Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr., known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, actor, activist, and humanitarian, who wrote the lyrics and music for his signature song "Take Me Home, Country Roads" which was featured in the 1994 Mickey's Fun Songs video release, Campout at Walt Disney World. He also worked with the Muppets on several occasions. He also played Max Sinclair in The Leftovers.
Denver was born in Roswell, New Mexico but moved around a lot as a child due to his father's position in the U.S. Air Force. Using music as a coping mechanism, he played guitar and sang with various music groups and choruses. He graduated from Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth, Texas and attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock but dropped to focus on a career in music.
In 1969, Denver released his first album for RCA Records, Rhymes & Reasons. However, two years later, his breakthrough album, Poems, Prayers & Promises gained him recognition. It contained "Take Me Home, Country Roads", which went to No. 2 on the Billboard charts. The success followed with more hit songs such as "Annie's Song", "Rocky Mountain High", "Calypso", "Thank God I'm a Country Boy", "Sunshine on My Shoulders", "I'm Sorry", "Leaving on a Jet Plane", "Fly Away", and "Sweet Surrender". He also made appearances in television specials and acted in films like Oh, God!, The Christmas Gift, Foxfire, and Walking Thunder.
Denver was killed in a plane crash while piloting a recently purchased light plane on October 17, 1997. His remains were cremated and his ashes scattered in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.