Donovan: They Call Him Mellow Yellow Quiz

Answer: Scotland

Donovan, born Donovan Philips Leitch, was born and raised in the Maryhill district of Glasgow, Scotland on May 10, 1946. The area is notable as it has been where other famous actors and musicians such as Sean Biggerstaff, Robert Carlyle, and Maggie Bell were born and resided as well.

Initially discovered as a coal mining area, it never profited favorably and even in present times, Maryhill area is below what is considered the "normal" standard of living in the United Kingdom. One of the popular features of the Maryhill area is the Forth and Clyde Canal that opened in 1790.

It was closed in 1963, but during millennial celebrations in 2000, it was proposed that the canal be revitalized. As a result, the Falkirk Wheel (a boat lifting device) was built in 2002 and is a tourist attraction to those visiting the city.

Answer: Polio

At the age of three, Donovan contracted polio and left him with a permanent limp growing up. In an August 1, 2016 interview with Adrian Monti of "The Express", Donovan stated that his contraction of the disease is what influenced his musical career:

"I spent a lot of time in bed as a child after having polio while my dad read poetry to me. It made me interested in words, writing and being creative. If I hadn't had that experience maybe I wouldn't have gone on to write and sing my own songs for the past half a century. I feel strongly that having a disability in one area makes you explore others instead. That was the case for me after having polio."

Answer: Bob Dylan

During the spring of 1965, Bob Dylan toured the United Kingdom playing at venues in various cities including Sheffield, Liverpool, and London. It was during this time that various members of the music press and other musicians were comparing the sound of Donovan to that of Dylan. Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones was once quoted as saying:

"We've been watching Donovan too. He isn't too bad a singer but his stuff sounds like Dylan's. His 'Catch The Wind' sounds like 'Chimes of Freedom'. He's got a song, 'Hey Tangerine Eyes' and it sounds like Dylan's 'Mr. Tambourine Man'."

Answer: Josie

"Catch The Wind" and "Colours" both peaked at number four on the UK Singles Charts in March of 1965. "The Universal Soldier" which was a cover of the 1964 Buffy Saint-Marie song of the same name, peaked at number five in August of 1965. The song "Josie" was recorded as a single on Donovan's debut album "What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid" but gained very little success in both the United Kingdom or the United States failing to chart in either country.

Answer: Sunshine Superman

"Sunshine Superman" was the only Donovan song to peak at number one in the United States the week of September 3rd. From the album of the same name, it was part of a three year collaboration with famous English record producer Mickey Most. Music historians often consider "Sunshine Superman" to be one of the first successful recordings within a musical genre that has become known as "psychedelia".

The song features popular musician Jimmy Page of The Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin on the electric guitar when he was performing as a session artist.

Answer: Banana skins

In 1967, the underground newspaper "Berkeley Barb" published a recipe for a substance known as "bananadine". It was suggested that the substance could be extracted from banana peels and had hallucinogenic properties to it. In November 1967, researchers at the New York University disproved this theory noting that smoking dried banana peels only causes the placebo effect.

In later interviews, Donovan confirmed that the song was never about smoking dried banana peels or its hallucinogenic properties, but in fact, was about another risque topic, the "sex toy".

Answer: Dumb and Dumber

The song "Hurdy Gurdy Man" peaked in the United Kingdom at number four on the singles charts and went to number five on the US Billboard Charts for Donovan but failed to chart as a cover for the Butthole Surfers. It was written during a trip to India and features the stringed instrument known as a tambura. The song itself is a direct reference to the Yogi Maharishi Mahesh.

Answer: True

"Laléna" was released in October 1968 but was not included as a track on an album, just as a single. At the time of its release, Donovan had just finished releasing the album "The Hurdy Gurdy Man", but "Laléna" did not make the cut. It peaked at number 33 on the US Billboard Charts but did not peak in the Top 40 in the United Kingdom.

In 2004, Donovan revealed that "Laléna" was actually inspired by popular actress Lotte Lenya and her character in the 1931 musical film "The Threepenny Opera".

Answer: Atlantis

There are two versions of the song "Atlantis"; one from the 1968 album "Barabajagal" and one that was released for the 2001 Disney animated film "Atlantis: The Lost Empire". The 1968 version peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Charts becoming the final top ten hit for Donovan in either the United Kingdom or the United States.

The 2001 version was re-recorded with the German band No Angels and was included as part of the closing credits of the film. The 2001 version would enter the top five in both Austria and Germany.

Answer: Barabajagal (Love Is Hot)

Also known as "Goo Goo Barabajagal (Love Is Hot)", the song "Barabajagal (Love Is Hot)" peaked at number twelve on the UK Singles Charts and at #36 on the US Billboard Charts. Along with the songs "Trudi" and "Stromberg Twins", popular English rock band The Jeff Beck Group provided the instrumental backing for the song.