John Denver

Biography

Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. (December 31, 1943 – October 12, 1997), known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer-songwriter, record producer, actor, activist, and humanitarian, whose greatest commercial success was as a solo singer. After traveling and living in numerous locations while growing up in his military family, Denver began his music career with folk music groups during the late 1960s. Starting in the 1970s, he was one of the most popular acoustic artists of the decade and one of its best-selling artists. By 1974, he was one of America's best-selling performers, and AllMusic has described Denver as "among the most beloved entertainers of his era". Denver recorded and released approximately 300 songs, about 200 of which he composed, with total sales of over 33 million records worldwide. He recorded and performed primarily with an acoustic guitar and sang about his joy in nature, his disdain for city life, his enthusiasm for music, and his relationship trials. Denver's music appeared on a variety of charts, including country music, the Billboard Hot 100, and adult contemporary, in all earning 12 gold and four platinum albums with his signature songs "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "Annie's Song", "Rocky Mountain High", "Calypso", "Thank God I'm a Country Boy", and "Sunshine on My Shoulders". Denver appeared in several films and television specials during the 1970s and 1980s. He continued to record in the 1990s, also focusing on environmental issues by lending vocal support to space exploration and testifying in front of Congress in protest against censorship in music. He lived in Aspen, Colorado for much of his life and was known for his love of Colorado, which he sang about numerous times. In 1974 Denver was named poet laureate of the state. The Colorado state legislature also adopted "Rocky Mountain High" as one of its two state songs in 2007. Denver was an avid pilot who died at the age of 53 in a single-fatality crash while flying his experimental Rutan Long-EZ canard aircraft.

Known For

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Mike Douglas Show

The Merv Griffin Show

Champs-Elysées

McCloud

Le Grand Échiquier

People's Choice Awards

All Movies (48)

• Rainbow Rider2024 · as Self (Archival)
• One-Hit Wonders at the BBC: Volume Two2024 · as Self (archive footage)
• John Denver: Country Boy2013 · as Himself (archive footage)
• Our Nixon2013 · as Self (archive footage)
• John Denver - The Best Of2011 · as Muzikant
• John Denver Rocky Mountain High An Earth Day Concert2011 · as Self (archive footage)
• John Denver - Around The World Live2009 · as Self
• John Denver - Thank God I'm A Country Boy Live In Australia 19772009 · as Self
• Transformation: The Life and Legacy of Werner Erhard2006 · as Self - est Graduate (archive footage)
• A Song's Best Friend - John Denver Remembered2005 · as Himself
• A Holiday with Friends2004 · as Self
• John Denver: Rocky Mountain High - Live in Japan2003 · as himself
• The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 12001 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter — Volume 22001 · as Self (archive footage)
• John Denver: The Wildlife Concert1995 · as Himself
• Walking Thunder1995 · as John McKay
• Montana Christmas Skies1991 · as Himself
• Aspen1991 · as Self
• The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson1990 · as Self
• John Denver's Christmas in Aspen1988 · as Self - Host
• Higher Ground1988 · as Jim Clayton
• Julie Andrews: The Sound of Christmas1987 · as Self
• Foxfire1987 · as Dillard Nations
• Chile: Hasta Cuando?1986 · as Self
• The Christmas Gift1986 · as George Billings
• The Leftovers1986 · as Max Sinclair
• The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years1986 · as Self (archive footage)
• Kraft Salutes the George Burns 90th Birthday Special1986 · as Self
• John Denver: Country Roads Live in England1986 · as Himself
• Jacques Cousteau: The First 75 Years1985 · as Self
• Rocky Mountain Holiday with John Denver and the Muppets1983 · as Self
• John Denver: Music and the Mountains1981 · as Self
• John Denver with His Special Guest George Burns: Two of a Kind1981
• John Denver: The Higher We Fly1980 · as Self
• John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together1979 · as Self
• The 3rd Barry Manilow Special1979 · as Himself
• Rocky Mountain Reunion1979 · as Self
• John Denver at Wembley Arena1979 · as Self
• Oh, God!1977 · as Jerry Landers
• Sinatra and Friends1977 · as Self - Singer
• Carpenters Very First Television Special1976 · as Self
• Rocky Mountain Christmas1975 · as Self
• An Evening with John Denver1975 · as Self
• Doris Day Today1975 · as Self
• The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 19731973 · as Self
• John Denver's Rocky Mountain High— · as Self
• John Denver: A Portrait— · as Self
• “Day of The Bighorn” or “Bighorn!”— · as Himself

All TV Shows (23)

• This Is Pop2021 · as Self (archive footage)
• Challenger: The Final Flight2020 · as Self - Musician (archive footage)
• Legends2006 · as Self (archive footage)
• Austin City Limits: Country2001
• Super-Chancen1988 · as John Denver
• Die verflixte 71984 · as Self
• Harty1983 · as Self
• Champs-Elysées1982 · as Self
• Solid Gold1980 · as Self
• The Muppet Show1976 · as Self - Special Guest Star
• Van Dyke and Company1975 · as Self
• People's Choice Awards1975 · as Self - Host
• The Midnight Special1972 · as Self
• Le Grand Échiquier1972 · as Self
• McCloud1970
• Starparade1968 · as Self
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · as Self - Guest Host
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · as Self
• The Merv Griffin Show1962 · as Self
• The Mike Douglas Show1961 · as Self
• The Grammys1959 · as Self
• Hallmark Hall of Fame1951 · as Dillard
• The Emmy Awards1949 · as Self