Dan Fogelberg is one of the most talented singers, songwriters and musicians with the heart and soul of a poet and the voice of an angel. Although his voice is strong and powerful, it is also gentle and magical with more than a touch of romance and melancholy. His fan base might be smaller than many more commercialized artists of his genre, but the fans that have followed Dan Fogelberg through his career will remain loyal to the end.
He was born Daniel Grayling Fogelberg on August 13, 1951 in Peoria, Illinois. Dan Fogelberg is the youngest of three sons born to Lawrence and Margaret Fogelberg. Dan referred to his father as the real musician. Lawrence Fogelberg was a big band leader before Dan was born, and then Lawrence taught music in local high schools, colleges, conducted school bands and gave private lessons. Dan Fogelberg’s hit song “Leader of the Band” is a tribute to his father.
Dan’s father required him to learn piano, and although he didn’t enjoy the lessons, he loved playing the piano and became a wonderful piano player and multiple instrumentalist. Dan Fogelberg’s mother was born in Scotland and came to America at the age of three. She studied operatic singing in college and Dan credits his mother for his vocal abilities. Dan Fogelberg’s grandfather gave him a Hawaiian slide guitar and he taught himself to play it with the help of a book. Dan’s musical and vocal talents are a direct reflection of his multi talented family.
Dan Fogelberg’s musical career began at the age of fourteen when he joined a band called the Clan. They were very much into the Beatles songs and would play them at parties and street dances. The band only lasted through part of Dan’s high school days when the other members lost their interest in music. After Dan graduated from Woodruff High School in 1969, he entered the University of Illinois at Urban-Champaign. He studied theater arts and eventually changed his major to art with the intentions of making a career in painting, another one of his gifts.
Even so, the music within him was too powerful to wait and he continued playing and writing his own songs. His big break came in part because of a former high school girl friend. She woke him late one night to say that someone important in the music industry wanted to hear him play. Dan Fogelberg followed her to the little bar where a party was being held. It was there Dan met Irving Azoff who graduated from the University of Illinois and now had a local booking agency. Irving Azoff had already gotten a record deal at the time for the band REO Speedwagon. After hearing Dan play, Azoff was eager to promote this remarkable talent he had just witnessed doing a solo on a small stage. Dan Fogelberg dropped out of college with his father’s hesitant blessing, and moved to Hollywood, California.
The music that inspired Dan Fogelberg during this era was folk singers such as Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell and Gordon Lightfoot. He was listening to the bands the Byrds and Buffalo Springfield. It was an era of many talented singers and songwriters getting their starts also, such as Jackson Browne, Billie Joel and Bruce Springsteen. Dan stayed in California for a while and did sign a deal with Columbia before moving to Nashville to record with musicians there. His first album was released in 1972 titled, “Home Free” and although it did not produce any hit singles, it is the epitome of what Dan Fogelberg’s soulful and heartfelt music is about and certainly showcased his voice … that amazing harmonious voice. Dan loved living in Nashville and recalls it as one of his happiest times. It was a much more peaceful musical scene than the one he had just left in California.
Dan Fogelberg released his next album in 1974 which was produced by Joe Walsh. “Souvenirs” had the hit song “Part of the Plan” and it now gave Dan the recognition he needed. He then released gold and platinum albums which made him a success commercially with several hit songs, including “Power of Gold” and “The Language of Love.” The album “The Innocent Age” included some of Dan Fogelberg’s biggest hits including, “Leader of the Band” the now famous tribute to his father, “Run for the Roses,” which was played during the 1980 Kentucky Derby and perhaps the song Dan Fogelberg is best known for, “The Same Old Lang Syne.” This is a true story based on Dan’s encounter with a former girl friend. It is now a part of our Christmas traditions to hear this touching memoir of a special moment in Dan’s life and perhaps one so easy for people to translate into memories in their own lives.
Dan Fogelberg continued to please his many fans with new releases and the unsurpassed joy of watching this talented artist perform live at concerts across the country. During Dan’s expansive career, he has released a total of twenty-four solo albums and two with flutist Tim Weisberg. Dan Fogelberg released his last album, “Full Circle” in 2003.
The next year Dan Fogelberg was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. Dan announced on his 54th birthday on his website that the first year of treatments had slowed the progression of his cancer. He also announced that he had no immediate plans to return to his musical career and gave a heartfelt thanks to all of his fans for their many years of support. Dan Fogelberg is spending time with his wife Jean Fogelberg at their home in Colorado. Fans continue to pray for his recovery and wait for any news from this incredibly gifted, respected and a well-loved artist.
Dan Fogelberg on his official website stated, “You’ve got to just follow your heart and do your best work. For better or worse, I have followed my heart. There is no doubt in my mind or heart that everything I’ve done is exactly what I intended to do.” .
