Born into a military family who were constantly on the move, Henry John
Deutschendorf (John Denver) grew up a loner, finding refuge in music after his
grandmother gave him a Gibson guitar when he was 12. He went on to perform at
clubs while at college, eventually running away to California to try and make it
as a musician. He adopted the John Denver name after a spell living in Colorado
and joined folk group, the Chad Mitchell Trio, leaving in 1969 to launch his
solo career in earnest. When Peter, Paul & Mary had a Number 1 hit with their
cover of Denver's song Leaving On A Jet P...