John Denver walked into a Nashville studio in 1996 to perform ‘Windsong’ with a mission. He was fifty two years old and tired of big record labels owning his hard work. He decided to record his greatest hits again so he could finally be his own boss. He also used his music to fund the Windstar Symposium, which aimed to heal the relationship between people and the earth.
His voice is not the high boyish sound from the seventies anymore. It is a deep and rich baritone that hits your emotions. He sings about the wind being the whisper of our mother the earth.
John Denver – Windsong (1996 Re-Recording)
People who hear this version often say it feels much more personal than the original record. One listener said that his voice sounds like it has lived a thousand lives. Another fan mentioned that the addition of the wind chimes makes the whole song feel like a prayer.
While he was busy reclaiming his music, he was also looking back at his entire life journey. This led to deep conversations about his past and what he wanted to leave behind for the world.
John Denver / Inside Fame [06/29/2003]
A documentary titled Inside Fame shows us the man who was often hiding behind the bright stage lights. It features his wife Annie and his son Zak talking about his drive to protect his music. The film explains that he was moving away from being a pop star to become a serious voice for the planet. He was a smart artist who knew exactly how he wanted to be remembered.
John Denver was a man of the earth who never stopped growing as a singer. His journey ended too soon but his voice still guides us like a steady wind. Follow John Denver on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.