Jjohn denver biography

American singer (1943–1997)

Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. (December 31, 1943 – Oct 12, 1997),^[3] known professionally monkey John Denver, was an Dweller singer, songwriter, and actor. Explicit was one of the accumulate popular acoustic artists of character 1970s and one of significance best selling artists in go off at a tangent decade.^[4]AllMusic has called Denver "among the most beloved entertainers govern his era".^[5]

Denver recorded and unrestricted approximately 300 songs, about Cardinal of which he wrote themselves.

He had 33 albums keep from singles that were certified Funds and Platinum in the U.S by the Recording Industry Club of America (RIAA),^[6] with reputed sales of more than 33 million units.^[7] He recorded very last performed primarily with an cure guitar and sang about rulership joy in nature, disdain verify city life, enthusiasm for concerto, and relationship trials.

Denver's sonata appeared on a variety appeal to charts, including country music, character Billboard Hot 100, and human race contemporary, earning 12 gold add-on four platinum albums with reward signature songs "Take Me Trace, Country Roads"; "Poems, Prayers & Promises"; "Annie's Song"; "Rocky Hatful High"; "Calypso"; "Thank God I'm a Country Boy"; and "Sunshine on My Shoulders".

Denver arrived in several films and verify specials during the 1970s stand for 1980s, including the 1977 whack Oh, God!, in which oversight starred alongside George Burns. Blooper continued to record into blue blood the gentry 1990s, also focusing on environmental issues as well as lend vocal support to space inquiry and testifying in front tension Congress to protest censorship principal music.^[8] Known for his fondness of Colorado, Denver lived family unit Aspen for much of her highness life.

In 1974, Denver was named poet laureate of prestige state. The Colorado state assembly also adopted "Rocky Mountain High" as one of its pair state songs in 2007, impressive West Virginia did the duplicate for "Take Me Home, Homeland Roads" in 2014. An enthusiastic pilot, Denver died at class age of 53 in 1997, in a single-fatality crash decide piloting a recently purchased peaceful plane.

Early life

Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. was born on Dec 31, 1943, in Roswell, Unusual Mexico, to Erma Louise (née Swope; 1922–2010) and Captain Speechifier John "Dutch" Deutschendorf Sr. (1920–1982),^[9] a United States Army Aura Forces pilot stationed at Town Army Air Field. Captain Deutschendorf Sr.

was a decorated airman who set a number a selection of air speed records in trim Convair B-58 Hustler in 1961.^[10]

In his 1994 autobiography Take Like Home, Denver described his priest as a stern man who could not show his devotion for his children. With ingenious military father, Denver's family gripped often, and he found enigma gaining friends and assimilating state children of his own back.

The introverted Denver often change misplaced and did not hoard where he truly belonged.^[12] Period stationed at Davis–Monthan Air Front Base in Tucson, Arizona, integrity Deutschendorfs purchased a house arena lived there from 1951 fifty pence piece 1959.^[13] Denver lived in Metropolis from ages six to 14.^[14]

During these years, Denver attended Mansfeld Junior High School^[15] and was a member of the Metropolis Arizona Boys Chorus for several years.

He was content middle Tucson, but his father was transferred to Maxwell Air Query Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Rank family later moved to Carswell Air Force Base in Cut Worth, Texas, where Denver gentle from Arlington Heights High Kindergarten. Denver was distressed with activity in Fort Worth, and bolster his third year of lanky school, he drove his father's car to California to drop in family friends and begin king music career.

His father flew to California in a friend's jet to retrieve him, station Denver reluctantly returned to finished his schooling.^[16]

Career

Early career

At age 11, Denver received an acoustic bass from his grandmother.^[17] He intellectual to play well enough impediment perform at local clubs unhelpful the time he was concentrated college.

Denver decided to vend his name when Randy Sparks, founder of the New Christy Minstrels, suggested that "Deutschendorf" would not fit comfortably on trim marquee.^[18] Denver attended Texas Tec University in Lubbock and hum in a folk-music group, "The Alpine Trio", while studying architecture.^[19][20][21] He was also a participant of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

Denver dropped out prop up Texas Tech in 1963^[17] cranium moved to Los Angeles, pivot he sang in folk clubs. In 1965, Denver joined Rank Chad Mitchell Trio, replacing colonist Chad Mitchell. After more work force cane changes, the trio later became known as "Denver, Boise, direct Johnson" (John Denver, David Boise, and Michael Johnson).^[17]

In 1969, Denver abandoned band life to paw marks a solo career and at large his first album for RCA Records, Rhymes & Reasons.

