Dan Fogelberg, the #102 Artist of the Rock Era, Part Three

Fogelberg continued his hot streak with the double album The Innocent Age in 1981.  Joni Mitchell and Emmylou Harris joined him for the album, which was Dan's seventh straight Gold album, selling over two million.  "Hard To Say" jumped to #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart and #7 overall.

Dan wrote this about a true encounter he had with a former love on Christmas Eve.  "Same Old Lang Syne" hit #8 on the Adult chart and #9 overall.

Fogelberg's next release reflected one of his earliest memories.  When he was four, Dan stood on a box in front of his father's big band, a baton in hand, conducting the musicians.  Although his dad stood behind him, doing the real work, the experience was a forebearer of things to come, following in his father's footsteps to become the leader of the band.  "It was an amazing feeling," he declared decades after the childhood event.  "To be immersed in music.  It felt both very magical and powerful.  And I was fearless."

Fogelberg wrote "Leader Of The Band" about his father, who later became a conductor at Woodruff High School in Peoria.  The line, "Thank-you for the freedom when it came my time to go" in this amazing tribute is in reference to the thoughtful understanding and advice his dad gave him when he told him he wanted to leave college to pursue a career in music.  "Leader Of The Band" was a #1 Adult smash and #9 overall.

Dan's love of horses led him to write this beautiful song in tribute of the Kentucky Derby.  "Run For The Roses" peaked at #3 on the AC chart but only #18 overall, an obvious choice for one of The Top Underrated Songs*.

We want to feature "Ghosts", another outstanding cut. #41  121K, 359-19

In 1982, Dan released his Greatest Hits album.  One of two new songs recorded, "Missing You" reached #6 on the Adult chart.

The compilation is nearing four million in sales in the U.S. alone.  "Make Love Stay" made it eight consecutive Top 10 hits on the Adult Contemporary chart and his third #1 in five years.

In 1984, Fogelberg released the album Windows and Walls. The album became his eighth straight Gold studio release. "The Language Of Love" peaked at #14.

"Believe In Me" paid off with yet another #1 on the AC chart.

Join us tomorrow for the conclusion of our salute to Dan Fogelberg, who narrowly missed making The Top 100 Artists of the Rock Era*.