In a recent interview with MusicRadar, Donovan reflected on the inspiration for his 1968 hit "Hurdy Gurdy Man" — and how the chart-topper went on to influence Zeppelin's sound in turn.
As Donovan explained, he started writing "Hurdy Gurdy Man" before traveling to India, but ended up completing it there.
DonovanPhoto by Ivan Keeman/Redferns
“As I play it, the strings are buzzing, and I'm working through these lyrics I've written in India, and it suddenly flashes in my mind — I'd heard that there was a band called The Hurdy Gurdy Men, and it occurred to me, ‘What is a hurdy gurdy man?’" Donovan continued. "I looked it up, and it was a guy who used to travel with a hurdy gurdy instrument and was telling the news. But that wasn't what I was writing the song about."
According to Donovan, he originally wanted Jimi Hendrix to play on the song, but his producer, Mickie Most, didn't think that was the best idea.
While rumors have swirled over the years about Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and John Bonham also playing on "Hurdy Gurdy Man," Donovan clarified that Bonham does not appear on the track (there's still some debate about whether or not Page really played on the track).
As Donovan tells it, his "sidekick and former hitchhiking companion," known as Gypsy Dave, was one of the first people who recognized how influential "Hurdy Gurdy Man" would be.
“Now, I can’t tell you that 'Hurdy Gurdy Man' created Led Zeppelin, but what I can tell you is this: if you play 'Stairway To Heaven' from the first needle touch to the end, you will hear acoustic guitar opening, esoteric, trippy, magical lyrics, heavy out-of-this-f—king-world drum patterns and very distorted guitar," Donovan added.
Related: Pink Floyd's David Gilmour Was Such a Big Fan of This Iconic Songwriter He Bought His Cottage
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