Born in 1960 to a Welsh preacher, he produces music which uses metaphor extensively to draw on spiritual themes.
[1][2] His music career began with a band called Back to Jordan which only recorded one EP and one album.
Then he founded the band Tribe of Dan, described on the King Kool website as "cult greb goth outfit" and elsewhere as "swamp rock".
From 2005, he has worked using the name "King Kool", described as baseless blues - the band features Donovan and a drummer, but no bassist.
The original drummer was Matt Middleton, who had worked with Donovan in several bands, including Tribe of Dan.