If you weren't there in the 60's, you'd probably brush this vid off as a waste of 5 minutes, but if you did experience the vibe of that decade, any little snippet like this is a gem. Music went on a crazy roller coaster ride during this era, and styles changed, improved, grew, and went on to influence the following hoards of hopeful musos to this day. Donovan's contributions to the growth of music, certainly gives him some bragging rights, and when you rub shoulders with the legends of the time, swapping stories, techniques and ideas, the outcomes give us progressive and innovative music for us all to enjoy. Hail Atlantis.......
I had the great privilege to meet Donovan in Vancouver, on two seperate occasions , once @ the Town pump in 1986 & @ The Commador Ballroom a few years later .allways a fantastic performance and a wonderful kind soul. Donovans personna is so friendly and warm ,one cannot help but want to be in his company it truley amazes me with all the stress of our daily lives Donovan manages to avoid it completely .Thank you Donovan 4 all your beautiful music & for the brief times we talked .A true Legend
wonderful,..one of the special, people of the 60s that we grew up with and enjoyed so much...thank you for your gift, of music and song, for our generation,
So glad Donovan is still around and well, he was there for all of the rock folk Renascence has great beatle stories my favorite Donovan song wear your love like heaven.
Thanks for posting that. I heard the story of the fingerpicking but it is great to hear and see it demonstrated by the man who taught it. Greatly appreciated!
I was there for this! Whoever STOLE my copy of Paul McCartney's Videos on DVD from under my seat I won by answering the question "What was the flipside of Paul McCartney's 'Another Day' single?" on the "Magical Mystery Tour bus ride from Los Angeles arranged by KLOS (I think) to Las Vegas and THE Mirage for "The FEST for BEATLES' fans"... have a heart .. give it back, please! You'd think a bunch of Beatles fans listening to Donovan wouldn't do things like that, right? No wonder why the hippie/flower power generation didn't work out, right?
I'm a "John-Girl" and I knew of this but it certainly has been exciting to hear Donovan tell it first-hand, and I know exactly what he means about Paul! //;-) Nice post--wish I'd seen it 3 yrs ago!
It's obvious they used it on 'Dear Prudence', 'Julia' and a little like it on 'Mother Nature's Son', all which were written in India or around that time.
I met Donovan in 1985 on a Boston Harbor Music Cruise. His stepson Julian introduced us. Very friendly as it was a laid-back performance. Still have the autograph.
yes, it is true.....donovan taught lennon the finger picking style called travis picking on one of the meditation retreats they went together in 68. dear prudence is in the creation.
@keifer50 Paul's technique didn't employ the fingers in a strict pattern of alternation. Yesterday was played using the thumb for bass and strumming with the fingers. He employed the same technique on Blackbird. It has a similar effect.
@tomthefunky I remember on an album way back when someone was introducing him said that once it was raining and he came out and said if you clap your hands it will stop raining and it did.
We claim Donovan as one of our own, a great story-teller. He must be at least part Irish.This story is generally regarded to be absolutely true This account his time with The Beatles in India must be one of the penultimate rock and roll war stories ever. Unlike The Byrds, The Beatles were never really folk-lies. l George Harrison only ever flat-picked his electric 12-string and more or less stopped using it after"If I Needed Someone' . Too bad, This is fantastic to really hear this story right from from the source, Thank you for the upload! Much appreciated!
Donovan went to India with the Beatles and some other friends, Lennon used this style on Dear Prudence which he wrote there for Mia Farrow's sister Prudence, who didn't want to come out of her tent as she was meditating a little too much :)
@tenzel1231 They were not playing this style, actually called Travis picking. They learned it from Donovan and have told many people they did. You hear it in a LOT of their music after this period. But not before.
Donavan's favourite story to tell because he gets to claim some credit for the success of the Beatles. To hear him though, you'd think he invented the pattern.
the guy who taught Lennon how to play Dear Prudence and Julia style picking for a start...he contributed lyrics to Yellow Submarine, had many big hits. I would have thought some in the USA?
