Donovan Hits The Half Century Mark

The man who introduced the world to “Hurdy Gurdy Man,” “The Universal Soldier” and “Mellow Yellow” celebrates 50 years of making music. Shows in Europe and the U.K. keep him busy through late July, then it’s North America’s turn.

Photo: Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP

David Lynch Foundation Music Celebration, The Theatre at Ace Hotel, Los Angeles, Calif.

Donovan’s first few singles often seem like a roadmap through the 1960s. “Catch The Wind” was released in 1965. “Josie,” “Sunshine Superman” and “Mellow Yellow climbed the charts the following year and firmly identified the man born Donovan Leitch as a figurehead in the then-rising flower-power movement.

Currently touring Germany, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member’s North American adventure begins at Guild Hall in East Hampton, N.Y., Aug. 30 with a show benefitting the Donovan Children’s Fund. A division of the David Lynch Foundation, the Fund helps bring Transcendental Meditation to at-risk students.

Photo: Donald Leitch (Donovan Discs 2016)

Shown here in an undated photo.

Donovan’s tour includes a stop at New York City’s Carnegie Hall, marking 50 years since he first played the famed venue. Here are the dates:

April 5 – Hamburg, Germany, Laeiszhalle
April 6 – Berlin, Germany, Passionskirche
April 8 – Munich, Germany, Freiheizhalle
April 10 – Heilbronn, Germany, Harmonie
April 11 – Roth, Germany, Kulturfabrik
April 13 – Ravensburg, Germany, Konzerthaus
April 14 – Fulda, Germany, Orangerie
April 16 – Cologne, Germany, Theater Tanzbrunnen
April 17 – Ennepetal, Germany, Leo Theater
April 19 – Mainz, Germany, Frankfurter Hof
April 20 – Dresden, Germany, Alter Schlachthof
April 22 – Leipzig, Germany, Haus Auensee
April 23 – Gotha, Germany, Kulturhaus
May 6 – London, England, London Palladium
June 4 – Cork, Ireland, Cork Opera House
June 11 – Paris, France, Olympia
July 16 – Sawley, England, Beat Herder Festival Grounds (Beat Herder Festival)
July 22 – Devon, England, Chagstock Festival Grounds (Chagstock)
July 30 – Cumbria, England, Lowther Deer Park (Kendal Calling)
Aug. 30 – East Hampton, N.Y., Guild Hall / John Drew Theater
Sept. 2 – Los Angeles, Calif., City Hall
Sept. 5 – Fairfield, Iowa, Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts
Sept. 8 – Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Parker Playhouse
Sept. 14 – Troy, N.Y., Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
Sept. 15 – New York, N.Y., Zankel Hall At Carnegie Hall
Sept. 20 – Dallas, Texas, Majestic Theatre
Sept. 22 – San Antonio, Texas, The Tobin Center For The Performing Arts
Sept. 24 – Austin, Texas, Paramount Theatre
Sept. 25 – Boulder, Colo., Boulder Theater
Sept. 27 – Phoenix, Ariz., MIM Music Theater
Oct. 8 – Beverly Hills, Calif., Saban Theatre
Oct. 12 – San Francisco, Calif., The Regency Ballroom
Oct. 15 – Seattle, Wash., The Neptune
Oct. 19 – Vancouver, British Columbia, The Vogue Theatre
Oct. 20 – Toronto, Ontario, The Danforth Music Hall

Presales for shows in North America begin this week witih general onsales launching April 11. Go to Donovan.ie for more information.