So we have Donovan to thank......

[randelli]

I was given some music by Donovan; and not knowing much about him I did a little wiki search. Towards the middle of the page I found this:

"...in the three-hour 2008 documentary DVD movie about Donovan's life and music directed by Hannes Rossacher, also titled "Sunshine Superman", Donovan himself states that Jimmy Page did indeed record guitar on the "Hurdy Gurdy Man" song, with John Paul Jones on bass and Jon Bonham on drums, with virtually all of Led Zeppelin performing on that song except for lead singer Robert Plant. Jones and Page have both stated that Led Zeppelin was formed during "The Hurdy Gurdy Man" sessions."

So it is possible that without Donovan we would not have Led Zeppelin.

YouTube - DONOVAN - HURDY GURDY MAN

YouTube - DONOVAN - HURDY GURDY MAN

The same article states that he taught John and Paul the fingerstyle used on many Beatles songs including "Blackbird"

YouTube - The Beatles-Blackbird

YouTube - The Beatles-Blackbird

It is interesting how we are all connected somehow.

[benjammin420]

John wrote Dear Prudence specifically around the a lesson Donovan taught him. pretty cool how influence goes around and around like that. I knew JPJ and JP were on that track, but not Bonham, that is pretty wild

[geochem1st]

Donovan used to drop acid a real lot. I would not buy into his recollections.

"Over the years Donovan has mentioned various people as playing on this track. It is now understood to be as follows according to John Paul Jones (who did play bass and book the session players) as:

Donovan on Acoustic Guitar, Tambura and vocals
Alan Parker on Electric Guitar
John Paul Jones on Bass and Musical Director
Clem Cattini on Drums


"Jimmy Page has said, "I know it's rumored that I played on that, but I didn't - and the most bizarre part about this whole story I heard about this story actually when I was in USA, it was about the time we were talking about the deal with Led Zeppelin. We were at Miami with Jerry Wexler. And I heard about the story by there and then, across from England, and on the shores over here. And what the story was - and it's very true. That they had Jeff Beck go in, and Jeff Beck played on it, and the producer decided to wipe the track. And Donovan had asked for me to do it, but of course I wasn't there. And they had a guitarist, he basically filled, you know. He went into the session - and I wouldn't say filled my shoes - but he went in the door, and his name was Alan Parker. I mean, none of you even know of him. It's not the film producer. But anyway, he's the guy who played the guitar solo, so you know, as you say, some people might have thought Beck did it, or me, but it was neither of us. But I think it was tragic that Beck got wiped off. That was absolutely crazy. They just decided that they didn't like what he did. And I mean, perish the thought, you know." (thanks, Andrew - London, England for above 2 - source = liner notes from the 2005 reissue of the album)"

"The session was produced by Mickie Most and engineered by Eddie Kramer. Says Clem Cattini, "John Paul Jones told me this was recorded 2 years before he met John Bonham and he only ever used me on his sessions. In fact, we worked together in Lulu's band for 2 years. Also at the time I did a lot of work for Mickie Most who was the producer." (Thanks to Clem Cattini for this information)"

Hurdy Gurdy Man by Donovan Songfacts

[snaredrum]

yep - what geochem said. it aint proto-zep. still sounds ace though

[BrianGT]

Jeff Beck did get to play on a follow up though...."Barabajackyl".....excuse spelling....he played a wicked wah intro!

[toneguy86]

It interesting how all of those connections happened. Check out the Peter Frampton interview from Greg Martin's radio show (go to his web page and click on radio show) from a couple of years ago. Wouldn't it be cool to be a teenager struggling to find his wings and happen onto some guy named Keith Richards that hooked you up with a who's who list of people that went on to form or be part of the formation of pretty much every British band you can think of: Humble Pie, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Faces and even the Beatles (after Peter left the Pie he happened onto an old aquantance George Harrison who asked him to play on his new solo record All Things Must Pass). All these connections just blow me away.