Monday, October 13, 1997, marked a somber day for music lovers worldwide as news broke of John Denver’s tragic passing. For many, especially those in his beloved Colorado, it felt like losing a dear friend, even if they had never personally met him. Twenty-five years have passed since the plane crash that claimed his life off the coast of Monterey, California, yet the magic and wonder John Denver brought to the world through his music continue to resonate deeply. As a website dedicated to exploring the payoffs of song, we delve into the enduring appeal of John Denver songs and why his music remains relevant today.
The Centennial State mourned collectively, a dark cloud mirroring the shared grief. News broadcasts replayed images of John Denver in his element, radiating passion and vitality, while his timeless songs, anthems of innocence, simplicity, and harmony with nature, filled the airwaves once more. His public funeral was a testament to his profound impact and his family’s generosity, allowing countless fans to pay their respects. Mourners lined up at Faith Presbyterian Church in Aurora, united in quiet sorrow. As the morning chill yielded to sunlight, the poignant melody of “Sunshine On My Shoulders” drifted from the church, a bittersweet soundtrack to the day.
During the service, a captivating photograph of Denver emerged – a denim-clad figure in the mountains, cradling a blue guitar that echoed the Colorado sky. It was the cover of his autobiography, Take Me Home. The lyrics of “The Wings That Fly Us Home,” a song penned about his father’s death, eerily foreshadowed his own fate:
“Yesterday I had a dream about dying,
about laying awake and then flying,
how the moment at hand is the only thing we really own.
And I lay in my bed and I wonder,
after all that is said and is done for,
why is it thus, we are here and so soon we are gone.”
Tom Crum, friend and co-founder of Denver’s Windstar Foundation, offered words that echoed the sentiments of many. “I hate that John died,” Crum said, “But I am so glad that he lived.” While a light seemed extinguished that day, Crum’s words, particularly a line from “The Wings That Fly Us Home”—”Though the singer is silent, there still is the truth of his song”—offered solace and rekindled Denver’s enduring light. Even after 25 years of silence, the truth of John Denver songs persists.
The enduring legacy of any artist lies in their creative output. The ability to transform inspiration into tangible reality, art that transcends fleeting earthly existence, is a rare gift. But this magic isn’t effortless. It requires courage and countless risks. John Denver embodied this spirit. His ascent to musical stardom wasn’t inherited; it was earned through perseverance. He left college, moved to Los Angeles to chase his musical dreams, faced disapproval from his Air Force father, and endured the breakup of his group, The Mitchell Trio. Undeterred, he doubled down on his solo career. Driven by an unwavering passion to write songs reflecting his core values of love, nature, and family, his passion became his purpose, enriching countless lives. By staying true to his heart, John Denver touched the hearts of millions.
July 21, 1972, marked a pivotal moment. A 29-year-old John Denver returned to Colorado to perform at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre for the first of seventeen appearances. That night witnessed the debut of “Rocky Mountain High,” a love song to Colorado that resonated instantly, becoming an anthem for the Colorado lifestyle and captivating the world. This performance cemented his trajectory, not just for John Denver himself, but for music history, and, years later, for countless individuals who would discover his timeless sound.
The hallmark of true timelessness is discovery by generations removed from the artist’s lifetime. Like an archaeologist unearthing ancient treasures, new audiences continually find and appreciate the wonder of enduring art. Stripped of context and fame, only the creation remains, judged anew by fresh perspectives, and if worthy, it achieves immortality.
This was the experience of accidental discovery for many with John Denver’s music. As an 18-year-old preparing for a summer as a camp counselor in the mountains, a dusty cassette tape of John Denver’s Greatest Hits, belonging to a parent, surfaced. Faintly recalling the chorus of “Rocky Mountain High” and the word “Colorado,” it seemed fitting music for the journey. Despite being a Colorado native, the true magic of the mountains was a recent revelation. As John Denver sang, newfound truths resonated deeply. His lyrics affirmed emerging values and self-discovery: “He was born in the summer of his 27th year, coming home to a place he’d never been before. He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again, you might say he found the key for every door.”
For decades, John Denver’s music has served as a soundtrack for countless journeys of self-discovery, inspired by the wisdom of nature. He provided poetry for life’s paths, a constant companion in moments of solitude and reflection. But John Denver’s artistry extended beyond mountain celebrations; his music also delved into the depths of human emotion. His melancholic and deeply personal ballads, like “Like a Sad Song,” “Fly Away,” “Seasons of the Heart,” and “Whispering Jesse,” explored themes of struggle and loss. His personal life, marked by divorces, personal struggles, and the pressures of fame, mirrored the vulnerability expressed in his music. He also became a vocal advocate for environmental causes, lamenting the destruction of the natural world he so deeply cherished.
In a rapidly changing Colorado, it’s easy to feel a sense of loss for the landscapes John Denver immortalized in song. Since 1973, the population of both Denver and Colorado has more than doubled. The pressures of growth are palpable – congested highways, overbooked campsites, and crowded trails. Yet, the mountains, both past and future, endure. John Denver, ever the optimist, would undoubtedly find inspiration in the resilience of nature. The splendor of a Colorado autumn, with its golden aspens and sapphire skies, still rewards those who seek its beauty. Similarly, the rewards are plentiful for those who discover, or rediscover, the timeless beauty of John Denver songs.
In October, a visit to Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the site of so many iconic John Denver performances, led to the Colorado Music Hall of Fame museum, where Denver was the inaugural inductee. Steps from the legendary Stage Rock stands a statue of the songwriter, a gift from the Windstar Foundation. The statue, titled “Spirit,” depicts Denver holding his guitar, its strap bearing the word “peace,” a majestic eagle perched on his arm. The bronze feathers of the eagle reach skyward, mirroring the angular sandstone formations of the amphitheatre. Art and nature blend seamlessly, blurring the lines between statue and mountain. “Spirit” acts as a bridge, connecting earthly existence with aspirations. With feet grounded and eyes raised, John Denver, in statue and song, links our lives to our dreams, reminding us they are intertwined. Gazing at this tribute, it becomes clear that in a turbulent world, John Denver’s words and voice are needed more than ever. The song played at his funeral echoes: “Though the singer is silent, there still is the truth of his song.”
Twenty-five years after his passing, it is time for a rediscovery of John Denver and the truth of his songs. His simple, soulful music offers solace to a world in need of peace, reminding us of our shared humanity, inspiring us to cherish the natural world, and encouraging us to strive to become our best selves. “I hate that John died. But I am so glad that he lived.”
“It’s in every one of us to be wise.
Find your heart, open up both your eyes.
We can all know everything without ever knowing why.
It’s in every one of us, by and by.”
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- “It’s In Every One of Us” by John Denver
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