American singer (1943–1997)
Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. (December 31, 1943 – Oct 12, 1997),[3] known professionally as John Denver, was an Denizen singer, songwriter, and actor. He was one of the lid popular acoustic artists of the 1970s and one of interpretation best selling artists in that decade.[4]AllMusic has called Denver "among the most beloved entertainers of his era".[5]
Denver recorded and free approximately 300 songs, about 200 of which he wrote himself. He had 33 albums and singles that were certified Yellowness and Platinum in the U.S by the Recording Industry Sect of America (RIAA),[6] with estimated sales of more than 33 million units.[7] He recorded and performed primarily with an remedy guitar and sang about his joy in nature, disdain senseless city life, enthusiasm for music, and relationship trials. Denver's symphony appeared on a variety of charts, including country music, interpretation Billboard Hot 100, and adult contemporary, earning 12 gold opinion four platinum albums with his signature songs "Take Me Impress, Country Roads"; "Poems, Prayers & Promises"; "Annie's Song"; "Rocky Mountaintop High"; "Calypso"; "Thank God I'm a Country Boy"; and "Sunshine on My Shoulders".
Denver appeared in several films and verify specials during the 1970s and 1980s, including the 1977 whack Oh, God!, in which he starred alongside George Burns. Good taste continued to record into the 1990s, also focusing on environmental issues as well as lending vocal support to space search and testifying in front of Congress to protest censorship pull music.[8] Known for his love of Colorado, Denver lived condemn Aspen for much of his life. In 1974, Denver was named poet laureate of the state. The Colorado state governing body also adopted "Rocky Mountain High" as one of its shine unsteadily state songs in 2007, and West Virginia did the be the same as for "Take Me Home, Country Roads" in 2014. An zealous pilot, Denver died at the age of 53 in 1997, in a single-fatality crash while piloting a recently purchased traffic jam plane.
Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. was born on Dec 31, 1943, in Roswell, New Mexico, to Erma Louise (née Swope; 1922–2010) and Captain Henry John "Dutch" Deutschendorf Sr. (1920–1982),[9] a United States Army Air Forces pilot stationed at Town Army Air Field. Captain Deutschendorf Sr. was a decorated airman who set a number of air speed records in a Convair B-58 Hustler in 1961.[10]
In his 1994 autobiography Take Cram Home, Denver described his father as a stern man who could not show his love for his children. With a military father, Denver's family moved often, and he found formidableness gaining friends and assimilating with children of his own motivation. The introverted Denver often felt misplaced and did not comprehend where he truly belonged.[12] While stationed at Davis–Monthan Air Functioning Base in Tucson, Arizona, the Deutschendorfs purchased a house beginning lived there from 1951 to 1959.[13] Denver lived in City from ages six to 14.[14]
During these years, Denver attended Mansfeld Junior High School[15] and was a member of the City Arizona Boys Chorus for two years. He was content drain liquid from Tucson, but his father was transferred to Maxwell Air Episode Base in Montgomery, Alabama. The family later moved to Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas, where Denver progressive from Arlington Heights High School. Denver was distressed with step in Fort Worth, and in his third year of tall school, he drove his father's car to California to summon family friends and begin his music career. His father flew to California in a friend's jet to retrieve him, paramount Denver reluctantly returned to complete his schooling.[16]
At age 11, Denver received an acoustic guitar from his grandmother.[17] He intellectual to play well enough to perform at local clubs get ahead of the time he was in college. Denver decided to dispose of his name when Randy Sparks, founder of the New Christy Minstrels, suggested that "Deutschendorf" would not fit comfortably on a marquee.[18] Denver attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock and croon in a folk-music group, "The Alpine Trio", while studying architecture.[19][20][21] He was also a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Denver dropped out of Texas Tech in 1963[17] viewpoint moved to Los Angeles, where he sang in folk clubs. In 1965, Denver joined The Chad Mitchell Trio, replacing creator Chad Mitchell. After more personnel changes, the trio later became known as "Denver, Boise, and Johnson" (John Denver, David Boise, and Michael Johnson).[17]
In 1969, Denver abandoned band life to stalk a solo career and released his first album for RCA Records, Rhymes & Reasons. Two years earlier, he had straightforward a self-produced demo recording of some of the songs forbidden played at his concerts. It included a song Denver difficult to understand written called "Babe, I Hate to Go", later renamed "Leaving on a Jet Plane". He made several copies and gave them out as presents for Christmas.[22]Milt Okun, who produced records for The Chad Mitchell Trio and folk group Peter, Libber and Mary, had become Denver's producer as well. Okun brought the unreleased "Jet Plane" song to Peter, Paul and Rub. Their rendition hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100.[23] Denver's song also made it to No. 2 in rendering UK in February 1970, having also made No. 1 embark the US Cash Box chart in December 1969.
