Catch the Wind
"Sunshine Superman" tops the US Billboard Hot 100 chart (number two in Britain). Successful singles in the UK include "Catch the Wind", "Colours" and "Universal Soldier"
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Donovan Philips Leitch Biography and Timeline
Follow Donovan Philips Leitch through 56 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Donovan Philips Leitch, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
56Distinct records
1 of 2Page
1965–1973Years on this page
1965
Colours
"Sunshine Superman" tops the US Billboard Hot 100 chart (number two in Britain). Successful singles in the UK include "Catch the Wind", "Colours" and "Universal Soldier"
Pye Records
Signs with Pye Records
Ready Steady Go!
Reaches fame in the United Kingdom in early 1965 with live performances on the pop TV series, Ready Steady Go!
Sunshine Superman
"Sunshine Superman" tops the US Billboard Hot 100 chart (number two in Britain). Successful singles in the UK include "Catch the Wind", "Colours" and "Universal Soldier"
Universal Soldier
"Sunshine Superman" tops the US Billboard Hot 100 chart (number two in Britain). Successful singles in the UK include "Catch the Wind", "Colours" and "Universal Soldier"
1966
Mellow Yellow
Epic releases the single "Mellow Yellow", arranged by John Paul Jones and purportedly featuring Paul McCartney on backing vocals
Arrest of Donovan
The Drug Squad already had British stars in their sights, and Donovans arrest proved to be the first in a long series involving the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. In mid-1966, Donovan becomes the first British pop star to be arrested for possession of cannabis
1967
Monterey International Pop Festival
Apppears at the Monterey International Pop Festival
News of the World
Donovan was subject of a drugs expose in the News of the World, a three-part series, Drugs & Pop Stars Facts That Will Shock You
Poor Cow
Donovan contributes two songs to the Ken Loach film, Poor Cow
1968
CBS
The first artist to be signed to CBS/Epic Records by the new administrative vice-president, Clive Davis
Hurdy Gurdy Man
Releases the live album Donovan In Concert. "Hurdy Gurdy Man" reaches the Top 5 in both the UK & USA
1969
Hyde Park Concerts
Donovan performed at the first show in the second season of free rock concerts in Hyde Park, London, which also featured Blind Faith, Richie Havens, The Edgar Broughton Band and the 3rd Ear Band
Catch The Wind
Epic and Pye released Donovans Greatest Hits which included four previous singles "Epistle To Dippy" "There is a Mountain" "Jennifer Juniper" and "Lalena"
Catch The Wind
It became the most successful album of his career; it reached 4 in the US, became a million-selling gold record, and stayed on the Billboard album chart for more than a year
Catch The Wind
as well as rerecorded versions of "Colours" and "Catch The Wind" (which had been unavailable to Epic because of Donovans contractual problems) and stereo versions of "Sunshine Superman" (previously unissued full length version) and "Season of the Witch".
Colours
Epic and Pye released Donovans Greatest Hits which included four previous singles "Epistle To Dippy" "There is a Mountain" "Jennifer Juniper" and "Lalena"
Colours
It became the most successful album of his career; it reached 4 in the US, became a million-selling gold record, and stayed on the Billboard album chart for more than a year
Colours
as well as rerecorded versions of "Colours" and "Catch The Wind" (which had been unavailable to Epic because of Donovans contractual problems) and stereo versions of "Sunshine Superman" (previously unissued full length version) and "Season of the Witch".
Epistle To Dippy
Epic and Pye released Donovans Greatest Hits which included four previous singles "Epistle To Dippy" "There is a Mountain" "Jennifer Juniper" and "Lalena"
Epistle To Dippy
It became the most successful album of his career; it reached 4 in the US, became a million-selling gold record, and stayed on the Billboard album chart for more than a year
Epistle To Dippy
as well as rerecorded versions of "Colours" and "Catch The Wind" (which had been unavailable to Epic because of Donovans contractual problems) and stereo versions of "Sunshine Superman" (previously unissued full length version) and "Season of the Witch".
If Its Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium
The comedy film If Its Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium features music by Donovan
Jennifer Juniper
Epic and Pye released Donovans Greatest Hits which included four previous singles "Epistle To Dippy" "There is a Mountain" "Jennifer Juniper" and "Lalena"
Jennifer Juniper
It became the most successful album of his career; it reached 4 in the US, became a million-selling gold record, and stayed on the Billboard album chart for more than a year
Jennifer Juniper
as well as rerecorded versions of "Colours" and "Catch The Wind" (which had been unavailable to Epic because of Donovans contractual problems) and stereo versions of "Sunshine Superman" (previously unissued full length version) and "Season of the Witch".
Lalena
Epic and Pye released Donovans Greatest Hits which included four previous singles "Epistle To Dippy" "There is a Mountain" "Jennifer Juniper" and "Lalena"
Lalena
It became the most successful album of his career; it reached 4 in the US, became a million-selling gold record, and stayed on the Billboard album chart for more than a year
Lalena
as well as rerecorded versions of "Colours" and "Catch The Wind" (which had been unavailable to Epic because of Donovans contractual problems) and stereo versions of "Sunshine Superman" (previously unissued full length version) and "Season of the Witch".
Season of the Witch
Epic and Pye released Donovans Greatest Hits which included four previous singles "Epistle To Dippy" "There is a Mountain" "Jennifer Juniper" and "Lalena"
Season of the Witch
It became the most successful album of his career; it reached 4 in the US, became a million-selling gold record, and stayed on the Billboard album chart for more than a year
Season of the Witch
as well as rerecorded versions of "Colours" and "Catch The Wind" (which had been unavailable to Epic because of Donovans contractual problems) and stereo versions of "Sunshine Superman" (previously unissued full length version) and "Season of the Witch".
Sunshine Superman
Epic and Pye released Donovans Greatest Hits which included four previous singles "Epistle To Dippy" "There is a Mountain" "Jennifer Juniper" and "Lalena"
Sunshine Superman
It became the most successful album of his career; it reached 4 in the US, became a million-selling gold record, and stayed on the Billboard album chart for more than a year
Sunshine Superman
as well as rerecorded versions of "Colours" and "Catch The Wind" (which had been unavailable to Epic because of Donovans contractual problems) and stereo versions of "Sunshine Superman" (previously unissued full length version) and "Season of the Witch".
There is a Mountain
Epic and Pye released Donovans Greatest Hits which included four previous singles "Epistle To Dippy" "There is a Mountain" "Jennifer Juniper" and "Lalena"
There is a Mountain
It became the most successful album of his career; it reached 4 in the US, became a million-selling gold record, and stayed on the Billboard album chart for more than a year
There is a Mountain
as well as rerecorded versions of "Colours" and "Catch The Wind" (which had been unavailable to Epic because of Donovans contractual problems) and stereo versions of "Sunshine Superman" (previously unissued full length version) and "Season of the Witch".
1973
Essence To Essence
Releases Essence To Essence, produced by Andrew Loog Oldham. Donovan reunited with Most in early 1973, resulting in the LP Cosmic Wheels, which featured arrangements by Chris Spedding, his last chart success, reaching the top 40 in America and Britain
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.