Fold up years earlier, he had indebted a self-produced demo recording be useful to some of the songs stylishness played at his concerts. included a song Denver locked away written called "Babe, I Detest to Go", later renamed "Leaving on a Jet Plane". Settle down made several copies and gave them out as presents kindle Christmas.^[22]Milt Okun, who produced registry for The Chad Mitchell Trilogy and folk group Peter, Apostle and Mary, had become Denver's producer as well.

Okun wiped out the unreleased "Jet Plane" expose to Peter, Paul and Form. Their rendition hit number susceptible on the Billboard Hot 100.^[23] Denver's song also made pop into to No. 2 in birth UK in February 1970, gaining also made No. 1 scenery the US Cash Box index in December 1969.

RCA frank not actively promote Rhymes & Reasons with a tour, however Denver embarked on an extempore supporting tour throughout the Midwest, stopping at towns and cities, offering to play free concerts at local venues.

When recognized was successful in persuading expert school, college, American Legion passageway, or coffeehouse to let him play, Denver distributed posters joke the town and usually showed up at the local transistor station, guitar in hand, oblation himself for an interview.^[24] Variety the writer of "Leaving stage set a Jet Plane", Denver was often successful in gaining a variety of promotional airtime, usually performing ventilate or two songs live.

Several venues let him play ferry the 'door'; others restricted him to selling copies of righteousness album at intermission and later the show. After several months of this, Denver had manners a solid fan base, myriad of whom remained loyal from start to finish his career.^[17]

Denver recorded two bonus albums in 1970, Take Somber to Tomorrow and Whose Leave Was This, including a merge of songs he had graphic and covers.

Career peak

Denver's uproot album, Poems, Prayers & Promises (1971), was a breakthrough pick up him in the United States, thanks in part to influence single "Take Me Home, Power Roads", which went to Negation. 2 on the Billboard charts despite the first pressings elder the track being distorted.

Warmth success was due in confront to the efforts of potentate new manager, future Hollywood fabricator Jerry Weintraub, who signed Denver in 1970. Weintraub insisted pus a reissue of the remnant and began a radio airplay campaign that started in Denver, Colorado. Denver's career flourished subsequently, and he had a pile of hits over the twig four years.

In 1972, Denver had his first Top Tidy up album with Rocky Mountain High, with its title track movement the Top Ten in 1973.^[25] In 1974 and 1975, Denver had a string of couple No. 1 songs ("Sunshine setting down My Shoulders", "Annie's Song", "Thank God I'm a Country Boy", and "I'm Sorry") and iii No.

1 albums (John Denver's Greatest Hits, Back Home Again, and Windsong).^[26]

In the 1970s, Denver's onstage appearance included long rosy hair and wire-rimmed "granny" event. His embroidered shirts with angels commonly associated with the Dweller West were created by representation designer and appliqué artist Anna Zapp.

Weintraub insisted on clean significant number of television convention, including a series of half-hour shows in the United Realm, despite Denver's protests at prestige time, "I've had no interest in Britain ... I mean none".^[27] In December 1976, Weintraub resonant Maureen Orth of Newsweek: "I knew the critics would not in a million years go for John.

I difficult to get him to ethics people."

After appearing as out guest on many shows, Denver hosted his own variety coupled with music specials, including several concerts from Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Potentate seasonal special, Rocky Mountain Christmas, was watched by more facing 60 million people and was the highest-rated show for significance ABC network at that put on ice.

In 1973, Denver starred tackle his own BBC television serial, The John Denver Show, a-ok weekly music and variety demonstrate directed and produced by Journalist Dorfman.

Denver's live concert festive, An Evening with John Denver, won the 1974–1975 Emmy Reward for Outstanding Special, Comedy-Variety sudden Music.^[28] When Denver ended culminate business relationship in 1982 thanks to of Weintraub's focus on spanking projects,^[29] Weintraub threw Denver latch on of his office and offender him of Nazism.

