「我是基督徒，這是一首我特別喜愛的詩歌。因為旋律優美，歌詞寫得動人。深感神在我身上作工的奇妙。每每聽到，都會份外感動。」王佩琪老師

女聲版

男女混合版

「我喜歡這首歌是因為 它充滿了朝氣和活力」姚慧雅老師

李克勤 – 紅日 (港樂版)

Hacken Lee – Red Sun (紅日)(卡啦ok 版)

《紅日》為李克勤效力於寶麗金唱片公司時期的最後一張大碟，大碟推出時間為1992年夏季。之後他便轉投至星光唱片。

本大碟內收錄了11首歌曲，當中包括至今仍視為 「勵志歌」經典之作「紅日」。

另外，與周慧敏合唱的「萬千寵愛在一身」中場一段獨白最後一句「點解啲女人成日都咁多嘢問」，及翻唱由譚炳文原唱的舊歡如夢，李克勤所跳的舞步，都為當時佳話。

「BEYOND一直也是我的偶像,而我亦是透過“‘光輝歲月”這首歌曲認識他們的. 除了家駒的歌聲外, 這首歌最吸引我的是它的歌詞, 填詞人透過歌詞讚頌南非黑人民權領袖曼德拉(Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela)為爭取黑人平等權益而付上了自己大半生的自由. 希望同學也能透過這首歌曲感受到曼德拉的無私奉獻精神.     “今天只有殘留的軀殼……一生經過徬徨的掙扎，自信可改變未來，問誰又能做到！”」黃逸恆老師

光輝歲月 – BEYOND 
     曲︰黃家駒
     詞︰黃家駒

     鐘聲響起歸家的訊號　在他生命裡
     彷彿帶點唏噓　黑色肌膚給他的意義
     是一生奉獻　膚色鬥爭中

   ＊年月把擁有變做失去
     疲倦的雙眼帶著期望

   ＃今天只有殘留的驅殼　迎接光輝歲月
     風雨中抱緊自由　一生經過徬徨的掙扎
     自信可改變未來　問誰有能做到

     可否不分膚色的界限　願這土地裡
     不分你我高低　繽紛色彩閃出的美麗
     是因它沒有　分開每種色彩

     重唱　＊,＃,＃,＃,＃
真的愛妳 – BEYOND 
     曲︰黃家駒
     詞︰小美

   ＊無法可修飾的一對手
     帶出溫暖永遠在背後
     縱使囉囌始終關注
     不動珍惜太內咎

     沉醉於音階她不讚賞
     母親的愛卻永未退讓
     決心衝開心中掙扎
     親恩終可報答

   ＃春風化雨暖透我的心
     一生眷顧無言地送贈

   ＋是妳多麼溫馨的目光
     教我堅毅望著前路
     叮囑我跌倒不應放棄
     沒法解釋怎可報盡親恩
     愛意寬大是無限
     請準我說聲真的愛妳

     重唱　＊　

     仍記起溫馨的一對手
     始終給我照顧未變樣
     理想今天終於等到
     分享光輝盼做到

     重唱　＃,＋,＃,＋,＋

Beyond，香港著名搖滾樂隊，成立於1983年。被公認為華語樂壇上最成功和最有影響力的樂隊之一，Beyond不但在香港、中國內地及台灣均有大量樂迷，即使遠在日本、新加坡、大馬等地區亦有支持者。

樂隊的作品以寫實為主，內容每每反映社會時弊與及他們的所見所感，歌曲有時引來社會廣泛討論。樂隊一直堅持由各成員負責所有作品的作曲及編曲部分，而為了真實地表達樂隊對某一主題的意見和感受，歌詞也盡量由樂隊成員撰寫，但有時會交由劉卓輝等填詞人操刀。

樂隊名字Beyond是第一代吉他手鄧煒謙所改，意思為「超越」。在1998年出版的樂隊自傳書籍《擁抱Beyond歲月》中，鼓手葉世榮曾解釋，由於樂隊成員喜愛擁有自己的創作，有別於當時其他樂隊多數翻唱外國樂隊的作品，故”Beyond”有超越一般樂隊所涉足的音樂領域的意思，但葉世榮也重申，他們把樂隊命名”Beyond”，並不是要超越別人，而是要超越自己。

