Dan Fogelberg dies of cancer

[Dean Winchester]

Singer Dan Fogelberg Dies of Cancer
Reuters
Posted: 2007-12-16 18:25:02
Filed Under: Star Obituaries, Music News
LOS ANGELES (Dec. 16) - Singer-songwriter Dan Fogelberg, famed for the soaring vocals and elegant instrumentation of tunes such as "Longer" and "A Love Like This," died on Sunday, three years after being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. He was 56.

"He fought a brave battle with cancer and died peacefully at home in Maine with his wife Jean at his side," said a posting on his Web site

"His strength, dignity and grace in the face of the daunting challenges of this disease were an inspiration to all who knew him."

Fogelberg, a native of Peoria, Illinois, broke into the music industry in the early 1970s, at a time when it was embracing introspective songwriting, or "soft rock," by such acts as the Eagles and America.

Fogelberg, who distinguished himself with his angelic vocals and lyrics that celebrated beauty and romance, hit his commercial and creative peak in 1981 with "The Innocent Age," which yielded three top-10 singles, "Hard to Say," "Same Old Lang Syne" and "Leader of the Band."

His most recent release, "Full Circle," came out in 2003. The following year, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, and urged men over the age of 50 to get tested for the disease.

[catlover79]

:rip: Dan!! I had read a couple of months ago that he was ill, but was hoping he would pull through. I love his songs like Longer, Lonely in Love, Leader of the Band, and Same Old Lang Syne. My heart goes out to his wife and family.

[Dean Winchester]

yes, I heard about the cancer just a few mos ago too and was thinking he would be able to pull through. Growing up and living in Kentucky, "Run For The Roses" continues to get regional airplay during Derby time in the spring every single year.

[Ireneparalegal]

I just heard his song SAME OLD LANG SYNE yesterday on Sirius. As I heard it I was remembering his other song "Longer." What a voice he had. I am saddened to hear this. I didn't even know he was ill.

:rip:

[James]

I just found out. He was so young! :eek:

Godspeed, Dan!

:crying:

[Zoneboy]

That is sad, I always liked him. His duet with Tim Weisberg, (The Power of Gold) was one of the best singles of 1978 but my favorite song of his is undoubtedly "Leader of the Band"

:rip: Dan

[catlover79]

Leader of the Band was a tribute to his father, who was a bandleader. The music is beautiful, but I think the lyrics are just gold. He obviously loved his dad very much.

Leader of the Band
Written & Performed by Dan Fogelberg

An only child alone and wild
A cabinet maker's son
His hands were meant for different work
And his heart was known to none --
He left his home and went his lone and solitary way
And he gave to me a gift I know
I never can repay

A quiet man of music
Denied a simpler fate
He tried to be a soldier once
But his music wouldn't wait
He earned his love through discipline
A thundering, velvet hand
His gentle means of sculpting souls
Took me years to understand.

The leader of the band is tired
And his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument
And his song is in my soul --
My life has been a poor attempt
To imitate the man
I'm just a living legacy
To the leader of the band.

My brothers' lives were different
For they heard another call
One went to Chicago
And the other to St. Paul
And I'm in Colorado
When I'm not in some hotel
Living out this life I've chose
And come to know so well.

(Instrumental)

I thank you for the music
And your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go --
I thank you for the kindness
And the times when you got tough
And, papa, I don't think I
Said 'I love you' near enough --

The leader of the band is tired
And his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument
And his song is in my soul --
My life has been a poor attempt
To imitate the man
I'm just a living legacy
To the leader of the band
I am the living legacy
To the leader of the band.

[snl 70s show fan]

he was one of my fave singers i along with countless other fans will miss him very much r i p dan and thank you for all the great music you made

[ABlairican Pie]

Wow. This has been such an awful month for musicians:

Kevin Dubrow of Quiet Riot

The guitarist for Hawthorne Heights

Ike Turner

and now, Dan Fogelberg. This is sad, because he had such good songs back in the 70's and 80's. Nice folk-rock pop tunes. It's just sad. :crying:

[tv star collector]

Another great singer-songwriter has left us too soon. I love "Leader of the
Band," "Longer," "Windows and Walls," "Let Her Go" and (my favorite of his
songs) "Believe in Me."