John Denver, Under Rated, Big ?

[David A]

I recently was given a gift, a two CD set, A Evening With John Denver from 1973

What amazes me, is that I am a fan of his, but his music is so damn beautiful and he talks so passionate, kind of like Lindsey but with less deep words, LOL

my question is, to some of the more experiences ledgies, why doesnt this guy get his props these days ? I mean, is he not in the HOF or a Life Time award or something, I think the album I have was like #1, was he really big back in the day and how does his music stand up today?

I just find his music comforting and even when he speaks, he just seems to make you smile

maybe its just me or the album is that good, etc. But, John Denver is pretty darn good

Thoughts anyone ?

[WildHearted]

I love John Denver. His music is some of the most beautiful there is to me, between his voice and his lyrics and his very melodic arrangements. I wasn't alive when he was big, actually I was barely alive when he was alive at all, so I can't really speak to why he's not more revered. If I had to guess, it'd be that the general nature of his songs was a little too mushy/flowery for "serious" musicians to admit to liking or some such nonsense... Also, I think he had some DUI-related something or the others back in the day, but again, I wasn't around, so I don't truly know how much (if at all) that affected the public's perception of him. I'm just guessing.

[Macfanforever]

I love John Denver and his music.Beautiful song writer.great actor.Yes he was very underrated .I love his TV specials and movie rolls he played like Oh God with the late great George Burns plus his Muppet's appearances.

John was one of the artists that sold me to country music along with Olivia Newton-John,Dolly Parton,Johnny Cash,George Jones,Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty ,Loretta Lynn and her sister Crystal Gayle and a long list of other true country music greats at the time .

Far out .Heres some great video memories of John.









I vividly remember watching this 1975 Christmas special on my 19 black and white bedroom TV. Yes I said black and white.




special from 1974

[HelloMonster]

My boyfriend and I LOVE John Denver. We went to Aspen every year for John Denver week for the past 4 years. We'll just go and sit in his memorial park in downtown Aspen, play among the HUGE granite boulders with his lyrics carved in them and jump on rock to cross the stream that goes through the newly added part. We used to go to his Windstar Conservatory, where the big copper statue of him used to be, when we went to Aspen, too. But Windstar was recently sold, and the statue was moved to Denver. We tried to go to Starwood where he used to live, but that neighborhood is super locked down. Only the richest live there . I've been to the memorial plaque in Pacific Grove where his plane went down.

My boyfriend also has the entire first verse of Poems, Prayers and Promises on his ribcage. We're big fans. And yes, he is extremely underrated. His music has a very spiritual feel to it, it "speaks" to my soul. When I write my will, I will make sure Windsong is played at my funeral.

I've often wondered what it would be like if Lindsey covered This Old Guitar...

[nicole21290]

My Mum's a huge fan so I grew up listening to a fair number of his records. Gorgeous voice and melodies.

Speaking of fans, seeing as it's a FM forum, I've always found this story from Cory Buckingham's tour diary incredibly endearing...

Melbourne, February 25 2004

"As the band was all heading back to the dressing rooms after the last show, Stevie was singing 'Take Me Home Country Roads'. Which isn't weird in itself, she often bursts in to song for seemingly no reason. But it was cute, mid-verse she couldn't remember the words, so Lindsey filled them in for her. She proceeded to stroll along singing while Lindsey hummed in the background."

[HelloMonster]

Originally Posted by nicole21290

My Mum's a huge fan so I grew up listening to a fair number of his records. Gorgeous voice and melodies.

Speaking of fans, seeing as it's a FM forum, I've always found this story from Cory Buckingham's tour diary incredibly endearing...

Melbourne, February 25 2004

"As the band was all heading back to the dressing rooms after the last show, Stevie was singing 'Take Me Home Country Roads'. Which isn't weird in itself, she often bursts in to song for seemingly no reason. But it was cute, mid-verse she couldn't remember the words, so Lindsey filled them in for her. She proceeded to stroll along singing while Lindsey hummed in the background."

Aw that makes me happy. I haven't read the tour diary before. Maybe I should

[nicole21290]

Originally Posted by HelloMonster

Aw that makes me happy. I haven't read the tour diary before. Maybe I should

Oh, definitely! Cory did a great job. They're included here if you're interested: http://www.fleetwoodmac-uk.com/fanclub/tour-report.htm

[HelloMonster]

Originally Posted by nicole21290

Oh, definitely! Cory did a great job. They're included here if you're interested: http://www.fleetwoodmac-uk.com/fanclub/tour-report.htm

Thank you! Will read ASAP

[elle]

Originally Posted by nicole21290

Oh, definitely! Cory did a great job. They're included here if you're interested: http://www.fleetwoodmac-uk.com/fanclub/tour-report.htm

i love these. haven't read them in a while, and was surprised now when i skimmed through, how much she uses the phrase "on with the show".