He probably did have something to do with it -t the pattern John picks on Dear Prudence involves an Open D instead on E on the sixth string. Anyway, its a nice Beatles story and gives some good insight into the reason for the song,
@rockermanmatt I wasn't trying to say that Paul didn't pick at all. I was trying to say that it wasn't strictly picking but a combination of picking and strumming. To be more specific, the picking is more pronounced than the strum on Bbird. But, if you listen, it's there and it (the song) sounds different if you are strictly picking. YT won't let me link it but if you look for "The Beatles (Paul McCartney) - Blackbird" and listen carefully, you can hear a light strum along with the picking.
@wilsondylanmccartney a famous person, with decades of love and respect, appears to have an Ego? OMG, we all know that in the same place, you'd be as humble as a saint....
WOW!!! amazing to see this intimate session between 2 legends!! Donovan looks kind of the same as in the day, but Lennon has filled out a bit at this point! LOL! That haircut has got 2 go, it does'nt suit John!! Gr8 guys though, beyond genius!! R.I.P. John
claw hammer refers to a specific right hand technique used pretty much exclusively in old time Appalachian banjo . wonder who stole the name for this other unrelated guitar picking technique.
@ZAPDUNGAA Back yet again, this time to say "peace", after 1) saying you wouldn't waste time answering me and 2) after tossing an insult had to be removed. And this all began because you asserted someone else was full of himself!
Easy, buddy! Like I said no one was criictising John. One simple word: John Lennons = LEGEND!!! He does look kinda overwieght hier, but I DO'NT mean that as disrespactful 2 John. Peace - Ricky
I thought Beatlemania died in 1970! Surely it is OK to admit that your legends are flawed too! So John put on some weight. Big deal - it takes NOTHING away from his achievements. I don't think the poster was criticising John, just being truthful!
I've heard Donovan tell this story before. He is referring to the trip to India early 1968. But Paul used this picking pattern as early as 1965 on Yesterday. Not to take any thing away from a great artist as Donovan, but I think he is taking way too much credit.
Wow!! So great to see these two legends jamming together! Donovan still looks good. Have to say John could do with losing a little weight here ( no offence!), but this takes NOTHING away from the guy's legacy. The Beatles were special not only to me, but also to probably hundreds of other creative guys! One thing is for sure: this video proves that the 2 guys (Donovan and Lennon) were still at the top. of thier game when this was filmed!!
This is not Donovan teaching John Lennon it is him telling us about it which is different. Not only that but he tells this story all the !*?*" ing time.
So sad isn't it but hey, he enjoys telling it and his audience likes hearing it, give him a break he's over seventy but like myself he was some wonderful times to remember and relate to others. The sixties were a blast, good times wonderful memories and we did change the world in spite of what they tell us.
Someone actually thinks that slack-jawed, double chinned man with a near crew-cut is John Lennon? ( He says in the description that it's 2008 and he's telling a story ABOUT John Lennon. Good God, wake up world).
The whole point is that Donovan showed Kennon some guitar picking patterns that John used to write some classic Beatle songs.... that is what this is all about
Also, I think Donovans is looking a LOT worse than John hier. OK, John has put on a couple pounds, but FACIALY he looks great! Don looks a bit haggard. Raspect 2 both though - the guys are beyond geneus! Peace - Ricky
Stop talking about weight here, cuz John does'nt say a single word here and that is extremely not John-like. John ALWAYS throws in funny sarcastic remarks- Never silent! Give me one reason why you think that's John? Again THAT IS NOT JOHN!
Weight Shmeight!!!. That is NOT john! John Lennon would never just sit there without saying anything and not throw in his two-cents! The last thing he was was a pacifist!! and by the way I have NEVER seen John overweight!
donovan ..you are so full of yourself.. If John was alive ..i’m sure he would say you quite embellished you story knowing that John can’t refute your comments.
He's full of shit. The claw hammer technique takes a lot longer that 2 days to perfect. Check out Mark Knopfler's description on how he perfected it. The technique takes months to learn maybe even longer.
By teaching John this, you have greatly and positively affected musical history Donovan! Thanks!
If you weren't there in the 60's, you'd probably brush this vid off as a waste of 5 minutes, but if you did experience the vibe of that decade, any little snippet like this is a gem.
