John Denver Anniversary in Aspen
Ten Years Since His Death, Denver's Life Is Commemorated in Colorado
In October 2007 fans meet in Aspen in Colorado's Rocky Mountains to commemorate the 10th anniversary of John Denver's death with music, movies, prayers and memories
The 10th anniversary of John Denver's death in October 1997 will see fans from all over the world gather in Aspen, Colorado. They will be there to celebrate John Denver's life and songs with movies, music concerts, tributes, prayers, campfires and a chance to go hiking in Colorado's Rocky Mountains.
It was Aspen and the Rocky Mountains of Colorado which inspired John Denver's life and his lyrics, producing some of his best-known and best-loved songs, such as Starwood in Aspen and Rocky Mountain High. Earlier this year, Rocky Mountain High was voted the new Colorado state song. Every October fans come to Aspen to remember Denver's music and commemorate his life. There are always activities, but in October 2007, the 10th anniversary of his death in a plane crash on October 12, 1997, there are five days of special John Denver anniversary events.
The remembrance of John Denver's life opens on Wednesday, October 10, with a music concert, "A Tribute to John Denver," in the Aspen Community Church at 7.30pm. Advance tickets for this concert are already sold out, but there will be balcony tickets available on the door for walk-ins – but get there early.
Next morning there's a meeting and clean-up at the John Denver Sanctuary by the Rio Grande Park near the river in Aspen. Here John Denver's song lyrics are carved into large stones. It's a beautiful, peaceful spot and an appropriate place in which to honor the singer-songwriter's memory.
Later the same day, at 3.30pm, the John Denver Sanctuary will be the place for a Meet and Greet event, followed at 4pm by a non-denominational service, "Worship on the Mountain." That night there will be a chance to see "Oh God!", the movie John Denver made with George Burns and Terri Garr.
Aspen's historic Wheeler Opera House will be the setting for three more concerts, in musical tribute to John Denver on this special anniversary. Friends of Denver, former band members and songwriters will all be there, to help raise money for the Challenge Aspen charity, too.
On Friday, October 12th, the 10th anniversary of John Denver's tragic death at the age of only 53, there will be a hike to Williams Lake, one of the most beautiful parts of the Rocky Mountains around Aspen. A Rocky Mountain High is guaranteed for all.
For the rest of the day and the whole weekend there will be more events, a hayride, a campfire, an auction, book signings, a memorial service, several concerts and even a wedding. One of the John Denver anniversary music concerts will feature the legendary guitarist James Burton. Burton recorded and toured with John Denver from when they first met in 1977 until 1994. He was a speaker at John Denver's memorial service. James Burton has also worked with other such music legends as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Rick Nelson and Elvis Costello.
On Monday, October 15th at 5pm the John Denver anniversary events will conclude with, what else: "It's Goodbye Again." At 5pm visitors gather in Aspen's Wagner Park to say goodbye to each other, and have a final memory of the music and life of John Denver. Then no doubt they'll be leavin' on a jet plane, planning to return in 2008 for the next John Denver anniversary get-together.
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To find out more about the events planned for the 10th annual John Denver anniversary celebrations, click here.
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