John Denver...Artist or Idiot. Listen Proudly, or only when no one is

[ScreamingMeemie]

around to catch you? Another thread is responsible for this poll...so don't yell at me. ;)

[hyphenate]

1. John Denver

helped me get through the 70s with a modicum of sanity. That might sound ridiculous, but he stood for something, and he was an activist, which strengthened my interests in the environment, animal rights, human rights, and other progressive activities.

In 1976, Jacques Cousteau, John Denver, Peter Seeger and others gathered in Boston for Involvement Day. Not only were there a wide range of organizations concentrating on a very diverse amount of concerns and issues, but that Saturday night they held a jam session that remains largely intact even now in my memory.

Without that growing interest in issues and concerns, I would likely have continued blithely through life without any true agenda or goal as it relates to the world at large, and my part in it.

[ScreamingMeemie]

15. You are so right...My husband was impressed by his stances on

the issues and his unwavering dedication to the environment. :hi:

[hyphenate]

2. John Denver

DOUBLE POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PoliticsSportsMusic]

3. I know I'ld be a poorer man if I never saw an eagle fly.....

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH.....CO-LO-RA-DO....ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH!!!!

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. And so much more!

:hi:

I am the eagle I live in high country, in rocky cathredrals that reach for the sky...

I am the hawk and there's blood on my feathers...But time is still turning, they soon will be dry...

One of my personal favorites.

[Beware the Beast Man]

4. John Denver was the PMRC hearings' star witness back in the 80's

And he spoke out against warning labels on records. Between that and his fine work with the Muppets, he was okay in my book! :)

[ScreamingMeemie]

14. You bet!

One of the best! :hi:

[ashling]

6. Thank God, I'm a country boy!

Johnny we hardly knew ye.

[ScreamingMeemie]

8. I have a beautiful video of my son as a newborn, lying on his daddy's

chest with "Country Roads" playing in the background. The site of it closes my throat. He is my husband's favorite singer and one I have grown to adore. :hi:

[camby]

7. Denver was a super guy

Not a huge fan of his music (although yes I did own an album of his once), but he was a big flying nut and I worked at a small general aviation airport back in the late 70's & early 80's. Every one who ever met him when he came through town swore he was the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet. Very down to earth, friendly, etc.

[ScreamingMeemie]

16. Never got to meet him. My grandmother did, and was so impressed

by his treatment of his fans.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

9. "Annies Song" my fav and "Grandma's Featherbed" was my kids fav

[ScreamingMeemie]

10. My kid's love to sing along to "Grandma's Featherbed"

We keep his tape in the car for school run mornings. :hi:

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

11. A poet, environmentalist, great songwriter and sorely missed.

[LWolf]

12. Artist.

I listen proudly, and have since I was a kid.

Some favorites:

Rocky Mountain High & Country Roads, of course.

And Matthew.

[ScreamingMeemie]

18. I love Matthew too.

:hi:

[ashling]

29. A great song

[2Design]

13. I have quite a few vinyls of john denver......eom

[MuseRider]

17. I often crank his music up

while cleaning my barn. Somehow it seems very appropriate there. I loved him from the beginning, good music during hard times. I saw him in concert twice. I know most of my music friends tend to ignore my love of things less "acceptable" but I could really care less. Something about his music makes my soul soar, kinda like the eagle (his, not Ashcrofts) in the song you referenced above, one of my favorites too.

[ScreamingMeemie]

19. That's a great song, isn't it? The kids and I crank it on the car stereo

and sing ourselves hoarse. Something about his music makes me feel as if everything is going to be all right. :hi:

[MuseRider]

20. Yes, it does.

He seemed like that. I have been caught several times singing my face off in my barn. Hardly anyone is ever around but occasionally a neighbor will walk through the pasture when he knows I am there. The last time I was singing along to Paul Simon and kinda doing a little dance with the manure fork as I changed out the stalls. "I was born in Puerto Rico" I think I scared him. Music, it is so important. My kids and I used to do that. I miss those days. :hi:

[ScreamingMeemie]

21. Hehehe...I clean house in much the same manner.

:) I'm going to miss them too. My daughter is kind of growing out of it, but I can still get her to join in if I work at it.