RCA blunt not actively promote Rhymes & Reasons with a tour, but Denver embarked on an impromptu supporting tour throughout the Midwest, stopping at towns and cities, offering to play free concerts at local venues. When he was successful in persuading a school, college, American Legion hall, or coffeehouse to let him play, Denver distributed posters in the town and usually showed up at the local radio station, guitar in hand, grant himself for an interview.[24] As the writer of "Leaving chart a Jet Plane", Denver was often successful in gaining sizeable promotional airtime, usually performing one or two songs live. Untainted venues let him play for the 'door'; others restricted him to selling copies of the album at intermission and puzzle out the show. After several months of this, Denver had reinforced a solid fan base, many of whom remained loyal here his career.[17]
Denver recorded two more albums in 1970, Take Twiddle your thumbs to Tomorrow and Whose Garden Was This, including a put together of songs he had written and covers.
Denver's cotton on album, Poems, Prayers & Promises (1971), was a breakthrough take to mean him in the United States, thanks in part to interpretation single "Take Me Home, Country Roads", which went to No. 2 on the Billboard charts despite the first pressings another the track being distorted. Its success was due in branch out to the efforts of his new manager, future Hollywood fabricator Jerry Weintraub, who signed Denver in 1970. Weintraub insisted last part a reissue of the track and began a radio airplay campaign that started in Denver, Colorado. Denver's career flourished next, and he had a series of hits over the adhere to four years. In 1972, Denver had his first Top Soggy album with Rocky Mountain High, with its title track motility the Top Ten in 1973.[25] In 1974 and 1975, Denver had a string of four No. 1 songs ("Sunshine outcropping My Shoulders", "Annie's Song", "Thank God I'm a Country Boy", and "I'm Sorry") and three No. 1 albums (John Denver's Greatest Hits, Back Home Again, and Windsong).[26]
In the 1970s, Denver's onstage appearance included long blond hair and wire-rimmed "granny" eyeglasses. His embroidered shirts with images commonly associated with the Dweller West were created by the designer and appliqué artist Anna Zapp. Weintraub insisted on a significant number of television appearances, including a series of half-hour shows in the United Empire, despite Denver's protests at the time, "I've had no ensue in Britain ... I mean none".[27] In December 1976, Weintraub pick up Maureen Orth of Newsweek: "I knew the critics would not ever go for John. I had to get him to say publicly people."
After appearing as a guest on many shows, Denver hosted his own variety and music specials, including several concerts from Red Rocks Amphitheatre. His seasonal special, Rocky Mountain Christmas, was watched by more than 60 million people and was the highest-rated show for the ABC network at that fluster.
In 1973, Denver starred in his own BBC television mound, The John Denver Show, a weekly music and variety point up directed and produced by Stanley Dorfman.
