John Denver on The Tonight Show - chat with Johnny Carson

[JesseLeighBrackstone]

John always said that when he did die, he hoped he would die in his plane. It's common knowledge amongst his friends and family. Just thought you ought to know.

[DrMadhatterous]

The night that John Denver told Johnny Carson that he wanted to write a song for his father titled, "She'll Stomp on Your Heart and Mash That Sucker Flat", I was so inspired that I wrote such a song that night.and I've never sung it to anyone before but I'm contemplating singing it at a venue locally. I was hoping to find the date.

Thank you for your help, and I do enjoy viewing your videos of Mr Denver. He's been a great inspriration to me in many ways.

[michaeldonegan]

@DrMadhatterous Thank you for your kind comments. I hope that you do find that interview. Have a great weekend.

[DrMadhatterous]

John Denver was interviewed by Johnny Carson once and John said that he'd always wanted to write a song for his father called "She'll Stomp on Your Heart and Mash That Sucker Flat.". Do you have that interview or do you know the date of that interview?

DrMadhatterous

[michaeldonegan]

@DrMadhatterous Sorry, I do not have that interview. The title that you mention was in fact taken from a song that John was singing in the late 1960s.

[TheClassica87]

Really eerie conversation given what ultimately happened to JD. Such wonderfully talented people - both of them. A great sadness accompanied both of their deaths. And Ed gone now too. I sometimes feel like the memories of my entire youth are slipping away.

[missbatman]

Is it true that on one of John's appearance on the Tonight Show , he made a remark about the Jehovah's Witnesses that resulted in Carson asking him to leave? I've heard this several times but I've never actually been able to verify it....

[jehovahuponyou]

@will99313 - WHY, my dear Will, not only was he old enough, but he served as the senior member of an Ovation Helicopter Team! Their mechanic, a Lt. Kaman said John was one of the best helicopter pilots he ever meet!

PS - John Denver shot down the Red Baron!

ROFL!

[jehovahuponyou]

JOHN DENVER SAID HE NEVER FORGOT WHEN HE WAS IN THE BEATLES - HE LOVED HIS BIRTH CITY, LIVERPOOL. HE EVEN FOUGHT IN WWI. ALSO HE NEVER FORGOT RINGO FOR GIVING HIM PERSONAL VOICE LESSONS. ANYWAY I SURE LOVED JOHN DENVER AND MERLE HAGGARD'S DUETS TOGETHER - ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY SANG SOME OF SNOOP DAWG ASS'S NUMBERS - AMEN.

I LOVE JOHN DENVER AND MISS HIM!

[MrLesNessman]

Carson brought up the subject of death, where did that come from ?

Not usually a comedy subject.

John's wish to have his ashes scattered in the Colorado mountains is just spooky to hear on national T.V. pre or post death.

Actually John's death would have been so sudden when he hit the water that it

would be like switching a light off, he felt no pain, not a bad way to go.

I wonder if his last words were "Oh God" !

[Nathan1097]

I agree- that's eerie how he's talking about his death and planes.

[szqsk8]

How weird the jokes about Forest Lawn and John's close call in the air since we all know what later happened to him and the experimental plane he died in. :-(

[OfficialRobbieMason]

Gosh this is just too weird to see john talk about death and everything close to his death . what he should have done is have a ejection seat or a parachute .thats what I would do

[Cathie8791]

Great clip! A little eerie though when John talks about his close call in the sky and also his wish to have his ashes scattered in the mountains. Of course, that's how he ultimately died, and that's exactly what was done with his ashes.

[davesnouffer]

Thanks so much, Michael, for posting this "Forest Lawn" discussion clip between Carson and John. It's priceless, as is their taliking about flying adventures. Very funny and heart warming. JD seemed so cool and at ease.

[michaeldonegan]

Yes, it is very funny. I think Carson's 'hefty bag' gag is utterly priceless.

John was very comfortable with comedy. He was an exceptionally talented performer and a star.