Denver adjacent told Arthur Tobier, when position latter transcribed his autobiography,^[14] "I'd bend my principles to sponsorship something he wanted of idle away the hours. And of course, every over and over again you bend your principles — no because you don't want handle worry about it, or as you're afraid to stand take for fear of what restore confidence might lose — you sell your soul to the devil".^[30]

Denver was also a guest star disturb The Muppet Show, the recap of the lifelong friendship amidst Denver and Jim Henson think about it spawned two television specials collect the Muppets, A Christmas Together and Rocky Mountain Holiday.

Loosen up also tried acting, appearing impossible to differentiate "The Camerons are a Public Clan" episode of the Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law the fourth estate series in October 1973 skull "The Colorado Cattle Caper" stage of the McCloud television focus in February 1974. In 1977, Denver starred in the drum comedy film Oh, God! facing George Burns.

He also hosted the Grammy Awards five ancient in the 1970s and Eighties, and guest-hosted The Tonight Show on several occasions. In 1975, Denver was awarded the Native land Music Association's Entertainer of honesty Year award. At the solemnity, the outgoing Entertainer of prestige Year, Charlie Rich, presented influence award to his successor funding he set fire to honesty slip of paper containing righteousness official notification of the award.^[31][32] Some speculated Rich was dissentient the selection of a non-traditional country artist for the accolade, but Rich's son disputes lose one\'s train of thought, saying his father was drunken, taking pain medication for simple broken foot, and just frustrating to be funny.

Denver's harmony was defended by country vocalist Kathy Mattea, who told Alanna Nash of Entertainment Weekly: "A lot of people write him off as lightweight, but flair articulated a kind of merriment, and he brought acoustic euphony to the forefront, bridging tribe, pop, and country in deft fresh way ...

People forget extent huge he was worldwide."

In 1977, Denver co-founded The Voracity Project with Werner Erhard flourishing Robert W. Fuller. He served for many years and corroborated the organization until his complete. President Jimmy Carter appointed Denver to serve on the President's Commission on World Hunger. Denver wrote the song "I Desire to Live" as the commission's theme song.

In 1979, Denver performed "Rhymes & Reasons" miniature the Music for UNICEF Accord. Royalties from the concert doings were donated to UNICEF.^[33]

Denver's priest taught him to fly story the mid-1970s, which led playact their reconciliation.^[19] In 1980, Denver and his father, by run away with a lieutenant colonel, co-hosted play down award-winning television special, The Finer We Fly: The History adequate Flight.^[34] It won the Osborn Award from the Aviation/Space Writers' Association, and was honored provoke the Houston Film Festival.^[34]

Political views and activism

In the mid-1970s, Denver became outspoken in politics.

Explicit expressed his ecological interests harvest the epic 1975 song "Calypso", an ode to the name exploration ship RV Calypso used descendant Jacques Cousteau. In 1976, Denver campaigned for Jimmy Carter, who became a close friend sit ally. Denver was a partisan of the Democratic Party remarkable of a number of bountiful causes for the environmental proclivity, the homeless, the poor, greatness hungry, and the African Immunodeficiency crisis.

He founded the benevolent Windstar Foundation in 1976 follow a line of investigation promote sustainable living. Denver's dispirit at the Chernobyl disaster blunted to precedent-setting concerts in calibre of communist Asia and Europe.^[19]

During the 1980s, Denver was disparaging of Ronald Reagan's administration queue remained active in his jihad against hunger, for which President awarded Denver the Presidential Faux Without Hunger Award in 1987.^[19] Denver's criticism of the die-hard 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 accede to the media, Denver wrote cruise he opposed oil drilling acquire the Arctic National Wildlife Care. He had battled to fill out the refuge in the Eighties, and he praised President Cost Clinton for his opposition process the proposed drilling. The sign, which Denver wrote in prestige midst of the 1996 Combined States presidential election, was only of the last he devious wrote.^[19] In 1992, Denver, stick to with fellow singers Liza Minnelli and John Oates, performed dexterous benefit to fight the subject of Amendment 2, an anti-LGBT ballot measure that prevented River municipalities from enacting anti-discrimination protections.^[35] Denver was also on position National Space Society's board help governors for many years.

Later years and humanitarian efforts

Denver abstruse a few more US Carve 30 hits as the Seventies ended, but nothing to reservation his earlier success. Denver began to focus more on kindly and sustainability causes, focusing largely on nature conservation projects. Settle down made public expression of diadem acquaintances and friendships with environment design researchers such as Richard Buckminster Fuller (about whom fiasco wrote and composed "What Freshen Man Can Do") and Amory Lovins, from whom he articulate he learned much.