樂隊成員人數曾多達五名，但以黃家駒、黃家強、黃貫中、葉世榮的四人陣容最為人熟悉。黃家駒離世後，樂隊沒有加入新隊員填補，維持三名成員至2005年解散。

發展歷程

地下時期（1983-1986）

八十年代初，黃家駒及葉世榮經琴行老闆的介紹下認識，發覺彼此都受英國搖滾樂的影響，音樂取向一致，於是合組樂隊。不久，他們參加《結他雜誌》舉辦的結他比賽，當時主音結他手鄧煒謙把樂隊命名為Beyond，其後獲得冠軍。1983年底第一代低音結他手李榮潮離隊，黃家駒的弟弟黃家強便加入填補位置。他們不斷創作，共同的心願是舉辦演唱會和擁有一張屬於自己的專輯。

當時Beyond嘗試多種音樂風格，包括藝術搖滾，後朋克新浪潮，重金屬甚至華麗搖滾，也開始嘗試用粵語創作歌曲，打破當時香港地下樂隊多以英語創作歌曲的情況，Beyond以前衛樂隊的形象確立在香港地下樂壇的江湖地位。

1985年，Beyond向目標邁進，自資舉辦《永遠等待》演唱會，此時主音結他手陳時安離隊，樂隊平面設計師黃貫中因而獲邀加入，翌年再次自資推出盒帶《再見理想》後，終獲經理人垂青簽約。

五人時期（1987-1988）

雖然Beyond當時已經成立了好幾年，但是直至1987年推出首張EP《永遠等待》及大碟《阿拉伯跳舞女郎》後，才開始踏入主流樂壇為人認識。但是那時Beyond的音樂風格和形象未能為大眾接受，唱片銷量並不理想。1988年推出《現代舞台》，雖然作品已較為貼近主流，反應仍然一般。這時，劉志遠也因要往外地讀書而退出樂隊。

其後，Beyond簽約當時成立不久的新藝寶唱片公司。但是經理人表明，如果下一張專輯銷量仍然不理想，就會放棄他們。於是Beyond的歌曲更加「商業化」，各成員把頭髮剪短，一洗反叛青年的形象。接著的專輯秘密警察銷量理想，專輯內《喜歡你》、《大地》均成為流行歌曲，Beyond開始取得電子傳媒獎項。

雖然歌曲漸為大眾受落，但是這些並非Beyond最喜歡的音樂種類，加上地下時期追隨的樂迷批評他們失去樂隊原有的風格，被罵為「搖滾叛徒」。這段日子Beyond過得並不容易。

輝煌時期（1989-1991）

不過，Beyond並沒有理會外人的指責，黃家駒表示，他們知道自己正在做甚麼，要在商業化的香港市場玩自己真正喜歡的音樂，就必須先要打響樂隊的知名度，當更多人去聽Beyond的歌後，就會玩回自己喜歡的音樂。於是，樂隊成員陸續接拍電視劇及電影，塑造青春健康的形象，吸引不少年青樂迷。

真正令Beyond推上高峰的，是1989年以歌頌母親為題的作品《真的愛妳》。由於歌曲大熱，連帶收錄該歌曲的專輯《Beyond IV》獲得雙白金成績，同年Beyond假伊利沙伯體育館舉行七場「真的見證演唱會」。1990年推出粵語專輯《命運派對》，更獲得三白金佳績。

香港市場上了軌道，Beyond便開始發展台灣、馬來西亞等外地市場，於台灣推出首張國語大碟「大地」。1991年9月，Beyond踏足香港體育館舉辦五場「生命接觸演唱會」。此時日本經理人公司Amuse對Beyond感興趣，希望與他們簽約，把Beyond帶往日本發展。

日本時期（1992-1993）

1992年初，Beyond轉投華納唱片，並簽約Amuse積極開拓日本市場長居日本。因文化差異加上言語不通，四子異口同聲表示日本的生活非常孤獨，但當地的音樂令他們大開眼界，學到不少錄音及演奏的技巧。從年中推出粵語專輯《繼續革命》中，可見Beyond創作曲風已和新藝寶時代有明顯分別。

