The John Denver Band
Encyclopedia
The John Denver Band was a country
-folk
band active in the 1960s through the 1990s. Based out of Aspen
, Colorado
and led by guitarist-singer/songwriter John Denver
, the band renditioned some of the most popular folk, country, rock and pop
songs of the era.
In addition to Denver, other members included legendary fiddler/songwriter John Sommers, guitarist Steve Weisberg, bass player Dick Kniss, percussionist Hal Blaine, Mike Taylor, and Taffy Nivert and Bill Danoff (who were billed as Fat City from 1969 through 1972, and also in the Starland Vocal Band from 1976 to 1980). The original band included Denver, Taylor, and Kniss
The core of the band in 1997 included Pete Huttlinger
on guitar, mandolin, banjo, and backing vocals; Chris Nole on piano, keyboards, and backing vocals; and Alan Deremo on bass.
or Aspen
, Colorado
(where later John Denver bands were formed and many recordings were made), Tucson
, Flagstaff
or Phoenix
, Arizona
(where Denver had been briefly living), Los Angeles, California
(where the band made some of its first recordings), Minneapolis, Minnesota
(where Denver's wife Annie was residing), Chicago, Illinois (which has been disregarded as a possibility by most critics despite early writings by members), or the most popular location; New York, New York (where they were signed by RCA in 1969). Today, the band's origins are attributed to Colorado, where both Denver and the majority of members hailed from. Aspen is today the site of all major administration for affairs of the former band.
Largely a folk-rock band which had evolved from the 1960s folk revival popularity, the band was a re-birth of country and western styles in a folk venue. New members often emerged from other bands and orchestras, as did leader John Denver, who arose from Mitchell Trio/Denver, Boise, Johnson
fame.
In chronological order, 1969
-1991
(U.S. Releases)
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
-folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
band active in the 1960s through the 1990s. Based out of Aspen
Aspen, Colorado
The City of Aspen is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pitkin County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 5,804 in 2005...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
and led by guitarist-singer/songwriter John Denver
John Denver
Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
, the band renditioned some of the most popular folk, country, rock and pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
songs of the era.
History
The band met its demise after the death of Denver, who had made many changes to the format of the band in its 30 years of activity. Originally a guitar-bass-drums combination at the time of forming in 1969, the band evolved in to a more vocal emphasis at their critical peak in the mid to late '70s, to a heavy soft-rock tempo in the 1980s, and to wind instrumentation in the 1990s.In addition to Denver, other members included legendary fiddler/songwriter John Sommers, guitarist Steve Weisberg, bass player Dick Kniss, percussionist Hal Blaine, Mike Taylor, and Taffy Nivert and Bill Danoff (who were billed as Fat City from 1969 through 1972, and also in the Starland Vocal Band from 1976 to 1980). The original band included Denver, Taylor, and Kniss
The core of the band in 1997 included Pete Huttlinger
Pete Huttlinger
Pete Huttlinger is an American guitarist. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music. He is a respected Nashville studio artist. In 2000, he won the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas. He has performed around the world with such artists as...
on guitar, mandolin, banjo, and backing vocals; Chris Nole on piano, keyboards, and backing vocals; and Alan Deremo on bass.
Origin
It's unknown where and when The John Denver Band was formed, although many music experts have argued the most likely locations; Denver, BoulderBoulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
or Aspen
Aspen, Colorado
The City of Aspen is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pitkin County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 5,804 in 2005...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
(where later John Denver bands were formed and many recordings were made), Tucson
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
, Flagstaff
Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff is a city located in northern Arizona, in the southwestern United States. In 2010, the city's population was 65,870. The population of the Metropolitan Statistical Area was at 134,421 in 2010. It is the county seat of Coconino County...
or Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
(where Denver had been briefly living), Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
(where the band made some of its first recordings), Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
(where Denver's wife Annie was residing), Chicago, Illinois (which has been disregarded as a possibility by most critics despite early writings by members), or the most popular location; New York, New York (where they were signed by RCA in 1969). Today, the band's origins are attributed to Colorado, where both Denver and the majority of members hailed from. Aspen is today the site of all major administration for affairs of the former band.
