John Denver's death - CNN coverage from October 1997

[MaryMRevis]

I was BLESSED to have the chance to watch Mr. Denver perform in 1997 in Washington DC, only then after to learn of his passing. My heart was and STILL is sad and aches for the music, the smile and timber of that sweet tenor voice. Although I play the recordings I have often..it's still not the same, knowing he is not here with us. God bless you Mr. Denver, for the music, for your humanitarian efforts and kindness. Your family, friends and FANS will NEVER forget you. You are forever in our hearts

[7TheApache]

just got done playing most all his songs here on U tube, miss him so much. No one can take his place, no one.

[TheAikidoSamurai]

Offskew, I believe you have your memory's backwards, John died Oct. 12, 1997 and Sonny died Jan. 5, 1998, but at that close together and that long ago our memories start to get a bit Offskew.

[Offskew]

I was the first satellite truck operator to arrive at the crash, it was a horrible sight, I remember when they recovered his body and some idiot from another network broadcast it and the comments made by the coroner...and prior to that I was the first to arrive at Sonny Bono ' skiing death....both clear memories, thanks for leaving out the crash footage from this story

[michaeldonegan]

@Offskew Thank you for your comment.

[NigBalla23]

WE MISS YOU JOHN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rustina61]

Thank you for not showing the plane. Finally, someone with good taste. Hopefully, it was so quick he never knew what happened.

[michaeldonegan]

@Rustina61 Thank you too. I'm sorry about the strange aspect ratio. Something happened during the conversion process and I got stuck with that squashed picture!

We all hope that he never knew what happened.

[michaeldonegan]

@WaltMaken Thank you for your kind advice about the aspect ratio. I have followed your instructions but sadly there is no change.

[WaltMaken]

@michaeldonegan Try clicking on the Help link at the bottom of this page. I originally asked at the Help Forum and was told about the yt code. Maybe try making the yt code the first thing in the box. There must be a way, let's see if we can find it. Start by asking at the Help Forum.

[WaltMaken]

@michaeldonegan If you'll send me your email address, I'll send you the link to my original Help Request. My email address is WaltMaken at gmail dot com . I didn't put the at sign or the period between gmail and com because they don't seem to allow links in these comments.

[EarthCrone]

Dean Evenson is seen playing flute with John Denver at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit (at 40 seconds). Our friend just noticed him there. We have other footage of John in South Dakota at the Pine Ridge Reservation singing at Chief Fools Crow's 88th birthday pow wow. Amazing footage. Someday we will put it up on Soundings of the Planet channel.

[tblackjacks1]

A couple hours after his death, my brother was born.

[variezn34gm]

@tblackjacks1 What did you call him?

[tblackjacks1]

@variezn34gm the reincarnation of john

[alneal100]

If he could come back to this earth, he would be welcomed with open arms by so many people. I met John Denver when he used to come into the Hayden airport in Colorado. He was genuine, and a thoroughly nice person. I was saddened by the news of his death. I was like losing an old friend. His was a life well lived. Few of us can say that of ourselves.

[MsJen58]

When I was in college, I scraped together enough money to buy a ticket to see JD perform on campus. It was a sellout. I sat next to a contingent of foreign students who sang along with every number. I was annoyed, for I had paid a lot for the ticket. and I wanted to hear the singer, not the audience. It took me several years to realize what I was witnessing...a testament to how much JD meant to people from all over the world. What a wonderful gift from God he was for all of us!

[TheClassica87]

Gosh, JD was such a wonderful human being. Obviously I didn't know him personally, but his music brought great love and joy. What a gift to be able to leave a legacy like this behind. I was very saddened by his death, and still am. When I'm looking to calm myself or see the good in life, I go to this man's music. Despite his human faults, he must be in heaven - he gave too much good not to be.

[crissy214]

such an artist, performer and singer. This is one concert that i never saw but sure wish I had. Love his music !!!!!!!!!!!

[MickeyT54]

I wish John had just fallen asleep at the microphone and not woke up instead of the horrible way he died. He didn't deserve to have to experience so much fear before his plane crashed... because he gave joy to so, so many . RIP John.

[Earthlinked]

But on the other side of the coin - he died doing what he loved to do - to fly - and who could ask for anything more than to be doing that which you love - when your time is up?!?!?!?

[Cathie8791]

John Denver. Frank Sinatra. Elvis Presley. Jimmy Stewart. Michael Jackson. These are people who had true talent and charisma in this world. We who were alive during their lifetimes truly miss them.

[Cathie8791]

John Denver. Frank Sinatra. Elvis Presley. Jimmy Stewart.  Michael Jackson. These are people who had true talent and charisma in this world. We who were alive during their lifetimes truly miss them. We miss the amazing showmanship and talent.

[harperusa]

In 1997, death picked 3 beautiful flowers from this earth: Princess Diana, Mother Theresa and John Denver.

[PAXpeaceHEIWA]

Hi, Michael. I haven't been online for a few weeks...just saw this post. Thank you for it. I must have needed a good cry; this sure did the trick. I miss John's presence on the planet so much it makes me ache. Like Gandhi, he was a man for all the world; and he touched so many many lives for the better. What a legacy: to leave humanity with Hope.

[michaeldonegan]

Thank you for your comment. There is a similar Fox TV clip with an anchorman's fond personal memories of the young John Denver he knew back in the 1960s. Really sad!

[AshDragonBladelv1000]

@PAXpeaceHEIWA I know. Watch 18 holes, the sequal of 16 tons.

[zairaluver]

omg! i was born on oct. 12, 1996 so i was exactly 1 year old when he died!

hes a great singer, i know bcoz i heard his songs already and its sonderful especially "Leaving on a jetplane" it was awsome

[blinko656]

omg...

[carolethompson312te1]

so pleased you didnt include the upsetting part.. i miss this man sooo much,

[michaeldonegan]

Check out the Fox TV clip for one reporter's fond personal memories of the young John Denver he knew back in the 1960s.

[rockymountain325]

i'm miss him so much

[michaeldonegan]

So do we all!

[Earthlinked]

To live in the hearts of those you have left behind - is to never die!!!

[kaattz]

Michael, thanks for posting these vids..

though they are about a sad moment  but reminds us of this great artist and human being!!!

[michaeldonegan]

Thank you for your comments. I have a lot more of this material, including interviews with John which I will post in the days ahead. A lot of such material was re-broadcast as soon as John's untimely death had been confirmed. I don't want to dwell on the upsetting scenes of the crash but rather on the life and the legacy of the man.

[kaattz]

Hey, will look forward for the posts!!

wish you well and all the best:)

[michaeldonegan]

Same to you!