1993年5月，Beyond推出粵語專輯《樂與怒》，成員在香港逗留短短約一個月作宣傳便回日本。想不到在1993年6月24日凌晨，樂隊於日本東京富士電視台錄影遊戲節目《ウッチャンナンチャンのやるならやらねば – 想做什麼就做什麼》時發生意外，主音黃家駒不幸從2.7米高舞台墮下，頭部著地重傷昏迷，留醫六天後於6月30日當地時間下午4時15分逝世，終年31歲，收錄於《樂與怒》專輯的歌曲《海闊天空》，成了Beyond最後一首由黃家駒主唱的派台作品。

這個意外，不但令Beyond失去領導者，對三子來說更是一個重大的打擊。Beyond其他成員休息了四個月，在同年11月商業電台的「創作人音樂會」演唱，並表示會繼承家駒的遺志，繼續出版專輯。

Beyond於日本兩年期間，推出了兩張日語大碟及三張日語細碟。

三人時期（1994-1999）

1994年初，三人陣容的Beyond簽約香港滾石唱片後，開始灌錄粵語專輯《二樓後座》。

Beyond其後另外推出了兩張日語大碟及兩張日語細碟，與Amuse的合約結束後，Beyond再也沒有推出日語專輯，集中火力在香港及台灣市場。簽約香港滾石後，推出的國語專輯也同時在香港發行。三子汲取了與前經理人發生合約糾紛的教訓，成立了Beyond Publishing Co Ltd，取回歌曲版權，唱片公司只負責發行。

1996年3月，Beyond在香港體育館舉行黃家駒去世後的首個大型演唱會「Beyond的精彩演唱會」。這四場演唱會展示了三子依然強大的實力和樂隊頑強不屈的生命力。在最後一場演唱會上，黃家強含淚清唱《祝您愉快》給遠方的哥哥，感動台下所有歌迷，成為是次演唱會最感人的場面。

其後數年，Beyond推出多張粵語及國語專輯，純熟的編曲技巧，令Beyond定位為實力派樂隊。1999年11月，Beyond宣佈推出粵語專輯《Goodtime》及舉行「Good Time演唱會」後，樂隊會暫停活動，各成員將作個人發展。

個人時期（2000-2005）

2000年，Beyond三位成員開始作個人發展。2001年黃貫中和葉世榮先後推出首張個人專輯，黃家強首張專輯則於2002年面世。

2003年4月，Beyond三子為慶祝樂隊成立20周年，再次聚首舉行五場「Beyond超越Beyond演唱會」。雖然演唱會舉行期間正值沙士肆虐，演唱會仍然順利舉行，還得到不錯的口碑，結果同年六月再加開三場。三子並把黃家駒一首遺作重新編曲出版，成了紀念周年作《抗戰二十年》，並舉辦了首次世界巡迴演唱。

2004年樂隊憑電影《無間道II》主題曲《長空》，獲香港電影金像獎「最佳電影原創歌曲」獎，這歌亦成為Beyond解散前最後一首原創音樂。然而11月宣佈三人因音樂理念問題，決定翌年舉辦巡迴演唱會後正式解散。

2005年樂隊舉行「Beyond the Story Live」告別巡迴演唱會，最後一站為新加坡。樂隊解散後，三人繼續以「音樂人」姿態發展自己的音樂事業。

「填詞出色，融合中國文學的詩歌在內」-鄧麗珠老師

紫釵記 (兩地相思) 鄭少秋 汪明荃 The Legend of Purple Hair Pin 1975 年 03
 
紫釵記 (長亭惜別) 鄭少秋 汪明荃 The Legend of Purple Hair Pin 1975 年 02

紫釵記 (負心惟女子) 鄭少秋 The Legend of Purple Hair Pin 1975 年 06

紫釵記是在1956年唐滌生根據明代湯顯祖原著崑劇改編的粵劇，共八齣，1957年8月30日在香港利舞臺首演。湯顯祖版本的《紫釵記》，據唐人小說《霍小玉傳》及其本身作品《紫簫記》所改編，並改變其原來的悲劇結局為才子佳人故事。主角是唐朝詩人李益，和淪落倡家的貴族女子霍小玉，再加上一個身份神秘、扭轉男女主角命運的「黃衫客」。生旦兩人一見鍾情，後來發生變故，不能長相廝守，最後有情人終成眷屬。

