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December 20, 2007
Dan Fogelberg passed away this past Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 6:00am at his home in Maine. Dan was a passionate, impeccable musician. As an amateur singer/songwriter, I've spent most of my life trying to write something half as good as Dan! Dan discovered he had advanced prostate cancer in 2004 as he prepared to start a new tour to promote his first new album in 10 years, "Full Circle".
If you ever had the good fortune of seeing Dan Fogelberg perform, you know what an incredible amount of polished, God given talent he possessed. I saw him in the early 80s at his peak with a full band and then in 2000 or so I saw him a few times by himself with an acoustic, unplugged type of show where he just played his guitar and piano. I liked those shows best. My wife Kim and I saw him on his 25th anniversary tour with a full band a few years ago in VA. It was a great show - the musicians he had with him were the top musicians in the industry and he'd performed and recorded with them on and off for years - it was a very awe inspiring and humbling experience.
Below are lyrics to two of Dan's songs. Icarus Asending is from the "Full Circle" album and really speaks to so many of the things I talk about on this blog: passion, taking action, finding and using your gifts. Longer is one of his better known songs from his "Phoenix" album in 1980, it's played or sung a lot at weddings, etc. I used to play it on the guitar and sing it to my wife when we were dating... I probably should do that more often!
Icarus Ascending
Soaring alone upon a threatening wind
Just fix your eyes on the horizon
Cut off from everything
you've known or have been
I shouldn't think it's so surprisin'
Spiralling upward on a freshening lift
Reaching the realms of fleet Apollo
You have been given the most sacred of gifts
You must be fearless now and follow
Chorus
Don't look down
Though your heart may be weary
Don't look down
Though your wings are on fire
Don't look down
Though the night may seem endless
There's a reason you're flying
this fast and this far
Let your faith be your strength
And your love be your guiding star
Venturing further than
the length of your sight
Out past the reach of your beginnings
There is a gamble in each
proud act of flight
But the losses pale before the winnings
Circling and diving with this
freedom you've found
Illusion blows apart and scatters
There is no darkness in this place
that we're bound
Love is the only thing that matters
Repeat Chorus
Up.....up.....up.....up.....
Longer
Longer than there've been fishes in the ocean
Higher than any bird ever flew
Longer than there've been stars up in the heavens
I've been in love with you
Stronger than any mountain cathedral
Truer than any tree ever grew
Deeper than any forest primeval
I am in love with you
I'll bring fire in the winters
You'll send showers in the springs
We'll fly through the falls and summers
With love on our wings
Through the years as the fire starts to mellow
Burning lines in the book of our lives
Though the binding cracks and the pages start to yellow
I'll be in love with you
I'll be in love with you
Repeat First Verse
I am in love with you
Rest in Peace Dan - we'll miss you dearly!
Fred
About the Author
Fred Black is an experienced programmer, web site developer, online business operator, systems integrator, father, husband, musician, and songwriter. Visit his Internet Business Blog at: http://www.pqInternet.com.
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Posted by Fred on December 20, 2007 | Printer-Friendly
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Comments:
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I must be getting old, because I know who Dan is, and like his music. It's not even comparable to the shallow, hyper-sexual garbage that our pop culture produces today. Thanks for breaking stride and remembering this great musician. Brent - www.brentriggsblog.com
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I'm a little younger than his time but thx to the net I can surely listen to some of his songs ;) always sad to see when someone with talent/passion passes away so young. I'm sure he's made an impact on so many lives.
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I remember Dan. I like his music. He also sang "Leader of the Band" and "Same Old Auld Lang Syne" (or something like that). Sad to see he passed away. Isn't prostate cancer one of the most treatable cancers if it's caught early? This is a good reminder to get checked.
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Fred,
I sometimes catch 'Longer' being played on the radio - the lyrics and Dan's beautiful voice are truly unforgettable.
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