Today (October 12) marks 23 years’ remembrance of the death in a plane crash of American singer-songwriter, record producer, actor, activist, and humanitarian; John Denver who recorded and released about 300 songs, 200 of which he composed.
His music genre is a mix of folk, folk rock, pop, Western, country and soft rock that he delivers straight to the soul – conjuring nostalgic feelings, joy of nature, love and enthusiasm.
He had 33 albums and singles that were certified Gold and Platinum in the U.S. by RIAA certification, with estimated sales of more than 33 million copies.
He recorded and performed primarily with an acoustic guitar and sang about his joy in nature, his disdain for city life, his enthusiasm for music, and his relationship trials.
Denver’s music appeared on a variety of charts, including country music, the Billboard Hot 100, and adult contemporary, in all, earning 12 gold and four platinum albums with his signature songs “Take Me Home, Country Roads“, “Annie’s Song“, “Rocky Mountain High“, “Calypso“, “Thank God I’m a Country Boy“, and “Sunshine on My Shoulders“.
As a testimony of his fame in music, he was awarded many laurels, including: Academy of Country Music, American Music Award, Country Music Association, Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, and was inducted to ‘Song Writers Hall of Fame in 1996’.
After traveling and living in numerous locations while growing up in his military family, Denver began his music career with folk music groups during the late 1960s. Starting in the 1970s, he was one of the most popular acoustic artists of the decade and one of its best-selling artists. By 1974, he was one of America’s best-selling performers, and AllMusic has described Denver as “among the most beloved entertainers of his era”.
Denver appeared in several films and television specials during the 1970s and 1980s. He continued to record in the 1990s, also focusing on environmental issues by lending vocal support to space exploration and testifying in front of Congress in protest against censorship in music. He lived in Aspen for much of his life where he was known for his love of Colorado.
In 1974, Denver was named poet laureate of the state. The Colorado state legislature also adopted “Rocky Mountain High” as one of its two state songs in 2007.
An avid pilot, Denver died at the age of 53 in a single-fatality crash while piloting his recently purchased light plane.
Among his most loved music tracks are: Take Me Home, Country Roads; Leaving on a Jet Plane; Rocky Mountain High; Sunshine on My Shoulders; Annie’s Song and Thank God I’m a Country Boy.
As we pray for continued repose of his soul, we present to you our two pick of Denver’s famous music tracts: ‘Take Me Home, Country Home’ and ‘Sunshine on My Shoulders’.