Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Dan Fogelberg

A few years ago my daughter asked me who my favorite musical artist was. I told her I didn't have a favorite, that I like anybody who sings with passion. Then I took a look at my CDs and noticed the name that overwhelming showed up was Dan Fogelberg.

He is on my mind now because last I knew he was struggling with prostate cancer. There is a statement on his official website, but the statement was made last fall and I have heard nothing about his illness since. Recently, however, he put his Colorado home up for sale, fueling a lot of speculation among his many devoted and worried fans.

Dan's music has certainly played a large role in my life. The first full CD I heard of his was Souvenirs. (Actually it was a tape, and I think it was before CDs even existed.) My husband played it for me many many years ago when we were driving to his reserve unit for drill. The beauty in this CD was so palpable that I still remember the night all these years later.

I found one message board where somebody had written that they knew him personally. This person does not like Dan and cannot understand all the grief his fans are going through. He stated that Dan is not a very likeable person. I don't know if this is true or not, never having had the opportunity to meet him. This much I do know: there are a lot of people who are not very nice and who will never make a difference in the lives of others. Dan does. Many of his fans have loved his music for years and found great inspiration in it.

Music has always been my passion, but Dan is the one who showed me that it is vital to the lives of a lot of people. His music has shown me that musicians enhance strangers' lives every day. He gives me the courage to be a musican and to be proud of it.

I am hoping that some of you who read this will be Dan Fogelberg fans. If you are, please feel free to comment. I would especially like comments showing how he has impacted your lives. I know he has meant as much and more to others as he has meant to me.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for dropping by! Your blog is really inspirational. Such a breath of fresh air to see!

Anonymous said...

Wow. I just joined BlogClicker which brought me to your blog. Dan Fogelberg was one of my favorites when I was in high school and college. My sister and I went to three of his concerts over the years. I hadn't heard about his illness. Thanks for the information. Cheers!

Anonymous said...

N.J. mom-
Hello
I would love to say that I am proud and honored to say, that I have been an avid Dan Fogelberg fan and follower since I was 14 years old. That would be 1974, I am now 46 and I am still crazy about his music. I had read in People magazine that he had cancer.I was devastated and very shocked. I also prayed for him since he has made me so happy with his music for all those lonely times. I also walked down the aisle to one of his songs. I wish him the very best with his new wife and his future, he has made so many people feel passion with his beautiful and deep felt songs this guy has also had bad times and he deserves the best.

God Bless You Dan
Love
Kim

Anonymous said...

Hi,
We had Dan's song "Longer" at our wedding. It was the song we marched down the aisle with. Of course, we only lasted 17 years, but I always think of my happy wedding day when I hear that song.

Your sister.

Anonymous said...

1). On his site Dan's new message says he is responding very well to treatment. Let's hope so.
2). Not just because I'm a fan, but I've never heard anyone over the years say Dan was rude/unlikeable/or anything of the sort. I've only heard positive comments about him on and off the stage.
3). Hadn't heard his Colorado ranch was for sale. How'd you hear about that?
4). Fogelberg plays so many differnt KINDS of music, and does them all well. Ballads, Rock, Blues (oh my gosh -awesome blues), bosa nova, bluegrass, etc. He is very, very versatil and very, very underrated. A true musician, not someone who was created in the bowels of some marketing department somewhere.

Anonymous said...

I wake up in the am to his music and go to bed with it on my discman...I love him ....
I cannot imagine he is rude to anyone..not someone with this much talent and passion... I pray everyday for his well being and will be very very distraght if anything ever happens to him...
Dan Fogelberg is the best

Anonymous said...

I can't imagine Dan being rude to anyone either, but I don't know him personally. All of us, though, have somebody who doesn't like us. I guess the guy who wrote about Dan being rude is just one of those who doesn't like him.

Anonymous said...

It occurs to me that the kind of person who could post an unfeeling comment like ' not being able to understand why so many people are upset at the potential loss' of Dan - well this might just be the kind of person that we would all find ourselves being rude to or not very nice to. I mean, think about it. What kind of a$$ thinks that is an appropriate statement, and how long would you tollerate him in YOUR presence? If he even knows Dan, I imagine Dan gave him all of the attention he deserved and then went on to more important matters.