john-denver

John Denver was a superstar performer who influenced millions of people with his pop-folk songs, many of which were based in Colorado. Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. was raised in Roswell new Mexico, but discovered love for Colorado. He eventually settled in Aspen. Denver's songs that he sang about his adopted home state inspired many visitors to Colorado. G. Brown of Colorado Music Hall of Fame, the hall's curator of fame, stated: "I don't believe there is another performer that embodies Colorado as John Denver." Denver was the Hall of Fame's first ever inductee. Denver is a symbol of the state to people around the world. When I travel, you are likely to meet people from the other end of the planet. For example someone who is from New Zealand. And when you tell them you're from Colorado the response is "Oh John Denver!" Brown said. Denver's first Top 10 hit as a solo artist after a short period of performing with small folk music groups was Take Me Home Country Roads co-written with Bill Danoff. Danoff wrote the tune in the spirit of Johnny Cash, but Denver was able to hear an early version of the song and realized it would become one of the Top 10 hits. Danoff recorded the song within a couple of days of having performed on stage in Washington D.C. before an crowd that was extremely enthusiastic.