The leader of the band has died & my eyes are crying still, but his words run through my varied thoughts & his song is in my soul.. My life has been much better for the music of this man; he was a living legacy & still leader of the band.
The leader of the band is tired
And his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument
And his song is in my soul –
My life has been a poor attempt
To imitate the man
I’m just a living legacy
To the leader of the band.
~ Leader of the Band ~
Although the song my heartfelt words are based on is about his father, Dan Fogelberg picked up where his father left off & absolutely was the living legacy any musician could hope for. Moreover, he was a poet; honest & direct, offering words that reflected what we’ve all been through. By keeping his songs alive in our hearts & minds, we will in turn take the next watch. To further continue his legacy, may no-one else die of Prostate Cancer.
It’s the chance of a lifetime
In a lifetime of chance
And it’s high time you joined
In the dance
~ Run for the Roses ~
He had reminded us that life’s fleeting & urged us to make the most of the time we have. He led that charge by example, giving his words added meaning. My Granddad, who just miraculously & ever so thankfully turned 88 a couple months ago, is a survivor of Prostate Cancer. To add insult to the injury of losing Dan to something essentially treatable, he was merely the same age as my mom!?
Love when you can
Cry when you have to
Be who you must
That’s a part of the plan
~ Part of the Plan ~
He became a part of my own being right in the middle of my high school years, of all times. As a punk, alcoholic, habitual runaway; there was little connecting me to the parental unit. Coffee was just about the only common ground left with Momma & I’d certainly never had much in common with her husband. The only thing we all agreed on was some of their music, which is to say Dan Fogelberg.
What we really want
You know we rarely say
Such is the language of love.
~ The Language of Love ~
They each offered me worthwhile vinyl — No age cracks lest you sound like a broken record. 
— to peruse. I had always shared John Denver & a plethora of 60′s options with Momma while I agreed with David (That’s his name, not to be confused with my Dave.) on the likes of Blood, Sweat & Tears. The Eagles were equally enjoyed by all three of us but nothing compared to Dan on this front for we were all actually moved by him.
Our words don’t ever seem to
Say enough
But a simple smile
A tender touch
Speaks the true language of love.
~ The Language of Love ~
Music is recognized as the universal language. Given the separate universes family members take refuge in, music can become both the only language left & the bridge to any other. It wasn’t a generation gap needing bridging but one of resentment thus only Dan’s truly human sentiments could do so. In the midst of his lyrics, each of us singing despite ourselves, we were one. Truth be told, even though Momma & I emerged stronger, Dan Fogelberg may well be the only thing David & I really agree on; especially his song to my mom:
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.
~ Longer ~
Dan’s departure from this world does feel like a personal loss yet there’s so much he’ll continue to give me; it hardly seems fair. What I can’t imagine, by the grace of God, is what his family is going through. They’re being notified of the donations made in his memory to fight the cancer that took him & there’s a site to share our condolences. Surely the ongoing feedback prolongs the hurt even while easing the pain. That which offers meaning though is never black or white; nothing ultimately is & he understood that.
Oh, If I had you beside me
Then I just might sleep through the night
Your love is the promise that guides me
All of the days of my life.
~ Missing You ~
I’m out of words for now but not out of tears. Yet, like so many times before, he speaks for me.
(|_|*cheers*|_|)
I have cried too long
No more sorrow
Got to carry on.
~ Phoenix ~
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Dan was an inspiration to me from as far back as I can remember…The sound of his sweet, melodic voice and the power of his words got me through a lot of bad times in my own life…
Music may have lost a legend, but we’ve all gained another angel with a beautiful voice to carry us forward…
As I battle my own demon, I’ll think about how much love he brought into this world, and do my best to keep his music, and his memory alive…
I’ll miss you Dan, chase the angels around for a while until I get there…
Forever, Nick
Words are the most powerful gift when true & unconditional (like love needs to be <3), which is why be blog, & Dan’s were exquisite. Your goodbye to him gives a better portrait of the man himself & I thank you for that.
Given your own fight, no wonder he proved the perfect lifetime companion & will continue to be through his music. Just like the beautiful creature in “Run for the Roses,” “it’s something unknown that drives you and carries you home” so continue to follow the lead of those wonderful horses you care for & be well!
|_|) “Now is the only thing that exists.” ~ Dan Fogelberg
I felt such a pang when I heard this news the other day. To say the man was a poet, a lyrical philosopher, a genius, a joy, is just not enough. Again, we’re sharing a wavelength.
I need to say thank you for being the one to let me know that Dan had lost his battle. Since that night I haven’t been able to look at his website or address it in any meaningful way. I did read what you wrote when you lit a candle for him, yet I wasn’t able to light one myself because the words I wanted to say just wouldn’t take form in my head yet. I was in denial, taking care of Christmas chores & preparing for the arrival of your brothers on Friday. I couldn’t take it in & I couldn’t cry. I’ve been there before, when I lost my sister, so I recognized this state of consciousness for what it was. It wasn’t until I went to your blog & read your words & saw a beautiful portrait of him (both the photograph & your words) that the tears came at last, & all I could do was breathe in the pain of his loss & that of his family, and the deeply felt gratitude for having known & appreciated him for so many years in so many areas of my own life. He is, & always will be, part of the fabric of this family, as you so eloquently stated. So thank you, Dorian, for helping me through, with your own beautiful words & his! I love you!!! <3
He’s not dead, I have him in my basement.
So determined are you to prompt me to visit that you’ve resorted to abduction & elaborate coverups?
|_|) “The outlet for my sorrow, that I do feel deeply, and the pain, is the songs. That’s where it goes.” ~ Dan Fogelberg