Dan Fogelberg passed away this morning (Sunday, December 16) at 6:00am . He fought a brave battle with cancer and died peacefully at home in Maine with his wife Jean at his side. His strength, dignity and grace in the face of the daunting challenges of this disease were an inspiration to all who knew him.

In May 2004, Dan Fogelberg was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. He underwent hormonal therapy and achieved a partial remission, which did not eliminate his cancer, but reduced it and stopped its spread. On August 13, 2005, his 54th birthday, Fogelberg announced the success of his cancer treatments and he thanked fans for their support, but said that he had no immediate plans to return to making music, but was keeping his options open, and enjoying spending time with his wife, musician Jean Fogelberg.

After graduating from Woodruff High School in 1969, he studied theater arts and painting at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and began performing as a solo acoustic player in area coffeehouses. There, he was discovered in 1971 by Irving Azoff. Fogelberg and Azoff, who started his music-management career promoting another Illinois act, REO Speedwagon, moved to California to seek their fortunes. Fogelberg became a session musician who played with pop-folk artists like Van Morrison. In 1972, he released his debut album Home Free to lukewarm response. His second effort was much more successful: the 1974 Joe Walsh-produced album Souvenirs and its hit song "Part of the Plan" made him a major star.

Following Souvenirs, Fogelberg released a string of gold and platinum albums Captured Angel in 1975; his masterpiece Nether Lands in 1977 and found commercial success with songs like "The Power of Gold," "The Language of Love," and "Lonely in Love". His 1978 Twin Sons of Different Mothers was the first of two collaborations with jazz flutist Tim Weisberg. 1979's Phoenix was his most successful with "Longer" which became a wedding standard. The Innocent Age, released in October 1981, reached the peak of critical and popular acclaim. The double album "song cycle" included three of his biggest hits: "Leader of the Band," "Hard To Say," and "Same Old Lang Syne," based on a real-life accidental meeting with a former girlfriend. in 1984 he rocked again with Windows And Walls.

Dan Fogelberg discography on Amazon.com

Read more...

If you are an artist who has played or worked with Dan Fogelberg, please contact us at:
[email protected]

We would like to feature a special article with memories/messages from artists as a tribute to Dan Fogelberg.

Also, please remember we have now also a Westcoast Rendez-vous in French for the french speaking persons. Check it out!

Cy Curnin The Returning Sun, his new album is out! As Cy Curnin still sings in The Fixx, "one thing leads to another," and what better way to celebrate one's life at 50, than to self-release your second solo album "The Returning Sun" and to climb Mount Everest with 40 people for charity and get in the Guinness Book Of World Records for putting on a rock concert at the highest elevation in history?

But Cy Curnin always did things a little differently than most. After hitting the top of the pops in The Fixx, he turned his back on fame to raise a family and design his own successful apparel brand, Cy-Wear. Moving to France from New York for love and wine, he has bought and maintained a working sheep farm, continues The Fixx, and, now, as a personal challenge to celebrate life and help people with cancer (check www.lovehopestrength.com), has climbed Mount Everest with other musicians, cancer survivors and mountaineers to stage the world's highest rock concert.

The Returning Sun is available at www.cdbaby.com. Cy Curnin has purposely sidestepped the obvious label interest he would have easily garnered - just as Prince, Paul McCartney, Radiohead and Joni Mitchell have recently done-in an effort to maintain complete control.

The album of Cy Curnin "The Returning Sun" is extremely personal. "Having gone through a second divorce," he says, "there was a lot of personal stuff coming out in my music that I felt didn't quite suit the band mode. The band is a club of gentlemen who don't need to hear me prattling on about my insecurities."

Cy Curnin is living proof that life, indeed, begins at 50. "Musicians," he explains, "when their bone structure relaxes, the tone of the music becomes more vital. There's less angst and more tonality. I felt my voice had improved. I didn't have as much tension in my upper body. The body changes shape and it ameliorates the voice."

If he survives the mountain, he plans on touring. "I've got a gang of young musicians in Los Angeles and Paris just itching to go out on the road with me!"

Bottom line? "People have been asking me, 'what are you going to do when you're 50? Are you going to have a party?' Nah, I really need a challenge, not a party. Something like this changes your whole attitude. I've lost some family and friends to leukemia. It's celebrating your own life, and trying to wave a flag for someone else." says Cy Curnin.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to be joined by Poco and Jim Messina for party in the Dirt Tour. 2007 marked the historic 40th Anniversary of the Grammy award-winning Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and the fun has only begun! The band that is known world-wide for "Will The Circle Be Unbroken," and their #1 hits "Fishin' In The Dark," and "Baby's Got A Hold On Me," will be taking these hits and some close friends on tour in 2008 to 'Party In The Dirt'. Joining the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, will be Poco and Jim Messina.

In 2008, Poco will be sharing a common celebration as the members of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band once did, marking their own 40th Anniversary as a band. Today Poco consists of Rusty Young, playing an impressive array of stringed instruments including mandolin, and Paul Cotton with longtime bassist/singer Jack Sundrud, and drummer George Lawrence. Their set consists mostly of material from the 1970s, including hits such as "Crazy Love," and "Heart of the Night." Rusty Young and Paul Cotton also throw in a few of their own numbers from the early Epic Records era.

Jim Messina formed Poco after serving as the recording engineer, producer, and eventually bass player for Buffalo Springfield. Jim Messina played lead guitar and supplied vocals and some songwriting to the band. After recording two albums, Messina met Kenny Loggins, where they united in the duo Loggins and Messina releasing a number of popular albums. After a 29-year spilt, they reconnected and decided to hit the road as a duo again touring nation-wide.

