John Denver, a famous American musician, country singer, actor, and writer, was born on December 31, 1943, and died in a plane crash on October 12, 1997. He died in a plane crash on October 12, 1997. In 1974, he won the Academy of Country Music Award for Album of the Year; in 1975, he won the American Music Award for Favorite Male Hip-Hop/Rock Artist, as well as the Award for Outstanding Variety, Music, and Special Comedy; in 1976, he won the American Music Award for Favorite Male Hip-Hop/Rock Artist, Favorite Male Country Artist, and Favorite Country Music Album; and in 1977, he won the Colorado Music Award for Favorite Male Hip-Hop/Rock Artist, Favorite Male Country Artist, and Favorite Country Music Album. He received the Colorado Poet Laureate Award and the National Popular Vote Award in 1977; the "Ten Outstanding Men of America" in 1979; the Carl Sandburg People's Poetry Award in 1982; the Public Service Medal in 1985; the Albert Schweitzer Music Award in 1993; and the American Music Awards in 1996. -Schweitzer Music Award in 1993; Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1996; Best Children's Music Album in 1997; Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1998.