Music went on a crazy roller coaster ride during this era, and styles changed, improved, grew, and went on to influence the following hoards of hopeful musos to this day. Donovan's contributions to the growth of music, certainly gives him some bragging rights, and when you rub shoulders with the legends of the time, swapping stories, techniques and ideas, the outcomes give us progressive and innovative music for us all to enjoy.
Hail Atlantis.......
Born in 2001. Though this was fascnaitimg to see the guy who influenced the greatest band of all tome
I had the great privilege to meet Donovan in Vancouver, on two seperate occasions , once @ the Town pump in 1986 & @ The Commador Ballroom a few years later .allways a fantastic performance and a wonderful kind soul. Donovans personna
is so friendly and warm ,one cannot help but want to be in his company it truley amazes me with all the stress of our daily lives Donovan manages to avoid it completely .Thank you Donovan 4 all your beautiful music & for the brief times we talked .A true Legend
And John, in gratitude, had to teach Donovan to compose such ingenious songs -))))
wonderful,..one of the special, people of the 60s that we grew up with and enjoyed so much...thank you for your gift, of music and song, for our generation,
So glad Donovan is still around and well, he was there for all of the rock folk Renascence has great beatle stories my favorite Donovan song wear your love like heaven.
Thanks for posting that. I heard the story of the fingerpicking but it is great to hear and see it demonstrated by the man who taught it. Greatly appreciated!
Donovan is and was the truth. Personally, I don't listen to any Beatles whatsoever, but I have most of Donovans entire discography!
I was there for this! Whoever STOLE my copy of Paul McCartney's Videos on DVD from under my seat I won by answering the question "What was the flipside of Paul McCartney's 'Another Day' single?" on the "Magical Mystery Tour bus ride from Los Angeles arranged by KLOS (I think) to Las Vegas and THE Mirage for "The FEST for BEATLES' fans"... have a heart .. give it back, please!
You'd think a bunch of Beatles fans listening to Donovan wouldn't do things like that, right?
No wonder why the hippie/flower power generation didn't work out, right?
Great video Beatles gal thanks a bunch!
Donovan is a genius, hoping to go see him in Ireland next month 😊
very cool insight from another legend
I'm a "John-Girl" and I knew of this but it certainly has been exciting to hear Donovan tell it first-hand, and I know exactly what he means about Paul! //;-)
Nice post--wish I'd seen it 3 yrs ago!
It's obvious they used it on 'Dear Prudence', 'Julia' and a little like it on 'Mother Nature's Son', all which were written in India or around that time.
hey I was there!! Donovan is so fascinating.
I met Donovan in 1985 on a Boston Harbor Music Cruise. His stepson Julian introduced us. Very friendly as it was a laid-back performance. Still have the autograph.
yes, it is true.....donovan taught lennon the finger picking style called travis picking on one of the meditation retreats they went together in 68.
dear prudence is in the creation.
@keifer50 Paul's technique didn't employ the fingers in a strict pattern of alternation. Yesterday was played using the thumb for bass and strumming with the fingers. He employed the same technique on Blackbird. It has a similar effect.
I was lucky enough to have been there.
Excelent!
Is it possible for someone to be epic?
I think he is epic
Later used on Julia, Dear Prudence and Happiness Is a Warm Gun.
And Octopus's Garden!
Wow, I had never realized that. Just listened to the song and you're right! Amazing!
Jealous Guy (Child of Nature)
And Look At Me
more Don please
@tomthefunky
I remember on an album way back when someone was introducing him said that once it was raining and he came out and said if you clap your hands it will stop raining and it did.
We claim Donovan as one of our own, a great story-teller. He must be at least part Irish.This story is generally regarded to be absolutely true This account his time with The Beatles in India must be one of the penultimate rock and roll war stories ever.
Unlike The Byrds, The Beatles were never really folk-lies. l
George Harrison only ever flat-picked his electric 12-string and more or less stopped using it after"If I Needed Someone' . Too bad,
This is fantastic to really hear this story right from from the source,
Thank you for the upload!
Much appreciated!
+Tim Horan Yeah Donovan is Irish, I hear he even had connections with the UVF.
+freddiemercerful Scottish.
he is scottish but had 2 irish grandmothers
and speaks with an english accent a very posh one too
John Mercer Donovan is Scottish you fool.
