“You’ll Stay out of Trouble So Long as You Sing”: The Time John Denver Performed a Benefit Concert To Settle Drunk-Driving Charges

Some might say musicians and celebrities have an upper hand when it comes to taking on Johnny Law. Whether that be financial resources, connections, or public appeal, musicians have an array of different ways of battling their punishments. However, one of the tactics they’ve utilized that rarely comes to mind is the very thing their famous for—Their music. This is exactly what John Denver seemingly banked on following his DUI charges in 1993.

Other musicians to use their musical services as a legal negotiation tactic include George Jones, Willie Nelson, and likely, many others. Though, Denver’s case was a bit different due to his BAC levels during the incident garnering him the charge. Regardless, John Denver received lesser charges after he agreed to play a couple of songs at a benefit concert.

John Denver, Some Wine, and a 1963 Porsche

On the night of August 21, Denver received drunk driving charges after being pulled over for driving recklessly. Once pulled over in his home city of Aspen, Denver admitted to having a few glasses of wine but then proceeded to blow a .14. The state of Colorado’s maximum BAC limit at the time was a .10. Following his breathalyzer test, Denver received a DUI charge.

Denver’s court date is unknown, however, according to WhiskeyRiff, Denver’s judge stated, “You’ll stay out of trouble so long as you sing some songs for some people.” Due to Denver’s agreement to perform, he received lesser charges, a $50 fine, a court-ordered alcohol-abuse evaluation, and 28 hours of community service (the concert being part of those 28 hours.) Also according to WhiskeyRiff, the show Denver played was ironically called The Tipsy Taxi Benefit Concert in January of the following year.

Denver’s Second Offense

Unfortunately, Denver did not learn from his first DUI charge. On the same date a year later as his, the police pulled Denver over in the same Porsche. Although, this time he had managed to wrap it around a tree near his home in Aspen. Denver’s second DUI entailed far more repercussions given it was his second offense. That said, Denver had his pilot’s license revoked which left him unable to fly legally.

Denver still flew and it was during this time in which he famously passed away in a plane crash. Due to his demise, Denver’s second DUI case was never entirely resolved. Despite his flaws and troubles with the law, John Denver remains one of the most storied musicians of all time.

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