• August 13, 1951 - December 16, 2007
• Fogelberg loved the process of songwriting and did it constantly. He never thought in term of album cycles, preferring to continuously write songs and then record when he had enough tracks ready.
• A very introverted artist, Fogelberg spent a lot of time in his teens in the solitude of the woods near his home in Peoria, Illinois. Songwriting was a perfect fit for his personality, as it was a means of discovery and expression for him. The recording process was quite taxing for him, however, and he often spoke of the physical and emotional toll it took on him.
• After high school, Fogelberg attended the University of Illinois, which is where he met an alumnus named Irving Azoff, who was getting his artist booking and management agency going. Azoff championed Fogelberg and convinced him to leave school to pursue music. The two rose up the ranks together, with Fogelberg quickly becoming a popular recording artist and Azoff ascending as a manager and record company executive, his most famous client being the Eagles.
• The famous record executive Clive Davis signed Fogelberg to Colombia Records in 1971. Davis was big on singer-songwriters, having recently signed Billy Joel and Paul Simon.
• His parents made him take piano lessons for a few years when he was a kid, but he hated them and made up any excuse he could to get out of them. He had no further formal training in music; when he went to college, he studied acting and art.

Comments: 3

• Indiana Michelle from UsaI am so thankful that my parents played amazing music around the house such as Dan Folgelberg as I was growing up in the sunny 70’s. I still listen to Dan’s music in 2023. Having lost my father this year who was a great guitarist and music lover as myself “Leader Of The Band” takes on a new poignancy for me.
  Beautiful music and memories never die…
• Pam from CaAgree, Bill.
  When he passed I was so bummed I couldn’t listen to his music for awhile. Seeing here it’s been 14 years surprised me.
  I am listening to his music again and it’s somewhat bittersweet and reminds me why he is one of my favorite. He is the main reason why I started playing guitar and to read that he was self taught- wow.
• Bill from Pennsylvania such a tremendous artist sorely missed

More Songfacts:

That'll Be The DayBuddy Holly

Buddy Holly got the title for his hit song "That'll Be The Day" from a phrase John Wayne repeats in the 1956 movie The Searchers.

Human NatureMichael Jackson

Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" was written by the keyboard player from Toto, who was working on the Thriller album.

Strawberry Letter 23The Brothers Johnson

"Strawberry Letter 23" by The Brothers Johnson was written by Shuggie Otis, whose girlfriend would send him letters written on strawberry-scented paper.

TodaySmashing Pumpkins

"Today" by Smashing Pumpkins is sarcastic in the line "today is the greatest day." Lead singer Billy Corgan wrote it about the crippling depression he was battling following the band's first big tour.

Shine On You Crazy DiamondPink Floyd

Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" is about their founding member Syd Barrett, who became an acid casualty. Notice the S-Y-D in the title.

I Gotta FeelingThe Black Eyed Peas

Will.I.am, literally dreamt up "I Gotta Feelin'." Said the Black Eyed Pea: "Have you ever had a dream where there's a melody in your dream? I'll wake up out of my sleep and record that! 'I Gotta Feelin' was one of those songs."

Editor's Picks

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"They're Playing My Song

When a waitress wouldn't take him home, Jack wrote what would become one of the Eagles most enduring hits.

Keith Reid of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

As Procol Harum's lyricist, Keith wrote the words to "A Whiter Shade Of Pale." We delve into that song and find out how you can form a band when you don't sing or play an instrument.

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.