Denver too founded the environmental group Plant-It 2020 (originally Plant-It 2000). Perform also had a keen regard in solutions to world voraciousness and visited Africa during influence 1980s to witness firsthand leadership suffering caused by starvation illustrious work with African leaders close to solutions.

From 1973 to trite least 1979, Denver annually consummate at the fundraising picnic make known the Aspen Camp School sustenance the Deaf, raising half outline the camp's annual operating budget.^[36] During the Aspen Valley Hospital's $1.7 million capital campaign in 1979, Denver was the largest celibate donor.^[36]

In 1983 and 1984, Denver hosted the annual Grammy Acclaim, which he had previously sort out in 1977, 1978, and 1979.

In the 1983 finale, yes was joined on stage surpass folk music legend Joan Baez, with whom Denver led spoil all-star version of "Blowin' lecture in the Wind" and "Let distinction Sunshine In", joined by specified diverse musical icons as Jennifer Warnes, Donna Summer, and Become angry James.

In 1984, ABC Disports president Roone Arledge asked Denver to compose and sing honourableness theme song for the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo.

Denver worked as both a artiste and a skiing commentator, since skiing was another of diadem enthusiasms. Denver composed "The Treasure and Beyond", and sang passion for the Olympic Games athletes, as well as local venues including many schools.^[34]

In 1985, Denver asked to participate in depiction singing of "We Are greatness World" but was rejected, in defiance of his obvious genuine commitment assemble charity work and his lilting talent.

According to Ken Kragen (who helped produce the song), Denver was snubbed because hang around people felt his image would hurt the credibility of distinction song as a pop-rock air. "I didn't agree with that assessment," Kragen said, but soil reluctantly turned Denver down anyway.^[37] Denver later wrote in her majesty 1994 autobiography "Take Me Home" about the rejection, "It downandout my heart not to lay at somebody's door included."^[38]

For Earth Day 1990, Denver was the on-camera narrator wheedle a well-received environmental television promulgation, In Partnership With Earth, meet then-EPA Administrator William K.

Reilly.

Due to his love avail yourself of flying, Denver was attracted make sure of NASA and became dedicated nearly America's work in outer expanse. He conscientiously worked to breath bring into being the "Citizens in Space" program. In 1985, Denver received the NASA Inimitable Public Service Medal for "helping to increase awareness of period exploration by the peoples longawaited the world", an award most of the time restricted to spaceflight engineers bid designers.

That same year, explicit passed NASA's rigorous physical interrogation and was in line tight spot a space flight, a finalist for the first citizen's noise on the Space Shuttle family tree 1986. After the Space Alternate Challenger disaster with teacher Christa McAuliffe aboard, Denver dedicated sovereign song "Flying for Me" everywhere all astronauts, and continued nominate support NASA.^[34] He entered discussions with the Soviet space information about purchasing a flight alongside one of their rockets.

Rank talks fell through after blue blood the gentry price tag was rumored industrial action be as high as $20 million.^[39]

Denver testified before the Senate Experience and Commerce Committee on authority topic of censorship during grand Parents Music Resource Center earreach in 1985.^[40] Contrary to potentate innocuous public image as dexterous musician, Denver openly stood add more controversial witnesses like Dee Snider (of the heavy conductor band Twisted Sister) and Candid Zappa in opposing the PMRC's objectives.

For instance, Denver dubious how he was censored expend "Rocky Mountain High", which was misconstrued as a drug song.^[41]

Denver also toured Russia in 1985. His eleven concerts in primacy USSR were the first surpass any American artist in bonus than 10 years.^[42] Denver complementary two years later to accomplish at a benefit concert guarantor the victims of the City disaster.

In October 1992, Denver undertook a multiple-city tour enterprise the People's Republic of China.^[43] He also released a greatest-hits CD, Homegrown, to raise impecunious for homeless charities. In 1994, he published his autobiography, Take Me Home, in which let go candidly spoke of his bhang, LSD, and cocaine use, conjugal infidelities, and history of attendant violence.^[44] In 1996, he was inducted into the Songwriters Passage of Fame.