[hlthe2b]

22. Denver was a progressive before progressives were cool, a humanist

when humanists were mocked, an environmentalist and conservationist when celebrities were largely oblivious to these issues--in short, he was a vocal advocate for the causes we progressive liberals embrace. Yet, because his music became very out of fashion and "uncool," as music trends dramatically changed, most continue to discount John Denver to this day.

Denver certainly became overly hyped and very much oversold, which certainly explains fans moving away as music trends dramatically changed. But, Like his music or not (and I still do), I feel very sad that his contributions to so many critically important issues remain unacknowledged. I remember hearing from those around him how truly depressed he was not to be invited to participate in "WE ARE THE WORLD," to bring attention to the famine in Ethiopia, despite his own decades long work on the issue of world hunger and human rights. I always felt sad about this fact, because it seemed clear that his track record in working on these global issues was trumped by perceptions that his music was no longer "in vogue." While there were good performers that participated, there were also plenty of washed-up artists that took part-- who by contast had very little track record toward social activism. The whole event truly underscored for me how superficial we could all become in the quest for what is "cool."

So sorry for the soap box speech, but I will always try to defend John Denver, for his music certainly, but even more so for his work toward the issues that MATTER. He was, after all most definitely ONE OF US!

[MuseRider]

23. Thank you. n/t

[ashling]

30. The recording/music industry

does as much damage to artists and their music sometimes as it does good. By over hyping, I mean, and glossing over stuff that is still vital in search of the next trend.

John's music was quality - still is -

[playahata1]

38. John Denver and "We are the World."

Hell, as a working activist as well as a musisican, he was far more qualified to sing on that record than those who did. I have always felt that "We are the World" was little more than a vanity project for those involved; they did it only to say: "We did something 'good' for humankind." And we were supposed to pat them on the back for it.

Didn't John Denver actually travel to First World (Third World, to most of us) countries and move and live amongst and talk with the people? Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones and Kenny Rogers and Springsteen, for all their wealth and celebrity -- they would not be caught dead visiting some humble village in the middle of the desert. That is where the hypocrisy lies.

[Enraged_Ape]

24. His duet with Olivia Newton-John, "Fly Away", gives me so many...

great childhood memories. Back then I thought the world was such an incredibly beautiful place. This song, as it exists in my memory, feels so much like that.

As does "Rocky Mountain High". As does "I am the Eagle". As do "Between Winter and Spring" and "Annie's Song". So much great work from this highly underrated folk singer, guitarist, and songwriter.

I was just thinking about John Denver today. Funny that someone else should mention him.

[NightTrain]

25. I respected John Denver as a person...

...but his music never did much for me.

Having said that, however, I'll confess that I always liked "Thank God I'm A Country Boy."

[Zomby Woof]

26. how can rich idiot be a choice?

Dead people aren't known for their wealth.

[ScreamingMeemie]

34. Because it's my poll....

:P

[Mordecai]

27. I really enjoy listening to John Denver.

He has great songs and a great voice. :thumbsup:

[Zomby Woof]

28. drunken dead wimp

Drunk driver, wimpy-ass music, lousy pilot.

But I will give him credit for testifying at the PMRC hearings in 1985 against record labelling. He followed Zappa's testimony, in which if you read the transcripts, was a tough act to follow. Denver stood up for the cause when it counted.

Too bad he was a drunken sot who wrote such pansy tunes.

[ashling]

31. Thank you for that vitriolic and

cynically disrespectful assessment.

Now excuse me while I go :puke:

At least Denver was secure enough in his own manhood that he could easily get in touch with his sensetive side and touch others as well.

[Zomby Woof]

32. LOL

You don't know much about Denver do you? Drug abusers and self-destructive assholes like him are the truly insecure ones.

If you are implying I am insecure in my manhood, you know me even less than you do Denver. Seems like when it comes to Denver, you are insecure with the truth, and lash out at honest people like me that tell it like it is.

