Singer Dan Fogelberg, 56, Dies of Cancer

Sun Dec 16, 2007 7:09 PM EST
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NEW YORK — Dan Fogelberg, the singer and songwriter whose hits "Leader of the Band" and "Same Old Lang Syne" helped define the soft-rock era, died Sunday at his home in Maine after battling prostate cancer. He was 56.

His death was announced in a statement released by his family through the firm Scoop Marketing, and it was also posted on the singer's Web site.

"Dan left us this morning at 6:00 a.m. He fought a brave battle with cancer and died peacefully at home in Maine with his wife Jean at his side," it read. "His strength, dignity and grace in the face of the daunting challenges of this disease were an inspiration to all who knew him."

Fogelberg discovered he had advanced prostate cancer in 2004. In a statement then, he thanked fans for their support.

"It is truly overwhelming and humbling to realize how many lives my music has touched so deeply all these years," he said.

Fogelberg's music was in the vein of fellow sensitive singer-songwriters James Taylor and Jackson Browne, and was powerful in its simplicity.

He didn't rely on the volume of his voice to convey his emotions; instead, they came through in the soft, tender delivery and his poignant lyrics. Songs like "Same Old Lang Syne" — in which a man reminisces after meeting an old girlfriend by chance during the holidays — became classics not only because of his performance, but for the engaging story line, as well.

Fogelberg's heyday was in the 1970s and early 80s, when he scored several platinum and multiplatinum records, fueled by such hits as "The Power of Gold" and "Leader of the Band," a touching tribute he wrote to his father, a bandleader. Fogelberg put out his first album in 1972.

Among his more popular albums were "Nether Lands," which included the song "Dancing Shoes," and "Phoenix," which had one of his biggest hits, "Longer," a song about enduring love.

Fogelberg's songs tended to have a weighty tone, reflecting on emotional issues in a serious way. But in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 1997, he said it did not represent his personality.

"That came from my singles in the early '80s," he reflects. "I think it probably really started on the radio. I'm not a dour person in the least. I'm actually kind of a happy person. Music doesn't really reflect the whole person.

"One of my dearest friends is Jimmy Buffett. From his music, people have this perception that he's up all the time, and, of course, he's not. Jimmy has a serious side, too."

Later in his career, he wrote material that focused on the state of the environment, an issue close to his heart. His last album was 2003's "Full Circle," his first album of original material in a decade.

A year later he would receive his cancer diagnosis, forcing him to forgo a planned fall tour. After his diagnosis, he urged others to get tested.

Survivors include his wife, Jean.

___

On the Net:

Dan Fogelberg: http://www.danfogelberg.com

(This version CORRECTS the name of the agency that released the statement to Scoop Marketing, instead of Solters & Digney.)

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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{"commentId":1276837,"authorDomain":"column"}
Anchorman

One of my favorite songs of all time is 'Leader of the Band'. Dan wrote the song as a tribute to his father who taught music in high school.

He will be sorely missed.

{"commentId":1276837,"threadId":"190234","contentId":"1168230","authorDomain":"column"}
  • 6 votes
Reply#1 - Sun Dec 16, 2007 9:11 PM EST
{"commentId":1278944,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}
Scott (Scoop) Butki

RIP Dan. Great song writer.
Clipped to 30

{"commentId":1278944,"threadId":"190234","contentId":"1168230","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
  • 2 votes
#1.1 - Mon Dec 17, 2007 1:59 PM EST
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{"commentId":1276957,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
Tedd Riggs

Dan Fogelberg was one of my all time favorite people. I loved his music and listened to it over and over. I spent hours trying to learn his songs the best I could on my old Martin D28, however they never sounded they way that he played them.

Same Old Lang Syne is one of my favorite songs. Very sad to hear that he died. I looked up to Dan in many ways.

{"commentId":1276957,"threadId":"190234","contentId":"1168230","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
  • 6 votes
Reply#2 - Sun Dec 16, 2007 10:03 PM EST
{"commentId":1277056,"authorDomain":"fscott"}
Frank Scott

Thanks for posting this, Tedd. Dan Fogelberg was also one of my favorites back then, and I played Leader of the Band over and over after my dad died in 1988. It still chokes me up. Here is a video of Same Old Lang Syne that I think you'll like.

{"commentId":1277056,"threadId":"190234","contentId":"1168230","authorDomain":"fscott"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#3 - Sun Dec 16, 2007 10:56 PM EST
{"commentId":1277108,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
Tedd Riggs

I am listened to "High Country Snows" at the moment. That was my ultimate CD that I took around to use as a test CD when buying a hi end audio system as the acoustic were so clear. It also was the audio that after we ran thru all the standard COMSAT/INTELSAT Satellite line-up test, I would put that on just to make sure the circuits were clean with no distortion !

I also played Lead of the band many times. Last I saw Dan was at Wolf Trappe in Vienna, VA years ago, think I must have every one of his CD 's

Thanks for that YouTube link Frank, God that was hard to watch. Just a total flood of so many memories came back from many years and a whole different life. That one hit home hard and got me crying.