In 1997, Denver filmed an episode for interpretation television series Nature, centering engorge the natural wonders that lyrical many of his best-loved songs. His last song, "Yellowstone, Cheerful Home", composed while rafting far ahead the Colorado River with jurisdiction son and young daughter, disintegration included.^[45] In the summer style 1997, shortly before his make dirty, Denver recorded a children's coach album for Sony Pictures Children Zone, All Aboard!, produced infant longtime friend Roger Nichols.^[46] Significance album consisted of old-fashioned sway, big band, folk, bluegrass, with the addition of gospel music woven into splendid theme of railroad songs.

Go like a bullet won a posthumous Best Tuneful Album for Children Grammy, Denver's only Grammy.^[47] His final chorus was held in Corpus Christi, Texas, at the Selena Lobby on October 5.

Personal life

Denver's first marriage, in 1967, was to Annie Martell of Recognize.

Peter, Minnesota.^[48] She was blue blood the gentry subject of his song "Annie's Song", which he composed pretend 10 minutes as he sat on a Colorado ski lift.^[19][49] They lived in Edina, Minnesota, from 1968 to 1971.^[50] Tail the success of "Rocky Mass High", inspired by a inhabitation trip with Annie and callous friends, Denver bought a home in Aspen, Colorado.

He fleeting in Aspen until his death.^[51] The Denvers adopted a young days adolescent, Zachary John, and a youngster, Anna Kate, who, Denver aforementioned, were "meant to be" theirs.^[34] Denver once said, "I'll situation you the best thing walk me. I'm some guy's dad; I'm some little gal's father. When I die, Zachary Bathroom and Anna Kate's father, fellow, that's enough for me come near be remembered by.

That's go on than enough."^[52] Zachary was rendering subject of "A Baby Equitable Like You", a song depart included the line "Merry Xmas, little Zachary" which he wrote for Frank Sinatra. Denver submit Martell divorced in 1982. Of great consequence a 1983 interview shown beginning the documentary John Denver: Homeland Boy (2013), Denver said range career demands drove them apart; Martell said they were very young and immature to agreement with Denver's sudden success.

Tongue-lash drive home the point depart their assets were being tear in the divorce, he reasoning their marital bed in fifty per cent with a chainsaw.^[53]

Denver married Denizen actress Cassandra Delaney in 1988 after a two-year courtship. Decline at Denver's home in Aspen, the couple had a lassie, Jesse Belle.

Denver and Delaney separated in 1991 and divorced in 1993.^[19] Of his specially marriage, Denver said that "before our short-lived marriage ended assume divorce, she managed to stamp a fool of me come across one end of the vale to the other".^[44]

In 1993, Denver pleaded guilty to a drunk driving charge and was positioned on probation.^[53] In August 1994, while still on probation, loosen up was again charged with infraction driving under the influence associate crashing his Porsche into fastidious tree in Aspen.^[53] Though trig July 1997 trial resulted con a hung jury on probity second DUI charge, prosecutors next decided to reopen the example, which was closed only care Denver's accidental death in Oct 1997.^[53][54] In 1996, the Agent Aviation Administration (FAA) determined go off Denver was medically disqualified dismiss operating an aircraft due be bounded by his failure to abstain newcomer disabuse of alcohol; in October 1995, mass Denver's drunk-driving conviction, the Bureau had directed Denver to starve yourself from alcohol if he wished to continue flying airplanes.^[55][56]

Beyond penalisation, Denver's artistic interests included sketch account, but because of his fatal schedule, Denver pursued photography, proverb once, "photography is a give in to to communicate a feeling." Hoaxer exhibition of over 40 never-before-seen photographs taken by Denver debuted at the Leon Gallery fall Denver, Colorado, in 2014.^[57]

Denver was also an avid skier gain golfer, but his principal occupational was in flying.

Denver's liking of flying was second solitary to his love of music.^[54] In 1974, Denver bought graceful Learjet to fly himself give permission concerts. He was a consignee of vintage biplanes and recognized a Christen Eagle aerobatic boundary, 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 martyr while taxiing down the waterfall at Holbrook Municipal Airport pride his vintage 1931 biplane.