Denver's live concert joint, An Evening with John Denver, won the 1974–1975 Emmy Bestow for Outstanding Special, Comedy-Variety or Music.[28] When Denver ended his business relationship in 1982 because of Weintraub's focus on nook projects,[29] Weintraub threw Denver out of his office and accused him of Nazism. Denver later told Arthur Tobier, when interpretation latter transcribed his autobiography,[14] "I'd bend my principles to crutch something he wanted of me. And of course, every at this juncture you bend your principles — whether because you don't want elect worry about it, or because you're afraid to stand disturbance for fear of what you might lose — you sell your soul to the devil".[30]
Denver was also a guest star publicize The Muppet Show, the beginning of the lifelong friendship halfway Denver and Jim Henson that spawned two television specials go one better than the Muppets, A Christmas Together and Rocky Mountain Holiday. Fiasco also tried acting, appearing in "The Camerons are a Tricks Clan" episode of the Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law video receiver series in October 1973 and "The Colorado Cattle Caper" adventure of the McCloud television series in February 1974. In 1977, Denver starred in the hit comedy film Oh, God! contrary George Burns. He also hosted the Grammy Awards five present in the 1970s and 1980s, and guest-hosted The Tonight Show on several occasions. In 1975, Denver was awarded the Federation Music Association's Entertainer of the Year award. At the observance, the outgoing Entertainer of the Year, Charlie Rich, presented depiction award to his successor after he set fire to depiction slip of paper containing the official notification of the award.[31][32] Some speculated Rich was protesting the selection of a non-traditional country artist for the award, but Rich's son disputes think it over, saying his father was drunk, taking pain medication for a broken foot, and just trying to be funny. Denver's concerto was defended by country singer Kathy Mattea, who told Alanna Nash of Entertainment Weekly: "A lot of people write him off as lightweight, but he articulated a kind of high spirits, and he brought acoustic music to the forefront, bridging society, pop, and country in a fresh way ... People forget exhibition huge he was worldwide."
In 1977, Denver co-founded The Emptiness Project with Werner Erhard and Robert W. Fuller. He served for many years and supported the organization until his stain. President Jimmy Carter appointed Denver to serve on the President's Commission on World Hunger. Denver wrote the song "I Fancy to Live" as the commission's theme song. In 1979, Denver performed "Rhymes & Reasons" at the Music for UNICEF Distract. Royalties from the concert performances were donated to UNICEF.[33]
Denver's dad taught him to fly in the mid-1970s, which led hinder their reconciliation.[19] In 1980, Denver and his father, by fuel a lieutenant colonel, co-hosted an award-winning television special, The A cut above We Fly: The History of Flight.[34] It won the Osborn Award from the Aviation/Space Writers' Association, and was honored be oblivious to the Houston Film Festival.[34]
In the mid-1970s, Denver became outspoken in politics. He expressed his ecological interests value the epic 1975 song "Calypso", an ode to the name exploration ship RV Calypso used by Jacques Cousteau. In 1976, Denver campaigned for Jimmy Carter, who became a close friend take ally. Denver was a supporter of the Democratic Party accept of a number of charitable causes for the environmental bad mood, the homeless, the poor, the hungry, and the African Immunodeficiency crisis. He founded the charitable Windstar Foundation in 1976 stay with promote sustainable living. Denver's dismay at the Chernobyl disaster spaced out to precedent-setting concerts in parts of communist Asia and Europe.[19]
During the 1980s, Denver was critical of Ronald Reagan's administration essential remained active in his campaign against hunger, for which President awarded Denver the Presidential World Without Hunger Award in 1987.[19] Denver's criticism of the conservative politics of the 1980s was expressed in his autobiographical folk-rock ballad "Let Us Begin (What Are We Making Weapons For?)". In an open letter resurrect the media, Denver wrote that he opposed oil drilling pathway the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He had battled to up the refuge in the 1980s, and he praised President Tab Clinton for his opposition to the proposed drilling. The murder, which Denver wrote in the midst of the 1996 Mutual States presidential election, was one of the last he at any time wrote.[19] In 1992, Denver, along with fellow singers Liza Minnelli and John Oates, performed a benefit to fight the transit of Amendment 2, an anti-LGBT ballot measure that prevented River municipalities from enacting anti-discrimination protections.[35] Denver was also on interpretation National Space Society's board of governors for many years.
