Singer Dan Fogelberg Dies

Dan Fogelberg, noted songwriter and musician, died at his home in Maine Sunday, succumbing to his battle with prostate cancer, a condition he had been diagnosed with in 2004. Fogelburg was 56.

Posted on the artist's website (www.danfogelberg.com) was this brief statement:

"Dan left us this morning at 6:00am . 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."

Joe Walsh, famed guitarist of the James Gang and Eagles, has taken credit for getting a young Dan Fogelberg to go out to Los Angeles to be heard by Clive Davis, the new president of Columbia Records, where Fogelberg began his recording career, releasing his first album, 1972's Home Free. It wasn't until his second album, Souvenirs, however, released in 1974, that he became a household name. Following a string of hits during the 70's, which included "The Power of Gold," a hit he co-wrote and sang with folk-singer Tim Weisberg on their album Twin Sons of Different Mothers, he released Phoenix in 1979, which spawned "Longer" and "Hearts Hotel." His biggest selling album, The Innocent Age, appeared in 1981and produced the biggest hts of his career as well: "Run For The Roses." "Same Old Lang Syne," "Leader of the Band," and "Hard To Say." In 1997, he released a four-disc retrospective compilation: Portrait: The Music of Dan Fogelberg (1972-1997). Fogelberg released more than 20 albums in all, nearly every one attaining gold or platinum status. His last album, 2003's Full Circle, was the first album of original music he had released in almost ten years. Shortly afterward, he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and was forced to cancel an upcoming concert tour.

The last couple of years were committed to his family and combatting his worsening health condition.