YodaVanHalen
John Denner was virtually unseen and unheard until his stunning performance on the Howard Stern Show in April of 2007. Now, John is recognized internationally as the unconventional guitarist whose Eddie Van Halen-style playing is both “amazing” and “inspiring.”
Born without his right hand, John always had a fascination with guitars and a love of music. In his early 20s, he turned his dream of playing into a reality in the privacy of his home, where he taught himself to play electric guitar using a makeshift picking device. After abandoning his passion for nearly a decade, John began to play again. In less than three years of dedicated practice, he honed his natural talent to a new level, surprising himself with his own proficiency.
John’s first exposure as a musician came in the form of an audio clip he shared with a few fellow music lovers. Encouraged by the praise his playing received, John revealed his disability to his small audience of listeners. Interest grew, as his story developed into an inspiring tale of overcoming adversity in pursuit of one’s passion.
Fittingly, John was featured in the “I Did It!” section of Play Guitar! Magazine. (summer 2007 issue) He subsequently had the privilege of sharing his story with his local community, first when he was interviewed for an article that appeared in the Hartford Courant, and then when he was invited to chat live on the air during the popular “Sebastian in the Morning” radio show on Connecticut’s 106.9 WCCC.
John’s most thrilling, albeit terrifying, experience to date came when he found himself playing his guitar live on stage at the Iridium, a jazz club in New York City, with the iconic and beloved inventor of the electric guitar, Les Paul. Perhaps it was their shared love for the instrument or their common knack for ingenuity, but the pair seemed to really hit it off.
In December of 2007, John was excited and honored to join the extraordinarily spirited staff and volunteers of Operation First Response (OFR) for a visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) in Washington DC. OFR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing personal and financial assistance for our nation’s wounded heroes and their families. Members of OFR make regular visits to WRAMC, bringing letters, donations, snacks, entertainment, and good will to the recovering soldiers and their families who are living temporarily (sometimes for many months) at the Malogne House on the WRAMC campus. Meeting some of our military’s brave soldiers, listening to their heroic stories, and having the opportunity to thank them personally for their service and sacrifices was an amazing experience for John. He was particularly glad to learn there are more than a couple of fellow musicians among the soldiers.
John is also proud to have allied with the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA). In support of its mission to reach out to and empower people with limb loss, the ACA is campaigning for insurance coverage to make prosthetic care equally accessible to all amputees. John has learned that the internal struggles an amputee faces are only part of the battle. Without the benefit of prosthetic coverage, John was forced to improvise in pursuit of his dream of playing guitar. He is passionate about helping the ACA achieve their goal, state by state, to ensure that others with limb loss receive the support and assistance they need to help make their dreams come true.
In the summer of 2008, John was featured in the DVD for Guitar Techniques magazine. Among other projects, he continues to work on his CD, which he plans to complete by January 2009.
Operation First Response OFR.
Amputee Coalition of America
