Dan Fogelberg, 1951-2007

Earlier today, singer-songwriter Dan Fogelberg lost his fight to a particularly virulent form of prostate cancer. He was 56.

Dan brought us lots of thoughtful and tender musical and lyrical moments. Who can forget:

"Another Auld Lang Syne," a song about the passage of time and about how the intervening years affected the perspective of an ex who had fallen in and out of love with someone else;

"The Power Of Gold," a song full of observations about avarice and its all-too-frequent inevitability;

"Make Love Stay," which dealt with the under-discussed but frequent transitions between mad-about-you love and the settling of loving relationships into routines;

"Run For The Roses," a sympathetic look at the human and equine dramas of thorougbreds at the Kentucky Derby;

"Leader Of The Band," an admission of a son that in some ways, his musician and bandleader father was a role model that earned emulation not only because of love between son and Dad, but because of the path Dad chose and the accomplishments Dad earned in this life.

Dan Fogelberg, you left us way too soon. I, and I am sure many readers, will remember you fondly with the superb and gentle songs that play back to us on our CD players as well as in our heads.

Comments

[Lesjoan]

I loved DF and his music was my life. I am very sad but joyful for the beautiful music he left behind!

[chuckgallagher]

The Leader of the Band has died. Prostate cancer took this young 56 year old singer/songwriter. It has been said that had it been caught earlier, Dan might have survived. As a prostate cancer survivor I was diagnosed at age 47 (quite by accident). Fogelberg's diagnosis happened when he was 52 and by then it was in advanced stages. As a professional speaker ( http://www.chuckgallagher.com ) I have the opportunity to speak to groups nation wide. While my presentations don't center around this disease, I use every opportunity available to encourage men to get checked early and often. A simple blood test done soon enough could mean the difference between life and death. It was that difference for me.

[IndependentMeans]

The most profound music in my college years. RIP, I am so sad tonight.

[candlewax]

My favorite Dan Fogelberg song is "Part of the Plan". I disagree with the last verse but I love the chorus.

Part of the Plan
http://www.lyricscrawler.com/song/119190.html

I remember seeing him in concert once and he was trying to get people to join the Wilderness Society. I heard people complaining about it.

I think I'll join the Wilderness Society.

Goodbye Dan Fogelberg...

p.s. I believe more attention should be given to prostate cancer.

[JimLarkin]

not every life is a blessing, nor every death a tragedy... here i say..thank you dan for your words that brought to me better my own emotional construct . thank you for what you left behind...your life was a blessing

[charon]

He was a bright light for me during the bad times of disco. A real master of melody and verse, and he sounded great on acoustic guitar. My sympathies to his family.

[ljsfolly]

So sorry that a man who touched us so deep;y with his words and music had to die as he did. He tried to get men to pay attention after he was diagnosed and get checked. It still is something men fail to do and it is sad to think it takes someone dying to get the attention again back to a place where men might save their own life. This great man was one who got me through so many times I was in need of hearing the stories his songs told. I am sorry for our loss but he is now free to sing with the angels and free of any pain.

[MrsWakely]

this one made me pause. I just heard it on the local evening news here in ny. I got hooked in the mid 70's as a teenager in north jersey on fogelberg with "part of the plan" his signature song, and his best album. I saw him live 4 or 5 times. his albums, if you were into his sound, and, for a while there, who wasn't, were mesmerizing. he had an ability to rock with the best of them: "stolen moments," "as the raven flies," "love gone by" and an uncanny abilty to write the perfect romantic song: "dancing shoes," "old tennessee," "wysteria," as well as great, great songs like "song from half mountain," "changing horses," "illinois, "to the morning," all with that voice - full throated howl to high falsetto and his incredible layered harmonies, a lost art these days, and fogelberg was one of, if not the best singer, of all of them. he had an incredible gift for melody and was an excellent electric and acoustic player, as well as a very talented pianist. his roots in the early 70's l.a. sound came as a result of hearing an early eagles song on someone else's radio and saying "that's what I want to do," going on to collaborate with henley and frey and jackson browne and linda ronstadt and many, many others. for a while there, he was a big part of the soundtrack of my life with his singular sound that made me feel so good and so, so much. I'm actually not much for a lot of the tunes the blogger mentions - they were the product of his more commercial work in my opinion. check out some of the tunes I list above. god, I'll miss dan fogelberg. rest in peace.

[drkazmd65]

Goodbye Mr' Fogelberg - thanks for the great music. My you find the afterlife to your liking.

[ChaucerDaisy]

While driving today, unaware of Dan Fogelberg's death, I listened again and again to "Run for the Roses." It's one of my favorite songs. My favorite Dan Fogelberg song, however, is the one he sang at our wedding.

He didn't attend our 1980 wedding in person. Instead, his voice, through stereo speakers, sang "Longer" before our ceremony began. Having seen Dan many times in concert ~ having a picture of him among our family pictures in our home (prompting folks to ask, "Who is that handsome man?") ~ it seemed only fitting that Dan Fogelberg should also begin our wedding ceremony with his new song.

Ironically, my husband works for a company that created a prostate cancer medicine in the '80s and he celebrates Dan for encouraging early detection exams.

Then tonight we learned the sad news.

Dan, we wish you, "Godspeed." We offer our sympathies to your wife, Jean, to your friends, and to your fans. You will forever be remembered by us ~ and countless others ~ for your songwriting, your storytelling, your voice, and your courage. Thank you, Dan, for sharing your talent and your point of view with the world.

You enhanced our lives.

[WriterRoss]

Hi Russell:

I am ashamed to say I had no idea Dan Folgerberg was ill these last years so his death came as a shock to me-- and came to me via your eloquent Post. Thank you for celebrating his life here tonight.

No matter where I am, when I hear his iconic LONGER, I am brought back to a place where love was new and young and full of boundless dreams. I want to believe all of that is still true. The music makes me believe it is.

-P. Ross

[GlockGal]

It's so sad he passed away at such a comparatively young age. I remember when he announced he wouldn't be touring, because of the diagnosis. I'd hoped to see him in concert, since I've been a fan of his since his first hit.

At one point, I lived close enough to Peoria to hear the 'local boy does good' tales, and it was inspiring to know he was always a very down-to-earth and compassionate person, no matter how well-known he became.

The music world has certainly lost a considerable talent today.

[bullypulpit]

Home Free and Souvenirs got me through college, and Netherlands got me through the disco days.

Miss ya, Dan. The tunes were good. Illinois, I'm also your boy. Rest easy.

[leftcoastindy]

I'll toast to Dan tonight for a life well lived, and thanks for the memories.

[liveandlearn]

i loved his music. but i did not expect modern music to play him, because he takes us back to a real feeling.

[desertdave]

I was shocked to hear this sad news. We lost a real giant of music and a long time friend of the planet. All men should go to his website to read his "sermon" as he calls it, regarding prostate cancer. I'm getting out my old Dan's
records to cheer myself up. Thanks for the post,Russell. I knew someone from Huffpo would feel the same loss that I feel.