John Denver was many things to many people. Alternately a songwriter, performer, actor, and human rights activist, Denver was a multi-talented individual. Born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr., he changed his name to John Denver in 1963 so that he could pursue a recording career. John chose that name because of his love for Colorado and the Rocky Mountains in particular. Little did anyone know at that time that the kid from New Mexico would go on to become one of the most beloved country music artists of all time.
John Denver was born on in Roswell, New Mexico on December 31, 1943. His father was an Air Force Officer and John was moving often throughout the Southwest as his Dad was sent from station to station. His favorite area of the world, Colorado, would later play a very prominent role in his music.
At a very young age, Denver was given his grandmother’s Gibson acoustic guitar, and music became his life. He spent hours strumming that guitar and learning to write songs and play. By the time he joined a church choir, Denver was beginning his love affair with music, and his life would never be the same.
Denver then went on to Texas Tech University for College, but he quickly realized that music was his true passion and calling. The times were turbulent in the early sixties, and the music scene reflected that atmosphere. This surely helped shape the future of Denver’s songwriting/humanitarian connection.
In 1963, Denver dropped out of Texas Tech and moved to California to pursue his music. It was then that he took his stage name and began to dive into the music scene full tilt. After several near misses and learning experiences, John Denver finally got his break. He landed a spot as the lead singer for The Mitchell Trio. This allowed John to hone his skills and get his name out there. This is also when John Denver became a very special songwriter. Denver and the The Mitchell Trio had three albums during the next couple of years to moderate success.
After The Mitchell Trio split up, Denver went solo. In 1969 he completed his first album and it had some success. That album, “Rhymes and Reasons,” became famous for the beloved hit “Leaving on a Jet Plane” that Peter, Paul and Mary would later make a huge hit. It allowed for Denver to gain a following and a stage to place his songs. Decades later that song remains one of the most well known songs from the time period.
This is when John Denver truly exploded on the worldwide stage. The decade of the seventies would bring such hits as “Take Me Home Country Roads,” and “Rocky Mountain High,” as well as the ever popular “Thank God I’m A Country Boy.” These and many other huge hits would make John Denver a household name all over the world.
John Denver was very popular due to his down home image and clean cut personality. The kindness and tone of his songs fit the man that everyone saw perfectly. The blond haired country/pop star with glasses also had a very passionate side. John Denver was fascinated with many things around this time including flying, space travel, and politics.
While Denver was evolving musically, and very successful doing so, he was also evolving from the standpoint of politics and environmentalism. Denver began to use his musical stage to get important messages across. His yearning voice, and gentle nature belied his fiery passion for the world’s issues of the time. This approach was welcomed by fans all over the world.
John Denver began to show up everywhere in the mid seventies. He participated in a number of television specials, as well as even dabbling in the movie industry. His Christmas specials were the gold standard during this time, and everyone looked forward to them. Entire families would sit by the television and watch and listen to his songs. By 1977, John Denver starred alongside comedy legend George Burns in the comedy film, “Oh God.” The movie had some success, and Denver appeared ready to do anything he chose to do.
Denver quickly went back to his musical roots, however, and though his production rate slowed, his popularity remained strong on the world wide stage. His music had a rare quality of compassion that would have far reaching effects on the years to come. It would also establish John Denver’s true legacy.
That passion for John’s music spread into some truly amazing places. Who knew that John Denver would become a huge star in the far reaches of Russia? With concert tours in the USSR in 1986, and then again in 1987, Denver was the first American artist to perform there since long before the cold war. He had similar successes in China, as well as other countries throughout the world. The power of his music took him to these places, and helped him to overcome the differences between America and Russia. For an American to be so loved in Russia during the 1980′s is truly amazing.
Due to his work in bringing the issues of the day to the front of our consciousness, John Denver will always be a hero to many Americans and people all over the earth. He has been well decorated over the years with awards, and commendations from organizations all over the world. Just the sheer goodwill that his music has fostered is enough to revere the man.
Tragically, at the very young age of 53, John Denver was killed in a plane crash over the Pacific Ocean. The date was Sunday, the 12th of October, 1997. Ironically, John was killed doing one of the things he loved more than anything in the world. John Denver was also an accomplished aviator. He was piloting his own plane on that fateful day in 1997, and the world mourns his passing to this day.
Through the years, Denver has not missed a beat in popularity. Generations of people have enjoyed his folksy, gentle voice, and wonderful heartfelt lyrics. As long as there is a John Denver song playing, people will be smiling. That is a wonderful legacy that was built with humanity, generosity, compassion, and his most amazing gift of all…his songs.