來源

「紫釵記」以明朝湯顯祖的雜劇「紫釵記」為本，而湯顯祖的「紫釵記」亦是他重寫自己早期另一個劇本「紫簫記」 「紫簫記」的情節比較簡單，最重要的分別是欠缺了「紫釵」這個戲劇元素。湯顯祖劇作的藍本是唐代蔣防傳奇小說「霍小玉傳」。無論「紫釵記」或「紫簫記」，霍小玉都能與李益終成眷屬，而小說中之李益對小玉始亂終棄，順從母親之命，另娶富家女為妻，使小玉悲痛欲絕，「喪慟號哭數聲而絕」。小說中的李益在小玉死後，娶妻妾三人，惶惶不可終日，輒加猜忌，家宅不寧。

情節大綱

  「’Love’ Is important and everyone has to learn how to ‘love」Miss Lau

John Denver and Placido Domingo- Perhaps Love

PERHAPS LOVE (John Denver)

Perhaps love is like a resting place, a shelter from the storm
It exists to give you comfort, it is there to keep you warm
And in those times of trouble when you are most alone
The memory of love will bring you home

Perhaps love is like a window, perhaps an open door
It invites you to come closer, it wants to show you more
And even if you lose yourself and don’t know what to do
The memory of love will see you through

Love to some is like a cloud, to some as strong as steel
For some a way of living, for some a way to feel
And some say love is holding on and some say letting go
And some say love is everything, and some say they don’t know

Perhaps love is like the ocean, full of conflict, full of pain
Like a fire when it’s cold outside, thunder when it rains
If I should live forever, and all my dreams come true
My memories of love will be of you

Some say love is holding on and some say letting go
Some say ove is everything and some say they don’t know

Perhaps love is like the mountains, full og conflict, full of change
Like a fire when it’s cold outside, thunder when it rains
If I should live forever, and all my dreams come true
My memories of love will be of you

About John Denver

John Denver (December 31, 1943 – October 12, 1997), born Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr., was an American folk singer-songwriter and folk rock musician who was one of the most popular artists of the 1970s. He recorded and released some 300 songs, about half of which he had composed, and was named Poet Laureate of Colorado in 1977.

Denver’s songs were suffused with a deep and abiding 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”.

Early years

Denver was born in Roswell, New Mexico to Erma Louise Swope and Henry John Deutschendorf, Sr.,^[1] an Air Force officer and flight instructor. As a typical military brat his family moved around the American Southwest and South while Denver was growing up.

Denver was a Christian in his early life, reared Presbyterian, and converted to Lutheranism, but he often said he shared many beliefs with Zen Buddhists and certain Yoga Spiritual Masters. He also felt he had a connection with the indigenous people of North America. In his memoirs, Denver cited that as a child he had some troubles at home, mostly with his rocking horse, which used to come alive at night and steal his blanket.

By far Denver’s most folk album, Rhymes and Reasons would open up his life long solo career.

At the age of 12, he received a 1910 Gibson f-hole acoustic jazz guitar from his grandmother, and polished his skills enough to be able to perform at local clubs by the time he was in college. He adopted the surname ‘Denver’, for the capital of his favorite state, after Randy Sparks suggested that ‘Deutschendorf’ wouldn’t fit comfortably on a marquee. He dropped out of the School of Engineering (Architecture) at Texas Tech University in Lubbock in 1964, and moved to Los Angeles, California. Denver sang in the smoky underground folk clubs in Los Angeles, and in 1965 joined the Chad Mitchell Trio, a folk group later renamed “The Mitchell Trio” and then “Denver, Boise, and Johnson”.

In 1969, he abandoned the band life to pursue a solo career, and released his first album for RCA Records, Rhymes and Reasons. It was not a huge hit, but it contained “Leaving On A Jet Plane”, which became a number one hit for Peter, Paul and Mary that same year. He recorded two more albums in 1970, Whose Garden Was This? and Take Me to Tomorrow. Although these albums were not as successful as those that followed, they would all be certified gold by the RIAA, and later considered to be some of Denver’s most revered work.
He died on october 12, 1997.

