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| In 1985, Denver released his 24th album on RCA records -- Dreamland Express. The album was a distinct departure from Denver's image. The album proved very popular with Denver's fans and casual listeners as well. It again showed his versatility as a performer. A single from the album, Don't Close Your Eyes Tonight, was the basis for Denver's first music video, which allowed him to combine his acting and singing talents. Denver's 25th album, One World, featured the internationally acclaimed song Let Us Begin (What Are We Making Weapons For?). A special version of the song was recorded with Soviet superstar vocalist Alexandre Gradsky at Moscow's Melodiya Studios. The recording represented the first time that a Soviet performer was allowed to appear on record with a major American singer. A video made with this recording has received popular and critical acclaim in the United States and overseas. Said Denver, who worked energetically to create a bond | ||
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Soviet and American citizens, "In a career that's been full of dreams
come
true, this is the best thing I've ever done."
John Denver's dedication to making a contribution to a world of peace led him to seek avenues to exploit his international popularity for that end. In November of 1984, Denver visited the Soviet Union at the invitation of the Soviet Union of Composers. Denver's appearances where supposed to be limited to private concerts; however, the composers union, moved by his performances, scheduled a performance at Moscow's International Trade Center and taped portions of the show for broadcast on Russia's national television network. A performance at the American Embassy by Denver attracted the first Soviet officials to attend an Embassy event since the cultural exchange between the U.S. and the USSR expired in 1980. The success of this initial visit led to an invitation from the Soviet Union for a 12 day concert tour in June of 1985. The tour marked the first time an American artist was invited to give public performances in the Soviet Union since the cultural exchange agreement expired. The Deputy Director of Cultural Affairs for the Leningrad Municipal Council introduced John at a press conference for Soviet newspapers with these words: "There is a Russian saying that the first swallow of spring won't make the weather for the whole season, but the first swallow can mark the turn to a warmer climate. We hope this John Denver tour will lead to a warmer relationship in US-Soviet cultural affairs." Said Denver, "As an artist and entertainer, I am committed to building understanding and friendship between peoples." Playing to packed houses in 3 Soviet cities, Denver sang Annie's Song in Russian to the delight of his Soviet audiences. Continuing his role in Soviet-American relations, Denver hosted the first cultural exchange between the U.S. and USSR after President Reagan and Secretary General Gorbachev met in Geneva. Denver was part of a "Children's summit" connecting Moscow with Minneapolis. The event linked children at Moscow's Ostankino concert Hall with children in Minneapolis' Children's Theater by satellite for an hour long show. The show was broadcasted in both the U.S. and USSR. In late 1985, Denver met with Secretary of State George Schultz to offer a proposal to create an organization funded by the private sector to underwrite cultural exchange between the U.S. and the USSR. In 1987, Denver became the first western artist to perform a benefit concert in the Soviet Union for the victims of the Chernobyl nuclear accident. In 1992 John Denver extended his role as musical ambassador further east and toured mainland China, followed by a tour of Vietnam in 1994, which marked the first time that an American singer played there after the Vietnam war. To his surprise he found out that people everywhere were familiar with his hit Country Roads - he was told that this was the best-known song from the western world in China. Numerous
awards
have been bestowed upon Denver for his excellence in composition and
recording.
These include: |
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