In 1985, the music industry decided that having the right look was more important than having the right heart. Ken Kragen, the man in charge, originally wanted only fifteen artists to sing We Are the World.
He wanted the charts and the trendy hair of the eighties. Even when the group grew to forty-six people, there was still no room for a man who did not fit the new pop image.
It was a night built on the idea of saving lives. Yet it was run like a private club. The organizers feared that John Denver with glasses and an acoustic guitar would make the project look out dated.
The Greatest Night in Pop: Recording We Are the World
Viewers today still find this choice hard to swallow.
One fan noted that it feels wrong to see people who just heard about the famine getting the spotlight while the expert was ignored. Another viewer said that the industry clearly cared more about record sales than the actual mission.
John Denver did not need a guest list to prove his worth. While the cameras were flashing in Los Angeles he was already miles ahead in the real fight. He had served on presidential commissions and started world changing projects long before it was a trend.
John Denver: A Voice for the Hungry and the Heartbroken
In an interview from that same year, Denver showed the world what true grace looks like. He spoke about his travels to Africa with a quiet strength. When he sang African Sunrise he was not looking for a platinum record. He was telling a truth that the hip hop crowd was not yet ready to hear.
John Denver was a giant of music who never let fame change his soul. His journey shows us that being cool fades, but a life of service lasts forever. Follow John Denver on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram to hear the voice that was too big for one room.