Though he never attained true super-stardom, Dan Fogelberg produced a series of exceptional albums – almost every one of which produced a top 10 single, the biggest of which was 1979’s “Longer.” His eponymous two-disc set, The Innocent Age, came along on the heels of the death of disco, though Fogelberg began releasing albums in 1974. Age produced four hits, two of which will best be remembered: “Leader of the Band” and “Same Old Land Syne.” Fogelberg passed away on Sunday night at age 56 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Fogelberg was considered part of the ’70s Southern California ’70s pop-rock-folk clique, primarily because of his musical kinship with artists as diverse as Joni Mitchell, Gram Parsons protege Emmylou Harris and Eagle members Don Henley and Glenn Frey, all of whom made guest appearances on The Innocent Age. In 1978, Fogelberg teamed with flutist Tim Weisberg to record Twin Sons of Different Mothers, which had more of a jazz influence. On 1985’s High Country Snows, which earned Fogelberg a gold record, he ventured into country and bluegrass with such luminaries as Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, and Chris Hillman. His music and warm presence will be missed.