RonJonSurfer Posted December 17, 2007 Report Share Posted December 17, 2007 Singer Dan Fogelberg, 56, dies of cancer By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY, AP Music Writer 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 by Anna Loynes of the Solters & Digney public relations agency, 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 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 storyline, 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. 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Posted December 17, 2007 Report Share Posted December 17, 2007 How sad. That's a man and a talent that will be greatly missed. R.I.P. Mr Fogelberg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skybluesky Posted December 17, 2007 Report Share Posted December 17, 2007 Wow, I was just looking up some of his songs yesterday. How sad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonJonSurfer Posted December 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2007 I was driving down the Garden State Parkway tonight and his "Same Auld Lang Syne" came on the radio. I thought back to how I saw him at Madison Square Garden. He was great...surprisingly so...it made me think that there should be a SF topic of concerts you've attended that were better than you expected. I come home and read this story. When i tell you the guy could rock and rock hard...it's difficult to believe...but he proved it that night at the Garden. He was a talented musician, songwriter and singer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otokichi Posted December 17, 2007 Report Share Posted December 17, 2007 It's early, but let's drink a toast to "The Leader of the Band" as 2007 rolls over into 2008. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyguitar Posted December 17, 2007 Report Share Posted December 17, 2007 The Reach is one of my fave tunes ever....and Same Auld Lang Syne is a classic. Thanks Dan...for some great music. JG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_n_white Posted December 17, 2007 Report Share Posted December 17, 2007 I enjoyed his music and he will be missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet Jane 61 Posted December 17, 2007 Report Share Posted December 17, 2007 Very sad news in the music world. I have a couple of his albums and love to listen to him, I truly feel sad, a great loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musiclvr Posted December 17, 2007 Report Share Posted December 17, 2007 A wonderful talent, he will be missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed24345 Posted December 18, 2007 Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 I loved his music. He will be missed! R.I.P Dan Fogelberg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
logan01 Posted December 18, 2007 Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 One of my favorite artists. Sad, sad loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steel2Velvet Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 His descriptive phrasing and image matching melodies he created were an inspiration to me. Thank you and goodbye, Dan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elie Posted December 24, 2007 Report Share Posted December 24, 2007 ime still new to his his music but i was starting to really get into it r.i.p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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