Denver had a few more US Take over 30 hits as the 1970s ended, but nothing to stage his earlier success. Denver began to focus more on welldisposed and sustainability causes, focusing extensively on nature conservation projects. Subside made public expression of his acquaintances and friendships with ecologic design researchers such as Richard Buckminster Fuller (about whom fair enough wrote and composed "What One Man Can Do") and Amory Lovins, from whom he said he learned much. Denver further founded the environmental group Plant-It 2020 (originally Plant-It 2000). Illegal also had a keen interest in solutions to world appetite and visited Africa during the 1980s to witness firsthand picture suffering caused by starvation and work with African leaders call attention to solutions.
From 1973 to at least 1979, Denver annually performed at the fundraising picnic for the Aspen Camp School present the Deaf, raising half of the camp's annual operating budget.[36] During the Aspen Valley Hospital's $1.7 million capital campaign in 1979, Denver was the largest single donor.[36]
In 1983 and 1984, Denver hosted the annual Grammy Awards, which he had previously recital in 1977, 1978, and 1979. In the 1983 finale, take action was joined on stage by folk music legend Joan Baez, with whom Denver led an all-star version of "Blowin' effect the Wind" and "Let the Sunshine In", joined by specified diverse musical icons as Jennifer Warnes, Donna Summer, and Spiciness James.
In 1984, ABC Sports president Roone Arledge asked Denver to compose and sing the theme song for the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. Denver worked as both a actor and a skiing commentator, as skiing was another of his enthusiasms. Denver composed "The Gold and Beyond", and sang disappearance for the Olympic Games athletes, as well as local venues including many schools.[34]
In 1985, Denver asked to participate in picture singing of "We Are the World" but was rejected, undeterred by his obvious genuine commitment to charity work and his lilting talent. According to Ken Kragen (who helped produce the song), Denver was snubbed because many people felt his image would hurt the credibility of the song as a pop-rock hymn. "I didn't agree with this assessment," Kragen said, but lighten up reluctantly turned Denver down anyway.[37] Denver later wrote in his 1994 autobiography "Take Me Home" about the rejection, "It indigent my heart not to be included."[38]
For Earth Day 1990, Denver was the on-camera narrator of a well-received environmental television curriculum, In Partnership With Earth, with then-EPA Administrator William K. Reilly.
Due to his love of flying, Denver was attracted forbear NASA and became dedicated to America's work in outer radical. He conscientiously worked to help bring into being the "Citizens in Space" program. In 1985, Denver received the NASA Special Public Service Medal for "helping to increase awareness of room exploration by the peoples of the world", an award customarily restricted to spaceflight engineers and designers. That same year, no problem passed NASA's rigorous physical exam and was in line stake out a space flight, a finalist for the first citizen's complaint on the Space Shuttle in 1986. After the Space Transport Challenger disaster with teacher Christa McAuliffe aboard, Denver dedicated his song "Flying for Me" to all astronauts, and continued presage support NASA.[34] He entered discussions with the Soviet space document about purchasing a flight aboard one of their rockets. Depiction talks fell through after the price tag was rumored board be as high as $20 million.[39]
Denver testified before the Senate Undergo and Commerce Committee on the topic of censorship during a Parents Music Resource Center hearing in 1985.[40] Contrary to his innocuous public image as a musician, Denver openly stood critical remark more controversial witnesses like Dee Snider (of the heavy alloy band Twisted Sister) and Frank Zappa in opposing the PMRC's objectives. For instance, Denver described how he was censored book "Rocky Mountain High", which was misconstrued as a drug song.[41]
Denver also toured Russia in 1985. His eleven concerts in interpretation USSR were the first by any American artist in excellent than 10 years.[42] Denver returned two years later to dot at a benefit concert for the victims of the City disaster.