Largely a folk-rock band which had evolved from the 1960s folk revival popularity, the band was a re-birth of country and western styles in a folk venue. New members often emerged from other bands and orchestras, as did leader John Denver, who arose from Mitchell Trio/Denver, Boise, Johnson
Chad Mitchell Trio
The Chad Mitchell Trio were a North American vocal group who became known during the 1960s. They performed folk songs, some of which were traditionally passed down and some of their own compositions. Unlike many fellow folk music groups, none of the trio played instruments...
fame.
Today
Today, the remaining members of the band rarely perform; most recently in the Broadway tribute to the late music legend and founder John Denver. However, in recent years the music of Denver and his band have gained more popularity as recordings from rare and unreleased sessions have been made public.Discography
For a detailed description see John Denver discographyJohn Denver discography
Here is the comprehensive discography of folk musician John Denver.-With The Mitchell Trio:-1960s albums:-1970s albums:-1980s albums:-1990s albums:-Live albums:-Holiday albums:-Compilation albums:-Collaboration albums:-1960s singles:...
In chronological order, 1969
1969 in music
-Events:Perhaps the two most famous musical events of 1969 were concerts. At a Rolling Stones concert in Altamont, California, a fan was stabbed to death by Hells Angels, a biker gang that had been hired to provide security for the event...
-1991
1991 in music
See also:* 1991 in music Record labels established in 1991-Summary:The year 1991 is the year that grunge music made its popular breakthrough. Nirvana's Nevermind, led by the surprise hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit", becomes the most popular U.S. album of the year...
(U.S. Releases)
RCA Records
- Rhymes & Reasons - 1969
- Take Me To Tomorrow - 1970
- Whose Garden Was This? - 1970
- Poems, Prayers, and Promises - 1971
- Aerie - 1972
- Rocky Mountain HighRocky Mountain High"Rocky Mountain High" is a folk-rock song written by John Denver and Mike Taylor about Colorado, and is one of the two official state songs of Colorado. Recorded by Denver, it went to number nine on the US Hot 100 in 1973...
- 1972 - Farewell Andromeda - 1973
- John Denver's Greatest HitsJohn Denver's Greatest HitsJohn Denver's Greatest Hits was American singer-songwriter John Denver's first compilation album, released in late 1973 for the holiday shopping season...
- 1973 - Back Home Again - 1974
- An Evening with John Denver - 1975
- Windsong - 1975
- Rocky Mountain Christmas - 1975
- Spirit - 1976
- Greatest Hits Vol. 2 - 1977
- I Want To Live - 1977
- John Denver (JD) - 1978
- A Christmas Together (with The Muppets) - 1979
- Autograph - 1980
- Some Days Are Diamonds - 1981
- Seasons of the Heart - 1982
- It's About TimeIt's About Time (1983 album)It's About Time is the 17th album by American singer-songwriter John Denver recorded at Criteria Recording Studios in Miami and released in November 1983. The album featured several notable supporting vocalists, including Patti Austin, Rita Marley , as well as Emmylou Harris...
- 1983 - Rocky Mountain Holiday (with The Muppets) - 1983
- Greatest Hits Vol. 3 - 1984
- Dreamland Express - 1985
- One World - 1986
Windstar Records
- Higher GroundHigher Ground (John Denver album)Higher Ground is the 20th album by American singer-songwriter John Denver released in September 1989. It was recorded at Denver's private studio in Snowmass, Colorado, with the exception of "For You" and the didjeridu part in "Sing Australia." These were recorded in Sydney, Australia.-Track...
- 1988 (Australia); 1989 (US) - Earth Songs - 1990
- The Flower That Shattered the Stone - 1990
- Australian Title Stonehaven Sunset
- Christmas, Like a Lullaby - 1990
- Different Directions - 1991
Sony Records
- The Wildlife Concert (non-contract, LegacyLegacy RecordingsLegacy Recordings is Sony Music Entertainment's catalog division. It was founded in 1990 by CBS Records under the leadership of Jerry Shulman, Richard Bauer, Gary Pacheco and Amy Herot to handle reissues of recordings from the vast catalogues of Columbia Records, Epic Records and associated...
) - 1995 - All AboardAll Aboard! (John Denver album)All Aboard! is the 24th and final album by American singer-songwriter John Denver released in August 1997.The album consists of old fashioned swing, big band, folk, bluegrass and gospel styles of music woven into a theme of railroad songs...
(contract, WonderSony WonderSony Wonder is a children and family's music and home video arm of Sony Music Entertainment, founded in 1991. The division once distributed material from Sesame Workshop and Classic Media...
