Poems, Prayers, and Promises
Denver’s popularity grew to the point where he was performing to sold-out crowds in stadiums across the country. Around this time, he met Annie Martell, his future wife, after a concert in Minnesota. She became the subject of his famous hit Annie’s Song after the couple married. After an argument, he apparently composed the track in 10 minutes while sitting on a Colorado ski lift. Denver’s fourth studio album, Poems, Prayers, and Promises, was released in 1971. His first million-selling single was Take Me Home, Country Roads.
Poems, Prayers, And Promises
Rocky Mountain High
The song’s success was aided in part by his new manager, Jerry Weintraub, a future Hollywood producer. In 1970, Weintraub signed Denver and insisted on re-issuing the song and launching a radio campaign in Denver, Colorado. Rocky Mountain High, released in 1972, was his first Top 10 album, with the title track reaching No. 10. Denver was a prolific musician between 1974 and 1975, dominating the charts with three No. 1 albums and four No. 1 song. His album, John Denver’s Greatest Hits, became one of the best-selling albums in the RCA catalog’s history.
Rocky Mountain High