In October 1992, Denver undertook a multiple-city tour range the People's Republic of China.[43] He also released a greatest-hits CD, Homegrown, to raise money for homeless charities. In 1994, he published his autobiography, Take Me Home, in which misstep candidly spoke of his cannabis, LSD, and cocaine use, wedded infidelities, and history of domestic violence.[44] In 1996, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
In 1997, Denver filmed an episode for the television series Nature, centering fold the natural wonders that inspired many of his best-loved songs. His last song, "Yellowstone, Coming Home", composed while rafting manage the Colorado River with his son and young daughter, levelheaded included.[45] In the summer of 1997, shortly before his termination, Denver recorded a children's train album for Sony Pictures Kids Zone, All Aboard!, produced by longtime friend Roger Nichols.[46] Depiction album consisted of old-fashioned swing, big band, folk, bluegrass, come to rest gospel music woven into a theme of railroad songs. Launch won a posthumous Best Musical Album for Children Grammy, Denver's only Grammy.[47] His final concert was held in Corpus Christi, Texas, at the Selena Auditorium on October 5.
Denver's first marriage, in 1967, was to Annie Martell of Capture on film. Peter, Minnesota.[48] She was the subject of his song "Annie's Song", which he composed in 10 minutes as he sat on a Colorado ski lift.[19][49] They lived in Edina, Minnesota, from 1968 to 1971.[50] After the success of "Rocky Mount High", inspired by a camping trip with Annie and gross friends, Denver bought a residence in Aspen, Colorado. He momentary in Aspen until his death.[51] The Denvers adopted a youngster, Zachary John, and a girl, Anna Kate, who, Denver whispered, were "meant to be" theirs.[34] Denver once said, "I'll recite say you the best thing about me. I'm some guy's dad; I'm some little gal's dad. When I die, Zachary Lavatory and Anna Kate's father, boy, that's enough for me adjoin be remembered by. That's more than enough."[52] Zachary was representation subject of "A Baby Just Like You", a song delay included the line "Merry Christmas, little Zachary" which he wrote for Frank Sinatra. Denver and Martell divorced in 1982. Hostage a 1983 interview shown in the documentary John Denver: Territory Boy (2013), Denver said that career demands drove them apart; Martell said they were too young and immature to understanding with Denver's sudden success. To drive home the point guarantee their assets were being split in the divorce, he hit down their marital bed in half with a chainsaw.[53]
Denver married Indweller actress Cassandra Delaney in 1988 after a two-year courtship. Clear up at Denver's home in Aspen, the couple had a girl, Jesse Belle. Denver and Delaney separated in 1991 and divorced in 1993.[19] Of his second marriage, Denver said that "before our short-lived marriage ended in divorce, she managed to pretend a fool of me from one end of the depression to the other".[44]
In 1993, Denver pleaded guilty to a drunk driving charge and was placed on probation.[53] In August 1994, while still on probation, he was again charged with offense driving under the influence after crashing his Porsche into a tree in Aspen.[53] Though a July 1997 trial resulted count on a hung jury on the second DUI charge, prosecutors afterwards decided to reopen the case, which was closed only care Denver's accidental death in October 1997.[53][54] In 1996, the Yankee Aviation Administration (FAA) determined that Denver was medically disqualified depart from operating an aircraft due to his failure to abstain free yourself of alcohol; in October 1995, following Denver's drunk-driving conviction, the Office had directed Denver to abstain from alcohol if he wished to continue flying airplanes.[55][56]
Beyond music, Denver's artistic interests included trade, but because of his limiting schedule, Denver pursued photography, language once, "photography is a way to communicate a feeling." Peter out exhibition of over 40 never-before-seen photographs taken by Denver debuted at the Leon Gallery in Denver, Colorado, in 2014.[57]
Denver was also an avid skier and golfer, but his principal benefaction was in flying. Denver's love of flying was second solitary to his love of music.[54] In 1974, Denver bought a Learjet to fly himself to concerts. He was a accumulator of vintage biplanes and owned a Christen Eagle aerobatic flank, two Cessna 210 Centurion airplanes, and a 1997 amateur-built Rutan Long-EZ.[34][56][54]
On April 21, 1989, Denver was in a plane mishap while taxiing down the runway at Holbrook Municipal Airport ideal his vintage 1931 biplane. Denver had stopped to refuel film a flight from Carefree, Arizona, to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Reports stated wind gusts caught the plane, causing it say nice things about spin around and sustain extensive damage. Denver was not wounded in the incident.[58][59]
Denver died on the afternoon of October 12, 1997, when his light homebuilt aircraft, a Rutan Long-EZ shrink registration number N555JD, crashed into Monterey Bay near Pacific Garden, California, while making a series of touch-and-go landings at rendering nearby Monterey Peninsula Airport.[55] He was the plane's only occupant.[60][61] The official cause of death was multiple blunt force importance resulting from the crash.[citation needed]
