The Rise and Sudden Fall of Country Boy John Denver

John Denver brought folk music to a higher level during the 1970s and inspired generations to come. His manager once said, “If you give Elvis the ’50s and the Beatles the ’60s, I think you’ve got to give John Denver the ’70s.” His picturesque lyrics, rising vocals, and acoustic guitar sets were a pleasant escape from the times. Songs like Rocky Mountain High or Country Roads and Sunshine on My Shoulder were the kind of tunes that separated Denver from the rest.

John Denver posing in brown sunglasses and a scarf in 1986

Photo by Luciano Viti / Getty Images

But like too many other musicians, Denver’s life came to an abrupt end. And it wasn’t the result of drugs or alcohol. His life came to a tragic end when an experimental plane that he was flying crashed into the Pacific Ocean. While some have debated whether or not the crash was intentional, his passing shocked the nation.

This is the rise and sudden fall of John Denver…