THE READER'S COMMENT
JOHN DENVER

St. Paul Dispatch
St. Paul, Minneapolis
5/8/75

     After reading Bob Protzman's article about John Denver's 
concert in the St. Paul Dispatch I felt that he missed the 
main point of John's music.  I was at his concert on April 28 
and though it was fantastic. His songs speak of nature, love, 
peace and the joy of living. i believe that the honesty and 
optimism in his songs is wonderful and I am sorry Mr. Protzman 
could not appreciate this.
     I'm not sure how Bob Protzman came to the conclusion that 
John had an
             "appreciative, but not overwhelmingly
              responsive audience."
Does he call TWO STANDING OVATIONS unresponsive and 
unappreciative?
     I left the concert feeling very "high" on life. Judging 
from the response of the audience, I think they felt the same 
way.

      CHRIS GRINDE
      ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA




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     As for Denver's so called "cliche" lyrics, your critic 
obviously didn't listen to the words, probably because he was 
too busy looking for things to complain about.  "And the 
Colorado Rocky Mountain high. I've seen it raining fire in the 
sky" is hardly a "foxed or stereotyped expression which has 
lost its significance through frequent repetition."
     John Denver's music has a message - to experience life to 
its fullest before the good life is all gone. If Protzman had 
listened instead of looking at his watch he would have heard 
the message.


    LYNNE MAKER
    ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA


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     Take a look at Rocky Mt. Suite, Rocky Mt. High, Eagle and 
the Hawk, Annie's Song, Toledo, Ohio and others. They don't 
have "with a little mom, children, pets and apple pie thrown 
in."  You don't need films. We have some of his songs at home 
and I got the picture - before I saw the films.

         KARIN HAMLINE
         INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN





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     I would like to tell Bob Protzman that everything he 
wrote about John Denver's concert in Tuesday night's paper is 
not true at all. Maybe to him it was boring and that's because 
he doesn't have any taste!  I know this was the best concert 
I've ever seen and so do thousands of other people.  John 
always sells out his shows every time he comes here, and 
that's because everybody really likes him.

          LINDA MULLER
          and 36 co-signers
          ST. PAUL, MN



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     Frankly, I was incensed with your reviewer until I 
remembered that he was only a critic. He is entitled to his 
opinion - fair enough - but I would drive 400 plus miles 
round-trip to see it (the concert) again even if there wasn't 
a dental convention in town.
     I suggest that he get out of the city and see what the 
blue sky, clean air and streams, wild life etc. really look 
like - then he might have more appreciation for Mr. Denver's 
lyrics.

           ROBERT C. BEATTIE
           D.D.S.
           CLINTON, MN



-----------------------

     We do not like what Bob Protzman had to say about John 
Denver.  His music is just beautiful to us; and I'm sure 
everyone else would think so.  He cut him down so much.  I'd 
like to.......well, I'm not going to do it because we are not 
that kind of people!

    SUSAN OLSON
    JULIE EASTEP
    CHERYL LAHR

    ST. PAUL, MN





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Just because John isn't up there making a fool of himself like 
some of these other so-called singers, you have to put him 
down. John is just about the only singer I can think of who 
writes about the good life, and not war, violence, sex or 
dope.  Or, just maybe, the critic is the kind of person who 
enjoys these things. If so, it is not John Denver who has a 
problem - it is him.

             VALERIE PARKER
             ST. PAUL, MN



--------------------

     My husband and I attended the Tuesday evening concert and 
we have not enjoyed a concert such as his in years. We're in 
the old age group 30's but still can appreciate a performance 
well done. I cannot say enough for him and his music.  It is 
easy going, gets you involved.  I wish there were a few more 
like John concerned about our environment and bringing it out 
in music. More power to him and, as John Denver would say "Far 
Out."

             MRS. ROBERT NICKSON
             MAPLEWOOD, MN




Above are selections from some of the many letters we received 
about the John Denver concerts.  Thanks to all who wrote; we 
will not be printing more. - The Editor