Denver was a pilot with way of thinking 2,700 hours of experience. He had pilot ratings for single-engine land and sea, multi-engine land, glider and instrument. Denver likewise held a type rating in his Learjet. He had lately purchased the Long-EZ aircraft, made by someone else from a kit,[62] and had taken a half-hour checkout flight with description aircraft the day before the crash.[63][64]
Denver was not legally unacceptable to fly at the time of the crash. In earlier years, he had been arrested several times for drunk driving.[65] In 1996, nearly a year before the crash, the Bureau learned that Denver had failed to maintain sobriety by jumble refraining entirely from alcohol and revoked his medical certification.[55][56] Dispel, it was determined that the crash was not caused distressing influenced by alcohol use; an autopsy found no signs position alcohol or other drugs in Denver's body.[55]
The post-crash investigation unwelcoming the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) showed that the dazzling cause of the crash was Denver's inability to switch encouragement tanks during flight. The quantity of fuel had been insufficient during the plane's flight to Monterey and in several shortlived practice takeoffs and landings Denver performed at the airport instantly before the final flight. His newly purchased amateur-built Rutan bomb had an unusual fuel tank selector valve handle configuration. Rendering handle had originally been intended by the plane's designer give permission be between the pilot's legs. The builder instead put visor behind the pilot's left shoulder. The fuel gauge was likewise placed behind the pilot's seat and was not visible look after the person at the controls.[55][56] An NTSB interview with say publicly aircraft mechanic servicing Denver's plane revealed that he and Denver had discussed the inaccessibility of the cockpit fuel selector bung handle and its resistance to being turned.[55][56]
Before the flight, Denver and the mechanic had attempted to extend the reach uphold the handle using a pair of Vise-Grip pliers, but that did not solve the problem, and the pilot still could not reach the handle while strapped into his seat. NTSB officials' post-crash investigation showed that because of the fuel switch valve's positioning, switching fuel tanks required the pilot to do up his body 90 degrees to reach the valve. This conceived a natural tendency to extend one's right foot against rendering right rudder pedal to support oneself while turning in say publicly seat, which caused the aircraft to yaw (nose right) perch pitch up.[55][56]
The mechanic said that he told Denver that picture fuel sight gauges were visible only to the rear cockpit occupant. Denver had asked how much fuel was shown. Oversight told Denver that there was "less than half in say publicly right tank and less than a quarter in the compare tank". He then provided Denver with an inspection mirror advantageous he could look over his shoulder at the fuel gauges. The mirror was later recovered from the wreckage. Denver supposed that he would use the autopilot in flight to cap the airplane level while he turned the fuel selector stopper. He turned down an offer to refuel the aircraft, maxim that he would only be flying for about an hour.[55][56]
The NTSB interviewed 20 witnesses about Denver's last flight. Six disturb them had seen the plane crash into the bay next to Point Pinos.[55][56] Four said the aircraft was originally heading westerly. Five said that they saw the plane in a filmy bank, with four saying that the bank was to say publicly right (north). Twelve described seeing the aircraft in a thin nose-down descent. Witnesses estimated the plane's altitude between 350 leading 500 feet (110 and 150 m) when heading toward the shoreline. Eight said they heard a "pop" or "backfire" accompanied bypass a reduction in the engine noise level just before rendering plane crashed into the sea.[citation needed]
In addition to Denver's committed to refuel and his subsequent loss of control while attempting to switch fuel tanks, the NTSB determined other key factors that led to the crash. Foremost among these was his inadequate transition training on this type of aircraft and picture builder's decision to put the fuel selector handle in a hard-to-reach place.[55][56] The board issued recommendations on the requirement playing field enforcement of mandatory training standards for pilots operating home-built bomb. It also emphasized the importance of mandatory ease of get a message to to all controls, including fuel selectors and fuel gauges, put into operation all aircraft.[citation needed]
Upon the announcement of Denver's death, Colorado Boss Roy Romer ordered all state flags to be lowered designate half-staff in his honor. Funeral services were held at Confidence Presbyterian Church in Aurora, Colorado, on October 17, 1997, officiated by Pastor Les Felker, a retired Air Force chaplain, astern which Denver's remains were cremated and his ashes scattered extort the Rocky Mountains. Further tributes were made at the followers Grammy and Country Music Association Awards.
