Dan Fogelberg (Music & Lyrics)

Born in 1951 in Peoria, Illinois, premiere American singer/songwriter and composer, Dan Fogelberg recorded and released “Home Free,” his first album, in 1972 with famed Muscle Shoals producer Norbert Putnam. In 1974, Dan released his second album, “Souvenirs” with producer Joe Walsh, resulting in his first hit single, "Part of the Plan".
Over the next thirty years, Dan established a worldwide following of faithful fans, who eagerly awaited his next new album. Between 1972 and 2003, Dan delivered 13 studio albums, two live albums, two greatest hits albums and a 4-CD box set, writing 99% of the songs and playing many or all the instruments himself. His albums generated 21 hit singles and a string of gold and platinum albums.
While some of his songs tackled political, spiritual and environmental issues, Dan may be most well known for the stories he wove of love, loss, and everyday life. His many fans declare that his music represents the soundtrack of their lives. "Same Old Lang Syne", inspired by a chance encounter with a former girlfriend, has become a winter holiday standard. "Leader of the Band", an emotional tribute to his father, has been embraced by generations of sons and daughters. “Run for The Roses” is the unofficial theme for the Kentucky Derby. And his biggest hit, "Longer", has been performed during wedding ceremonies for decades.
Sadly, in May of 2004, Dan was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. He fought valiantly, but ultimately lost his battle, dying on December 16, 2007 at home in Deer Isle, Maine, his wife Jean at his side.
In 2009, Jean released “Love In Time,” the album Dan recorded and self produced over the last year of his life. In 2010 Jean, Norbert, Irving Azoff, and Chuck Morris began gathering an eclectic group of artists – both current and contemporary – to record tracks for a Dan Fogelberg tribute album, which will be released in November. On August 13th, Dan’s birthday, he will be inducted – along with Joe Walsh and Barnstorm and Caribou Ranch – into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, during a concert at Fiddler’s Green, CO, which will be filmed by PBS Soundstage. The DVD will be released in conjunction with the tribute CD on Thanksgiving week.
In April of this year, Jean Fogelberg released “Dan Fogelberg ~ Live at Carnegie Hall,” a double album of Dan’s 1979 solo concert at the prestigious Carnegie Hall. And in September of this year, the world premiere of PART OF THE PLAN – a new, Broadway-bound musical featuring the songbook of Dan Fogelberg – will take place at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, in Nashville – the very city where Dan recorded his first album with Norbert Putnam 45 years ago and wrote “Part of the Plan”, his first hit single.
Dan’s music is his legacy, and his legacy lives on.
Over the next thirty years, Dan established a worldwide following of faithful fans, who eagerly awaited his next new album. Between 1972 and 2003, Dan delivered 13 studio albums, two live albums, two greatest hits albums and a 4-CD box set, writing 99% of the songs and playing many or all the instruments himself. His albums generated 21 hit singles and a string of gold and platinum albums.
While some of his songs tackled political, spiritual and environmental issues, Dan may be most well known for the stories he wove of love, loss, and everyday life. His many fans declare that his music represents the soundtrack of their lives. "Same Old Lang Syne", inspired by a chance encounter with a former girlfriend, has become a winter holiday standard. "Leader of the Band", an emotional tribute to his father, has been embraced by generations of sons and daughters. “Run for The Roses” is the unofficial theme for the Kentucky Derby. And his biggest hit, "Longer", has been performed during wedding ceremonies for decades.
Sadly, in May of 2004, Dan was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. He fought valiantly, but ultimately lost his battle, dying on December 16, 2007 at home in Deer Isle, Maine, his wife Jean at his side.
In 2009, Jean released “Love In Time,” the album Dan recorded and self produced over the last year of his life. In 2010 Jean, Norbert, Irving Azoff, and Chuck Morris began gathering an eclectic group of artists – both current and contemporary – to record tracks for a Dan Fogelberg tribute album, which will be released in November. On August 13th, Dan’s birthday, he will be inducted – along with Joe Walsh and Barnstorm and Caribou Ranch – into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, during a concert at Fiddler’s Green, CO, which will be filmed by PBS Soundstage. The DVD will be released in conjunction with the tribute CD on Thanksgiving week.
In April of this year, Jean Fogelberg released “Dan Fogelberg ~ Live at Carnegie Hall,” a double album of Dan’s 1979 solo concert at the prestigious Carnegie Hall. And in September of this year, the world premiere of PART OF THE PLAN – a new, Broadway-bound musical featuring the songbook of Dan Fogelberg – will take place at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, in Nashville – the very city where Dan recorded his first album with Norbert Putnam 45 years ago and wrote “Part of the Plan”, his first hit single.
Dan’s music is his legacy, and his legacy lives on.