The Leader of the Band Is Gone: Dan Fogelberg R.I.P.
December 17th, 2007 | 8:00 am est |
It’s odd to say that a singer/songwriter with four Top 10 singles and four Top 10 albums each, along with a stack of gold and platinum records, slipped through the cracks, but in an odd way Dan Fogelberg — who died on December 16 after a three-year struggle with prostate cancer — was often taken for granted. His biggest hit was “Longer,” a love song so sweet it naturally fit upon soft-rock radio in 1980, but its very success, along with several smooth successors in the early ‘80s, camouflaged Fogelberg’s genuine folky roots, the years he spent honing his craft, both as a studio musician and as a writer, as his first album Home Free appeared in 1972, nearly a decade before his greatest popularity. Those hits pegged him among some singer/songwriter afficianados as too soft, too mainstream, yet his music was so song-oriented — his albums sounding so clean, pure, and tasteful — that he never received the kind of revival or re-evaluation that some of his peers did, the way that Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, and Hall & Oates were sampled and embraced by the Yacht Rock contingent. Fogelberg was too well-mannered and earnest for that, perhaps too much the product of his Midwestern background to either have irony in his music or irony imposed on him after the fact. And even if he didn’t experience a revival, he never shed fans. Even as each new album sold fewer and fewer as the ‘80s turned into the ‘90s, he could still sell concert tickets, his hits stayed on the radio, and his older albums moved steadily. He may not have been selling like he used to, but that was a reflection of the times more than the music. These latter-day records were often interesting, as they found Fogelberg reconnecting with his bluegrass and folk roots, dabbling with worldbeat and writing about the environment. All of this was delivered with the gentle, easy touch that was his signature. It may have been a signature that was never, ever hip but that doesn’t quite mean that he was square. He was too much a child of the ‘60s to be square, too much a true believer in the music — specifically folk-rock — and what it meant and could be. But instead of adhering closely to the sounds of the era, he cleaned it up and mellowed out, providing a touchstone for many listeners who shared a similar sensibility, whether he was singing about dying fathers, a changing world, or eternal love. Now that Dan Fogelberg is gone, all those fans can do is thank him for his kindness and his music, which is his living legacy.
In remembrance, I will sit and enjoy (as I always do) Nether Lands, my favorite!
I am thankful to have shared time on this planet during this man’s lifespan. I was 17 when he released the Innocent Age. A double album of great songs and poetry that seemed to fit in so well with how I was thinking about life back then. There was so much to this work of art that captivated my imagination but it gave me my favorite song of all time ‘The Reach’. Musically and the imagery conveyed in the words caught my soul from that day to now- I know it’s about maine but it reminds me of summers spent growing up in Wexford on the south east coast of Ireland. I was a budding singer/song writer myself then with a broken heart and he was a true inspiration. That album was never off the turnstile at home. So much so my parents called me today to break the news gently to me they heard he had passed away. The magic in ‘just for a moment I was back at school….and felt that old familiar pain’ still causes the hair on the back of my kneck to stand up. Like some scene from a movie you can almost see him turn to make his way back home with the snow turning into rain. Should old acquintance be forgot Dan? I will think of you this Christmas and say a prayer for you and your family. I am truly saddened this day at your passing. It reminds me of my own immortality and how fragile life is. That someone so talented and giving could be taken from us so young is truly a mystery in life. Hopefully you are with your loving father lawrence now.
I read the news that Dan Fogelberg passed away. I’m so saddened by the loss. My heart goes out to the family. I’ve lost my mom and also my first husband to cancer. I’m 46 yrs. old and I remember when Dan Fogelberg hit the airwaves in the ’70’s. I loved his music then and still love it now. One of my favorite songs is “As the Raven Flies”. Rest in peace buddy. God took you too soon. I know heaven will have one hell of a band!
You’re right. He was taken for granted. Not the superstar he probably deserved to be. He wrote some marvelous lyrics.
Just out of college, living in a tiny studio apartment in L.A. Not knowing many folks, at the end of a hectic day in the big city, to come home to Dan Fogelberg and the calm and clarity he brought to my world is beyond explanation. Dan you were and ARE the man! Thanks for all the inspiration and peace you brought to this world. You ROCK!!
Shocking news, I’ve read it three times and still can’t believe it. I was 16 when he released Home Free so the first Fogelberg’s vinyl I put my hands on was “Souvenirs” around 1985 and loved it. From then on I got all his music and as a radio Dj played it for the people of a tiny Island called Mallorca. We’ll all miss him but won’t forget him.
I heard the news today,,,,, and in my mind today is the day truly- the music died.
My brother, who introduced me to this legend called me at 7:00 to break the news to me after I had so many hopes, there would be a recovery for my friend,,,,
I was fortunate to have witnessed a talent, a poet, and a musician and my life is so much fuller for it….
You are now a song bird in Heaven, to which I look forward to again someday hear your heavenly voice. I am heartbroken, and so sorry for all who’s lives you have touched, that feel the way I do today,,,,,
God bless your family and thank you for how you touched us all
I am sad, but listening to his cd’s tonight has helped some. I will carry his music with me, always.
Later I will put on some of the music that bears his influence — first hand, or second hand — country, pop or rock — i hear Dan Fogelberg in his contemporaries (The Eagles, Jimmy Buffett), a generation of country singers (Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Mary Chapin Carpenter, even Steve Earle), the late 90’s singer/songwriters (Wallflowers, Counting Crows, Gin Blossoms), and today’s artists from the stripped-down (Ben Kweller) to the mainstream (The Fray) to the overproduced (Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is lyrically and sonically nothing like Fogelberg — except that it so is).
He may not have received the revival — but his sounds are everywhere - songs in the heart of every human… au revoir Dan thanks for sharing the dreams you dreamed
Longer & the album with Tim Weisberg, my college days, the days when I met my present wife …..we’ll miss Dan
‘Seldom seen, a Scarecrow’s Dream…’
Netherlands.
It was a revelation at the time. A turning point.
His finest moment.
I would like to thank Phil for introducing me to this genius , what seems like a lifetime ago now…I too listened to Dan while nursing my own broken heart.I still get goose bumps when I hear ‘hard to say’ and ‘longer than’. What an amazing poet and musician.Heaven has surely been blessed.