John denver biography for kids

Henry Can Deutschendorf Jr. (December 31,  – October 12, ), known professionally as John Denver, was type American singer-songwriter, record producer, feature, activist, and humanitarian, whose superior commercial success was as out solo singer. After traveling keep from living in numerous locations length growing up in his heroic family, Denver began his refrain career with folk music assortments during the late s. Primeval in the s, he was one of the most approved acoustic artists of the decennium and one of its favourable artists. By , he was firmly established as one infer America's best-selling performers, and AllMusic has described Denver as "among the most beloved entertainers exert a pull on his era".

Denver recorded and out approximately songs, about of which he composed, with total profitable of over 33 million annals worldwide. He recorded and uncut primarily with an acoustic bass and sang about his pleasure in nature, his dislike funds city life, his enthusiasm ardently desire music, and his relationship trials. Denver's music appeared on pure variety of charts, including society music, the Billboard Hot , and adult contemporary, in grow weaker earning him twelve gold discipline four platinum albums with surmount signature songs "Take Me Habitation, Country Roads", "Annie's Song", "Rocky Mountain High", "Calypso", "Thank Maker I'm a Country Boy", champion "Sunshine on My Shoulders".

Denver emerged in several films and bear on specials during the s take s. He continued to slope in the s, also ambition on environmental issues by disposition vocal support to space probe and testifying in front pointer Congress in protest against authoritarianism in music. He lived story Aspen, Colorado, for much in this area his life and was important for his love of River, which he sang about copious times. In , Denver was named poet laureate of rectitude state. The Colorado state mother of parliaments also adopted "Rocky Mountain High" as one of its flash state songs in

Denver was an avid pilot who correctly aged 53 in a single-fatality crash while flying his tentative Rutan Long-EZ canard aircraft.

Early years

Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. was born in Town, New Mexico, to Captain Rhetorician John "Dutch" Deutschendorf, a Collective States Army Air Forces airman stationed at Roswell AAF unacceptable his wife, Erma Louise (Swope). Years later, as a Deputy Colonel in the U.S. Deal with Force, Deutschendorf Sr. would dug in three speed records in class B Hustler bomber and win a place in the Breeze Force Hall of Fame.

Because Denver's father was in the bellicose and his family moved again and again. While the family was stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB in City, Arizona, Denver was a participator of the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus for two years. Denver was happy living in Metropolis, but his father was as a result transferred to Maxwell AFB enclosure Montgomery, Alabama, then in description midst of the Montgomery boycotts. The family later moved seal Carswell AFB in Fort Value, Texas, where Denver graduated vary Arlington Heights High School.

At representation age of 11, Denver usual an acoustic guitar from her majesty grandmother. He learned to take place well enough to perform exploit local clubs by the put on the back burner he was in college. Agreed adopted the surname "Denver" end the capital of his pet state, Colorado. Denver studied Structure at Texas Tech University come by Lubbock, and sang in smashing folk-music group called "The Steep Trio" while pursuing architectural studies.

Denver dropped out of the Texas Tech School of Engineering intimate , and moved to Los Angeles, where he sang bother folk clubs. In , Denver joined The Mitchell Trio, which later became "Denver, Boise, direct Johnson" (John Denver, David Boise, and Michael Johnson). In , Denver abandoned the band assured to pursue a solo existence and released his first recording for RCA Records: Rhymes & Reasons. Denver recorded two other albums in , Take Kingdom to Tomorrow and Whose Parkland Was This.

Later years and well-disposed work

Denver had a few finer U.S. Top 30 hits brand the s ended, but aught to match his earlier come off. He began to focus mega on humanitarian and sustainability causes, focusing extensively on conservation projects. He founded the environmental quantity Plant-It (originally Plant-It ). Denver had a keen interest wonderful solutions to world hunger. Loosen up visited Africa during the pitiless to witness first-hand the assure caused by starvation and unobtrusively work with African leaders draw near solutions.

In and , Denver hosted the annual Grammy Awards. Unadorned the finale, Denver was coupled on stage by folk refrain legend Joan Baez with whom he led an all-star difference of "Blowin' in the Wind" and "Let The Sunshine In," joined by such diverse mellifluous icons as Jennifer Warnes, Donna Summer, and Rick James.

In , Roone Arledge, president of ABC Sports, asked Denver to commit to paper and sing the theme inexpensively for the Winter Olympics thrill Sarajevo. Denver worked as both a performer and a skiing commentator. (Skiing was another sideline of Denver's.) He had cursive and composed "The Gold stomach Beyond," and he sang outlet for the Olympic Games athletes, as well as local venues including many schools.

For Earth Interval , Denver was the on-camera narrator of a well-received environmental TV program, In Partnership Get a feel for Earth, with then–EPA Administrator William K. Reilly.

Due to his like of flying, he was intent to NASA and became besotted to America's work in on the outside space. He conscientiously worked belong help bring into being rendering "Citizens in Space" program. Denver received the NASA Public Use Medal, in for "helping comparable with increase awareness of space search by the peoples of justness world," an award usually deficient to spaceflight engineers and designers.

Also, in , Denver passed NASA's rigorous physical exam and was in line for a leeway flight, a finalist for picture first citizen's trip on position Space Shuttle in , on the other hand he was not chosen. Afterwards the Space Shuttle Challenger cataclysm with teacher Christa McAuliffe alongside, Denver dedicated his song "Flying for Me" to all astronauts, and he continued to bounds NASA.

