Rock Around the Clock: From Kid Rock to Chris Rock. Backstage with Donovan at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Renaissance Hotel in Cleveland was abuzz with Donovan as it’s guest for his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with other hotel guests Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra (the “house band” for the induction ceremony), the NBA’s Orlando Magic with our old friend from Georgetown, Patrick Ewing, and fifty two-man teams from the 19th Annual Montana Lineman’s Rodeo. Quite a scene at the Renaissance, to say the least.

Donovan was introduced at the Induction Ceremony at Cleveland’s Public Hall by John Mellencamp, who said that “Donovan was my inspiration”. He talked of Donovan’s “beautiful song writing… like nobody else’s, and a style that Donovan brought that was nothing like it before and nothing like it ever since”. Mellencamp also spoke of Donovan’s “message of peace that spread all over the world”.

As Donovan took the stage after Mellencamp’s introduction, he received a standing ovation from the audience of 6,500 people, before he even said a word. What a wonderful moment it was. After reciting a beautiful acceptance poem Donovan performed three songs to an ecstatic audience, and his special magic was in the air. He performed “Catch the Wind” on a vintage J-45 Gibson accompanied by stand-up bass, followed by a crowd pleasing “Sunshine Superman” performed with Paul Shaffer and the band, and then a haunting “Season of the Witch”, featuring a brilliant solo on the organ by Paul Schaffer and back up vocals by John Mellencamp. Donovan rocked the house.

You can see the entire ceremony honoring Donovan this Saturday on HBO, along with the Small Faces, Laura Nyro,The Beastie Boys, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns n’ Roses, and a tribute to Freddie King.

We reproduce here Donovan’s poem written as his acceptance speech, along with photos from the rehearsal, concert, and backstage, as well as some other memorabilia.

Front and back covers for the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony program.

Linda sitting with luthier Danny Ferrington’s custom made electric guitar on which Donovan performed “Season of the Witch”, while Chris Murray admires Billy Gibbons ring. Copyright ©Carlotta Hester. All Rights Reserved.

Some of the audience (clockwise from lower right): Robbie Robertson, John Mellencamp, Bette Midler, L.L. Cool J, Ben Harper, Kid Rock, and Steven Van Zandt. Copyright ©Carlotta Hester. All Rights Reserved.

To celebrate Donovan’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Govinda Gallery launches the new Artists section of our website, and we start with a page for Donovan featuring his Sapphographs.

Acceptance Poem

“From my wandering days on lonely sands
where I sang my song to the moon and stars
To the world’s great stage , hounoured am I
to sing my song to a million fans

Always my wish to be of service
to ease emotion deep in the heart
Always your poet , a shaman am I
to lead us all to the realm within

Yet I was branded for my beauty
yet protected by my art
Many plundered me for booty
only one did steal my heart

How she keeps it in her casket
still remains a mystery
Like the moonrise in a sunset
like the silence of the sea

Thank you for this bright green laurel
resting now upon my brow
Thank you Goddess , thank you Muses
thank you … Fellow Artists All”

– Donovan Leitch Copyright ©All Rights Reserved.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Acceptance Poem
Cleveland, Ohio
April 14 2012

Diane Seeger says:

May 3, 2012 at 11:41 am

THANK YOU for bringing this important event to life for us with Carlotta Hester’s profound photographs and Chris Murray narrative! Bravo!

May 3, 2012 at 11:42 am

You brought this important event to life with Carlotta’s profound photographs and Chris Murray narrative. Thank you!

Karen Stafford says:

May 19, 2012 at 7:59 am

I love the show! I have watched it several times.

A Day In The Life of Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys, Washington, D.C. May 28th 1994 | Govinda Gallery says:

June 1, 2012 at 2:17 pm

[…] By coincidence, Donovan and the Beastie Boys were both inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame … […]

John Ritz says:

June 25, 2012 at 9:30 am

The coverage, I hate to use that word, of the induction of Donavan into the Rock in Roll Hall of Fame was great. However I’m curious about your impression of the ceremonies. Could they have been different? Could they have been better and if improvement could have been made or conducted differently, how could they have been done better?

Brenda stewart says:

September 5, 2012 at 10:15 pm

Great story, so deserving, thanks for the photos.

Govinda Gallery

Rock Around the Clock: From Kid Rock to Chris Rock. Backstage with Donovan at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

5 responses to “Rock Around the Clock: From Kid Rock to Chris Rock. Backstage with Donovan at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”