John attended Texas Tech University, but dropped out in 1964 to move to Los Angeles. In 1965 he joined the folk-group Chad Mitchell Trio, but by 1969, he had flown solo and released his first LP: Rhymes and Reasons. The LP included the song "Leaving on a Jet Plane," which became a #1 hit two years later when it was recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary. In 1970, John recorded two more albums: Whose Garden Was This? and Take Me to Tomorrow, which both went gold.
John’s breakthrough album was the 1971 release Poems, Prayers and Promises, a platinum-seller which featured the popular hit: "Take Me Home, Country Roads." The next four years would mark the pinnacle of John’s career, with such releases as his first top ten album, Rocky Mountain High. By 1975, John’s accomplishments were recognized with an award for Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year. He was also featured on the opposite end of the podium when he hosted the Grammy Awards a total of five times during the 70s and 80s.
John made a unique foray into television after he struck up a friendship with Jim Henson. He appeared on The Muppet Show as well as in two of The Muppets’ movies. He also starred opposite George Burns in the 1977 film Oh, God!.
The peaceful sentiments of John’s lyrics were also mirrored in his philanthropic contributions. In 1977, he co-founded The Hunger Project, and was appointed by Jimmy Carter to serve on the President's Commission on World Hunger. As his career wound down in the mid-80s, John was able to focus even more attention on his humanitarian work. He assisted in the creation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, founded his own environmental group, The Windstar Foundation, and visited Africa to assist in famine relief. Denver also performed at benefit concerts on behalf of UNICEF, Chernobyl survivors, and donated the proceeds from his greatest hits CD, Homegrown, to raise money for charities helping the homeless.
John was politically active throughout his career peak in 70s and 80s, as well as into the 90s. During the 1976 presidential campaign, he campaigned for Jimmy Carter and became a critic of the Reagan Administration and conservative politics in the 1980s. During the 1996 Presidential election, John penned an open letter to the media opposing oil drilling in the Arctic , in which he denounced the NRA as a corrupt political machine that could buy-off politicians. He praised President Bill Clinton for his opposition to the proposed drilling.
On October 12, 1997, John was killed in a plane crash when the aircraft he was piloting ran out of fuel.
The Governor of Colorado ordered all Colorado flags to be lowered to half-mast in honor of John, whose last name paid tribute to the state’s capitol. John’s last album, All Aboard! was honored with a posthumous 1997 Grammy award in the category of Best Musical Album For Children. One year later, Denver was also honored with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.
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