Donovan went to India with the Beatles and some other friends, Lennon used this style on Dear Prudence which he wrote there for Mia Farrow's sister Prudence, who didn't want to come out of her tent as she was meditating a little too much :)
Also on the song Julia
I love atlantis
@tenzel1231 They were not playing this style, actually called Travis picking. They learned it from Donovan and have told many people they did. You hear it in a LOT of their music after this period. But not before.
I was there.
@DocWyoming What a shock, the guy who 'doesn't' waste his time answering" is back again to answer.
@12beatlesgal22 Does he say ''clove hammer'' at 0:04. ?
Donavan's favourite story to tell because he gets to claim some credit for the success of the Beatles. To hear him though, you'd think he invented the pattern.
the guy who taught Lennon how to play Dear Prudence and Julia style picking for a start...he contributed lyrics to Yellow Submarine, had many big hits. I would have thought some in the USA?
i think "julia" also came from this an maybe "i've got a feelin" and in tune with today,"happiness is a warm".
He probably did have something to do with it -t the pattern John picks on Dear Prudence involves an Open D instead on E on the sixth string. Anyway, its a nice Beatles story and gives some good insight into the reason for the song,
yes, Dear Prudence, Julia
Let's try this then...
Many, MANY songs on the white album by John. Dear Prudence, Julia, etc.
Donovans lyrics and music are as good as L/M. You need to listen to all of his music.
@rockermanmatt I wasn't trying to say that Paul didn't pick at all. I was trying to say that it wasn't strictly picking but a combination of picking and strumming. To be more specific, the picking is more pronounced than the strum on Bbird. But, if you listen, it's there and it (the song) sounds different if you are strictly picking.
YT won't let me link it but if you look for "The Beatles (Paul McCartney) - Blackbird" and listen carefully, you can hear a light strum along with the picking.
The man on stage with Donovan was Martin Lewis
looks like vince gill kinda
There are some very strange people leaving comments here who think that that is John Lennon with Donovan! Weird.
so was this applied in any beatles songs?
Hi I love Donovan but have you ever heart about Michael Engel and his music?
He's Freddie !
Hey, you tricked us!
Was it a chatolic reunion for saint patricks' day?
@wilsondylanmccartney a famous person, with decades of love and respect, appears to have an Ego? OMG, we all know that in the same place, you'd be as humble as a saint....
Didn't Don learn this off the infamous Mac McLeod back in those early days in St Albans
WOW!!! amazing to see this intimate session between 2 legends!! Donovan looks kind of the same as in the day, but Lennon has filled out a bit at this point! LOL! That haircut has got 2 go, it does'nt suit John!! Gr8 guys though, beyond genius!! R.I.P. John
Donovan supplied some lyrics for Yellow Submarine.
One line..."Sky of blue, sea of green"
Does anyone know how to play this? teach me please
Yea I've watched his videos and learned a lot from him but does he teach the exact same fingerpicking style as Donovan taught Lennon?
Oh ok, thanks mate
Scottish by birth, but grew up in England.
@OFR I stand wrong then you are right there are many different fingerpicking patterns. Sorry about that.
claw hammer refers to a specific right hand technique used pretty much exclusively in old time Appalachian banjo . wonder who stole the name for this other unrelated guitar picking technique.
yeah that dosn`t look much like a traditional clawhammer pick
that's funny shit.. and donavan got it from the great Shawn Phillips.
I wonder how much of this is true and how much is embellished.
D has a legendary ego.
@ZAPDUNGAA Back yet again, this time to say "peace", after 1) saying you wouldn't waste time answering me and 2) after tossing an insult had to be removed. And this all began because you asserted someone else was full of himself!
He left out the last bit of the picking pattern, but it's an entertaining tidbit just the same.
this is Fucking Sick ik ik ik who the fuck is donovan,
@ZAPDUNGAA "This guy"? Don't you know your own name?
Simple stuff
good artists are influenced....great artists steal....
Easy, buddy! Like I said no one was criictising John. One simple word: John Lennons = LEGEND!!! He does look kinda overwieght hier, but I DO'NT mean that as disrespactful 2 John. Peace - Ricky
I think he said he taught Dylan to fingerpick.
