Guitarist and singer/songwriter Dan Fogelberg was born in the little town of Peoria, Illinois in 1951. After some years of avoiding piano practice as a child, his grandfather passed down to him an old Hawaiian slide guitar which inspired in Fogelberg the natural gift he would later use to soothe the world. While studying at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Fogelberg found bliss in performing in local coffee houses and eventually dropped out to relocate to LA where, in 1971, he signed a record deal with Columbia Records. Fogelberg’s debut album, Home Free, was released the next year and showcased the artist’s beautifully modest sound and angelic voice. His next album, 1974’s Souvenirs, went double platinum on the success of country-rock hit “Part of the Plan.” By the mid 1970s, with a few more successful albums behind him and a vast and loyal base of fans, Fogelberg began collaborating with jazz flutist Tim Weisberg for what would become 1978’s Twin Sons of Different Mothers; the album was a huge success and featured the hit single “The Power of Gold.” The next two years saw Fogelberg performing a sellout show at New York’s Carnegie Hall (a longtime personal career goal of his) and releasing 1980’s platinum-selling Phoenix. Staying true to his vision, Fogelberg surprised many by delaying the release of his sixth studio album, The Innocent Age, to write and record more material and expand the album, an effective and momentous idea which, upon its 1981 release, resulted in four hit singles – "Same Old Lang Syne," "Run for the Roses," "Hard to Say" and "Leader of the Band" (this last song a tribute to his father.) Fogelberg continued to release a steady stream of incredible albums over the next several years, seeing the charting of 1983’s Greatest Hits’ “Missing You” and “Make Love Stay” as well as “The Language of Love” and “Believe in Me” from 1984’s Windows and Walls. In 1997, Columbia released the retrospective Portrait: The Music of Dan Fogelberg from 1972-1997, and in 2003 Fogelberg released what would be the last of his original recordings, the aptly titled Full Circle. Dan Fogelberg died of prostate cancer in December 2007, leaving behind him a magnificent body of work and a lasting message of peace.
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"Happy Belated Birthday to Dan!" I had the awesome honor of meeting him at a party in St. Louis in around 1982, after one of his concerts. He remembered my name and we poured wine together. It was one of the best memories of my life! From a Forever Dan Fan, Kimi : )
just popped in to say wuz going thru some stuff on you tube today and found some of ur stuff and i can say i had totally forgot about ur song SCARECROW'S DREAM, had to tell ya'll people how incredible that song is, the haunting, beautiful lyrics touched my very soul, kept the chill bumps for 5 full minutes, just goes to show that the lasting impression of music and song will never die, u were beautiful inside and out, it made my day!! a devoted fan that loves u to death, ROBIN!!
My heart sank to the ground when I heard of your passing. I have been a fan for as long as I can remember. You will live on though through your amazingly wonderful music, God Bless all those who loved you!!!!
many thanks for adding me. I'm Dan-Fan since 1974. I miss him so much. His music is wonderful and he will never forgotten. Thank you for this wonderful site. Best wishes from Germany. God bless you.