He was a miserable human being, and like his music all you want, but anyone who drives their car into a tree several times (and probably coked up too - like I said, you know nothing about him) and did the things he did to his private life... well, maybe you should save your own vitriolic reaction for someone else. :P

[ScreamingMeemie]

33. Zomby, why'd ya have to go and wreck my thread again???

;) :P

My father in law was one of those men who couldn't get his life together, who turned to the bottle, who wrecked my husband's childhood...and yet we loved him, and miss him still...

:hug: :loveya:

Laura

[MuseRider]

36. Sometimes,

actually frequently, some of the most beautiful, insightful music comes from a tortured soul. He had many of the same problems that many of our most creative humans have. It seemed so out of contrast with the image he presented when we first learned of him. I loathed much of the stuff he did after he went Vegas but you can't ever deny that he did so much more than that. I am with you, loved him warts and all.

[MissMillie]

35. Annie's Song.... a beautiful love song

I want someone to sing that way about me... dammit!

[playahata1]

37. Never cared much for his music. However....

the man will always get props from me for his stand against music censorship.

[Chovexani]

39. When I was a kid I had a weird fixation with him

Mom says I used to squeal whenever he came on tv.

What can I say I was a strange little girl (and still am). :)

[yellowcanine]

40. Neither - just another tired ass singer whose songs start to grate on you

after about the second listening. "Country Road" was ok I guess.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

41. He wrote what everybody thinks is West Virginia's state song....

"Country Roads"

I will say its a damn sight better than the real state song:

"West Virginia Hills"

"Oh, the West Virginia hills! How majestic and how grand,
With their summits bathed in glory, Like our Prince Immanuel's Land!
Is it any wonder then, That my heart with rapture thrills,
As I stand once more with loved ones On those West Virginia hills?"

CHORUS:

"Oh, the hills, beautiful hills, How I love those West Virginia hills!
If o'er sea o'er land I roam, Still I'll think of happy home,
And my friends among the West Virginia hills.

Oh, the West Virginia hills! Where my childhood hours were passed,
Where I often wandered lonely, And the future tried to cast;
Many are our visions bright, Which the future ne'er fulfills;
But how sunny were my daydreams On those West Virginia hills."

Catchy, huh?

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

42. John Denver Rocks!

His music is great.

[SaveElmer]

43. The only man my gay sister had a crush on...n/t

[aquaman]

44. I love John Denver............

And am proud of it.

[ScreamingMeemie]

47. You said it!!

Me too. I blast him every chance I get...on the stereo that is! :hi:

[Bertha Venation]

45. John Denver was my distant cousin.

Never knew him, never even met that part of the family. A photo of my uncle Bill would show a definite resemblance.

Once I learned of this distant familial tie, the mystery of my musical talent was put to rest. I'd always wondered where it came from.

But even before I knew I was related to him, I loved his music. His were among the first songs I played by ear.

[ScreamingMeemie]

46. Oh wow, BV. That is really cool. We really have had to replace

our copy of An Evening with John Denver three times. My husband just loves him, as do I. He has lulled both of my babies to sleep. :hi:

[Bertha Venation]

49. he's great for lulling babies (the human and feline varieties) to sleep

Most of his songs make me cry, but then, since I stared dieting seriously, so does everything. :shrug:

[RFKHumphreyObama]

48. John Denver was a great artist

And from what I heard he was quite a kind person. Just after he died there was a story in our paper about how he had been in Australia just a while before his death and had discovered that one of the customers at the restaurant was celebrating her birthday. According to our newspaper he subsequently went up to the customer in question (who it later turned out was a fan of his music) and dedicated a song to her in honour of her birthday.

His music is profoundly moving, touching and poignant. I love his version of “I’m Leaving On A Jet Plane” and it almost moved me to tears several times.

His song “Rhyme and Reason” was one that I consistently listened to in the aftermath of 9/11 and which gave me confidence and hope for the future and a better world during a time when all hope seemed lost.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

50. If I could write songs like that I'd never have to work again.

Songwriting is not easy.

[roguevalley]

51. when it was so hot we could die in the evenings, we would put his

records on and lie down, listening to the music. To this day, I can feel that whole thing if I hear his music. It comforted me and gave me hope when I was going through college on nothing. Love the man, his efforts to do good and his music. Rest in peace, John. I can't believe you are gone.