Hippie icon DONOVAN hated being compared to rock pioneer Bob Dylan during the 1960s, because he was desperate to be seen as an original talent.

The CATCH THE WIND singer recalls in his autobiography THE HURDY GURDY MAN an awkward meeting with late ROLLING STONES star Brian Jones, when the late rocker hinted that Donovan was copying Dylan's style.

He says, "My one encounter with Brian had been brief and unsettling.

"With his long, blond hair and almost menacing smile, this charismatic young man was a skilful wind-up merchant.

"'You sound like Bob Dylan,' he snapped. It was a taunt that everybody made back then."