Singer-songwriter Dan Fogelberg dies

Griz · Post by **Griz** » December 17, 2007 9:13 am

Sail on Dan.

We are big fans.. saw him a few times.. great shows.

“That came from my singles in the early ’80s,” he reflects. “I think it probably really started on the radio. I’m not a dour person in the least. I’m actually kind of a happy person. Music doesn’t really reflect the whole person.

“One of my dearest friends is Jimmy Buffett. From his music, people have this perception that he’s up all the time, and, of course, he’s not. Jimmy has a serious side, too.”

Just for a moment I was back at school
And felt that old familiar pain
And as I turned to make my way back home
The snow turned into rain --

spartan1979 · Post by **spartan1979** » December 17, 2007 9:40 am

My roommate introduced me to Fogelberg's music back in 1976. This was before he become well-known for Longer, Leader of the Band, etc.

I took my girlfriend (and future to wife) to his concert at Michigan State in 1978. She had never heard of him. About two years later he hit the big-time. We saw again in concert about 15 years ago.

Sail on, Dan.

Martyritaville · Post by **Martyritaville** » December 17, 2007 10:44 am

"Same Old Lang Syne" is one of my Christmas favorites...and 56 is way too short a ride...

Sail on, Dan.

parrothead3282 · Post by **parrothead3282** » December 17, 2007 11:13 am

Sail On Dan!!!

OPHarbor · Post by **OPHarbor** » December 17, 2007 11:42 am

I sit here reading this, fighting back tears. I too was a fan long before Buffett. Dan's music affected me in a personal way, seemingly with every song he wrote. I heard Same Ole Lang Sine yesterday, still does the same thing to me every time.

God bless and keep you and your's, Dan

SAIL ON

SeattleParrotHead · Post by **SeattleParrotHead** » December 17, 2007 6:49 pm

~Hippolyte~ wrote:Sail on Dan....

some of his words will ever remain in my heart

Elusive as dreams
Barely remembered in the morning
Love like a phantom flies
But held in the heart
It pales like the emply smile adorning
A statue with sightless eyes.

Moments fleet, taste sweet within the rapture
When precious flesh is greedily consumed
But mystery’s a thing not easily captured
And once deceased not easily exhumed.

Now that we love
Now that the lonely nights are over
How do we make love stay?

"But mystery is a thing not easily captured
And once deceased, not easily exhumed."

Those two lines hooked me and I've been a fan ever since. So many of his songs bring back so many memories.

Sail on Dan!

freddyfishstick · Post by **freddyfishstick** » December 17, 2007 7:24 pm

Sail on Dan

You will be missed.

CrznDnUS1 · Post by **CrznDnUS1** » December 17, 2007 7:28 pm

sail on Dan.

tikitatas · Post by **tikitatas** » December 17, 2007 7:39 pm

What universality there is in the lyrics of "Same Old Lang Syne" . . .

Same Old Lang Syne
(Dan Fogelberg)

Met my old lover in the grocery store,
The snow was falling Christmas Eve.
I stole behind her in the frozen foods,
And I touched her on the sleeve.

She didn't recognize the face at first,
But then her eyes flew open wide.
She went to hug me and she spilled her purse,
And we laughed until we cried.

We took her groceries to the checkout stand,
The food was totalled up and bagged.
We stood there lost in our embarrassment,
As the conversation dragged.

We went to have ourselves a drink or two,
But couldn't find an open bar.
We bought a six-pack at the liquor store,
And we drank it in her car.

We drank a toast to innocence,
We drank a toast to now.
And tried to reach beyond the emptiness,
But neither one knew how.

She said she'd married her an architect,
Who kept her warm and safe and dry,
She would have liked to say she loved the man,
But she didn't like to lie.

I said the years had been a friend to her,
And that her eyes were still as blue.
But in those eyes I wasn't sure if I saw,
Doubt or gratitude.

She said she saw me in the record stores,
And that I must be doing well.
I said the audience was heavenly,
But the traveling was hell.