SUBTITULEN esto carajo...
i donno ..id really like to hear it once again ...i can listen some parts clearly ..but i didn't get all of the funny parts
I thought Beatlemania died in 1970! Surely it is OK to admit that your legends are flawed too! So John put on some weight. Big deal - it takes NOTHING away from his achievements. I don't think the poster was criticising John, just being truthful!
Donovan teaching john how to not beat up women
I've heard Donovan tell this story before. He is referring to the trip to India early 1968. But Paul used this picking pattern as early as 1965 on Yesterday. Not to take any thing away from a great artist as Donovan, but I think he is taking way too much credit.
Hmmmm
MAYBE HE'S PROUD OF HIMSELF THEY WORKED TOGETHER SO what's wrong with BEING PROUD OF ONESELF SO DONOVAN SHOULD BE...?
Wow!! So great to see these two legends jamming together! Donovan still looks good. Have to say John could do with losing a little weight here ( no offence!), but this takes NOTHING away from the guy's legacy. The Beatles were special not only to me, but also to probably hundreds of other creative guys! One thing is for sure: this video proves that the 2 guys (Donovan and Lennon) were still at the top. of thier game when this was filmed!!
jemmy o'hooligan Are you being sarcastic here or are you stupid?
I dont think he taght them shit! Paul and John were fingerpicking way before that trip.
Good lord, his voice has crashed. Aging is not for the timid.
I wish someone taught the Beatles how to shred.
Sad that after all these years this is what this guy has been reduced to.
Not according to his autobiography
This is not Donovan teaching John Lennon it is him telling us about it which is different. Not only that but he tells this story all the !*?*" ing time.
It’s a good story quit being a downer
Prudence come out to play. Donovan finally left!
Ricardo Bellizzi Lennon's song "Julia" was a finger picking song as well.
You'd think he'd be bored with the story I know I am and I've only heard it three times
So sad isn't it but hey, he enjoys telling it and his audience likes hearing it, give him a break he's over seventy but like myself he was some wonderful times to remember and relate to others. The sixties were a blast, good times wonderful memories and we did change the world in spite of what they tell us.
Unless you are being sarcastic- THAT IS NOT JOHN!
Finger style on E, huh? Paul McCartney looking over Lennon's shoulder, LOL.
Someone actually thinks that slack-jawed, double chinned man with a near crew-cut is John Lennon? ( He says in the description that it's 2008 and he's telling a story ABOUT John Lennon. Good God, wake up world).
It's not claw hammer that technique is used by banjo players not guitar players!
Donovan who?
Leitch .
And so he is, on Beatles fame.
@@enkibumbu
And rightly so and fully deserved.
This is not proper finger style guitar. This is just basic folk style of playing.
If you want to see syncopated playing check out Travis, chet atkins
The whole point is that Donovan showed Kennon some guitar picking patterns that John used to write some classic Beatle songs.... that is what this is all about
Who's to say what's proper. Music takes from all styles. I've been playing for fifty years and every style I play changes from the original
I really like donovans best stuff, but I think hes being a bit patronising, as they say.
Also, I think Donovans is looking a LOT worse than John hier. OK, John has put on a couple pounds, but FACIALY he looks great! Don looks a bit haggard. Raspect 2 both though - the guys are beyond geneus! Peace - Ricky
Stop talking about weight here, cuz John does'nt say a single word here and that is extremely not John-like. John ALWAYS throws in funny sarcastic remarks- Never silent!
Give me one reason why you think that's John?
Again THAT IS NOT JOHN!
Weight Shmeight!!!.
That is NOT john!
John Lennon would never just sit there without saying anything and not throw in his two-cents! The last thing he was was a pacifist!!
and by the way I have NEVER seen John overweight!
Doesn’t look like John L
donovan ..you are so full of yourself..
If John was alive ..i’m sure he would say you quite embellished you story knowing that John can’t refute your comments.
He's full of shit. The claw hammer technique takes a lot longer that 2 days to perfect. Check out Mark Knopfler's description on how he perfected it. The technique takes months to learn maybe even longer.
Donavan keeps flogging this crap. The Beatles did fine without his BS.
That's not claw hammer technique. Donovan doesn't have a clue. That's just some kind of bland English folk playing, just like his music.
Can't stand him