- Soft/Folk rock singer, guitarist and songwriter born in Peoria Illinois in 1951. Fogelberg died in 2007 of prostate cancer.
- As a child, he taught himself how to play a Hawaiian slide guitar and piano. At 14, he joined a band called The Clan, playing Beatles cover songs. He then joined another band in 1967, The Coachmen, who released 2 songs written by Fogelberg. He went to college, playing in a folk rock band, and later, playing solo at area cafes. He was discovered by a producer, who sent him to Nashville to hone his skills.
- There, he became a session musician, and in 1972, he released his first album, Home Free. It did not have any hits, though eventually it sold over 1 million copies after Fogelberg became established.
- His second album, Souvenirs, fared better. The album was produced by Joe Walsh (of Eagles fame). The single Part of the Plan was his first to chart, peaking at #31. The album sold over 2 million copies.
- Three more albums were released between 1975 and 1979. His biggest hit was his signature song, Longer, from his 1979 album Phoenix. By 1980, the song reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Fogelberg joked that it was “the song that put me on the elevators,” referring to the fact that unlike his previous music, this song was more mellow, with just a guitar and flugelhorn. The song has become a popular wedding song.
- He had 3 top 10 singles with his next album, 1981’s The Innocent Age. This double album contains my favorite Fogelberg songs, Same Old Lang Syne and Leader of the Band. Same Old Lang Syne is a true tale of Fogelberg running into an old high school sweetheart on New Year’s Eve 6 years after graduation, and reflecting on those times together. After Fogelberg’s death, the woman in the story confirmed its accuracy, revealing her identity for the first time. Leader of the Band is a tribute to Fogelberg’s ailing father, who died about 9 months after its release.
- In 1983, a greatest hits album was released, which included 2 new songs – Missing You and Make Love Stay. They charted in the top 30 on the Hot 100 chart, and at #6 and #1 respectively on the Adult Contemporary chart.
- Eight more studio albums were released between 1984 and 2009. His final #1 song on the Adult Contemporary chart was in 1984 – Believe In Me. The last studio album, Love In Time, was completed soon before his death. He locked it in a safe deposit box, and instructed his wife to release it after his death. It was well received by critics, and fans appreciated a final taste of his soothing voice and subtle instrumentals. In May 2017, a live concert album was released. Dan Fogelbert – Live at Carnegie Hall, a show from 1979.
- On November 17 this year, a tribute album will be released. Called A Tribute to Dan Fogelberg, it is a compilation of Fogelberg cover songs performed by artists such as Garth Brooks, The Eagles, Donna Summer, Jimmy Buffett, Vince Gill, Zac Brown and Train, and many others.
- Fogelberg performed beautiful songs. He gets mentioned when I talk about my list of GOAT songs. Watch this concert clip of Dan performing Same Old Lang Syne in 1991.
Now your talkin’! Love Dan. I saw him in concert. I am gong to have to get the tribute CD when it comes out!