Donovan H.K.

Though tragic circumstances left Donovan to grow up without a father, his mother, (with the help of her family in his early years), raised him just fine without him. He shared his mother's love of music even at a young age and began learning to play guitar, though his real passion back then was singing. In high school he and his buddies sang together and formed a little Doo-Wop group, which quickly gained the attention of a big name record company after they had a chance to sing one of their songs on the radio. In no time they were a big hit, their song rose to the top of the pop music charts, and they were touring cross country! Their song was always playing on the radio, they were making BIG money, doing TV appearances, and it seemed like they'd be in the spotlight forever...for about a year. Unfortunately, their hit was their one and ONLY hit and people eventually tired of it and moved on to the next big thing. Any new music they tried to make just didn't seem to grab attention like their old stuff, and the band parted ways in the early 60's. Both due to creative differences, and the rest of the band's disgust at the worsening drug & alcohol habit that Donovan was spending the last of his fortune on.

He never stopped making music though. He picked up his guitar again and changed his style, inspired by the new psychedelic rock fad, and soon found himself a new group to play with. This led him to find another purpose in life as well, as the war in Vietnam ramped up he was appalled by what he saw in the news (doubly so, being reminded how he lost his father and grew up never knowing him), and decided to spread the word and protest against it. Though his new band only has a small following as of now he plays on, while the stage doubles as a platform to speak out and rally others against the war. Some say his cause is noble, while others find it sad that he went from being such a clean-cut kid to a "strung-out hippie."

Personality

Donovan would consider himself to be a pretty "chill dude"...for the most part. He is gregarious and approachable and likes to make others feel welcome in his company. He is very much the type to always "lay his cards on the table" with people and be completely honest with what he thinks and feels about them, and hopes they'll do the same. Living every day as if it were the last one is a rule he lives by too, not that he tries to cram as many activities as possible into them all, but more in the sense that he never wants to regret not doing or saying something when he had the chance, so he'll never let that happen. He is rather philosophical, often thinking about those big questions, like "what's life all about, man?" He's also passionate and adamant in his beliefs (his anti-war stance is a hill he is ready to die on) and he has a very low opinion of those who oppose him, to put it nicely. He can also be a mean drunk and has said and done some pretty nasty things when he was under the influence, it's when that "Kowalski temper" really comes out.

It's also important to note that his younger self was a little different in that he was more immature, would do just about any gig if the price was right (whereas his older self won't "sell out"), and was a bit more full of himself and enjoyed people fawning over him.

Mannerisms

He can seem a bit lazy, and he kind of is at times, and loves just lounging around, plucking or tuning his guitar. He smokes a lot (cigarettes or otherwise...) and is often doing so as well. He loves sitting down for a good story (both telling one or listening to others) and it's also kind of his way of subtly bragging about all the famous people he has met. :p Unless something's got him very angry or he's singing or speaking with passion about an important subject he's usually pretty laid-back and subtle in both his facial expressions and gestures. (For example, he smiles a lot, but always softly, never a big grin, and he laughs often, but it's always a chuckle rather than...LOLing. XD) He is prone to bouts of depression at times, during which he just gets quiet and thoughtful and prefers to be alone, to play guitar, write lyrics, etc.

Voice

His singing voice was once soft, sweet, and smooth as silk, but after years of straining, pushing it way too much, (and all the smoking) he damaged his vocal cords and can no longer sing that way. Both his speaking and singing voice are now raspy & smoky (and also hoarse at times, he coughs & needs to clear his throat a lot.) He's not too upset about it though, and thinks his "new voice" is more suited to his current music style anyway. If I could compare it to anything I'd say it's like a male Janis Joplin.)

Preferences

Likes: music, travelling & living the "van life", people, drugs & alcohol
Dislikes: war & violence, the US government, his old music, liars/"fake" people

Looks

Hair: Medium-dark chocolate brown colored, straight, and very long (nearly waist-length), it is often tucked behind one or both ears. Always has facial hair, anything from stubble to a full-on beard, and anything in between. (As a teen he was clean-shaven and his hair was cut short and always slicked back into a pompadour.)

Eyes: A dark, navy blue color, sometimes tired-looking with bags and/or dark circles underneath.

Build: Tall and thin, "soft", with very little muscle definition. He also has a fair amount of body hair, mainly on his chest and stomach

Scars/Body Modifications/Other distinguishing features: None, really! His ears are kind of big and stick out a bit.

Clothing

Standard late 60s and "hippie" fashion: bellbottom jeans or corduroy, loose-fitting blouses and shirts/t-shirts, (often with a fringe vest or jean jacket worn over it), mostly in earth tone colors. Sometimes wears a bandana or headband and beaded necklaces or bracelets. (Teen Donovan frequently wore a suit and tie, but now...never again. XD)