[priestofnothing]

My mother was a big John Denver fan in the 70's. I know most all of his songs as a result of hearing them many many times when I was young. He has written many beautiful songs. I have about a dozen or so of his songs on my phone/ipod on a playlist called "Mom" that I listen to when I am missing her. Annie's Song is probably my favorite.

[Macfanforever]

I love this song and still do.



I remember my friends bugging me about why am I listening to wimpy music as they enjoy LED Zep,Kiss,Jethro Tull and other classic rockers at the time.

I cant recall what I told them but I probably told them that I enjoyed mellow music.

[Macfanforever]

Originally Posted by nicole21290

My Mum's a huge fan so I grew up listening to a fair number of his records. Gorgeous voice and melodies.

Speaking of fans, seeing as it's a FM forum, I've always found this story from Cory Buckingham's tour diary incredibly endearing...

Melbourne, February 25 2004

"As the band was all heading back to the dressing rooms after the last show, Stevie was singing 'Take Me Home Country Roads'. Which isn't weird in itself, she often bursts in to song for seemingly no reason. But it was cute, mid-verse she couldn't remember the words, so Lindsey filled them in for her. She proceeded to stroll along singing while Lindsey hummed in the background."

I would love to hear Stevie/Lindsey cover Country Roads.I love that song.




The song writing team of Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert that worked with John on this tune was part of the Starland Vocal Band of Afternoon Delight fame .

[becca]

Denver was everywhere in the '70s to the point there was a backlash, sort of along the lines of what happened to the Bee Gees later. He started out in the overly earnest '60s folkie scene with the Chad Mitchell Trio and had his first big moment when Peter Paul & Mary covered his leaving On A Jet Plane. His closest parallel career-wise would be Glen Campbell who was also hugely successful with a lot of cross-over, but only if you include songwriter Jimmy Webb, Denver was like those two combined in one person! People who like his songwriting might also want to investigate Gordon Lightfoot and Gene Clark. I love some of his later songs about Alaska, he really captured some feelings of the country and lives up there. I've never been to West Virginia but those lines about 'miner's lady, stranger to blue water' on Take Me Home Country Roads are similarly evocative to me.

Bill and Taffy recorded some good albums of their own in the '70s both as Bill & Taffy Danoff and as Fat City. Stevie Nicks reminded a lot of people of Taffy circa Rumours to the point where some probably thought they were the same person (Nicks seeming to have come from nowhere for many).

John Denver = White Soul?

P.S.: Just had the three Bill & Taffy LPs I have out recently and enjoyed Welcome To Fat City (1971) the most, great songwriting!

[Macfanforever]

I had Johns tunes looping around in my head for about a week .I guess it give Stevie and FM a break.LOL...

[Macfanforever]

Originally Posted by becca

Denver was everywhere in the '70s to the point there was a backlash, sort of along the lines of what happened to the Bee Gees later. He started out in the overly earnest '60s folkie scene with the Chad Mitchell Trio and had his first big moment when Peter Paul & Mary covered his leaving On A Jet Plane. His closest parallel career-wise would be Glen Campbell who was also hugely successful with a lot of cross-over, but only if you include songwriter Jimmy Webb, Denver was like those two combined in one person! People who like his songwriting might also want to investigate Gordon Lightfoot and Gene Clark. I love some of his later songs about Alaska, he really captured some feelings of the country and lives up there. I've never been to West Virginia but those lines about 'miner's lady, stranger to blue water' on Take Me Home Country Roads are similarly evocative to me.

Bill and Taffy recorded some good albums of their own in the '70s both as Bill & Taffy Danoff and as Fat City. Stevie Nicks reminded a lot of people of Taffy circa Rumours to the point where some probably thought they were the same person (Nicks seeming to have come from nowhere for many).

John Denver = White Soul?

P.S.: Just had the three Bill & Taffy LPs I have out recently and enjoyed Welcome To Fat City (1971) the most, great songwriting!

Yes I agree.I'm a fan of folk music.I think if Stevie and Lindsey would of takin pop, folk, pop country route if the FM thing did not happen.Yes Bill & Taffy are great song writers too.



I would still love to hear Stevie and Lindsey cover "Take Me Home Country Roads".