This October 12th marked a very special commemoration for fans of John Denver all over the world. It’s been 25 years since the terrible accident that claimed John Denver’s life in 1997. Throughout the month, there have been special gatherings, concerts, radio shows and podcasts, etc. John’s legacy continues after all this time.
Memorializing John and his music is one thing that Jim and I set out to do when we decided to perform John Denver tribute concerts and in doing so we’ve been greatly rewarded by the support we’ve gotten. The music of John Denver continues to bring people together and it uplifts them in remarkable ways.
At this special time, we recognize and celebrate John Denver for bringing us all together, and we thank each one of you who have made our journey part of yours. Earlier this month, we received this letter, which is a great example of the connection we feel sharing the love of John Denver with others.
Dear Jim and Anne,
I don’t know if you remember my dad…. He was a huge John Denver fan, as well as a huge Jim Curry and company fan after your band started. Dad’s health declined, and he could no longer attend your concerts, yet he continued to follow your music and newsletter every month. I wanted you to know that my dad passed away, and we scattered his ashes back home as he had wished. He was a country boy at heart, and we played John Denver songs as we celebrated his life. Thank you for filling a void in my dad’s life with the beauty of your music. He loved your music, and turned me into a huge fan as well. He will be missed.
Do you have a memory of John Denver to share, or a comment about his legacy? Feel free to post it here.
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We had a big family gathering in OKC in 1975. The night before the show, we had a huge dinner, all of the family, and I was at a table with my siblings and a few of my close cousins. John came to our table and asked if he could join us. We made room. My sister asked John what he would do if “all of this went away” and he wasn’t popular anymore. John said that as long as one person wanted to listen, he would sing. He didn’t have to sell out a large venue to make him happy. That is what he loved to do more than anything. In a way Jim and the crew are continuing that legacy. John’s music is best heard live, and you guys do it as good as anyone. There are so many of us out there who truly enjoy John’s music, and you guys put in the time, the practice, the mileage, the personal interactions that allow us enjoy “the moment” for an all to brief evening of entertainment. Thanks for lending your talents to John’s music.
Thank you Ed, we are so glad we met you along the way! You yourself represent the best of John. It’s good for people to know that John came from a LARGE, close-knit, loving family. I believe that is why John was such a good human being even though he was a major celebrity. Thank you for the time you take to connect with John’s many fans.
I was fortunate to hear John Denver playing live ar the Albert Hall in London he was fantastic and he inspired me to take up guitar and banjo, so know I have the pleasure to play and sing his beautiful songs myself!
Storming Norman from France
Hi Norman!! Keep on singing and playing! We all know John is smiling down on you!
During the time that John lived in Carmel, one day I was waiting in that small Carmel airport to catch a flight back to LA when I suspected a passenger lining up to board the small plane might be JD behind the hat and sunglasses. Turns out it was and I sat across the aisle from him. He had a single seat, since as I said, it was a small plane. He pretended to sleep the whole trip, but as we neared Los Angeles, he leaned over to ask me the time. I replied, then mouthed: “Are you John Denver?”, to which he nodded..I told him quietly how much I loved his music. -Then gave him back his privacy. Such an unexpected and wonderful thing to happen!
Great story! Thank you Geri!
I was in college in the late 60’s when I took a course in folk music where I could learn to play the guitar. I carried this on when I graduated and added John Denver immediately to my singing repertoire having been a fan for several years. I had all his albums and sheet music so I could learn the chords and words. I even made tapes that I could sing along with in my car for road trips to visit my family. I sang his songs at parties and even had one young man respond with asking me for a date as a result of singing I believe Annie’s Song (go figure!). I always sang melody at parties but with tapes loved to sing harmony even a 3rd part if there was already a harmony part (I later joined choral groups as an alto, another story!). I greatly missed not having ever seen him in concert but two friends did meet him backstage after one and told me about it saying he was so cordial and friendly. I was so jealous, but vicariously enjoyed their recounting in detail of that encounter. I have on my bucket list to go to Aspen to see the memorial garden. I so enjoy your concerts and have seen each one you have had here in Buffalo and plan to continue as long as I am able. The one slide show of the memorial garden brought me to tears!! Love you guys!!
Thank you Lynn, we hope you get to see it too!
We’re still hoping to see one of Jim’s events…I need to see the schedule love his music and now these newsletters.
Hi Deanna! You can see the schedule anytime on this website under “concert listings” but now that we have you signed up on our newsletter list you will receive updates every month!
I am reminiscing of a time 50 years ago when first seeing John Denver at Blossom Music Center near Cleveland, Ohio. On a gorgeous summer evening, my date and I had arrived early and was surprised to find John on stage practicing Rocky Mountain High. I paused…Wow…His voice was like an angel and the upbeat message of his song really tugged at my heart in a Vietnam era of campus protests and smoldering political unrest. The icing on the cake was that John signed autographs for the early birds in the pavilion after his rehearsal. I came across his autograph the other day, signed on August 30, 1972! I am so glad his music lives on and thank you, Jim and Company for the marvelous job you do in preserving it.
Merry Christmas 2022!
Joan R.
What a wonderful memory Joan! Thank you for sharing. The number 1 comment from almost everybody who has met John is about how nice he was. I am always grateful to hear that the man we pay tribute to is not only a good musician but also a good human!