John Denver on The Tonight Show - Rocky Mountain High

[CounterCultureLives]

Hard to believe that almost four decades have past since John made his first appearance on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show".

[donasu67]

Folks if I remember correctly, this was LIVE tv. No lip syncing. Just honest to goodness talent! Many of our musical artists today are severely lacking in the ability to actually sing. They may put on a wonderful show with props and lights but you just can't beat simple, genuine talent. I feel sorry for our younger generations because they never/rarely get to hear real musicians.

[gnossticc]

If we only had only one of these today! I mean, music is in such poor state today, no comparison with this jewel of song and gifted singer! Almost a dream! Thanks for sharing!

[michaeldonegan]

@gnossticc Thank you for your kind comment. You are always welcome.

[purlofgreatprice1]

He looks so happy singing this song! What a voice! It seems to go on forever!

[mH8675309]

Man I miss this show

[acousticguitarfan]

An truly gifted artist! This song is a classic! Thanks for sharing!

[michaeldonegan]

@acousticguitarfan It was a real pleasure.

[shermancahal]

You are still missed John!

[bornebear]

thanks for sharing.. Love John's music always did always will, he's in my heart and soul.. how can you not listen to his music and feel great !!!!!

[michaeldonegan]

@bornebear Thank you for your kind comment.

[simbatj]

Thank you so much. I have never seen this, even though I loved JD and sing many of his songs.

[michaeldonegan]

@simbatj Thank you too.

[shriekingpiglet]

Delightful. I'm so glad you included the interview after the song. It was neat hearing him describe the camping trip that inspired the song. Thanks!

[michaeldonegan]

@shriekingpiglet My pleasure! Thank you.

[nat51897]

Wow... In today's world of autotune, you miss.the artists that could actually sing

[cbarrett34]

@nat51897 very true, the artists today generally suck shit

[jeembo420]

far out

[jimhofman]

I miss him.

[CDubCampbell]

Unreal how awesome he was....wish he was still here



[4fingersinge]

What a cool dude.

[ledzeppelin27]

can't believe how well he sings. sounds just as consistent live as it does with his recordings. thanks for the upload C:

[michaeldonegan]

@ledzeppelin27 Thank you too.

[myold74]

My brothers and sisters and I used to sing this song in the back of my dad's pick up truck as we were traveling to our farm in Mississippi. Great time growing up in the country and having music as this.

[Nekserph]

I don't live to far from where this song was written. Mount Sopris is the name of the mountain outside Carbondale Colorado. There are no words to decribe the beauty in this area. John was a local in Aspen and is still missed dearly.

[tjoyce81]

wow, I remember staying up late to watch this..

[michaeldonegan]

@DidaGio Thank you Tommaso. I appreciate your kind comments. You are always welcome here. Regards, michael

[alexrogan1]

I was blessed seeing John Denver back in the 80s at the Western Washington Fair (puyallup) and loved every minute of it. God Bless John Denver and his music. May it live forever!

[bz4kh]

The legendary John Denver.

What a voice - it's the one I want to hear right before driting off to sleep, or while laying on my back, taking in a bright, starry night.

[bz4kh]

@bz4kh *drifting

[blackforest270]

Now he walks in Quiet solitude the forest and the streams.

[COWBOYMACLEOD]

What year was this video made and what year is this from, is this from 1972 or 1973 or 1974 or what year, can anybody please really tell me?

[COWBOYMACLEOD]

This is one of my favorite cover versions of this song and he does a good job singing and performing on this one and this one of my real favorite versions of this song, IT REALLY IS!!!!! :) :) :) My body will live forever in the 100th century, thank god, as I'll be tough and keep on roping and tying up more calves forevre and ever in the NFR for 99 years of age, and I'll be roping at the NFR forever and ever, do you really believe?

[michaeldonegan]

@COWBOYMACLEOD Thank you fior all of your kind comments. You are always welcome.