We drank a toast to innocence,
We drank a toast to now.
And tried to reach beyond the emptiness,
But neither one knew how.
We drank a toast to innocence,
We drank a toast to time.
Reliving in our eloquence,
Another 'auld lang syne'......

The beer was empty and our tongues were tired,
And running out of things to say.
She gave a kiss to me as I got out,
And I watched her drive away.
Just for a moment I was back at school,
And felt that old familiar pain .........
And as I turned to make my way back home,
The snow turned into rain ..............

Ponchodon&DiOKC · Post by **Ponchodon&DiOKC** » December 17, 2007 8:05 pm

Got into Fogelberg and Buffett, both around the same time, early to mid 70's. And I have most of both's music on vinyl, cassette and CD. As a musician for all those years, I always felt a bit of brotherhood and since we are all near in age (8 months younger than Jimmy, 3 years, 358 days older than Dan), and since I also did the folk/bluegrass/country/rock thing, I feel a closer bond with them than other big timers. Anyhow, my kids always loved Leader of the Band, and said it was their song to me. As for my favorite, it's like Jimmy's music, I love it all!!
Sail on Dan!!

Wino you know · Post by **Wino you know** » December 17, 2007 8:07 pm

tikitatas wrote:We drank a toast to innocence,
We drank a toast to now.
And tried to reach beyond the emptiness,
But neither one knew how.

Just for a moment I was back at school,
And felt that old familiar pain .........

I think the man spoke for ALL of us when he penned those words.
(I know he did for me, anyway).

Although I never went to any of his concerts or bought any of his records (I think my wife may have some), the man had the voice of an angel and projected a very gentle soul while baring his own true soul.
I have, however, listened to a lot of his songs over the years, and, if nothing else, the message I got was that he was truly US, and we him.
It's a talent not many in the business can pull off, but Mr. Fogleberg did it with such raw eloquence.
Heaven is richer, we're poorer.

Hopefully right now he's singing a song for our own Angel Maria and my best friend Merlin.

So long, Dan, and thank you.

lati2d · Post by **lati2d** » December 17, 2007 8:17 pm

Wino you know wrote:
tikitatas wrote:We drank a toast to innocence,
We drank a toast to now.
And tried to reach beyond the emptiness,
But neither one knew how.

Just for a moment I was back at school,
And felt that old familiar pain .........
I think the man spoke for ALL of us when he penned those words.
(I know he did for me, anyway).

Although I never went to any of his concerts or bought any of his records (I think my wife may have some), the man had the voice of an angel and projected a very gentle soul while baring his own true soul.
I have, however, listened to a lot of his songs over the years, and, if nothing else, the message I got was that he was truly US, and we him.
It's a talent not many in the business can pull off, but Mr. Fogleberg did it with such raw eloquence.
Heaven is richer, we're poorer.

Hopefully right now he's singing a song for our own Angel Maria and my best friend Merlin.

So long, Dan, and thank you.

Well said, Gary.

tikiwoman · Post by **tikiwoman** » December 17, 2007 8:31 pm

Just wanted to add my thoughts. I saw Dan in concert with a friend in the early 80's in Philly and he was amazing. I had lost touch with his music but he was truly talented and he will be missed. Yes, 56 seems awfully short.

Val

Wino you know · Post by **Wino you know** » December 17, 2007 8:31 pm

lati2d wrote:Well said, Gary.

Thanks.
I remember one night WAY BACK (I think it was in the spring of 1980), I was talking to my girlfriend at the time on the phone while the radio was playing.
The song "Another Old Lang Syne" began playing, and she said how she LOVED that song.
I told her I didn't think it was that great. (I was in my late 20's and didn't know squat about pain and innocence or what the hell any of it meant).
Now everytime I hear that song, I think not only what a beautiful song it is, but I also think back to that phone call that night, what she's doing now, and what would happen if WE ran into each other in the grocery store.
The mark of a truly great artist is one that can inspire a person to think about all the "what-ifs" of life.
Mr. Dan did that so well, did he not?