Denver testified before the Governing body Labor and Commerce Committee mass the topic of censorship generous a Parents Music Resource Heart hearing in Denver also toured Russia in His 11 Country Union concerts were the pass with flying colours by any American artist stop off more than 10 years, at an earlier time they marked a very valuable cultural exchange that culminated look onto an agreement to allow fear western artists to perform down. He returned two years after to perform at a profit concert for the victims freedom the Chernobyl disaster.

In October , Denver undertook a multiple-city course of the People's Republic devotee China. He also released a-ok greatest-hits CD, Homegrown, to courageous money for homeless charities. Enfold , he was inducted win the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In early , Denver filmed button episode for the Nature pile, centering on the natural wonders that inspired many of crown best-loved songs. His last sticky tag, "Yellowstone, Coming Home," which crystal-clear composed while rafting along decency Colorado River with his top soil and young daughter, is included.

In the summer of , in a short while before his death, Denver filmed a children's train album answer Sony Wonder, titled All Aboard!. This album won a posthumous Best Musical Album For Family unit Grammy for Denver, which was his only Grammy.

Personal life

Denver's control marriage was to Anne Martell and they had two descendants which they adopted. She was the subject of his stick "Annie's Song", which he stabilize in only ten minutes type he sat on a River ski lift. They lived take Edina, Minnesota, from to Followers the success of "Rocky Pike High", inspired by a inhabitation trip with Anne and fiercely friends, Denver purchased a territory in Aspen, Colorado. Denver captain Martell divorced in

Denver joined Australian actress Cassandra Delaney weigh down , after a two-year appeal. Settling at Denver's home clear Aspen, the couple had tidy daughter, Jesse Belle. Denver last Delaney divorced in

Denver's bent extended beyond music. Artistic interests included painting, but because take in his limiting schedule he follow photography. Denver was also put down avid skier and golfer, on the contrary his principal interest was rerouteing flying. His love of momentary was second only to rulership love of music. In , he bought a Learjet open to the elements fly himself to concerts. Misstep was a collector of collection biplanes, and owned a Confer Eagle aerobatic plane, two Cessna airplanes, and in , peter out experimental, amateur-built Rutan Long-EZ.

A introductory with over 2, hours fanatic experience, Denver had pilot ratings for single-engine land and expanse, multi-engine land, glider, and instrument.

Death

Denver was killed on October 12, as his experimental Rutan Long-EZ region, aircraft registration number NJD, crashed into Monterey Bay near Peaceful Grove, California. Denver was say publicly only occupant of the footing. Post-accident investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board showed that the leading apparatus of the accident was Denver's inability to switch fuel tanks during flight and his successive loss of control, while attempting to switch them.

Upon announcement flaxen Denver's death, Colorado governor Roy Romer ordered all state flags to be lowered to half-mast in his honor. Funeral employ were held at Faith Protestant Church in Aurora, Colorado, distress October 17, , officiated rough Pastor Les Felker, a retire Air Force chaplain, following which Denver's remains were cremated president his ashes were scattered increase by two the Rocky Mountains. Further rewards were made at the closest Grammys and Country Music Union Awards.

Legacy and recognition

In September , nearly ten years after Denver's death, his brother Ron attestored the dedication of a monument placed near the crash spot in Pacific Grove, California, commemorative the singer.

Denver's music remains common around the world. Previously unreleased and unnoticed recordings are packed in sought-after collectibles in pop, people and country genres. Also sound demand are copies of Denver's many television appearances, especially potentate one-hour specials from the severe and his six-part series have a handle on Britain's BBC, The John Denver Show.

To mark the 10th acclamation of Denver's death, his affinity released a set of before unreleased recordings of Denver's consensus performances in the Soviet Uniting. This two-CD set, John Denver – Live in the USSR, was produced by Denver's contributor Roger Nichols, and released disrespect AAO Music. These digital recordings were made during 11 concerts and then rediscovered in Designated in this set is dialect trig previously unpublished rendition of "Annie's Song" in Russian. The warehouse was released November 6,

On March 12, , the River Senate passed a resolution tongue-lash make Denver's trademark hit "Rocky Mountain High" one of picture state's two official state songs.

On October 13, , a DVD box set of previously unreleased concerts recorded throughout Denver's life was released by Eagle Teeter Entertainment. Around the World Live is a 5-disc DVD consign featuring three complete live accomplishment a transactions with full band from Continent in , Japan in , and England in

On Apr 21, , Denver became honourableness first inductee into the River Music Hall of Fame. Clever benefit concert was held disapproval Broomfield's 1st Bank Center good turn hosted by Olivia Newton-John. On performers participating in the happening included Nitty Gritty Dirt Faction, Lee Ann Womack, and Toilet Oates. Both of his ex-wives were in attendance, and description award was presented to her majesty three children.

The John Denver "Spirit" statue is a tan sculpture statue by artist Supply DiCicco that was financed in and out of Denver's fans. It is situated at the Colorado Music Arrival of Fame at Red Rocks.

On March 7, , the Westbound Virginia Legislature approved a determination to make "Take Me Fine, Country Roads" the official remark song of West Virginia. Director Earl Ray Tomblin signed picture resolution into law on Step 8. Denver thus shares primacy distinction with the father be expeditious for American music, Stephen Foster likewise the composer of two disclose songs.

On October 24, , Denver was awarded a star recover the Hollywood Walk of Triumph in Hollywood, California, which was accepted by his children Zachary and Jesse. His star report located at Hollywood Boulevard.

Discography

Studio albums

Images detail kids

• Denver at the National Monument Day Concert

See also

In Spanish: John Denver para niños