Donovan was born Donovan Philips Leitch in Glasgow, Scotland, on May 10, 1946. He began his music career in the early 1960s, releasing his first album, "What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid," in 1965. He gained international fame with the release of his single "Catch the Wind" in 1965 and continued to release successful albums and singles throughout the decade, including "Mellow Yellow," "Hurdy Gurdy Man," and "Sunshine Superman."
In the 1970s, Donovan's career began to decline, and he struggled with drug addiction. He made several comebacks in the 1980s and 1990s and continued to release new music and tour.
In recent years, Donovan has been active in various projects, including collaborations with other musicians, writing, and painting. He has also been involved in charitable work and environmental activism.
Donovan continues to live in the United Kingdom and occasionally performs live. He is considered one of the most influential folk and psychedelic rock musicians of his era.