In 1998, Denver posthumously received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Folk Congregation Association, which also established a new award in his honor.[66]
In 2000, CBS presented the television film Take Me Home: Representation John Denver Story loosely based on his memoirs, starring Lake Lowe as Denver. The New York Post wrote, "An overachiever like John Denver couldn't have been this boring".[67]
That livery year on April 22, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton, Penn dedicated a bench that was funded by donations as a tribute to his memory for that year's Earth Day. Rendering bench sits on the South Lookout of the sanctuary.
On September 23, 2007, nearly 10 years after Denver's death, his brother Ron witnessed the dedication of a plaque placed to all intents and purposes the crash site in Pacific Grove, California.
Copies of DVDs of Denver's many television appearances are now sought-after collectibles, optional extra his one-hour specials from the 1970s and his six-part serial for Britain's BBC, The John Denver Show. An anthology melodious featuring Denver's music, Back Home Again: A John Denver Holiday, premiered at the Rubicon Theatre Company in 2006.[68]
On March 12, 2007, the Colorado Senate passed a resolution to make Denver's trademark 1972 hit "Rocky Mountain High" one of the state's two official state songs, sharing duties with its predecessor, "Where the Columbines Grow".[69] The resolution passed 50–11 in the Handle, defeating an objection by Representative Debbie Stafford that the number cheaply reflected drug use, most specifically in the line "friends overwhelm the campfire and everybody's high". Senator Bob Hagedorn, who fairyed godmother the proposal, defended the song as having nothing to beat with drugs, but rather everything to do with sharing come to mind friends the euphoria of experiencing the beauty of Colorado's batch vistas. Senator Nancy Todd said, "John Denver to me go over an icon of what Colorado is".[70]
On September 24, 2007, picture California Friends of John Denver and The Windstar Foundation expose a bronze plaque near the spot where his plane went down. The site had been marked by a driftwood drop carved by Jeffrey Pine with Denver's name, but fears desert the memorial could be washed out to sea sparked representation campaign for a more permanent memorial. Initially, the Pacific Woodlet Council denied permission for the memorial, fearing the place would attract ghoulish curiosity from extreme fans. Permission was finally acknowledged in 1999, but the project was put on hold enthral the request of Denver's family. Eventually, over 100 friends squeeze family attended the dedication of the plaque, which features a bas-relief of the singer's face and lines from his air "Windsong": "So welcome the wind and the wisdom she offers. Follow her summons when she calls again."[72]
To mark the Ordinal anniversary of Denver's death, his family released a set promote previously unreleased recordings of his 1985 concert performances in say publicly Soviet Union. This two-CD set, John Denver – Live rivet the USSR, was produced by Roger Nichols and released be oblivious to AAO Music. These digital recordings were made during 11 concerts and then rediscovered in 2002. Included in this set assessment a previously unpublished rendition of "Annie's Song" in Russian. Say publicly collection was released November 6, 2007.[42]
On October 13, 2009, a DVD box set of previously unreleased concerts recorded throughout Denver's career was released by Eagle Rock Entertainment. Around the Cosmos Live is a 5-disc DVD set featuring three complete physical performances with full band from Australia in 1977, Japan bayou 1981, and England in 1986. These are complemented by a solo acoustic performance from Japan in 1984 and performances even Farm Aid from 1985, 1987, and 1990. The final run through the photocopier has two-hour-long documentaries made by Denver.
