"Leader of the Band" is written by Dan Fogelberg from his 1981 album The Innocent Age. The song was written as a tribute to his father, Lawrence Fogelberg, a musician and the leader of a band, who was still alive at the time the song was released. Lawrence died in August 1982, but not before this hit song made him a celebrity with numerous media interviews interested in him as its inspiration. Dan, in my opinion, is a master story teller. It's so sad that he passed so soon.
His dad was the leader of the band at Bradley University inPeoria Illinois. The instrument you heard is a Flugelhorn. He did say that his dad did live long enough to hear this tribute Dan wrote for him. He also once said he had memories of his dad ,when he was very young “let “him conduct the band.
Beautiful person. Wrote beautiful songs. Run For The Roses is my favorite. His dad was where his love for music came from. Dan died from Prostate Cancer way too young. I saw him in concert. It was great.
Dan Fogelberg left us on this day December 17th in 2007 at only 56 as a result of prostate cancer. He left a legacy of rich beautiful music and some of the finest lyrics ever written as he was a consumate story teller.
Great rabbit hole to go down there is so much music from Dan Fogelberg You really want to check out Netherlands... And Souvenirs is my 2 favorite but he has 52 albums out.... So much to choose from....
Dan Fogelberg. Was one of the great songwriters of the 70s and 80s. Many memorable songs. My particular favorite is Tullamore Dew/ Pheonix. Pheonix is the title cut from his biggest selling album. Check it out.
FYI - Dan passed on this day on Dec 16th, 2007 at the age of 56 after a courageous 3-year battle with prostate cancer. You were "meant" to play this :-)
Dan was also an artist who drew/painted most album covers. This image of him was a self portrait. He was an amazing talented musician and storyteller, he died way too young. Dan was from my hometown.
Had the privilege of seeing him in concert twice. The first time was a regular concert with his band and the second was essentially an acoustic concert where it was just him and his guitar or his piano. His music is wonderful but never got all that much radio play, except for "Same Auld Lang Syne," which gets played around Christmas time every year. He died too young of cancer at the age of 56.
My favorite song by Dan. A touching tribute to his father. We all don’t say I love you enough, a big problem nowadays. It’s fun watching you push each other’s buttons. Love you guys. 😊
One of my favorite artists. Dan Fogelberg was such a great folk rock singer songwriter & storyteller. He also played multiple instruments such as guitar, bass, piano & mandolin. I had his double album "The Innocent Age" from 1981. He wrote so many great songs such as "Longer", "Same Old Lang Syne", "Hard To Say", "Missing You", "Make Love Stay", "Run For The Roses", "The Language Of Love", "Believe In Me" etc. We lost him much too soon in 2007.
Glad you finally listened to this song Chod. Evetime I hear you talk about your father and how it influenced you in music, I thought about this song. I believe Dan Fogelberg wrote the song while his dad was still alive and was glad his dad heard it.
When I was a child his music was magical to me. Run for the roses... So MANY beautiful wholesome songs. It touched me to see that it was something different for you, too. ❤️❤️🙏🙏
This is easily a top 3 song tribute to fathers for me along with Mike and the Mechanics ‘The Living Years’ and James Blunt ‘Monsters’. All 3 easily bring tears to my eyes especially since my dad passed a couple of years ago. Thanks for the reaction guys.
That is all Dan's voice, and he plays every instrument, including the French horn that is so hauntingly beautiful in this. He was amazingly talented! Had the privilege of seeing him live once. I will never forget it! RIP Dan You are missed...
Spot on react guys...Jim Messina could have had this man as his partner...It is soo sad that Dan passed before his time,but what a beautiful legacy he has left us! Ty
Dan was a multitalented superstar and special human being who I saw in concert 6 times. Try reacting to the tunes Netherlands, Power of Gold, and Run For The Roses which are beautiful tunes. Dan could rock, jazz, play folk, do country and the blues. Dan played every instrument well except the drums.