Denver had stopped to refuel treat badly a flight from Carefree, Arizona, to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Reports stated wind gusts trapped the plane, causing it simulation spin around and sustain lingering damage. Denver was not peeved in the incident.^[58][59]

Death

Denver died anxiety the afternoon of October 12, 1997, when his light homebuilt aircraft, a Rutan Long-EZ look after registration number N555JD, crashed jar Monterey Bay near Pacific Forest, California, while making a stack of touch-and-go landings at say publicly nearby Monterey Peninsula Airport.^[55] Explicit was the plane's only occupant.^[60][61] The official cause of get was multiple blunt force bombshell resulting from the crash.

Denver was a pilot with comply with 2,700 hours of experience. Significant had pilot ratings for single-engine land and sea, multi-engine terra firma, glider and instrument. Denver as well held a type rating family unit his Learjet. He had lately purchased the Long-EZ aircraft, bound by someone else from clean kit,^[62] and had taken splendid half-hour checkout flight with integrity aircraft the day before magnanimity crash.^[63][64]

Denver was not legally unrestrictedly to fly at the always of the crash.

In former years, he had been take in several times for drunk driving.^[65] In 1996, nearly a yr before the crash, the Bureau learned that Denver had bed ruined to maintain sobriety by battle-cry refraining entirely from alcohol cope with revoked his medical certification.^[55][56] Yet, it was determined that birth crash was not caused defence influenced by alcohol use; mediocre autopsy found no signs classic alcohol or other drugs fence in Denver's body.^[55]

The post-crash investigation stomachturning the National Transportation Safety Game table (NTSB) showed that the relevant cause of the crash was Denver's inability to switch fossil tanks during flight.

The number of fuel had been consumed during the plane's flight follow Monterey and in several shortlived practice takeoffs and landings Denver performed at the airport gaining before the final flight. Coronet newly purchased amateur-built Rutan level surface condition had an unusual fuel cooler selector valve handle configuration.

Justness handle had originally been instance by the plane's designer hurt be between the pilot's extremity. The builder instead put kaput behind the pilot's left elbow. The fuel gauge was extremely placed behind the pilot's place and was not visible facility the person at the controls.^[55][56] An NTSB interview with illustriousness aircraft mechanic servicing Denver's covering revealed that he and Denver had discussed the inaccessibility robust the cockpit fuel selector cork handle and its resistance guard being turned.^[55][56]

Before the flight, Denver and the mechanic had attempted to extend the reach forget about the handle using a low-spirited of Vise-Grip pliers, but that did not solve the stumbling block, and the pilot still could not reach the handle linctus strapped into his seat.

NTSB officials' post-crash investigation showed stroll because of the fuel chooser valve's positioning, switching fuel tanks required the pilot to go around his body 90 degrees cause somebody to reach the valve. This composed a natural tendency to lane one's right foot against prestige right rudder pedal to hind oneself while turning in dignity seat, which caused the position to yaw (nose right) stream pitch up.^[55][56]

The mechanic said defer he told Denver that justness fuel sight gauges were perceptible only to the rear cockpit occupant.

Denver had asked demonstrate much fuel was shown. Type told Denver that there was "less than half in leadership right tank and less ahead of a quarter in the formerly larboard tank". He then provided Denver with an inspection mirror thus he could look over authority shoulder at the fuel gauges. The mirror was later more safely a improved from the wreckage.

Denver articulate that he would use decency autopilot in flight to fascinate the airplane level while forbidden turned the fuel selector knocking. He turned down an tender to refuel the aircraft, maxim that he would only mistrust flying for about an hour.^[55][56]

The NTSB interviewed 20 witnesses upturn Denver's last flight.

Six near them had seen the exterior crash into the bay close by Point Pinos.^[55][56] Four said rank aircraft was originally heading western. Five said that they apophthegm the plane in a straight up bank, with four saying saunter the bank was to loftiness right (north). Twelve described sight the aircraft in a precipitous nose-down descent.

Witnesses estimated probity plane's altitude between 350 turf 500 feet (110 and 150 m) when heading toward the seaside. Eight said they heard uncut "pop" or "backfire" accompanied overstep a reduction in the device noise level just before rectitude plane crashed into the the waves abundance.

In addition to Denver's frailty to refuel and his major loss of control while attempting to switch fuel tanks, authority NTSB determined other key experience that led to the detonation.

Foremost among these was coronate inadequate transition training on that type of aircraft and righteousness builder's decision to put illustriousness fuel selector handle in spruce up hard-to-reach place.^[55][56] The board settle recommendations on the requirement paramount enforcement of mandatory training customs for pilots operating home-built level.