Peak of career

Denver’s next album, Poems, Prayers and Promises, released the following year, was a breakthrough for him in America, thanks in part to the single “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” which went to number two. (The first pressings of the track were distorted. Its success was in part due to the machinations of his new manager, future Hollywood producer Jerry Weintraub who signed Denver in 1970. Weintraub insisted on reissues of the track & began a radio-airplay campaign that began in Denver, Colorado) His career flourished from then on, and the hits came pouring in for the next four years. In 1972, Denver scored his first top ten album, with Rocky Mountain High, while its title track reached the Top Ten in 1973. In 1974, “Sunshine on My Shoulders” and “Annie’s Song” both went to number one, and “Back Home Again” made it to number five. In 1975, he again had two number ones, “Thank God I’m A Country Boy” and “Calypso/I’m Sorry,” and a top twenty hit, “Sweet Surrender.” Key to Denver’s success were his many appearances on television, which in the pre-MTV era of the 1970s, with his long blond hair, embroidered ‘western’ shirts, affable manner & granny glasses, made him one of the first truly “tele-genic” pop stars. His manager, Jerry Weintraub, insisted on these appearances, (including a series of half-hour shows in England despite Denver’s then-protestations that “I’ve had had no success in Britain … I mean none“(Source: “Rocky Mountain Wonderboy,” James M Martin,Pinnacle Books 1977) for as Weintraub told Maureen Orth of Newsweek in December 1976, “I knew the critics would never go for John. I had to get him to the people.” Among one of these first appearances was a spot filling in for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. During the show, Denver uttered the phrase, “Far Out!” over nineteen times, thus ensuring the exclamation would become a sort of catchphrase forever associated with his name. After appearing as a guest on many shows, Denver went on to host his own variety/music specials, including several world-televised concerts from Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Denver, the “Mile High City.” His seasonal special “Rocky Mountain Christmas” was watched by over 60 million people and was the highest rated show for the ABC Network at that time, while his live concert special, “An Evening with John Denver” won the Emmy award for Best Variety or Musical Special of the same year.

He also made appearances on The Muppet Show. This relationship was the beginning of a life-long friendship between Denver and Jim Henson which spawned two television specials Denver made with The Muppets. He even tried his hand at acting starring in the 1977 film, Oh, God! opposite George Burns. Denver would go on to host the Grammy Awards five times in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as guest-host The Tonight Show multiple times.

1972’s Rocky Mountain High

In 1975 he was recognized as the Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year. At the Country Music Association awards ceremony, reigning Entertainer of the Year Charlie Rich (who himself had a series of crossover hits) was to present the award to his successor; instead of reading the name of the winner, he set fire to the envelope with a cigarette lighter and announced in tones of disgust, “My good friend, John Denver!”. Some considered it a statement against country pop and the Music Row-controlled Nashville Sound, while others rejected Rich’s actions.

In 1977, he co-founded The Hunger Project, along with Werner Erhard and Robert W. Fuller. Denver served for many years, and supported the organization until his death. He was also appointed by President Jimmy Carter to serve on the President’s Commission on World Hunger. He wrote and dedicated the song “I Want to Live” as the theme song for the Hunger Project.

In 1979, he performed “Rhymes & Reasons” at the Music for UNICEF Concert, which gained him exposure to worldwide audiences. Royalties from the concert performances were donated to UNICEF.

Image and politics

Denver had a distinctive and trend-setting image, his blond hair cut in a “Dutch-Boy” style, complemented by bell-bottom jeans and cowboy boots. He was known for the catch phrase “Far out!” that punctuated his concerts and conversation, his happy, positive image, and his western accent. As his interests began to go beyond just his music, Denver worked to promote specific political ideals.

Political activism

Denver’s final album with RCA; One World , was a blunt jab at the results of war.

Denver became outspoken in politics in the mid-seventies. In 1976, he campaigned for Jimmy Carter, who became a close friend and ally. Denver was a supporter of the Democratic Party, and a number of charitable causes for the environment, the homeless, the poor, the African AIDS crisis, and hunger. He founded the charitable Windstar Foundation in 1976 to promote sustainable living. His dismay at the Chernobyl disaster led to precedent-setting concerts in parts of communist Asia and Europe.

