any psychiatrist could ever do.
I find nothing braggadocio about Donovan and although I have been a fan since I was a teenager in the 60's I have never seen an interview with him before I watched this earlier. He is an amazing fella and a treat to listen to.
Here's to you mate. you are an inspiration to us all. You seem to have found the answers you were looking for. I wish I could live my life over again...maybe I'd find them too.
Stellar interview! Down to Earth & very intelligent!
Lucid, inspirational, knowledgeable, enthusiastic .... the list could go on and on. Wonderful.
what a great speaker, no annoying ums.... and ahhssss... wonderful stuff. Love Donavan.
+Jonathan Taff I hate people who do that when they speak. Hate it.
+Theodore Tutor aver con felisidad
I think it's because he appears to be educated, eloquent and obviously articulate.
and like every kther word
Ums and ahs are cool
He is one of the few I actually and still have respect for... Donovan is a LEGEND
respect4 & Love this great cosmic maestro Donovan 🙏♥️💫👑🍃💞💫💞💫💞💫✨
Great how Donovan mimics Ringo's & John's speech pattern when he speaks of them. Always a interesting dude.
Not to forget Paul's way of speaking. They had the same speech author and composer. That's the "technique": using recordings of one little surveiled genius. They were all cover bands till today. Sad But True, A Matter Of Trust, sitting in a Glass House.
Superman and Green Lantern ain't got nothing on him, I suppose.
@@leahcimolrac1477 and he can make like a turtle and dive for your pearls in the sea or wherever he goes...
Mr.P: Donovan is Scottish with a peculiar regional speech. The Beatles spoke like the people of Liverpool.
@@leahcimolrac1477 @ Mr. Carlo: Ad you know, Sunshine is a drug consisting of LSD and Meth, if I'm not mistaken. Anybody taking that stuff needs a psychiatrist. In.M.Op.
he has his own voice and inner convictions and so he can speak clearly, plus, he spoke about it for many years now i am sure, he is obviously a man who likes to share and give of himself. lovely man and lovely artist. good to see him as an adult.
I wish he would teach all that he has learned - guitar and non guitar to me. What a wonderful story teller he is. His voice and James Mason's are very similar. Thank you Donovan for everything. Xx
Yes a slight similarity, though when I had lunch with the late James Mason in a film studio set canteen in London 1980 his voice was more," thespian," bassier and sibilant. Also Donovan Leitch was born and raised in Glasgow, though his Scottish accent has been diminished flat due to his years in USA and England, whereas James was quintessentially English to his very core. Yes both wonderful exceptionally talented men of different eras.
They chased the Monkees off the table? Poor Davy, Mickey, Peter and Mike
The mammal
@@wkg55 He knows that-- he was joking.
R/woosh
The Beatles began in the late 50's and the Shea Stadium was 1965 They mastered rock in Hamburg DE working for about 5 years every day playing for hours together. Monkees were a fake band formed later toward 1966-9. At least most Beatles had talent. Monkees - not so much.
@@kenrose3464 Actually, The Monkees did play musical instruments. They just weren't allowed to play them on their records. They did sing on their records, though.
Donovan is awesome.
Just listening to him describe the relaxing of the nervous system made my nervous system relax!
What a modest person
John Lennon, used that finger picking style at the start of “Happiness Is A Warm Gun” too.
Marvellous monologue by Donovan. He is a spellbinding speaker, he draws you in.
Always enjoyed his music...first time I’ve heard him speak about music. Very engaging and knowledgeable man. Loved his early acoustic albums.
Amazing man - so eloquent and well spoken. Looks the same just older
What an interesting and personable guy Donovan is.
In my first professional band in 1968 we played as many Donovan tunes as we did by the Beatles and Stones. I didn't realize how well-spoken and personable he is until about 10 minutes ago. A gifted individual. I still know a lot of them lyrics!
This guy is so underrated absolutely love him everything about him is interesting would love to just sit with this guy and talk for a couple hours just about life in general
So modest given his brilliance. Donovan brighten many a day for me. "Sunshine came softly through my window today."
Donovan is a very wise clever and spiritual man... He's got it he understands life and the best way to live it.. Plus he's a great singer songwriter.. Not enough credit is given to this genius of a man
Listened to a Donovan interview on the Howard Stern show once, I was stirred by his obvious intellect and set about studying him a bit. Pretty amazing dude!
I've always had the greatest admiration for Donovan - this was a fun rap by Donovon - I'm glad to see him doing so well!
indeed, and he looks surprisingly good too
I too learned some picking styles from Donovan in songs like Catch The Wind and Colours. Still great songs!
Amazing voice! He would make fantastic audio books
Wonderful interview. I love listening to brilliant musicians who are professional and have their act together.
Incredible to think they created such amazing music after learning new picking techniques and chord structures... truly genius individuals.❤️👏🏽
Donovan had a unique style, he’s up there with the best.
They called him mellow yellow. Quite rightly.
No doubt !
What a tune!
"I remember when I was in India with the Beatles... " Nice way to start a story. Thanks!
