John Denver: The Voice of Folk and Country Music
American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, activist, and humanitarian whose folk-pop music celebrated nature, love, and simple living.
Born in Roswell, New Mexico, Denver rose to fame in the 1970s with hits like 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' and 'Annie's Song'. His career spanned 25+ years, selling over 33 million records worldwide. An environmental activist, he co-founded the Windstar Foundation and advocated for space exploration. Died in a plane crash at age 53.
- Changed his surname from Deutschendorf to Denver early in his career, inspired by Colorado's capital city where he frequently performed.
- His marriage to Annie Martell (1967–1982) inspired 'Annie's Song', but ended in a bitter divorce where he forfeited most assets to avoid a custody battle over their children.
- Avid pilot who survived three prior crashes before his fatal accident in a homebuilt Rutan Long-EZ aircraft; toxicology reports showed traces of marijuana and antidepressants.
- Denied boarding a fatal 1989 United Airlines flight due to overbooking; the plane crashed killing all aboard, an event referenced in his song 'Albuquerque'.
- Posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (1996) and Colorado Music Hall of Fame (2011).
