How Did John Denver Die? – 15 Year Anniversary Of John Denver’s Death

This Sunday Morning, October 14, 2012 we will honor the career of John Denver on the Classic Country Hall of Fame Show from 6-9am on 1077 GNA. It was 15 years ago that we lost the 'folky' Country Music superstar.

Sadly, John Denver, at age 53, was flying an experimental two-seat plane near the Monterrey Bay in California when he plunged into the water from approximately 500 feet on October 12, 1997.  According to Taste of Country, Denver was an experienced pilot, but his plane ran out of fuel in one tank and he was unable to safely switch to the other tank before plummeting to his death. While he was plagued by alcohol-related legal issues in the years leading up to his death, a toxicology report revealed no drugs or alcohol in his system.

Not many people realize the success Denver had in Country Music, but he was a huge star on Country Radio earning Country Music's top prize, The CMA's Entertainer of the Year Award in 1975. Denver's No. 1 Country Hits included 'Back Home Again' (1975 CMA Song of the Year), 'Thank God I'm A Country Boy' and 'I'm Sorry.' The multi-genre environmentalist also had the final hits of his life in Country Music with 1981's 'Some Days Are Diamonds,' 1983's duet with Emmylou Harris on 'Wild Montana Skies,' and 1989's collaboration with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on the Top 20 hit, 'And So It Goes.'

What was your favorite John Denver song? Please post in the comment section below.