Chod I know you already did "Same Old Lang Syne" but you need to do that one again with Dee. It is my favorite and PERFECT for this time of year. Thanks guys ❤❤
I live in Maine. He lives this state so much! I think he was living here when he passed. He had a sail boat and loved the coast and everything about Maine.
Dee: You're right, there aren't that many songs about fathers but one example is, "Everything I Own" by Bread. It sounds like a love song but David Gates wrote it about his late father.
Country Music is chock full of songs about dads. It's part of what makes that genre so worthwhile. Till I Was a Daddy Too by Tracy Lawrence, You've Got to Stand For Something by Aaron Tippin, Drive by Alan Jackson, The Best Day by George Strait, He Didn't Have to Be by Brad Paisley, The Car by Jeff Carson...the list goes on and on.
This is a great song. Also a very sad song, especially to those of us who have lost their fathers. Chod seemed to be very combative/defensive today. I think you were spot on on this one Dee.
When the instrumental, and horn section kicks in. It is, more than likely, a sample of his father's style of music. And when you read the lyrics. It is a great combination. Also, the song is kind of sad. "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."
The Trilogy of Dad Songs: Leader of the Band by Dan Fogelberg; Father and Son by Cat Stevens; Cats in the Cradle by Harry Chapin. Guaranteed you will need to wipe your tears.
i had the privilege of playing in the band. I am about the same age as Dan Fogelberg, and I grew up in Peoria. We played in summer band one year, and his father was the director. Of course, I didn't know the significance at the time. I remember Dan as the kid who could play every instrument, and he usually played it better than the 1st chair in that section. So of course, I hated him at the time. The song was released shortly before his dad died, so his dad did get to hear it.
Great song by Dan Fogelberg, just to give you a perspective of how many different types of music were on the charts at that time, this song was on the top 40 in either 81 or 82 which is very close to the same time that Michael Jackson released the Thriller album that is in view behind you.
Amazing singer u guys. Dig deeper. This is about his dad. If dee hasn't heard auld lang syne check it out plz. By the way love the hat and I used to live in Palmdale before I moved to TX. Been following awhile.love this channel . RIP MR FOGELBERG
There is plenty of songs out there that I dad songs listen to the song Daddy's Hands there are different artists that sang it but you should find the original one of my three daughters told me and my two sons and one of those are dead now but they said they would play that song at my funeral as well as many more
Long O Fogelberg lol. Poetry set to music. I always thought he was singing about his Father, he mentioned everyone but his Mom. Wilburn, you should know better than to debate a woman lol.
I was a trumpet player and music teacher for decades. Many time s I played in brass choirs and solos, and in a big band until I quit when the bog band broke up 10 years ago. You have just heard a brass group beautifully executed against the modern sounds of droning computer r sounds and electric type drum beats that are hardly music compared to this. if you're done arguing with your wife, I'll go take her out for a beer now, lol
A very sad song. Since I was a child this song would make me sad. Chod you seem to be really defensive. She has an opinion that you kinda stomped on. Damn. It is a very good sad sad song. We all need to know we’re loved.
Not my favorite Fogelberg song, because, well, my dad. However, there is no such thing as a bad song by Dan Fogelberg. You should listen to more, and you should go deeper cuts, like Part of the Plan, or There's a Place in the World for a Gambler.
Bring in some Christmas chair here red ridge Christmas red red soven read So VINA hay could saying his song was Teddy bear hes saying a song called Teddy bear read so Van I'll wrap
Chatty bear Teddy bear I put you in a Christmas spirit it's about to it's you gotta go to Teddy buddy get the truckers truckers will come back and talk to Teddy bear
I'll tell you what's good for Christmas's riot right at the color red you say right whatever where christmas comes christmas is redad red sova I could really sing a song O'reilly it's O Vine he could sing a song it was good that his song was called Teddy bear Teddy bear by red sovan
If you guys would stop interrupting the songs you would actually understand what the song is about. I am so done with reaction videos and yours is going to be the last one I watch
