The Eye of the Acoustic Storm

Dan Fogelberg

Each week, a different artist is spotlighted in “The Eye of The Acoustic Storm.” Hourly segments of “The Eye” feature the artist’s music along with bio information and sound bites.

Dan Fogelberg died December 16, 2007 at his home in Maine after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer. He was 56.

Fogelberg was one of the most popular artists to emerge from the confessional singer-songwriter movement of the 1970s. Along with James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne and Carole King, Fogelberg gave voice to a more subdued, introspective, and often acoustic sound.

He started his career in rock bands around his hometown of Peoria, Illinois, and began performing solo while attending the University of Illinois.

Fogelberg broke through in 1974 with his second release, “Souvenirs.” Produced by Joe Walsh, the album reached the top 20, powered in part by the hit single “Part of the Plan.”

Over the next two decades, Fogelberg had nine top-30 albums (including three that hit the top 10).

Among his best-known songs are “Longer,” “The Power of Gold” (with flute player Tim Weisberg), Leader of the Band” (a tribute to his band-leader father, Lawrence), and the seasonal standard “Same Old Lang Syne.”

By the mid ’80s, Fogelberg had branched out musically, recording the bluegrass album, “High Country Snows.” His lyrical scope also expanded to embrace political, spiritual and environmental issues. Fogelberg’s last album, “Full Circle,” was released in 2003