A future hitmaker and folk-singing icon is nearly unrecognizable in his yearbook photos from the early 1960s. The singer played football in high school, despite struggling to fit into the athletic mold, and later found his niche in folk music and acting. He dropped out of college in the mid-1960s to move to Los Angeles and pursue a career in music, despite the initial disapproval of his father, a decorated military pilot. This young man was born to be a star, standing out thanks to his wholesome, boy-next-door looks, sandy-blond hair, and wire-rimmed glasses, which gave him an intellectual yet down-to-earth aura.
Early Success and Breakthrough
His first major success came when Peter, Paul and Mary recorded a song he had written, which became a hit for the folk trio in 1969. The music star's own breakthrough as a singer occurred in 1971 when he released a folk-country anthem about nostalgia and the yearning for a place called home. By the late 1970s, he had branched out into acting and scored a leading role opposite the cigar-chomping comedian George Burns in a hit film. Can you guess who he is? The future music icon is John Denver.
Denver's Biggest Hits
Denver's biggest hits spanned the 1970s and 1980s and included 'Take Me Home, Country Roads,' 'Annie's Song,' 'Rocky Mountain High,' 'Sunshine On My Shoulders,' 'Thank God I'm A Country Boy,' and 'I'm Sorry.' He famously starred with George Burns, then in his early 80s, in 'Oh, God!', which was a critical and box office smash when it was released in 1977.
Tragic End
Denver's life tragically came to an end in October 1997 when the experimental single-engine aircraft he was piloting crashed into Monterey Bay, near Pacific Grove, California. He was 53. Denver, the eldest of two sons, was born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. in 1943 in Roswell, New Mexico. His father was a US military pilot, so the family moved around frequently, which Denver later said made him feel as if he never belonged in any particular place, though he found solace through music.
High School Years
The shy, introverted teenager may have been a member of the football team at Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth, Texas, posing with his teammates in rugged gear as seen in old yearbook photos, but he preferred playing the guitar over sports, to his father's chagrin. At 20, Denver dropped out of Texas Tech University in his junior year and moved to Los Angeles to be part of its bustling music scene. On the advice of friends, he changed his name to John Denver, taking his surname from the capital city of his favorite state, Colorado.
Rise to Fame
Denver gained fame when his song 'Leaving On A Jet Plane' was recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary, becoming the group's first and only number-one hit. Soon, Denver was recognized as a chart-climbing solo artist, and he used his talent to benefit environmental and charitable causes. Though often labeled a country music artist, Denver's music blended folk, pop, and country into something uniquely his own.
International Impact
In 1985, Denver was invited by the Soviet Union of Composers to perform in the former USSR. The experience inspired the song 'Let Us Begin (What Are We Making Weapons For?).' 'Music does bring people together. It allows us to experience the same emotions. People everywhere are the same in heart and spirit. No matter what language we speak, what color we are, the form of our politics or the expression of our love and our faith, music proves we are the same,' Denver said, according to one biographer. The success of the USSR trip led to a subsequent concert tour of the Soviet Union in 1986. In October 1992, Denver became the first Western singer to tour Mainland China, where his song 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' was said to be the most popular imported US song.
Acting Career
Denver was considered a charming natural-born actor. His television acting credits include 'The Christmas Gift' (1986), 'The Leftovers' (1986), 'Foxfire' (1987), and 'Higher Ground' (1988). He also starred in 'Walking Thunder' (1997), a survival-adventure film set in the Utah mountains. Included in the mix were television guest appearances and specials, including 'John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together' (1979) and 'Rocky Mountain Holiday with John Denver and the Muppets' (1983).
Personal Life
Denver was married and divorced twice. His first wife, Annie Martel, inspired his song 'Annie’s Song.' They were married from 1967 to 1982 and adopted two children: Zachary and Anna Kate. He was married to his second wife, Cassandra Delaney, with whom he shared one daughter, Jesse Belle, from 1988 to 1993. Denver’s autobiography, 'Take Me Home,' was published in 1994, three years before his tragic death.