{"commentId":1277108,"threadId":"190234","contentId":"1168230","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
  • 3 votes
#3.1 - Sun Dec 16, 2007 11:21 PM EST
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{"commentId":1277099,"authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}
Viki Babbles Gonia

Awww man!

Dan Fogelberg was a staple of my childhood. How sad.

Frank, thanks for the link to the youtube videos. I just sat here all teary eyed listening to them and my kids had one of those "uh-oh. Mom's slightly insane" realizations.

{"commentId":1277099,"threadId":"190234","contentId":"1168230","authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}
  • 4 votes
Reply#4 - Sun Dec 16, 2007 11:17 PM EST
{"commentId":1277110,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
Tedd Riggs

Viki,
Do you want to borrow a hanki ? I am now a mess.....wah...

{"commentId":1277110,"threadId":"190234","contentId":"1168230","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
  • 3 votes
#4.1 - Sun Dec 16, 2007 11:22 PM EST
Reply
{"commentId":1277296,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
Tedd Riggs

I think I am going nuts....I keep coming back to this page and looking at the pictures and the people who I feel closest to on Newsvine, Frank and Viki, both of you are the most real people on here. Crap I need a hug guys, I feel like @!$%# right now !

Dan was my all time favorite guitar player. He was one of the first guitar players that I learned almost every of his songs with some of my favorites:

To The Morning
Song From Half Mountain
Dancing Shoes
Same Old Lang Syne

and of course
Dan will forever be Leader Of The Band

This really hurts..... God I am going to miss him ! I must him seen Dan live in concert at least 10 times, what a awesome guy. @!$%# now I am crying again...

Sorry to dump on you.....boy this is not like me, must be SAD season again acting up...

{"commentId":1277296,"threadId":"190234","contentId":"1168230","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
  • 4 votes
Reply#5 - Mon Dec 17, 2007 1:12 AM EST
{"commentId":1277714,"authorDomain":"edelweiss"}
Edelweiss

Sending a hug to you, Tedd. :-)

{"commentId":1277714,"threadId":"190234","contentId":"1168230","authorDomain":"edelweiss"}
  • 3 votes
#5.1 - Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:29 AM EST
{"commentId":1278154,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
Tedd Riggs

Thank you tmivy, That was very sweet of you !
For me, hugs fix most problems or sure help alot !
Big Hug back to you :-)
Tedd

{"commentId":1278154,"threadId":"190234","contentId":"1168230","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
  • 3 votes
#5.2 - Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:19 AM EST
Reply
{"commentId":1277344,"authorDomain":"fscott"}
Frank Scott

I understand your feelings, Tedd. It's always very difficult to lose someone who meant a lot to you, particularly when they die at a young age like Dan did. I lost two of my best friends in the last few years, both in their fifties when they died, and you really feel the pain when someone dies that's an important part of your life. The fact that Mr. Fogelberg was so important in your life says a lot about his talent, and his ability to touch people's souls with his music. RIP Dan.

{"commentId":1277344,"threadId":"190234","contentId":"1168230","authorDomain":"fscott"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#6 - Mon Dec 17, 2007 1:50 AM EST
{"commentId":1277361,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
Tedd Riggs

He was not much older then me ( I am 51) and prostate Cancer is a issue in my family. And his music I just loved, I learned almost every one of his songs and they also helped me thru a very hard time ( my divorce in 1984). I think back to I would guess at least 10 concerts that I went to of his and just how much I loved his music and felt I had that "connection" with both him as a person and his music. I was able to tell him that once in Tellerude, CO and I was shocked when he actually spent almost 30 mins talking to me, Heck of a warm guy. I come from a very small family, one brother (Ireland), One Sister (New Mexico) so connections are important to me and music always has been. I was just sitting here trying to play "Leader of the Band" in memory to Dan.

Thanks alot for your message, it means alot to me Frank !

{"commentId":1277361,"threadId":"190234","contentId":"1168230","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#7 - Mon Dec 17, 2007 2:03 AM EST
{"commentId":1277390,"authorDomain":"humanz"}
humanz

I think I have all of his music and have pretty much grown up listening to it in good times and bad. I will spend some time today listening to my favorites and being thankful for his music and life. He will be missed.

{"commentId":1277390,"threadId":"190234","contentId":"1168230","authorDomain":"humanz"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#8 - Mon Dec 17, 2007 2:38 AM EST
{"commentId":1277455,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}
Dennis P. McCann

Awwww, bummer.

{"commentId":1277455,"threadId":"190234","contentId":"1168230","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#9 - Mon Dec 17, 2007 3:57 AM EST
{"commentId":1288127,"authorDomain":"appleannie"}
Apple Annie

I will say a prayer for Jean, his widow. They had no children, I sure know how that feels.

{"commentId":1288127,"threadId":"190234","contentId":"1168230","authorDomain":"appleannie"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#10 - Thu Dec 20, 2007 12:32 AM EST
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