In Defense of a Geezer's Taste in Music - John Denver
Published August 04, 2006
I was going to apologize for choosing John Denver as the subject of this article, mostly because a lot of “sophisticated” listeners sneer at his music. But then it occurred to me that (A) I was a little anxious about a couple of earlier articles too, wondering if the artist was going to meet with the approval of my readers, and that’s just wrong. One of the stated purposes of my blog is to show that geezers like all kinds of music, and on top of that, in a larger sense the whole singularity of blogging exists to allow everyone to speak to their own likes and dislikes. And (B) doggone it, I like most of his songs, and so do a lot of other people!
Besides, if he hadn’t been born an Air Force brat, which probably 
fueled his life-long love of flying and led to his premature death, he would by now have been a geezer right along with the rest of us. (Of course, you could say the same about Elvis, too. Can you imagine him as a geezer?)
Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. – who was born in New Mexico – changed his name to John Denver because of his love for that area (and because a name like his original one would have never fit on a marquee). He began performing in the early sixties and first hit success when he became a new member of the Chad Mitchell Trio, a veteran group but one that needed some life by that
time. They had some success after he joined but later disbanded and he resurfaced as a solo act.
He gradually built a career that covered a lot of area. He was a singer and songwriter of country music, folk music, pop music – take your pick. However you label his music, he was wildly popular and successful. He had huge record sales and successful concert tours, then expanded into TV appearances, and was also kept busy as an actor in a number of films. At the same time, he was deeply committed to many charitable causes, especially environmental issues.
As his life and career progressed, his popularity eventually waned (although 
he always had a solid fan base) and some personal problems surfaced, which just proved he was as human as the rest of us. It seemed especially poignant when he split from his wife Annie, the inspiration for one of his best songs, but the song still stands on its own and we’re featuring it below.
As his performing schedule slowed down, he found satisfaction in other areas, including his many selfless campaigns for worthy causes. But his lifelong love of flying eventually led to his tragic death in a crash of his experimental plane in 1997. He was 53.
Denver had countless hits, and they all have their fans – I’m particularly partial to some of his faster, thigh-slapping tunes (although I like to reserve my thigh for Mrs. Big Geez to slap) but I’ve chosen some slower songs to feature here.
Our first sample is the previously mentioned "Annie’s Song", followed by "Back Home Again". Both are from his album John Denver - Voice Of America.
The name of the album might be a very appropriate epitaph.
The Big Geez is a retiree who takes time off from trimming ear hair to write about music -- sometimes doing conventional reviews, but often just sharing his opinions about how something resonates with his memories and those of his generation. You can read more of his faux pearls of wisdom at the Geezer Music Club.
- In Defense of a Geezer's Taste in Music - John Denver
- Published: August 04, 2006
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Country and Americana, Music: Folk, Music: Popular and Standards, Music: Roots Rock
- Writer: Big Geez
- Big Geez's BC Writer page
- Big Geez's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
I remember, upon their first releases, Denver (with either "Country Roads" or "Rocky Mountain High") and also the Carpenters (with a cover of "Ticket to Ride") were played on the "cool" counter-culture non-mainstream LA FM stations KMET and KLOS before the programmers had second hipper-than-thou thoughts and relegated them to the other extreme.
Also, Grace Slick has always admitted to being a John Denver fan.
For me, John Denver's best work was on the Rocky Mountain High album. It started my love affair with acoustic guitar music, one that has extended into my adult life.
His Late Winter/Early Spring (When Everybody goes to Mexico) is beautiful, as is most of the album. I think most people who don't like his music are responding to the fact that his music was never critically praised. But everyone knows at least one John Denver song by heart, whether they know it or not.
God bless his memory.
His christmas album with the Muppetts is a holiday staple in my house.
I'm in my thirties and own several John Denver CDs. He sits alside the latest artists, classic rock and a lot of other things. My father introduced me to Denver's music as a young kid. Some may think his music dorky, but sometimes after a long day 'Annie's Song' or 'Rocky Mountain High' just sounds right.
