THE SNUBBING OF JOHN DENVER

BY DAN MILLER
(originally posted October 12, 2004)

I was reading over a list of historic events that happened on this date, and was reminded that on October 12, 1997, John Denver died when his small, experimental plane crashed into Monterey Bay in California.

I’ve always enjoyed John Denver's music.
In fact, one of my daughters is named Darcy, taken from a beautiful song titled "Darcy Farrow" on a 1970's John Denver album. I was smitten with that name from the first time I heard it.

The reason I bring this up is because when John Denver comes to mind, I'm reminded of how he received a "snub" of painful proportions.

In January of 1985, to raise money to help end hunger in Africa, a group of American singers gathered and recorded a song called "We Are the World".

I'm sure you remember the song and video.... it was a huge success. Not only did it raise money and awareness for Africans, it won Grammys in 1985 for Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

Those participating were a Who's Who of America's popular singers: Harry Belafonte, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Tina Turner, Hall & Oats, Dionne Warwick, Bette Midler, James Ingram, Diana Ross, Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Cyndi Lauper, Smokey Robinson, Bob Dylan, Lionel Richie and many others.
Even Dan Aykroyd was there!

But John Denver..... who probably put more effort into solving world hunger than any artist, ever..... wasn't asked to be there.

John called himself a "concerned citizen of the earth".
He was asked to serve on the Presidential Commission on World and Domestic Hunger.
He was one of the founders of The Hunger Project, an organization committed to the sustainable end of chronic hunger.

John Denver toured African countries devastated by drought and starvation as a representative of UNICEF. He performed benefit concerts for global hunger and environmental efforts, and was even awarded the Presidential "World Without Hunger" award.

Yet, astonishingly, he was not even invited to participate in that "We Are the World" campaign.
And from what I read, it was not an oversight. It was probably because the popularity and sales of his records had slipped during the 1980's.

In his 1994 autobiography "Take Me Home", John wrote, "It broke my heart not to be included...."

Today, I was just thinking, he should have been there.

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Comments

[SLATE]

My own sort of trackback. Thanks for writing about John Denver.. I never knew he got snubbed, being that was born in 1983. Anyways, you're correct, he should have been there.

[kevin stohl]

Dear Dan Miller,

I too liked the name and song Darcy Farrow. In fact I loved it so much that I got permission from Steve gillete and tom campbell who wrote the song to write four novels based on the song darcy farrow. the first book "Remembrance" will be out this year 2007. my website is www.darcyfarrow.com the site will be updated this january. please take care give me an email sometime.

kevin stohl
[email protected]
208-496-2815

[Carol]

He should have been there. I read a couple of biographies on John Denver, and I have to say I was amazed at all the time and effort he put into so many worthy causes. I think it was a disgrace that he was not asked to be in the "we are the world."

[jack cassell]

john denver was one of a kind. Kind being his most rewarding attrbute. My Dad (a ww 2 hero,like John,s Dad) who died a couple years back enjoyed him as do my children. Try matching that age Gap all you other entertainers. Goerge Burns said that John Denver bridged the gap between youth and age do to kindness and consciencous sincerity. That's true entartainment for the ages. Long Live John,s humility. I waS ADOPTED AS WAS jOHN,S SON. i KNOW THE LOVE HE POSESSED BECAUSE MY DAD HAD THAT SAME QUALITY. [email protected]

[Bill Berry]

What makes John Denver's death to this day difficult is the power of his music and how his vision and his lyrics are very relevant today regardless of whether you believe in global warming or not. I didn't know until I was reading the Wiki on "We Are the World" that John was snubbed and you're right, he was "out" there and made such a huge impact on countries like Russian, China and the continent of Africa and here we are 11 years later admiring such an incredibly gifted human being.

[Marilyn Strube]

John Denver's efforts on behalf of the environment, to relieve world hunger and to spread tolerance and compassion come straight from the heart of a man who was truly ahead of his time. We need his beautiful music and his vital message now more than ever. It was truly a tragedy to have lost him so soon. There are many songs and videos of him on YouTube. Search him out if you need a lift today.

[adult chat]

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[chatroom]

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[c lumpkin]

What a kind man and devoted to what he believed in. How dare he not be included in a "pop" song and video that would never have been made without his influence. In fact, his concern was the main reason his popularity declined in the late 70's and early 80's. Shame on you Quincy Jones and Lionel Ritchie and everone else who thought they were too gifted to sing with John...that's why we're still talking about him almost 14 years after his death. FAR OUT!

[Nancy Morris]

Here it is now 2016 and I still listen to his music every day. I really believe he was a prophet during his time. We will all be sorry we ignored him.

[Rene Diaz]

Dear Dan Miller,
I also think it is an outrageous mistake those people made by declining our beloved John Denver's offer to participate in that musical event. However, this is all just crying over spilled milk. It just did not happen. John Denver will still be remembered with or without having been part of 'USA for Africa'. John Denver has been, and will always be my favorite musician, no matter what. Thanks a lot for bringing him to my mind once again.

[Valerie Hellard]

Now 2018 and John Denver is still my favourite singer, His songs his nature everything about him says look after your world and the people who live init. Everything in nature he loved and was never afraid to show that compassion. Shame on all those who excluded him from Usa for Africa.

[Chriatene MacLellan-Boucher]

..'his record sales had slipped'....no way...there were people in that group that had no record sales at the time....I know music and it was a snub...pure and simple....he had more record sales than Cyndi Lauper, than alot of the people involved...Quincy Jones did the picking and he probably dissed John for personal reasons more than professional....