[alexrogan1]

@COWBOYMACLEOD really enjoyed your comment... one question though... is it a "cover version" if it's your own song? lol

[COWBOYMACLEOD]

@alexrogan1 My body will live forever in the 100th century, thank god, as I'll be tough and keep on roping and tying up more calves forevre and ever in the NFR for 99 years of age, and I'll be roping at the NFR forever and ever, do you really believe? In my eyes, there'll forever, ever, ever and ever again be another John Denver as there'll forever, ever, ever and ever again be another John Denver, like there's forever also again gonna be another John Wayne (the Duke) as they'll be back again!

[COWBOYMACLEOD]

What year was this video made and what year is this from, is this from 1972 or 1973 or 1974 or what year, can anybody please really tell me? What a GOD given talent. Thank you GOD...

Speaking of John Denver!

The likes of this guy will be seen again, and it's true as you know that, do you believe me? There's forever gonna be another 1996-2010 rodeo seasons to keep on being repeated again forever and ever, understand? Not to worry there will one day forever be a time machine to thank god!

[BBQFanNo1]

take me home country roads,rocky mountain high,sunshine on my shoulders,and back home again are my favorite john denver songs.

i remember when i first heard this song in march 1973 i knew there was something distincly special about this performer and would be through the 70s along with the history of music.

[michaeldonegan]

@BBQFanNo1 Thank you for your comment.

[coronet72]

Love hearing JD sing. Such a great singer songwriter. Thanks for posting.

[michaeldonegan]

@coronet72 Thank you too.

[outbacker1]

This is an unbelievable rendition of this song for live TV. Quite the sacred tune, inspiring.

[seemeonyoutubization]

I first heard him on the radio in 1972 while living in Colorado Springs. I saw him live in 1983 in Lake Tahoe, in 1986 in Berkeley and 1988 in Oakland. He was an original and the best. Thanks for this post.

[michaeldonegan]

@seemeonyoutubization My pleasure.

[viptee1]

where did you find this? awesome!

[michaeldonegan]

@viptee1 Awesome it is! Thank you!

[KaptKan1]

Damn! Better live than in the recording studio! Now THAT's singing a song!

[COWBOYMACLEOD]

@KaptKan1 What year was this video made and what year is this from, is this from 1972 or 1973 or 1974 or what year, can anybody please really tell me?

[KaptKan1]

@COWBOYMACLEOD I don't know what year this is from, sorry.

[CounterCultureLives]

@KaptKan1 1972

[KaptKan1]

@CounterCultureLives

Thanks. This guy had such a long career -- he was one of the Chad Mitchell Trio too if I recall correctly. What a voice he had, eh?! Everyone likes this beautiful, soaring ballad best, but I favour "Country Roads". This performance, however, is a classic of a classic!

[Cathie8791]

John was one of the great. Once upon a time when famous singers could actually, well, SING. Sadly, that's no longer true.

[michaeldonegan]

Thank you for your kind comment.

[Conchead]

2 legends, both with style and class.

So few like that today.

[Earthlinked]

What ever happened to Dick Kniss (the bass player)?? And what happened to Mike Taylor (The co-writer of "Rocky Mountains High")? Have not heard from either in decades!!!!

[anythinglovecanbuy]

I have seen photos of the two artists performing on stage in the JD tribute concerts just a few years ago, with Pete Huttlinger, Herb Pederson, Denny Brooks and many other former members in John's band. You can see the photos on Pete's website.

[kdwiggins]

Been a John Denver fan since I was old enough to listen to music, and I saw him in concert in 1977 and 1997. Thanks for this.

[michaeldonegan]

Thank you for your comment. Happy New Year.

[kaftanimp]

Doesn't matter how many times I hear this song, its top draw ! Thanks for posting

[Hannahorse715]

another great jd post keep up the great and wonderful posts of jd!!

[michaeldonegan]

Thank you.