You really shouldn't feel the need to make apologies for enjoying this mans voice or his music. I loved John. He was easy to love. He was one of the very few people I've ever met that when he asked you something, he listened to your answer...with interest. Never interrupting and never speaking until you were done.
I met John in Aspen and was blessed to be able to spend one whole evening with him. At that time, his ex-band member John Sommers was in the process of buying a small takeout restaurant from some Aspen friends of mine. John S was also just putting together a new band called Easy Pickins' and asked us all to join a table at Jake's Abbey to listen to them. We were pretty excited because we knew that Bobby Mason (another local musician) and Jimmy Ibbotson of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fame were also going to be there. How great was this to sit among people you admired? We had no idea!
So, evening arrived and everyone in the band was tuned and ready to go and from behind me I hear this familiar voice greeting everyone. John Denver. He asked if he could sit beside me.
I have to say this man was so pure of heart and so caring of everything happening both around him and around the world. He didn't play it up; he didn't name drop (though he certainly could have) and to this very day, that night is one of the most treasured in my life. That day was a diamond. We didn't just lose a musician when we lost him over Monterey Bay; we lost an ambassador that the world could sorely use today. That day was a stone.
He did so much more than just pay lip service to the issues he saw around him. He backed everything up with his time and money and made sure that the things he started weren't going to peter out with his (untimely) demise.
He told me something else that night while we were discussing songs. I had admitted to him that I wasn't fond of the tunes with a more country flavor and he said they were his Dad's songs. He had promised his father who was a lover of country music that he would do two songs on each ablum for him. I never quite disliked those songs after that. It was just another part of John giving something.
I've always loved John Denver and have NEVER apologized for it. In fact, I've passed along my love for his music to my children. You give kids a solid musical foundation and they'll grow up knowing what REAL music is.
Wow!! I applaud your blog about John Denver!
I have been a proud and loyal fan of his 33 years now and counting!
He is and always will be my favorite... performer/singer/songwriter/enviromentalist/humanatarian...
He gave so much of his time and beautiful music..to such needed and important causes....
I miss him terribly.. his concerts especially.. they were soo special!!.. memories i'll cherish forever..
Thanks again for posting your thoughts.. I enjoyed reading your blog...
Peace.. Kim Marie Pilon
I have been a massive John Denver fanatic since 1972.(34 years) In my opinion he has no equal. I make no apologies for my love of his music. I have been ridiculed for it.....But its their problem not mine. Far Out John. Thank you for Enriching my life. GBU. COLIN.(UK) [Personal contact info deleted] PEACE.
i like John Denver my dad said if i listen to him i would like it almost as much as i like Elton John
I applaud you. There is nothing wrong with loving John Denver's music. I understand we are all different, and not everybody will like the same kind of music. But at the same time I find it hard to understand and I feel sorry for those who are not able to feel and be touched by John Denver's beautiful music and voice, to feel a connection with nature and the beauty of life, love, friendship and family. Thank you for a wonderful article.
For another perspective of John Denver's music, get a listen to Jason & te Scorcher's version of "Country Roads" from their album A Blazing Grace.
It'll make you smile - one way or the other.
Very gratifying to get more comments on this, my first post on blogcritics. (Am now at 100+)
Thanks!
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Two things happened to me as I was reading your article. A. Annie's Song started playing in my head and now won't go away, and B. I had terrible flashbacks of my first lesbian love affair with a woman who looked just like John Denver.
Despite these adverse reactions to your article, I have to agree with you on many points. As a woman rapidly approaching geezer-hood, I think that geezers can be found to have very extensive and diverse tastes in music. I like just about everything from swing to drone, from opera to industrial.
Don't ever apologise for musical taste. If any music makes your moments more enjoyable, even if the musician looks like my ex-girlfriend, then thats all that matters.