The John Denver Band

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Main Article: John Denver

The John Denver Band

The John Denver Band's debut album (1969), Rhymes and Reasons
Origin Colorado
Country US, UK
Years active 1969-1997
Actual Status
Genres Folk Rock, Country
Labels RCA, BMG, Windstar
US distribution RCA, BMG, Windstar
Members John Denver
(Electric and Acoustic Guitar/Vocals/Fiddle/Piano), Pete Huttlinger (Guitar/Backing Vocals),
Alan Derimo (Bass/Percussion)
Past members Mike Taylor (Guitar/Backing Vocals),
Dick Kniss (Piano),
John Martin Sommers (Guitar/Backing Vocals),
John Henry (Fiddle/Percussion),
Taffy Nivert (Backing Vocals/Tambourine),
Bill Danoff (Guitar/Backing Vocals)

The John Denver Band (a.k.a. The John Denver Experience) was a country-folk band active in the 1960's through the 1990's. 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.

Contents

[edit] 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-piano-bass-drums combination at the time of forming in 1969, the band evolved in to an emphasis of wind instrumentation in the 1990's, heavy soft-rock tempo in the 1980's, and a more vocal emphasis in the late 70's, when the band had critically peaked.

Among Denver, other members included that of legendary fiddler/songwriter John Sommers, Guitarist Steve Weisberg, Bass player Dick Kniss, Percussionist Hal Blaine,Taffy Nivert and Bill Danoff (whom evolved into the band Fat City in 1977), and Mike Taylor. The original band was that of Denver, Taylor, and Kniss.

[edit] Origin

It's unknown where and when The John Denver Band was formed, although many music experts have argued the most likely locations; Denver, Boulder or Aspen, Colorado (where later John Denver bands where 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 Anne 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 all members hailed from. As well, 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 1960's 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, whom arose from Mitchell Trio/Denver, Boise, Johnson fame.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Discography

For a detailed description see John Denver discography

In chronological order, 1969-1991 (U.S. Releases)

[edit] RCA Records

[edit] Windstar Records

  • Higher Ground - 1989
  • Earth Songs - 1990
  • The Flower That Shattered the Stone - 1990
  • Christmas, Like a Lullaby - 1990
  • Different Directions - 1991

[edit] Singles

  • "Leaving On a Jet Plane" (1969)
  • "Friends With You" (1971) #47 US
  • "Take Me Home, Country Roads" (1971) #1 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 High" (1973) #9 US
  • "Sunshine on My Shoulders" (1974) #1 US
  • "Annie's Song" (1974) #1 US, #1 UK
  • "Back Home Again" (1974) #5 US
  • "Please, Daddy" (re-release) (1974) #69 US
  • "Calypso/I'm Sorry" (1975) #1 US
  • "Christmas For Cowboys" (1975) #58 US
  • "Sweet Surrender" (1975) #13 US
  • "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" (1975) #1 US
  • "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 Love" (with Plácido Domingo) (1982) #59 US, #42 UK
  • "Seasons Of The Heart" (1982) #78 US
  • "Shanghai Breezes" (1982) #31 US
  • "Wild Montana Skies" (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" (1989) #14 Hot Country Singles & Tracks US
  • "Take Me Home, Country Roads" (re-release) (1993)

[edit] External links

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