This Old Guitar by John Denver

Album: Back Home Again (1974)

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Songfacts®:

John Denver wrote this song about a 1910 Gibson "F-hole" acoustic jazz guitar his grandmother gave him when he was 12 years old. This was the same guitar she used to play, and it became Denver's prized possession, as he learned to love music playing the instrument. Denver would often talk about the guitar in concert appearances and interviews, as it was such an important part of his development. He was living in Tucson, Arizona when he got the guitar, as his father, who was in the Air Force, was stationed there.
Denver was a shy kid, and was forced to move around a lot because his dad was in the military. He spent a lot of time listening to the radio and playing the guitar, learning to write songs along the way. When he was 13, his music teacher asked him to bring the guitar into class, which he did. After playing some songs for the class, he became much more accepted at the school.
John Denver died on October 12, 1997 and his body was cremated along with this same guitar. The remains were spread over the Rocky Mountains.
"This Old Guitar" first appeared on Denver's eighth album, Back Home Again, as the last track. It was never released as a single, but was one of his favorites; the song appears on many of his compilations and Denver often performed it live.

Comments: 7

Michael E. from NycThis guitar was definitely made well after 1910. Lloyd Loar (Gibson guitar engineer) introduced F-holes in the early 20's. This looks like a 30's jazz guitar. Many others have pointed this out -- it appears to be some confusion on John Denver's part, or just old family lore.
Jay Mendoza from CaliforniaOne BIG problem, Gibson did not start making F-Hole jazz archtop guitars until 1924 when Lloyd Loar designed the L5
Chris Martinez from Texas Umm, his old guitar (That grandma gave him) is in the Instrument Museum in Tucson, AZ. I just took a picture with it. If it’s not the real deal, it sure looks like it! Crack and all! (Watch his video)
Tommy from GaThe story of John Denver being cremated with his 1910 Gibson is a cool story but that guitar is on display at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix AZ.
Esskayess from Dallas, TxI'm sure he felt the guitar was 'part of him' and that became literal after he died, but just imagine what a price that item would have brought in auction.
Jeff from Atlanta, GaActually John was being nice - his 1910 Gibson F-Hole Jazz guitar (given to him at age 12 - 1955 - to try and releave some of his shyness - by his grandmother Swope) was stolen when he was making a TV special. It turned back up a few years later!! But it is gone now - it was cremated with Denver - and scattered on his favorite place in the Rocky Mountians!!!
Pete from Trewoon Cornwall, United KingdomPlayed my "Old Guitar" for forty years, can appreciate where he's coming from

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