) - 1997
Singles
- "Friends With You" (1971) #47 US
- "Take Me Home, Country Roads" (1971) #2 US
- "The Eagle and the Hawk" (1971)
- "Everyday" (1972) #81 US
- "Goodbye Again" (1972) #88 US
- "Farewell Andromeda (Welcome To My Morning)" (1973) #89 US
- "I'd Rather Be A Cowboy" (1973) #62 US
- "Please, Daddy" (1973)
- "Rocky Mountain HighRocky Mountain High"Rocky Mountain High" is a folk-rock song written by John Denver and Mike Taylor about Colorado, and is one of the two official state songs of Colorado. Recorded by Denver, it went to number nine on the US Hot 100 in 1973...
" (1973) #9 US - "Sunshine on My ShouldersSunshine on My Shoulders"Sunshine on My Shoulders" is the title of a song recorded and co-written by American singer/songwriter John Denver. It was released as a single in 1973 and went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S. in early 1974.- Song history :...
" (1974) #1 US - "Annie's SongAnnie's Song"Annie's Song" is a rock/country song recorded and written by singer-songwriter John Denver. It was his second number-one song in the United States, occupying that spot for two weeks in July 1974. "Annie's Song" also went to number one on the Easy Listening chart...
" (1974) #1 US, #1 UK - "Back Home AgainBack Home Again (song)"Back Home Again" is the title of a popular song written and performed by the American singer-songwriter John Denver. Released as a single from his album of the same name in 1974, "Back Home Again" peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. in November of that year. It was Denver's fifth...
" (1974) #5 US - "Please, Daddy" (re-release) (1974) #69 US
- "I'm SorryI'm Sorry (John Denver song)"I'm Sorry" is a song written and recorded by American country-folk singer-songwriter John Denver. Released in 1975, it was his final number-one pop hit released during his career.-Chart performance:...
" (1975) #1 US- B-side: CalypsoCalypso (song)"Calypso" is a song written by John Denver in 1975 as a tribute to Jacques-Yves Cousteau and his research ship Calypso. The song was featured on Denver's 1975 album Windsong....
#2 US
- B-side: Calypso
- "Christmas For Cowboys" (1975) #58 US
- "Sweet Surrender" (1975) #13 US
- "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" (1975) #1 US
- B-side: "My Sweet Lady"
- "Fly Away" (1976) #13 US
- "It Makes Me Giggle" (1976) #60 US
- "Like a Sad Song" (1976) #36 US
- "Looking For Space" (1976) #29 US
- "Baby, You Look Good To Me Tonight" (1977) #65 US
- "How Can I Leave You Again" (1977)
- "My Sweet Lady" (1977) #32 US
- "How Can I Leave You Again" (re-release) (1978) #44 US
- "I Want To Live" (1978) #55 US
- "Downhill Stuff" (1979)
- "Sweet Melinda" (1979)
- "What's On Your Mind" (1979)
- "Autograph" (1980) #52 US
- "Dancing With The Mountains" (1980) #97 US
- "Some Days Are Diamonds (Some Days Are Stone)" (1981) #38 US
- "The Cowboy And The Lady" (1981) #66 US
- "Perhaps LovePerhaps Love (song)"Perhaps Love" is a song written by John Denver. It was addressed to his wife while they were separated and moving towards a divorce.The song was recorded as a duet by John Denver and Plácido Domingo and appeared in the album by Domingo with the same title Perhaps Love...
" (with Plácido DomingoPlácido DomingoPlácido Domingo KBE , born José Plácido Domingo Embil, is a Spanish tenor and conductor known for his versatile and strong voice, possessing a ringing and dramatic tone throughout its range...
) (1982) #59 US, #42 UK - "Seasons Of The Heart" (1982) #78 US
- "Shanghai Breezes" (1982) #31 US
- "Wild Montana Skies" (w/Emmylou HarrisEmmylou HarrisEmmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
) (1983) - "Love Again" (1984) #85 US
- "Dreamland Express" (1985) #9 Hot Country Singles & Tracks US
- "Along for the Ride ('56 T-Bird)" (1986)
- "And So It Goes" (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band w/ John Denver) (1989) #14 Hot Country Singles & Tracks US
- "Take Me Home, Country Roads" (re-release) (1993)#75 Hot Country Singles & Tracks US
- "For You" (1995)