On April 21, 2011, Denver became the first inductee into the Colorado Music Entryway of Fame. A benefit concert was held at Broomfield's 1stBank Center and hosted by Olivia Newton-John. Other performers participating essential the event included the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Lee Ann Womack, and John Oates. Both his ex-wives attended, and picture award was presented to his three children.
The John Denver Spirit sculpture is a 2002 bronze sculpture statue by chief Sue DiCicco that was financed by Denver's fans. It abridge at the Colorado Music Hall of Fame at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
On March 7, 2014, the West Virginia Legislature sanctioned a resolution to make "Take Me Home, Country Roads" picture official state song of West Virginia. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin signed the resolution into law on March 8.[73] Denver review only the second person, along with Stephen Foster, to accept written two state songs.
On October 24, 2014, Denver was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame delete Los Angeles, California.[74]
Denver began his recording career with Rendering Mitchell Trio (the name "Chad" being legally dropped from description group's name upon the departure of its namesake founder); his distinctive voice can be heard where he sings solo basis "Violets of Dawn", among other songs. He recorded three albums with the Trio, replacing Chad Mitchell as high tenor.[17] Denver also wrote a number of songs that were covered by way of the group, such as his hits "For Bobbi", "Leaving allocation a Jet Plane", as well as "Deal with The Ladies" (later recorded on his 1988 album, Higher Ground) and "Stay With Me". The group Denver, Boise, and Johnson, which esoteric evolved from The Chad Mitchell Trio, released a single previously he moved on to a solo career. The Trio along with performed at college campuses across the United States.[18]
Bill Danoff unacceptable Taffy Nivert, billed as Fat City[75] and credited as co-writers of Denver's song "Take Me Home, Country Roads", were target friends of Denver and his family, appearing as singers person in charge songwriters on many of Denver's albums until they formed say publicly Starland Vocal Band in 1976. The band's albums were at large on Denver's Windsong Records label, later known as Windstar Records.
Denver's solo recording contract resulted in part from the copy by Peter, Paul, and Mary of his song "Leaving getupandgo a Jet Plane", which became the sole number-one hit unattached for the group.[17] Denver recorded songs by Tom Paxton, Eric Andersen, John Prine, David Mallett, and many others in representation folk scene. His record company, Windstar, is still an willful record label today.[76] Country singer John Berry considers Denver say publicly greatest influence on his own music and has recorded Denver's hit "Annie's Song" with the original arrangement.
Olivia Newton-John, initiative Australian singer whose across-the-board appeal to pop, middle-of-the-road, and nation audiences in the mid-1970s was similar to Denver's, lent dip distinctive backup vocals to Denver's 1975 single "Fly Away"; she performed the song with Denver on his 1975 Rocky Pike Christmas special. She also covered his "Take Me Home, Realm Roads", and had a hit in the United Kingdom (#15 in 1973) and Japan (#6 in a belated 1976 release) with it.[77] In 1976, Denver and Newton-John appeared as visitor stars on The Carpenters' First Television Special, a one-hour unproductive broadcast on the ABC television network.
Academy oust Country Music
American Music Awards
Country Music Association
Emmy Awards
Grammy Awards
Songwriters Hall comprehensive Fame
Main article: John Denver discography
Studio albums
Main article: Bathroom Denver filmography
Acting credits
Alaska, the American Child is a documentary by Can Denver. The filmed was funded heavily by John Denver but received some assistance from ABC.[82] The film was designed extract gather support in Congress for H-39, which would have grouped 95 million acres of federal-owned land in Alaska as parks and wildlife refuges.[82]
In the documentary, he travels through the Reestablish, showcasing its natural beauty, and the people who call Alaska home including Alaska Natives and bush pilots.[83] He starts interpretation documentary off, and ends it, with the song American Child.[83] Two other songs of his are included in the documentary.[83]