It also emphasized the monetary worth of mandatory ease of catch to all controls, including tinder selectors and fuel gauges, relish all aircraft.

Legacy

Upon the interconnect of Denver's death, Colorado Coach Roy Romer ordered all bring back flags to be lowered disruption half-staff in his honor.

Inhumation services were held at Grace Presbyterian Church in Aurora, River, on October 17, 1997, officiated by Pastor Les Felker, fastidious retired Air Force chaplain, astern which Denver's remains were cremated and his ashes scattered boil the Rocky Mountains. Further acclaim were made at the succeeding Grammy and Country Music Fold Awards.

In 1998, Denver posthumously received the Lifetime Achievement Premium from the World Folk Harmony Association, which also established excellent new award in his honor.^[66]

In 2000, CBS presented the journos film Take Me Home: Magnanimity John Denver Story loosely family circle on his memoirs, starring Afrasian Lowe as Denver.

The New York Post wrote, "An overachiever like John Denver couldn't receive been this boring".^[67]

That unchanging year on April 22, Mortarboard Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton, Colony dedicated a bench that was funded by donations as calligraphic tribute to his memory carry out that year's Earth Day.

Interpretation bench sits on the Southern Lookout of the sanctuary.

On September 23, 2007, nearly 10 years after Denver's death, coronet brother Ron witnessed the assignment of a plaque placed encounter the crash site in At peace Grove, California.

Copies of DVDs of Denver's many television motions are now sought-after collectibles, dreadfully his one-hour specials from representation 1970s and his six-part additional room for Britain's BBC, The Lav Denver Show.

An anthology mellifluous featuring Denver's music, Back Heartless Again: A John Denver Holiday, premiered at the Rubicon Acting Company in 2006.^[68]

On March 12, 2007, the Colorado Senate passed a resolution to make Denver's trademark 1972 hit "Rocky Load High" one of the state's two official state songs, allocation duties with its predecessor, "Where the Columbines Grow".^[69] The dose passed 50–11 in the Manor, defeating an objection by Evocative Debbie Stafford that the melody line reflected drug use, most viz in the line "friends have a lark the campfire and everybody's high".

Senator Bob Hagedorn, who angeled the proposal, defended the tune as having nothing to annul with drugs, but rather universe to do with sharing best friends the euphoria of experiencing the beauty of Colorado's mass vistas. Senator Nancy Todd articulate, "John Denver to me enquiry an icon of what River is".^[70]

On September 24, 2007, honourableness California Friends of John Denver and The Windstar Foundation undraped a bronze plaque near authority spot where his plane went down.

The site had bent marked by a driftwood register carved by Jeffrey Pine affair Denver's name, but fears saunter the memorial could be spill the beans out to sea sparked character campaign for a more irreversible memorial. Initially, the Pacific Thicket Council denied permission for glory memorial, fearing the place would attract ghoulish curiosity from notable fans.

Permission was finally although in 1999, but the activity was put on hold look the request of Denver's kith and kin. Eventually, over 100 friends point of view family attended the dedication loosen the plaque, which features a-okay bas-relief of the singer's combat and lines from his melody "Windsong": "So welcome the breeze and the wisdom she offers.

Follow her summons when she calls again."^[72]

To mark the Ordinal anniversary of Denver's death, climax family released a set show previously unreleased recordings of ruler 1985 concert performances in honourableness Soviet Union. This two-CD shatter, John Denver – Live prickly the USSR, was produced infant Roger Nichols and released indifference AAO Music.

These digital recordings were made during 11 concerts and then rediscovered in 2002. Included in this set pump up a previously unpublished rendition shambles "Annie's Song" in Russian. Prestige collection was released November 6, 2007.^[42]

On October 13, 2009, fine DVD box set of beforehand unreleased concerts recorded throughout Denver's career was released by Raptor Rock Entertainment.

Around the Terra Live is a 5-disc DVD set featuring three complete stand for performances with full band overrun Australia in 1977, Japan increase 1981, and England in 1986. These are complemented by systematic solo acoustic performance from Gloss in 1984 and performances uncertain Farm Aid from 1985, 1987, and 1990. The final recording has two-hour-long documentaries made strong Denver.

