Remembering John Denver on this sad day in history.

Linnmo

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Anyone have a great JD story to share?

Mine is, I was walking along Cemetary Lane (Aspen) in 1976 when this yellow blur came around the corner causing me to jump in the ditch. The man in the Porsche stopped to see if I was Okay...
"Yes Mr. Denver, I'm fine"
I was 14 and blown away by that experience. Lol
 

dreadnut

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Interesting info, considering your story, Linmo:

"In 1993, Denver pleaded guilty to a drunken driving charge and was placed on probation.[50] In August 1994, while still on probation, he was again charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence after crashing his Porsche into a tree in Aspen.[50] Though a July 1997 trial resulted in a hung jury on the second DUI charge, prosecutors later decided to reopen the case, which was closed only after Denver's accidental death in October 1997.[50][52] In 1996, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) decided that Denver could no longer fly a plane, owing to medical disqualification for failure to abstain from alcohol, a condition that the FAA had imposed in October 1995 after his prior drunk-driving conviction.

Denver was not legally permitted to fly at the time of the crash. In previous years, he had several arrests for drunk driving.[63] In 1996, nearly a year before the accident, the FAA learned that Denver had failed to maintain sobriety by not refraining entirely from alcohol and revoked his medical certification.[53][54] The accident was not influenced by alcohol use; an autopsy found no sign of alcohol or other drugs in Denver's body.[53]

Post-accident investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) showed that the leading cause of the accident was Denver's inability to switch fuel tanks during flight."

Wow - I didn't know he had his own Lear Jet and flew several other aircraft.
 
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Linnmo

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Ya, he kinda became a mess, but he sure shone bright through the 70's.
A Guild inspiring hero!
 

Linnmo

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If this isn't proof of the news media not fact checking I don't know what is.
 

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steve488

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1972 - he came into the store where I was working. We spoke briefly while he was there. I learned of Dropped D tuning from him as with no lessons or other training the only tuning I knew concert "normal". I think he was enjoying the lack of crowd at the time. Since that time I have learned many of his songs.

At the time of his death I believe flying and his music was all he seemed to have left so it was no surprise he was flying with a decertified license. Indications were that the fuel control switch on the experimental certified aircraft was mounted on the back wall of the cabin (previous owner wanted it there), requiring John to turn in the cockpit to activate the manual switch and in turning and shifting his body he put pressure on the rudder pedal. RIP John.....
 

Opsimath

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He was an incredibly talented individual. I don't have a story per se. I saw him in concert twice and he's always been one of my favorites. Still a twinge of sadness that he's gone, even after all the years.
 

tommym

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I feel sorry for any entertainer (and their family) who struggles to stay relevant decade after decade. In his later years, John must have really struggled to be "John Denver" as many did not what to hear his newer music and stuck in the past. Back then, I was one of them.

RIP John

Tommy
 

tommym

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Anyone have a great JD story to share?

Mine is, I was walking along Cemetary Lane (Aspen) in 1976 when this yellow blur came around the corner causing me to jump in the ditch. The man in the Porsche stopped to see if I was Okay...
"Yes Mr. Denver, I'm fine"
I was 14 and blown away by that experience. Lol

John and his entourage were checking out a concert venue when we crossed paths. There was a very brief but courteous exchange between us regarding the lyrics to one of his songs. His answer opened up a new chapter in my life; a much deeper appreciation of literature, poetry, etc.

Tommy
 

JohnW63

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When I was in high school, a friend at the time knew a lady who was a halfway decent artist, who was also a John Denver fan. She sketched a pretty good picture of him. So, I and this friend drove from Southern California over night to Lake Tahoe and got our selves on the other side of the fence at his yearly celebrity ski tournament without credentials. The goal was to get him to sign the picture. I hung outside the tent flap of the big lunch area and my friend walked in and ask him to sign it. He thought it was just great, but wouldn't sign it, stating that he just didn't do that. It would just turn into lines of people wanting his signature at public events. That was a drag. We had to keep putting oil in my '77 Pinto to get there and back.

It didn't change my being a fan. It may have made me realize that getting autographs from famous people was kinda' silly. I really didn't need proof I had seen them or met them. And so, a song from John on the subject:

 

Linnmo

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I feel sorry for any entertainer (and their family) who struggles to stay relevant decade after decade. In his later years, John must have really struggled to be "John Denver" as many did not what to hear his newer music and stuck in the past. Back then, I was one of them.

RIP John

Tommy
As was I.
 

Linnmo

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No stories to share, sadly. Anyway, RIP, John!
Sometimes I think the real story is..
we lived through and during the releases, a time that will never be equaled for music.
 

Linnmo

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John and his entourage were checking out a concert venue when we crossed paths. There was a very brief but courteous exchange between us regarding the lyrics to one of his songs. His answer opened up a new chapter in my life; a much deeper appreciation of literature, poetry, etc.

Tommy
Usually that would happen from one of his sing lyrics, could you elaborate on his answer.
 

Nuuska

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Usually that would happen from one of his sing lyrics, could you elaborate on his answer.


Wouldn't that be be just a bit too personal request? If not - then - let's hear about it.
 

Steelman

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John Denver appeared at a benefit concert I was playing. Notre Dame Fieldhouse, about 1974. There were us, the Dirt Band , Steve Goodman, and Denver. He walked in with his fur-covered guitar case, went on stage, and just he and his guitar put on a great show.

I believe he was flying a Long-EZ when he went down.
 
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