My dad grew up in the 60s in northern England. When I asked him if he's heard of Dylan he said "yeah he's great. I listened to him in uni." But when I asked him if he'd heard of Donovan he said "oh yeah! He was the first singer who's album I bought".
What a nice intelligent guy. He is like a breath of fresh air. Seems honest and giving.
in 1968-1970 i was living in india...i had a little radio and at night would search for music which i could play along with and learn from. as i turned the dial to find something, a tune came through the static from far off england, "ooh, ooh, ooh......hurdy gurdy man ....the atmosphere of night-time india and that song blew me away "like a star in my vast sleep"....i have never forgotten that moment, thankyou donovan
I saw Donovan at the Sydney opera house in 197 something was one of the best concerts I have ever seen Just him and an acoustic guitar no loop machine, totally organic and brilliant.
Lucky you, I was found blind drunk asleep outside the Darling harbour end of the Sydney Opera house back in 1994. That, " Tooheys," beer sure packs a punch, when one has been on the grog for 3 to 4 days.
One of the few...Love Donovan leitch.
I read Donovan’s autobiography and I fell in love with him all over again (after falling in love with him through his music)...this little video, did me in yet again...head over heels for this man and his gentle spirit!
Very intelligent and well spoken man
I feel like I’m a child sitting on the floor listening to story hour/time
I love this guy. Thank you for every bit of your musical being. ❤️
I've never heard Donovan speak before. So charming. Love him and his music.
The stereotype of the British man that masters the language and destroys you in 1 minute with eloquence and vocabulary.
He is a master of conversation, intonation, oratory.
Man I wish I talk like that.
And what a sharp mind . A legend
Lots of people really like Donovan. They believe he is a very smart man. This video amply demonstrates that. His capacity for illucidation is very very good.
And very good at mimicking other peoples' accents, in particular John and Ringo. You'd almost think it WAS them talking. But yes, I think he missed the true meaning of Ringo's comment ( a man of few, but telling, words)
"His capacity for illucidation is very very good. " Makes him sound like he took a lot of acid.
AMP-ly.. But he plays acoustic
What a delightful bit! Donovan is still as fascinating now as he was in the '60s. Trust me, I was there. I, too, was inspired to take up guitar by Donovan; first thing I ever learned was "Atlantis." Thank you so much! (No, I never did get particularly famous, or particularly good, but it's been lots of fun all this time.)
Your joy! That's all that really matters!
Nice one man.
An eloquent, gifted gentle man. I could listen to him for hours.
I saw Donovan perform in NYC several years ago, just him solo. He did all his hits and he still has it. His natural vibrato is more forward now but his gentle music was much appreciated by the audience.
Love you Donovan, always have loved your music. I was into lsd in the 70's your music was amazing and still is. Now I am a sensitive and an indigo on my way to the cosmos and beyond. Namaste my friend.
Love and thanks to Donovan.
Listening to this genius' music in the 1960s kept me sane back then just as it still does today. The original Sunshine Superman, one of the very best ever did it.
A wonderful, gentle man without a big ego. Loved that he was so free in sharing his techniques and credits his teachers.
How wonderful to hear; thank you to Donovan who was such an important musician in the 1960's. This was fun and fascinating to hear, and a breath of fresh air to explain something very special that he shared and taught to the Beatles. He's obviously very proud of that - as he should be - with no thought to the naysayers. You had to live through the 60's to know what an influence this man was then; he had great success, very talented, many hit records and a gigantic fan base all over the world.
I think his explanation was descriptive and mesmerizing. A true artist and poet.
A big fan of Donovan's since the '60s. Loved this interview.
Donovan's such an excellent communicator! He's actually legible!
What a sweet man. It's a shame that he is barely heard of nowadays...but an obvious influence and a continued dear friends of the Beatles.
Everyone slips into obscurity eventually. His music will last forever for those in the know.
This is fascinating and amazing. Had no idea Donovan had such an influence on John and Paul when they were in India.
Well John isn't here to confirm this story so we'll never know if it's true. Donovan always struck me as a second rate songwriter and wannabe Dylan. He doesn't come remotely close to writing like the Beatles or Dylan. He had a few interesting tunes that were mostly interesting due to the session musicians like Jimmy Page etc.. I get an uncomfortable feeling watching this video.
Did you know her wrote the song "Jennifer Juniper" for Patti Boyd's sister Jennifer.
@@jimlabos well you could ask Paul and Ringo next time you see them....
@@cm6534 I already did. They felt just as uncomfortable as I did.
@@jimlabos Here's an interview with Paul McCartney from 1968 where he says Donovan taught John how to fingerpick in India, and says that "while he was learning fingerpicking, I was sort of playing acoustic as well".
www.dmbeatles.com/interviews.php?interview=66Paul
So his story seems to be confirmed. I got an uncomfortable feeling reading your comment and listening to some of the unbelievably crappy blues music on your channel.
We are very fortunate to have such an insightful and intelligent man recount his unique experience. What a legend.
Can I congratulate you on actually using the word "intelligent", instead of "smart"!
It's such a refreshing change!
It's one of my pet peeves, but it's used by EVERYONE one, including the British newsreaders! 🙄
This video makes a lot of sense. Donovan is clearly a very competent guitarist to those watching for it.