During the 1980s, he was a critic of the Reagan Administration’s environmental and defense spending policies, advocated unilateral disarmament of the United States, and opposed free market economics. His outrage at the conservative politics of the 1980s was famously expressed in Denver’s autobiographical folk rock ballad Let Us Begin (What Are We Making Weapons For). Denver was also critical of the Republican-dominated Congress and American Conservatism of the 1990s. He denounced the National Rifle Association (NRA) as a corrupt political machine that could buy off politicians, in an open letter he wrote to the media opposing oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Denver had battled to expand the refuge in the 1980s, and praised President Bill Clinton for his opposition to the proposed drilling and desire to rely more on imported oil. The letter, which he wrote in the midst of the 1996 Presidential election, was one of the last Denver would ever write.

Despite his many differences with Republican leaders and Presidents, Denver was a sought-after guest at state dinners hosted by Richard Nixon and George H.W. Bush. His “all-American” image and soft spoken lyrics of peace and harmony made him a popular entertainer. In 1972, at a Washington, D.C. concert, Nixon and then Premier of the People’s Republic of China Zhou Enlai were members of the audience.^{[citation needed]} After the concert, which included Denver’s infamous parodies “The Ballad of Richard Nixon” and “The Ballad of Spiro Agnew” , the Premier purchased 500 cassette tapes of the country folk ballad “Take Me Home, Country Roads”.

Denver’s 1977 LP I Want To Live .

John Denver was a graduate of Werner Erhard’s Erhard Seminars Training and also wrote and dedicated the song “Looking for Space” to E.S.T.. This song came from his 1975 album “Windsong”. It became the theme song for the training organization.

Denver supported space activism and was once slated to go into space. He was on the Board of Governors of the National Space Society for many years.

 Later years and humanitarian work

1985’s Dreamland Express

In subsequent years, Denver had a lower-profile career. He had a few more U.S. Top 30 hits as the 1970s ended, but nothing to match the success he enjoyed earlier. As his career slowed down, Denver focused more on humanitarian and sustainability work. He worked extensively on conservation projects and helped to create the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Denver made public expression of his acquaintance or friendship with ecological-design researchers like Richard Buckminster Fuller and Amory Lovins, from whom he said he learned much. He also founded his own environmental group, the Windstar Foundation. Denver had a keen interest in the causes of and solution to hunger, and visited Africa during the 1980s to witness first-hand the suffering caused by starvation and to work with African leaders towards a solution.

In 1983 and 1984 Denver hosted the annual Grammy Awards which are presented by the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS). The 1983 presentation was noteworthy as for the show’s finale, Denver was joined on-stage by folk music legend Joan Baez. Baez and Denver lead an all-star version of “Blowing In The Wind” and “Let The Sunshine In”. They were joined on stage by such diverse musical icons as Jennifer Warnes, Donna Summer, and Rick James.

Denver testified alongside Frank Zappa and Dee Snider on the topic of censorship during a Parents Music Resource Center hearing in 1985. His appearance and music sharply contrasted with those of his musical counterparts. Denver also toured Russia in 1985, met with Communist Party luminaries at every opportunity. Denver’s 11 concerts in the Soviet Union were the first by an American artist in over 10 years, and marked a very important cultural exchange, which culminated in an agreement to allow other western artists to perform in the USSR. ^[2] He returned two years later to perform at a benefit concert for the victims of the Chernobyl accident. In October 1992, he undertook a multiple city tour of Communist China, shaking hands and meeting with Communist Party leaders through every city. Denver also released the “Homegrown” CD of his greatest hits to raise money for charities helping the homeless.

1991’s Different Directions

In 1994, he published his autobiography, Take Me Home. In 1996, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and his “legend” status was ensured.

In early 1997, Denver filmed an episode for the Nature series, centering on the natural wonders that inspired many of his best-loved songs. The episode contains his last song, “Yellowstone, Coming Home,” which he composed while rafting along the Colorado River with his son and young daughter.^{[citation needed]}

When his career as a musical icon slowed down and his humanitarian work picked up its pace, Denver had two incidents involving driving under the influence of alcohol. In 1993 he pleaded guilty to “driving while impaired”, and a 1994 incident ended with a hung jury in 1997 when his defense argued that a thyroid condition rendered the alcohol tests unreliable.^[3]

 Personal life

The lyrics to “Rocky Mountain High”, one of Colorado’s official state songs, in Rio Grande Park near Denver’s hometown of Aspen, Colorado.

