John Denner

John Denner (born January 1, 1972, Hamburg Germany) American guitarist noted for achieving technical proficiency on a level with top lead guitar players despite being born without a right hand. Also known for advocacy and volunteer work with war veteran amputees and children with similar challenges.

Biography

Childhood

John Denner, son of Joe and Dolores Denner, grew up in New Haven, Connecticut. Born without his right hand, John Denner determined not to let a birth defect slow him down. John roller-skated and played baseball. According to childhood friend, Dan Michalski, “he was the type of kid that always excelled at anything anyone else could do … he could always draw … he could master any video game.” [http://www.nhregister.com] From an early age, John had a fascination with guitars and a love of music, but didn’t nurture it until later.

Musical Training

It wasn’t until his early 20’s that Denner turned his dream of playing into a reality. John does not read music and has no formal training in guitar. It took him six months to create a sleeved picking device, which he has since patented, to fit over his right upper arm. Once he could strum easily with his invention, John taught himself to play electric guitar.

After abandoning his passion for nearly a decade, John began to play again. In about a year, John taught himself to play “the hardest guitar solo on the planet” [http://www.nhregister.com] Eddie Van Halen’s Eruption by ear. In less than three years of dedicated practice, he honed his natural talent to a new level, surprising even himself with his own proficiency. [http://www.johndennerrocks.com]

Public Recognition

Music Contest

John’s first exposure as a musician came with an audio clip with which he won an online guitar contest. When he later submitted an accompanying video, revealing his birth defect, word quickly spread. Videos of John playing gained rapid internet popularity and earned him an appearance on a local Connecticut radio show, “"Sebastian in the Morning"”, and articles in the Hartford Courant and the New Haven Register. In quick succession, John was also featured in the “"I Did It!"” section of Play Guitar Magazine and booked for an April 2007 performance and interview on the Howard Stern radio show. Impressed with John’s talent, the Howard Stern show immediately contacted Les Paul, music legend and major developer of the electric guitar.

Les Paul

After viewing John’s video, Les Paul had this to say: “The fact that your [sic] a One Handed Guitarist is very cool. But the way you play Eruption better than anyone I have ever seen in my life is Mind Blowing!!! Eddie Van Halen would be very proud to see this Video I’m sure! One hand or not, you are an amazing guitarist. I’m a fan” [http://www.johndennerrocks.com/letters.html]

John Denner now plays every Monday night with Les Paul and his band at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City.

Recent Events

In January 2008, John travelled to London for recording sessions with Rock maestro's Phil Hilborne and Jamie Humphries - he played on a song called 'Is This Thing On' - written by Phil Hilborne. He also did a video feature for Guitar Technique's magazine in the UK Future Publishing also know for Guitar World Magazine - which were filmed and edited by Phil Hilborne at W.M.Studios, Essex.

He also did further interviews and a new CD simply titled JohnDennerRocks due out winter of 2008.

John is also working on an instructional guitar lesson DVD with Hal Leonard Publishing to be released in the spring of 2009.look to John Denner's Official Website for news and updates! www. JohnDennerRocks.com

JOHN DENNER INTERVIEW: THE ENIGMATue, 29/07/2008 All Out Guitar / Guitar Idol - Owen Edwards

US guitarist John Denner is a true musical phenomenon: a man born without a right hand who has nevertheless overcome adversity and mastered advanced rock techniques that would make many fully able-bodied guitarists weep with envy! Howard Stern - famed US ‘Shock Jock’ DJ and occasional film star - was so taken with John that he’s seemingly taken up the role of being almost a one man promotional organisation dedicated to spreading the message about John’s miraculous story and playing to a world wide audience.More at www.alloutguitar.com

Advocacy Work

In December, 2007 John joined the staff and volunteers of Operation First Response (OFR) for a visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. OFC is a non profit organization dedicated to providing personal and financial support to wounded Veterans.

John Denner recently allied with the Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) in support of its mission to reach out and empower people with limb loss. The ACA is campaigning for insurance coverage to make prosthetic care equally accessible to all amputees. Without the prosthetic coverage himself, John was forced to improvise in pursuit of his own dream of playing the guitar. He works to help others with limb loss to receive the support and assistance they need to make their dreams come true. Aligned with both OFR and the ACA, John will serve at a youth camp, teaching guitar to young amputee guitarists and also help petition state legislatures for better insurance coverage.

Look for John Denner and Johnny Hiland this September when they join forces with David Wish and Little Kids Rock at a school near you!

References

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*http://www.music-man.com

External links

* [http://www.johndennerrocks.com/ John Denner website]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvYA4TbdNUs&feature=related Youtube video of John Denner playing "Eruption"]
* [http://www.operationfirstresponse.org/ Operation First Response ]
* [http://www.amputee-coalition.org/ Amputee Coalition of America]