Creator of Country Anthem III - John Denver

In 1969 he started his solo career and recorded his first album named Rhymes and Reasons in RCA Records (recording studio). The album hasn't huge success, but one song from this album became a number one in the same year. It was song Leaving On A Jet Plane.

In the next year he realised two albums, named Whose Garden Was This? and Take Me To Tomorrow. Although these albums were not as successful as those that followed, they would all be certified gold by the RIAA, and would later be considered some of his best work.

Next year and new album. It was Poem, Prayers and Promised. There was the famous hit and country anthem Take Me Home, Country Roads. From that time, Johny's career grew up and brought hit by hit.

In year 1972 was recorded his first Top Ten Album. Very famous song fromthat was Rocky Mountain High. It could say, this period was very rich of hits.There were Sunshine On My Shoulders, Annie's Song, Back Home Again, Thank God I'm Country Boy, Calypso, Sweet Surrender.

Why was he so succesful? What was the key of his popularity? They were many appearances on TV shows. His look with long blond hairs, western shirts with ornaments, etc, it was new image and made him very photogenic person - pop star. Denver made his own show, music special named Rocky Mountain Christmas. This show was watched by many millions people. Live concert An Evening With John Denver won the Emmy. From Muppet Show where John was many times visitor, there began the friendship with Jim Henson.

In 1977 John tried his historionic career in the movie Oh, God!. Year 1975 brought award to him (Country Music Associoation).

John Denver developed not only his singer's career, but started also wiht charity. In 1977 he co-founded The Hunger Project ("It is non-profit charitable organization incorporated in the state of California. The Hunger Project describes itself as committed to the sustainable end of world hunger. In thirteen countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, the organization claims it implements programs that mobilize rural grassroots communities to achieve sustainable progress in health, education, nutrition and family income." More information - Wikipedia) and cooperated with this organization until his death. He made song with this theme, named I Want To Live. John Denver also cooperated with UNICEF ("United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, which was created on December 11, 1946 to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries that had been devastated by World War II. Its programs emphasize developing community-level services to promote the health and well-being of children." More information - Wikipedia).

In 1982 John changed his image - he cut his long hair, he left the glassed and chose contact lenses, he started to work to promote political ideas. He promoted campain of Jimmy Carter. He symphatized with Democratic Party. During 1980's he critized Reagan Administration and also American Conservatism and Congress. From this period became folk rock ballad Let Us Begin (What Are We Making Weapons For), The Ballad of Richard Nixon, The Ballad of Spiro Agnew.



Leaving on a Jet Plane


Annie´s Song


Rocky Mountain High

Creator of Country Anthem II - John Denver

I remember that time, when I heard John Denver's songs the first time. It was in the night on Saturday, by radio in my room on school hostel. I was in bed and listened program of regional radio. Every Saturday was devoted to some country or folk singer. That day it was John Denver. I know the song Take me ome, Country roads, in Czech (by Michal Tučný) and English version, but I didn't know, who sang it in original or who is author of that. I should tell you, ussually it doesn't matter for me, who sang or composed or wrote the songs. For me, it's important if I like it or don't. The song Take me home, Country roads was only one songs by John what I knew in that time. On that Saturday, I listen about 20 songs and I liked it so much.

John Denver was the most popular folk singer and songwriter of the 1970s. He was born on December 31, 1943 in Roswell, New Mexico as Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr..

His father was Henry John Deutschendorf, Sr., the Air Force officer and flight instructor. John grew up near airport and airplanes. Maybe that's why he liked flying so much. But it's important to tell he had had some troubles with his father.

When John was years old boy, he received accoustic guitar. It was present by his grand mother. He started to learn during the time on college at local pubs. In the same time he adopted this next famous surname "Denver" (from the capital city of his favourite state).

In 1964 he leaved the University (Architecture at Texas Tech University) and went to Los Angeles, California, where he sang in folk pubs. One year later, he started with music folk group The Chad Mitchell Trio. Later band renamed to The Mitchell Trio and then Denver, Boise, and Johnson (the names of band members: John Denver, David Boise and Michael Johnson).

Thank God I'm a Country Boy


Sunshine on my shoulder


The Strangest Dream

Creator of Country Anthem I - John Denver

I think nobody is her who have never heard this legendary song, which became the Country Anthem. I know, everybody knows the name of it. Yes, you're true. It's Take Me Home Country Roads by John Denver.

I don't know how many translation this song has, but in our language it's known as Veď mě dál cesto má and this song is sung by many singers and also near every campfire and country festivals.



That's why, here it is:
TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS
Written By John Denver, Bill Danoff, and Taffy Nivert

Almost Heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, growin' like a breeze

Country Roads, take me home, to the place I belong
West Virginia mountain mama
Take me home, Country Roads

All my memories gather 'round her
Miner's lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine teardrop in my eye

Country Roads, take me home, to the place I belong
West Virginia mountain mama
Take me home, Country Roads

I hear her voice, in the mornin' hour as she calls me
The radio reminds me of my home far away
And drivin' down the road I get a feelin'
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday

Country Roads, take me home, to the place I belong
West Virginia mountain mama
Take me home, Country Roads

Country Roads, take me home, to the place I belong
West Virginia mountain mama
Take me home, Country Roads

Take me home, Country Roads
Take me home, Country Roads

Take me home, Country Roads


Take me home, Country Roads


Take me home, Country Roads


Take me home, Country Roads (1983 - in Japan)


Take me home, Country Roads (by Pavel Bobek - legend of Czechoslovakia music scene)