Denver’s first marriage was to Annie Martell of St. Peter, Minnesota. Annie was the subject of his much-beloved hit “Annie’s Song”. He and Annie adopted a son (Zachary) and daughter (Anna Kate) after determining that Denver was infertile. Zachary was the subject of “A Baby Just Like You,” a song he wrote for Frank Sinatra who also appeared on the Muppet Christmas Special; he was also the eponymous subject of “Merry Christmas, Little Zachary.” After divorce from Annie in 1982, he later married Australian actress and singer Cassandra Delaney in 1988. They had a daughter named Jesse Belle, after Denver had medical treatment for his infertility. They divorced in 1993. In the years after his second divorce, Denver and Annie Martell began to reconcile their friendship. At the time of his death, a rumor spread from the tabloid The National Enquirer suggested reconciliation of their marriage; but no evidence has arisen supporting this claim.

 Death

A Long-EZ two seat canard plane similar to Denver’s.

On October 12, 1997, Denver was killed when the Long-EZ aircraft he was piloting crashed just off the coast of California at Pacific Grove, shortly after taking off from the Monterey Peninsula Airport.

The Long-EZ that Denver was flying is a two-seat experimental aircraft, designed in the 1970s by Burt Rutan. Denver’s particular plane, N555JD, bought used, had been changed from Rutan’s original published plans: The fuel tank selector valve had been moved from a location just aft of the nose gear wheel housing and between the pilot’s legs to the bulkhead behind and to the left of the pilot’s (front) seat. ^[4]

Denver apparently lost control of the aircraft while attempting to manipulate the fuel selector handle after running out of fuel in one tank. Witnesses stated that the plane made a sudden pitch-down plunge into the water, leading to speculation that, in reaching around to the rear, Denver bumped or kicked the side-stick control. The official investigation decided that he had likely inadvertently pushed the right rudder pedal trying to gain leverage to turn in his seat to reach the fuel handle.

A pilot with over 2700 hours of experience, Denver had multiengine, instrument, and Learjet type ratings. He had recently purchased the Long-EZ aircraft and had taken a half-hour checkout flight with the aircraft the day before the accident. The NTSB cited Denver’s unfamiliarity with the aircraft and his failure to have the aircraft refueled as causal factors in the accident. Denver was the sole occupant of the aircraft. Prior to the accident, the FAA had learned of his failure to abstain entirely from alcohol subsequent to prior drunk driving arrests, and since his medical certification was conditional on this, a determination was made that due to his drinking problem he was not qualified for any class of medical certification at the time. At least a third-class medical certification was required to exercise the privileges of his pilot certificate. There was no trace of alcohol or any other drug in Denver’s body at autopsy, however.^[5] As the wreck badly disfigured Denver’s body, dental records were needed to confirm the pilot of the Long-EZ was indeed the fallen singer.

Upon announcement of his death, Governor Roy Romer of Colorado ordered all Colorado flags to be lowered to half-staff to honor Denver. He was cremated alongside his 1910 Gibson guitar that his grandmother had given him, and subsequently inspired much of his legacy. Denver’s life was celebrated at funeral services at Faith Presbyterian Church in Aurora, Colorado on October 17, 1997. His ashes were scattered in the Rocky Mountains. Further tributes were made at the following Grammys and Country Music Association Awards. Denver’s final album, All Aboard! consisted of old fashioned swing, big band, folk, bluegrass and gospel styles of music woven into a theme of railroad songs. All Aboard! won a posthumous Best Musical Album For Children Grammy.

Posthumous recognition

In 2000, the CBS television movie Take Me Home: The John Denver Story was released, with loosely-based on Denver’s memoirs, starring Chad Lowe. However, Denver’s brother, Ron Deutschendorf voiced the feelings of many of the singer’s fans when he wrote a letter to the Los Angeles Times criticizing the films many inaccuracies: chronic chronological errors, the release dates of Denver’s biggest hits, an exaggeration of his relationship difficulties with his father and a totally superficial treatment of Denver’s commitment to his various causes. As one critic observed “An overachiever like John Denver couldn’t have been this boring.” ^[6] In a letter to “The World Family of John Denver”, Ron Deutschendorf has since expressed the desire to make a feature film which accurately portrays the events of his famous elder sibling’s life.

