John Denver

John Denver, an American folk singer-songwriter, was a popular singer in the 1970s. He recorded 300 songs, about half of which he had composed, and was named Poet Laureate of Colorado in 1977. Denver's songs often a expressed a kinship with the natural world. Songs such as "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "Leaving on a Jet Plane", "Calypso", "Annie's Song", "Thank God I'm A Country Boy", and "Rocky Mountain High" are popular worldwide. Denver has been referred to as "The Poet For the Planet", "Mother Nature's Son" (based on The Beatles song he covered) and "A Song's Best Friend".  See John Denver in Wikipedia

I never met John but I knew a lot about him. I admired his versatility, his music, his love of nature, and his concern for his fellow humans. He was born in December 1943 and I was born in November. I noted several parallels in our interests.  He, of course he became rich and famous. I am less rich and less famous. I was  very sad when news of his death was broadcast in October 1997.

I was not prepared, however, for the sadness I experienced while arranging and recording Annie's Song in Nov 2007. For me, the song has become an archetype. Beauty and tragedy converge with poignancy.