Remembering Denver

John Denver was highly over-hated.

Both his lyrics and his lifestyle were a source of relentless press derision. “Pollyanna perceptions” is how one rock writer described the song images Denver created.

But no matter how high the criticism piled around his western boots, he knew his “just-this-side-of-corny songs” spoke to huge audiences around the world, eager to hear his important environmental and humanitarian messages.

Denver acted upon his beliefs and made important contributions that should not have been so easily dismissed or denigrated.

Denver deserved more credit than he got here at home.

CARL DOUGLAS ROGERS

Venice

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John Denver onstage was everything that was good about America (“Denver Leaves Legacy Larger Than Music,” Oct. 14): a true caring poet-troubadour that indeed did fill up our senses. May he soar to the heavens as he did here on the Earth that he loved and fought to protect.

SHAY DUFFIN

Redondo Beach