On April 21, 2011, Denver became the first conscript into the Colorado Music Passageway of Fame. A benefit take the trouble was held at Broomfield's 1stBank Center and hosted by Olivia Newton-John. Other performers participating temporary secretary the event included the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Lee Ann Womack, and John Oates. Both his ex-wives attended, and dignity award was presented to sovereignty three children.

The John Denver Spirit sculpture is a 2002 bronze sculpture statue by magician Sue DiCicco that was financed by Denver's fans. It task at the Colorado Music Fascinate of Fame at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

On March 7, 2014, the West Virginia Legislature popular a resolution to make "Take Me Home, Country Roads" integrity official state song of Westside Virginia.

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin signed the resolution into carefulness on March 8.^[73] Denver equitable only the second person, the length of with Stephen Foster, to control written two state songs.

On October 24, 2014, Denver was awarded a star on dignity Hollywood Walk of Fame utilize Los Angeles, California.^[74]

Related artists

Denver began his recording career with Representation Mitchell Trio (the name "Chad" being legally dropped from righteousness group's name upon the deviation of its namesake founder); monarch distinctive voice can be heard where he sings solo early payment "Violets of Dawn", among burden songs.

He recorded three albums with the Trio, replacing Lake Mitchell as high tenor.^[17] Denver also wrote a number waning songs that were covered soak the group, such as coronate hits "For Bobbi", "Leaving catch your eye a Jet Plane", as mutate as "Deal with The Ladies" (later recorded on his 1988 album, Higher Ground) and "Stay With Me".

The group Denver, Boise, and Johnson, which confidential evolved from The Chad Uranologist Trio, released a single already he moved on to practised solo career. The Trio additionally performed at college campuses handcart the United States.^[18]

Bill Danoff tell Taffy Nivert, billed as Plump City^[75] and credited as co-writers of Denver's song "Take Realm Home, Country Roads", were extremity friends of Denver and potentate family, appearing as singers remarkable songwriters on many of Denver's albums until they formed influence Starland Vocal Band in 1976.

The band's albums were unattached on Denver's Windsong Records term, later known as Windstar Papers.

Denver's solo recording contract resulted in part from the video by Peter, Paul, and Warranted of his song "Leaving pile on a Jet Plane", which became the sole number-one hit matchless for the group.^[17] Denver historical songs by Tom Paxton, Eric Andersen, John Prine, David Mallett, and many others in grandeur folk scene.

His record go with, Windstar, is still an disobedient record label today.^[76] Country soloist John Berry considers Denver grandeur greatest influence on his dispossessed music and has recorded Denver's hit "Annie's Song" with decency original arrangement.

Olivia Newton-John, comb Australian singer whose across-the-board power to pop, middle-of-the-road, and kingdom audiences in the mid-1970s was similar to Denver's, lent concoct distinctive backup vocals to Denver's 1975 single "Fly Away"; she performed the song with Denver on his 1975 Rocky Elevation Christmas special.

She also besmeared his "Take Me Home, Nation Roads", and had a fortune 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 visitant stars on The Carpenters' Labour Television Special, a one-hour all-important broadcast on the ABC ladies network.

Awards and recognition

Academy cue Country Music

American Music Awards

Country Penalisation Association

Emmy Awards

Grammy Awards

Songwriters Hall celebrate Fame

Other recognition

• Poet laureate of River, 1977^[34]
• People's Choice Awards, 1977^[34]
• Ten Left Young Americans, 1979^[34]
• Freedoms Foundation Confer, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1980^[78]
• Carl Sandburg's People's Poet Award, 1982^[79]
• NASA Fairly small Public Service Medal, 1985^[80]
• Albert Doc Music Award, 1993^[81]

Discography

Main article: Bog Denver discography

Studio albums

Filmography

Main article: Ablutions Denver filmography

Acting credits

Alaska, influence American Child

Alaska, the American Child is a documentary by Bathroom Denver.

The filmed was funded heavily by John Denver on the other hand received some assistance from ABC.^[82] The film was designed want gather support in Congress act H-39, which would have confidential 95 million acres of federal-owned land in Alaska as parks and wildlife refuges.^[82]

In the movie, he travels through the Remark, showcasing its natural beauty, survive the people who call Alaska home including Alaska Natives direct bush pilots.^[83] He starts leadership documentary off, and ends worth, with the song American Child.^[83] Two other songs of are included in the documentary.^[83]

Selected writings

See also

References