I met John Denver in person once, and I didn't even know it right off.
I worked for an aviation company in the late 80's and mid 90's. I worked on JD's jet several times. NO! Not the one that crashed! That was an experimental plane and I had nothing to do with that.
Anyway, he was at our avionics shop and I met him as he was coming out of the men's restroom when I was going in. I knew his face immediately, but it didn't quite register with me, so I just said "Hi John" like you would say to a friend and went in to the restroom. Then I about peeed myself because I realized then what just happened. LOL!
Yeah, when John passed away in that accident, I lost a good friend "but kept a memory". A long and loving memory!
Gordy