So what was this "twist of fate" about Denver not being on STS-51L
the Web site mentions? Do they really mean the 1986 launch and not
another earlier Challenger mission? Would they know the difference?

And the other space tidbit:

http://www.hotshotdigital.com/WellAlwaysRemember.4/JohnDenver.html

"Denver's interest in space travel was well known, and led him to witness the launch of Apollo/Soyuz 1, the first mission on which the U.S. and U.S.S.R cooperated. He was so inspired by the experience that he continued to attended launches and even took NASA's physical and mental examination to see if he was fit for space travel. He passed."

Never heard the mission labeled that way. Too bad there wasn't going to be
an Apollo-Soyuz 2, 3....

But when they mean that Denver witnessed the launch, did he view the Soyuz 19
launch or the Apollo 18 launch? Or was he able to manage both?

The Web site fails to mention that Denver also tried to get a ride on a Soyuz
in the 1980s, but the $20 million price tag was a bit too much. I recall a Sunday
Doonesbury comic strip where Duke kept firing shots with a high-powered rifle
at a Soyuz in orbit with Denver onboard (he kept asking "What was that?" when
a bullet would bounce off the hull!).

I liked John Denver too. Seemed like a genuinely nice guy. I just wish the
Web site tribute to him would try for a few more details. Not everyone is
just interested in his music.