John Denver: Mother Nature’s Son

In the 1970s, John Denver was America’s biggest-selling solo star, a singer whose crossover appeal drew millions of fans from the worlds of folk, pop, and country music. Beneath the tranquil surface of his music and his clear tenor voice, however, lurked a darker side to Denver’s character. The wholesome figure who cavorted with the Muppets was a troubled alcoholic. Delving into the singer’s past, John Collis found a man who was considerably more complex than the placid surface of his music might suggest. And, in looking at Denver’s career, Collis assesses his contribution not only to the world of music, but to the culture of which he was both a protagonist and a victim.