The Life of John Denver

The most famous performer in the 70’s is John Denver, whom initially joined the Back Porch Majority, a nursery group for the renowned New Christy Minstrels. However, when he got tired of his role there, he decided to be part of the Chad Mitchell Trio, wherein he was recognized as a talented songwriter. Due to the disintegration of this group, Denver began his solo career in 1969.

Although his releases caught people’s attention, this singer really enjoyed popularity with “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” which was the beginning of a series of gold singles, as for example, the success of “Sunshine on My Shoulders” and “Annie’s Song". In 1974 and 1975, Denver appeared frequently on the country charts with the No. 1 hits “Back Home Again,” “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” and “I’m Sorry.”

In addition, he had a leading role in the 1977 hit comedy Oh, God! With George Burns and filmed a TV special, John Denver and the Muppets: A Rocky Mountain Holiday, in 1983. What seems interesting about this artist is his contribution to social causes such as ecology, wilderness protection, and world hunger and space exploration, instead of acting on stage. For him, it was more important to help to solve some of the world problems than making lots of money for himself.  Another of his dreams was to become an astronaut; that is why, he offered the Soviet space agency $10 million to be part of the Mir space station. He also reached two Top 10 country hits in the 1980s for “Some Days Are Diamonds (Some Days Are Stone)” and “Dreamland Express”. Denver together with Emmylou Harris sang on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s 1989 album Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Volume II.