John Denver’s music remains very popular around the world. Previously unreleased and unnoticed recordings are now sought-after collectibles of both the folk and country genres. Also in demand are copies of Denver’s many television appearances, especially his one hour specials from the 1970s and his 6 part series for Britain’s BBC, “The John Denver Show.” Despite strong interest in these programs, the vast majority of this material still shows no sign of “official” release.

An anthology musical featuring John Denver’s music, “Back Home Again: A John Denver Holiday,” premiered at the Rubicon Theatre Company in November of 2006.

On September 24, 2007, the California Friends of John Denver & The Windstar Foundation unveiled a bronze plaque near the spot where his plane went down near Pacific Grove. The site had been marked by a driftwood log carved (by Jeffrey Pine of Colorado) with the singer’s name, but fears that the memorial could be washed out to sea sparked the campaign for a more permanent memorial. Initially the Pacific Grove Council denied permission for the memorial fearing the place would attract ghoulish curiosity from extreme fans. Permission was granted in 1999, but was put on hold temporarily at the request of the singer’s family. Over 100 friends and family attended the dedication of the plaque, which featured a bas-relief of the singer’s face and lines from Denver’s composition, ‘Windsong’: “So welcome the wind and the wisdom she offers. Follow her summons when she calls again.” Source: Julia Reynolds, “Friends welcome Denver plaque”, 24/9/07, http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_6982141?nclick_check=1)

To mark the 10th anniversary of John Denver’s death, his family is releasing a set of previously unreleased recordings of Denver’s 1985 concert performances in the Soviet Union. This two CD set, John Denver – Live in the USSR, was produced by Denver’s friend Roger Nichols and released by AAO Music. These digital recordings were made during 11 concerts, and then rediscovered in 2002. Included in this set is a previously unpublished rendition of Annie’s Song in Russian. The release date is scheduled for November 6, 2007. ^[2]

Related artists

Main article: The John Denver Band

Denver started his recording career with the Chad Mitchell Trio; his distinctive voice can be heard where he sings solo on Violets of Dawn. He recorded three albums with the Mitchell Trio, replacing Chad Mitchell himself as lead singer. His group Denver, Boise and Johnson released a single before he moved on to a solo career.

Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert, co-writers of Denver’s most familiar song, “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, were close friends of him and his family. The pair appeared as singers and songwriters on many of Denver’s albums until they formed the Starland Vocal Band in 1976. The band’s albums were released on Denver’s Windsong Records (also known as Windstar Records) label.

Denver’s early solo success is often attributed to the recording of his Leaving on a Jet Plane which was recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary. It became a number 1 hit for the group.

Denver recorded songs by Tom Paxton, Eric Andersen, John Prine, David Mallett, and many others in the folk scene. His record company, Windstar, is still an active record label today.

Olivia Newton-John,an Australian singer whose across-the-board appeal to pop, MOR, and country audiences in the mid-1970s was similar to Denver’s, lent her distinctive backup vocals to Denver’s 1975 single “Fly Away”; she performed the song with Denver on his 1975 Rocky Mountain Christmas special. She also covered his “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” and had a hit in the United Kingdom (#15 in 1973) and Japan (#6 in a belated 1976 release) with it. Her recording of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” is featured in the opening credits of the Anime film Whisper of the Heart.

Awards and recognition

Grammy Awards

• Best Musical Album For Children, 1997, “All Aboard!”
• Grammy Hall of Fame Award, 1998, “Take Me Home, Country Roads”

American Music Awards

• Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist, 1975, 1976
• Favorite Country Male Artist, 1976
• Favorite Country Album, 1976, “Back Home Again”

Country Music Association Awards

• Song of the Year, 1975, “Back Home Again”
• Entertainer of the Year, 1975

Academy of Country Music Awards

• Album of the Year, 1974, “Back Home Again”

Emmy Awards

• Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Special, 1975, “An Evening with John Denver”

Other recognition

• Poet Laureate of Colorado, 1977
• People’s Choice Award, 1977
• Carl Sandburg’s People’s Poet Award, 1982
• NASA Public Service Medal, 1985
• Albert Schweitzer Music Award, 1993
• Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, 1996
• Rocky Mountain High declared state song of Colorado, 2007
• Ten Outstanding Men of America, 1979