John Denver
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John Denver is surely one of the world's best-known performer. His music outlasted countless musical trends, not to mention the fact that he garnered many music awards.
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About
Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. in real life, John Denver was born on December 31, 1943 in Roswell, New Mexico, USA. He is the son of U.S. Air Force officer and his musical journey after his family mover to Tucson, where at age eleven his grandmother gave him a guitar. He eventually took guitar lessons until age 20, while at the same time joining a boy's choir. And then he decided to take matters into his own hand and follow his musical dreams.
In 1960's, he begab his career as an aspiring folk musicians in Loa Angeles. His friends suggested of changing his name to John Sommerville but he eventually took his screen name from the beautiful Rocky Mountain city in the state that he called his home.
John's first break came when he was chosen out of the 250 aspiring singers as one of the lead singer for the popular group Mitchell Trio. For two years, John developed his musical talent and he finally mastered his own song writing style. He soon gained the much deserved recognition when the song Leaving on A Jet Plane was recorded by Peter, Paul, and Mary, and became their first number one hit.
In less than two years, John soon was producing hit songs like " Take Me Home Country Road", "Annie's Song", "Sunshine on My Shoulder", "Thank God I am a Country Boy", "Calypso", "Back Home Again", and more, making him one of the best musician of the decade.
John continues to create great songs that hit the charts up until the early 1990's but tragedy struck on October 12, 1997, when his experimental aircraft suddenly crashed, killing him instantly. He died at age 53.
Awards & Certifications
Recording Awards ASCAP Top Hits 1969 – Leaving On A Jetplane
1971 – Follow Me, Take Me Home, Country Roads
1973 – Rocky Mountain high
1974 – Back Home Again
1975 – Calypso, Fly Away, I’m Sorry, Thank God I’m A Country Boy
1976 – Looking For Space
1977 – Baby You Look Good To Me Tonight
1978 – How can I Leave You Again
1981 – Take Me Home Country Roads (re-release)
Platinum Albums (1 Million Sold):
Back Home Again
Poems, Prayers and Promises
Rocky Mountain High
John Denver’s Greatest Hits
An Evening With John Denver
A Christmas Together (John Denver and the Muppets)
I Want To Live
Spirit
Music and Writing Awards
1974 Cashbox’s #1 Album seller, #1 Artist ASCAP Award for Top Album of the Year
1974/75 Record World’s Top Male Recording Artist
1975 ABC’s Bi-centennial Music Award for Top Male Vocalist by the National Press Finalist in 5 categories for Country Music Awards Country Music Song of the Year (Back Home Again) People’s Choice Award’s Favorite Musical Performer AGVA Singing Star of the Year
1977 People’s Choice Award 1977 Poet Laureate of Colorado 1982 Carl Sandburg’s People’s Poet Award 1993 Albert Schweitzer Music Award 1996 Induction into Songwriter’s Hall of Fame
Chart Toppers
| Year | Title | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Friends With You | # 47 US |
| 1972 | Everyday | # 81 US |
| 1975 | Thank God I'am A Country Boy | # 2 US |
| 1972 | Goodbye Again | # 88 US |
| 1973 | Rocky Mountain High | # 9 US |
| 1974 | Sunshine on My Shoulders | # 1 US |
| 1974 | Annie's Song | # 2 US |
| 1975 | Calypso/I'm Sorry | # 1 US |
Discography
Albums
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Singles
| Date | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Take Me Home COuntry Road | RCA |
| 1973 | Rocky Mountain High | RCA |
| 1974 | Sunshine On My Shoulder, Annie's Song, Back Home Again, Sweet Surrender | RCA |
| 1975 | Thank God I'm A Country Boy, I'm Sorry, Calypso, Fly Away | RCA |
| 1976 | Looking for a Space, Like A Sad Song | RCA |
| 1977 | My Sweet Lady | RCA |
| 1981 | Some Days Are Diamond | RCA |
| 1982 | Shanghai Breezes | RCA |