Post by **SMLCHNG** » December 17, 2007 8:38 pm

I never got to see him perform.

But this song is SO my father to me. It describes him to a T.. and my life, especially since I'm in Colorado and my brothers were in Chicago.. And I try to thank my father every day for what he's taught me. I told him I'd play this at his funeral. He is the leader of OUR 'band'..

Leader Of The Band

An only child alone and wild, a cabinet maker's son
His hands were meant for different work
And his heart was known to none
He left his home and went his lone and solitary way
And he gave to me a gift I know I never can repay
A quiet man of music denied a simpler fate
He tried to be a soldier once, but his music wouldn't wait
He earned his love through discipline-- a thundering, velvet hand
His gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand

(Chorus)
The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul
My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man
I'm just a living legacy to the leader of the band

My brothers' lives were different for they heard another call
One went to Chicago and the other to St Paul
And I'm in Colorado when I'm not in some hotel
Living out this life I've chose and have come to know so well

I thank you for the music and your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go
I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough
And, papa, I don't think I said 'I love you' near enough
(Chorus)
I am a living legacy to the leader of the band

East Texas Parrothead · December 17, 2007 9:47 pm

Larry King is doing his show on Fogelberg ... What a great singer/songwriter ... Listening to his "Auld Lang Syne" will never be the same ..

buffett_budhist_pagan · December 18, 2007 2:33 am

To Dan and his family

I had the opportunity to hear you several times in Colorado the one that was the most rememerable is the performance in Ft Collins. It was the first after his fathers death I'm sadden by his loss but greatful for all the shows in boulder, denver and other parts of colorado and later california that i was able to experince. Theres alway room in the world for a gambler!! Les bon chance temps et roulette, adjour dui

popcornjack · Post by **popcornjack** » December 18, 2007 2:41 am

~Hippolyte~ wrote:Sail on Dan....

some of his words will ever remain in my heart

Elusive as dreams
Barely remembered in the morning
Love like a phantom flies
But held in the heart
It pales like the emply smile adorning
A statue with sightless eyes.

Moments fleet, taste sweet within the rapture
When precious flesh is greedily consumed
But mystery’s a thing not easily captured
And once deceased not easily exhumed.

Now that we love
Now that the lonely nights are over
How do we make love stay?

DF was one of those guys that I knew by a couple of songs and a reputation. Never got into him in his "prime time"--was too busy listening to Iron Maiden

--but I read what people have written about him, and especially this quote, such beautiful words, that it's made me change my plans with what I was going to do with the $25 gift card I got for iTunes.

Sail on Dan.

OceanCityGirl · Post by **OceanCityGirl** » December 19, 2007 12:24 pm

So very sad. I loved the music like others before Buffett.
Will be making an apt. for the mr. to get tested on the new year.

12vmanRick · Post by **12vmanRick** » December 19, 2007 8:09 pm

SMLCHNG wrote: I never got to see him perform.

But this song is SO my father to me. It describes him to a T.. and my life, especially since I'm in Colorado and my brothers were in Chicago.. And I try to thank my father every day for what he's taught me. I told him I'd play this at his funeral. He is the leader of OUR 'band'..

Leader Of The Band

An only child alone and wild, a cabinet maker's son
His hands were meant for different work
And his heart was known to none
He left his home and went his lone and solitary way
And he gave to me a gift I know I never can repay
A quiet man of music denied a simpler fate
He tried to be a soldier once, but his music wouldn't wait
He earned his love through discipline-- a thundering, velvet hand
His gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand

(Chorus)
The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul
My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man
I'm just a living legacy to the leader of the band

My brothers' lives were different for they heard another call
One went to Chicago and the other to St Paul
And I'm in Colorado when I'm not in some hotel
Living out this life I've chose and have come to know so well

I thank you for the music and your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go
I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough
And, papa, I don't think I said 'I love you' near enough
(Chorus)
I am a living legacy to the leader of the band

my fav too.. reminds me of my dad, did first time I heard it, does more these days