One of the British Invasion and once called "the British Bob Dylan" for his roots in folk music, Donovan had a number of hits including Sunshine Superman, Mellow Yellow, Jennifer Juniper, Hurdy Gurdy Man (inspired by Jimi Hendrix) and Atlantis.

While the Beatles went "Indian" with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Donovan romanticized Persian culture.

Donovan appeared in Zeffirelli's Brother Sun, Sister Moon.