The Exhibit Includes:
- A personalized spring 1978 tour jacket and denim stage outfit from TV Special
- Denver’s custom-made acoustic guitar and straps
- A collection of photographs, records highlighting Denver’s career, gold and platinum albums, sheet music, major magazine covers and tour programs
- Handwritten lyrics from John Denver’s personal notebook
- An autographed photo to John Denver by his mentor Jacques Cousteau
- Stills from the movie ‘‘Oh God,’’ in which Denver plays Jerry Landers, who gets a visit from God
- Images from Denver’s television collaboration with ‘‘The Muppets’’
- A sampling of his personal photography
- A bronze bust of Denver
- Panels detailing his historic shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
- A personalized tour jacket and stage outfit.
- Denver’s custom guitar and custom-made guitar straps
- Photographs, LPs and 45s from Denver’s career, gold and platinum record awards, sheet music, magazine covers and tour programs
- Handwritten lyrics from John Denver’s personal notebook, plus an autographed photograph of Jacques Cousteau signed to Denver
- Stills from the movie Oh God and Denver’s television filming with the Muppets, plus a sampling of photography by Denver
- The exhibit also includes a bronze bust of Denver plus panels detailing his historic shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
- The Colorado Music Hall of Fame honors the life and talents of John Denver as the Hall’s first Inductee in this special exhibit filled with artifacts from his estate’s personal collection.
About John Denver
Born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. in 1943, John Denver gained notoriety by beating out 250 others in an audition for the Chad Mitchell Trio. Becoming the lead singer of the famous group catapulted Denver into a successful career in songwriting. His songs became so popular in the folk music industry, that other prominent artists earned No.1 hits for covering Denver’s music – such as the classic “Leaving On A Jet Plane” sung by Peter, Paul and Mary.
His singing and songwriting career took off from there, earning eight platinum albums in the U.S. alone. His lengthy list of hits includes:
- “Take Me Home, Country Roads”
- “Rocky Mountain High”
- “Sunshine On My Shoulders”
- “Annie’s Song”
- “Back Home Again”
- “Thank God I’m A Country Boy”
To this day, ‘‘John Denver’s Greatest Hits’’ remains the best-selling album in RCA Records’ history. His amazing career also included numerous collaborations with some of show biz’s most revered artists, including:
- Frank Sinatra
- Beverly Sills
- James Galway
- Placido Domingo
- Jim Henson
- Activism
John Denver was a major advocate for environmental and social causes. He maintained a close friendship with Jacques Cousteau, the notable undersea explorer who inspired Denver’s work and philanthropy.
He used his fame to create the Windstar Foundation in 1976, an educational center dedicated to sustainability and to bring awareness to the African food crisis in conjunction with UNICEF.
“Spirit” in Colorado
Located outdoors at the Red Rocks Trading Post, the impressive bronze statue of John Denver, guitar slung across his back and an eagle perched on his arm, stands 15 feet tall and weighs 1,500 pounds. It was commissioned by the Windstar Foundation he founded, to honor his symbolic relationship with Colorado. “Spirit” was created by sculptor Sue DiCicco in 2002.
To experience the John Denver Exhibit in person, visit the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, at The Trading Post next to the world-famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
Do you love and appreciate the history of music? Head over to the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, where you get to learn and enjoy the rich history of music in Colorado.