Don't you hate it when people make bold social statements and then back down under pressure? John found that sleeping with lots of female fans helped too. If only I had known! Actually, I think one of my college roommates would have been first in line. That would have been his second wife. Great concert, I'm sure. My parents might not have let me listen to the albums, if they had known. I had sense enough to keep my mouth shut about it in front of them. Has there ever been a more highly politicized form of music than American country? If you play anything on traditional folk or mountain instruments and you don't seem to be a Republican, the mainstream country fans want to hurt you. They want you to fail. The tastes of these Southerners now have world-wide influence. That makes me so angry! The lack of radio exposure for John Denver is definitely a factor with younger people. If you ask young music fans about male, guitar-playing, singer-songwriters from the 70s, probably more of them would mention Jim Croce and Don McLean than John Denver, because you hear Croce and McLean so much more on the oldies stations. It isn't fair.
the song rocky mountain high---was one of the reason i moved to colorado--i threw a dart at a map and it was close to denver----jonn denver? rocky mountain high--hmm---ten years of great times--but overall musically he was too mellow for me
FYI, John Denver did not write Country Roads. Writing credit is to Bill Danoff & Taffy Nievert. John is on the royalty credits, however. I saw John several times. Never was lucky enough to present a show, but I saw concerts from age 9 or 10 up to the year before he died. looking back, he set the bar for me as I watched singer-songwriters. I greatly prefer the ones who draw you into an intimate sit around the fire sort of vibe. The gas tank. Yes, he installed one. Yes, it was in really, really bad taste. But I think he worked it out what with all the benefits played and checks written from his own pockets.
and to prove that humans are a difficult species, I won't see Ted Nugent because of his politics. But I love John Denver and support some organizations he helped.
Ted Nugent's music isn't that great either. He is a has been that never was that great. The Republicans rarely get good musicians. Even the best country musicians usually aren't Republicans, much less the other styles of music. And Republicans seem oblvious to young adults and their music, which is one reason, amongst others, that only 10 percent of the 18-34 year olds identify with being Republican.
way back when is on you tube. I spent an afternoon a couple years back watching all sorts of Muppet Shows with guests.
Like a couple of days ago I found his collectors box set on PopMarket.com - I was so happy to finally get all the discs - <3 this man - he wasn't perfect but you're right - no one is
I was thinking about John Denver just yesterday, thinking of "Life ain't nothin' but a funny funny riddle. Thank God I'm a country boy." I live in the country, and find that to be very philosophically profound. And I appreciate his squeaky cleanliness. It seemed to me that he wasn't trying to impress anybody; he was just a simple man. But then again, I don't know that much about JD. I remember watching a movie of his where he was a super hero when I was younger.
Actually 'Country Roads' was co-written by JD, Bill Danoff and his wife (can't remember her name) in the Danoff's apartment in Washington DC. As to JD having gas tanks on his property in Aspen, he had them to fuel his buses, they where not for personal use and he did remove them. We all make unwise dessions at times. I have to say though that when one has money, lots and lots of money, they do not think as us, who do not have lots of money. I am sure JD was no different. That does not though discredit his beliefs and his humanitarian practices. He did a great deal for the enviroment and for the hungry and I suspect would have done even more if he were alive today. Even if he had done nothing more then create and sing his music, he would have helped many, as music can heal. JD was a talented and caring man, but he was human and not perfect. Who of us is? He may also have been bi-polar, which would account for some of his very highs and very lows, which affect ones dission making. His music is deeper then he is given credit for.
She went by Taffy, and took back her maiden name (Nivert) after her divorce from Bill. There are several similar stories floating around about how that song got written. Based on what I've read, this one seems the most likely: The Danoffs wrote the first draft of the song after a weekend trip from DC to Maryland. The second verse was too risqué for radio (a foreshadowing of their Starland Vocal Band days), so the lyrics evolved through multiple versions before it got recorded. John most likely added the West Virginia material, based partly on his trip to Concord College in Athens, WV. NDY is right about the geography in the song not really fitting together. Not surprising, if the first draft had nothing to do with WV. I like musicians because they are talented and smart, not because they are perfect in every way. None of them are perfect at all.
In John Denver's autobiography he said he and the Danoffs went to thier (Danoffs) appartment in Wash. DC after a show JD did at the Cellar Door and jammed for a number of hours and then finished the song the Danoffs started. That is my understanding. About the song not being geographicly correct, chalk that up to artistic lisence. I agree about your stament of musicians Karen. I only said about his being 'human' because some think that just because we like JD we think he was a saint. I admire him for his talent despite his flaws.
