Denver — born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. — was 53 years old when he died. He grew up in Roswell, N.M., and learned to fly from his father, who was an Air Force pilot, according to the singer's ...

On April 21, 1989—37 years ago today—John Denver experienced a frightening moment that could have ended in tragedy. While piloting his own aircraft, the folk and country star was involved in a plane ...