Singer Dan Fogelberg Dies from Prostate Cancer at 56

American singer/songwriter Dan Fogelberg passes away at his home in Maine.

Photos courtesy: danfogelberg.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - He's with the leader of the band now. At the age of 56, the legendary American singer/songwriter Dan Fogelberg has passed away. His publicist says that after losing a battle with cancer, Dan left us this morning at 6:00 AM.

Recording "The Wild Places" at Mountain Bird Studios - 1989

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

Dan Fogelberg's talent came into focus in the 1970s and early '80s when he delivered songs like Leader of the Band, The Power of Gold and Same Old Lang Syne. Much to the dismay of his family, friends and fans, it was discovered that he had advanced prostate cancer in 2004.

He left this message for those who cared shortly before his death. It is reminiscent of the depth of his lyrics.

"I cannot adequately express my gratitude to all of the thousands of wonderful people who have sent such incredibly moving and supportive e-mails via the Living Legacy web site. It is truly overwhelming and humbling to realize how many lives my music has touched so deeply all these years. Each one of you who have taken the time and effort to reach out to Jean and I have helped immeasurably to uplift our spirits and keep us looking strongly forward during some very rough moments. I thank you from the very depths of my heart."

Early Years

Dan Fogelberg was the youngest of three sons, born to Lawrence and Margaret Fogelberg in Peoria, Illinois August 13th 1951. His mother was a talented pianist, but father's role as a high school band director in Peoria would later be the inspiration for the song "Leader of the Band" which is included in this report at the bottom of the page.

He graduated from Woodruff High School in 1969 and went in to study theater arts and painting at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He also began performing as a solo acoustic player in area coffeehouses.

That is where Dan Fogelberg was discovered in 1971 by Irving Azoff. Fogelberg and Azoff promoted another Illinois act, REO Speedwagon, then moved to California to take their careers to the next level.

Soon Fogelberg was playing as a session musician with pop-folk artists like Van Morrison. His first album in 1972, Home Free, did not meet expectations, but his second album was a different story, and 1974's Souvenirs produced by Joe Walsh, was a major hit.

After that, Dan Fogelberg released a number of gold and platinum albums. They included Captured Angel in 1975; Nether Lands in 1977. He also found commercial success with songs like The Power of Gold, The Language of Love, and Lonely in Love.

His 1978 Twin Sons of Different Mothers was the first of two collaborations with jazz flutist Tim Weisberg. 1979's Phoenix was his most successful with Longer which became a wedding standard. The Innocent Age, released in October 1981, reached the peak of critical and popular acclaim. The double album Song Cycle included three of his biggest hits: Leader of the Band, Hard To Say, and Same Old Lang Syne, based on a real-life accidental meeting with a former girlfriend. In 1984 he did it again with Windows And Walls.

Dan and Jean in the "Green Room" at the Forum Theatre in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, June 2003

Fogelberg's Departing Message

After receiving his cancer diagnosis he urged others to get tested. This excerpt from his sermon encourages men to begin testing for prostate cancer early on in their lives.

"I cannot encourage you strongly enough to get a DRE (Digital Rectal Exam) and a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test EVERY YEAR.

Education and awareness are key, I urge you to follow the link below to the Prostate Cancer Foundation web site and read up on how best to protect yourself and reduce your likelihood of contracting this terrible disease."

In addition to his music career, Dan Fogelberg wrote material that focused on the environment and the state of the world. His last album, 2003's Full Circle, was Fogelberg's first album in over a decade.

Good wishes, prayers, and condolences can be posted at: thelivinglegacy.net/wishes.html