Steely Dan is setting its sights on a new album, followed by a summer 2008 tour. Donald Fagen told Reuters that he's "back into songwriting mode" -- both solo material and with Steely Dan. Donald Fagen revealed that he is "talking with" co-founder Walter Becker "about a Steely Dan album."

Donald Fagen added, "We are planning to go out with Steely Dan in the summer (playing live) and maybe next fall (2008) I'm hoping to go out with my band ...We are having a lot of fun in our old age."

Donald Fagen recently released a boxed set of his three solo albums called Nightfly Trilogy. It includes the albums -- "The Nightfly," "Kamakiriad" and "Morph the Cat". The last Steely Dan album, "Everything Must Go" has been released in 2003.

Frontiers Records is truly excited to present the European release of WORK OF ART debut album “Art Work” on February 22nd 2008.

Work Of Art is what AOR music is all about! Have you ever dreamt of soaring melodies, heavenly hooklines and a musical technique to die for? Then these Swedish boys have it all for you! This band was put together for the first time in 1992 when Herman Furin and Robert Sall met while attending the SÖL school of music. However it took them about 15 years to convince singer Lars Sarfsund to come in to the project full time and devote his time and efforts to the amazing songs the two of them wrote during the years.

They have recorded a demo (which can still be listened for some time on the band’s Myspace page) and started sending it around to websites and labels. What happen is well explained in guitarist’s Robert Sall words “For us as a band, these past months has been quite an experience. In February 07 we still considered WOA just a "side project" having only a 3 song demo and here we are now 9 months later, signed to our favourite record label with a completed debut album soon to be released! We're totally excited about this since this is not what we'd expected (or dared to dream about) when we first release our demo. Quite honestly, we didn't know what to expect at all!”

Recording of the debut album started in the summer of 2007 and in early fall the band delivered their masterpiece! Reactions are already overwhelming with such comments as “I'm really digging this record for an ultra smooth dose of traditional Westcoast / AOR” by Andrew J. McNeice of Melodicrock.com and “the best album of it's type I've heard in years” by Phil Ashcroft of Fireworks Magazine.

Influences like TOTO, Journey and Giant can be easily recognized. Ranging from more up-tempo Rockers like “Why do I?” to more radio friendly songs like “Camelia”, with grandiose ballads as “One In A Lifetime” and even contemporary Rock songs like “Cover Me”, Work of Art is set to reach not only the traditional Melodic Rock fan base but also to cross over to a wider and more radio based audience.

About Josh Groban "Noel" album. Christmas joy arrives early this year for millions of Josh Groban fans as 143/Warner/Reprise Records realeased of "Noel"," the artist's long-anticipated classic recording of holiday songs. Arrived in stores on October 9th, Josh Groban is joined on "Noel" by the London Symphony Orchestra and several guest artists and has once again collaborated with Grammy-winning producer David Foster. Josh Groban "Noel" CD is available here.

Recorded in Los Angeles and the famed Abbey Road Studio in London in between performances of the 26-year-old Josh Groban's "Awake" Tour, the collection of holiday songs on "Noel" includes such classics as "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" with Josh on acoustic piano, "Silent Night," "Little Drummer Boy," "The Christmas Song," "O Come All Ye Faithful" with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and "Ava Maria." Josh Groban duets with Faith Hill on "The First Noel," with a choir under the direction of gospel legend Kirk Franklin. In addition, singer Brian McKnight adds his vocals on "Angels We Have Heard On High" and the haunting version of "I'll Be Home For Christmas" features messages from troops stationed overseas.

"I was inspired by all the Christmases I've been fortunate enough to celebrate with my family over the last 26 years," commented Josh Groban. "I was committed to making a classic Christmas album yet one that sounded different than anything that's been heard on a holiday record. David Foster and I were passionate about creating the perfect collection of songs."

Some musicians and people works on Josh Groban "Noel": Andy McKee (Guitar), Richard Page (Background Vocals, Choir, Chorus), Dean Parks (Guitar), Bill Ross (Arranger, Orchestration, String Arrangements), Brad Dechter (Arranger, Orchestration, Choir Arrangement), Lucia Micarelli (Violin, Soloist), Kirk Franklin (Arranger, Director), Humberto Gatica (Engineer, Mixing), The London Symphony Orchestra, Jeremy Lubbock (Orchestration).

Josh Groban "Noel" track listing:
Silent Night
Little Drummer Boy
I'll be home for Christmas
Ava Maria
Angels We Have Heard On High
Thankful
The Christmas Song
What Child is this
First Noel
Petit papa Noel
It came upon a Midnight Clear
Panis Angelicus
O Come all Ye Faithful

The CD "James Taylor At Christmas" (originally released in 2006) has been nominated for the "Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album" Grammy award. The winners of the Grammies for this year will be announced February 10th, 2008.

In addition, the movie "Two-Lane Blacktop" is released on DVD (Criterion Collection) today. This 1971 Monte Hellman road movie starring James Taylor Warren Oates and Dennis Wilson (from The Beach Boys). The two-disc set includes a new interview with James Taylor, a restored digital transfer supervised by Monte Hellman, a Dolby 5.1 soundtrack, two commentaries, outtakes and of course the original screenplay.

The story of "Two-Lane Blacktop": Drag racing east from L.A. in a souped-up Chevy are the wayward Driver and Mechanic (singer/songwriter James Taylor and the Beach Boys Dennis Wilson, in their only acting roles), accompanied by a tagalong Girl (Laurie Bird). Along the way, they meet Warren Oates' Pontiac GTO-driving wanderer and challenge him to a cross-country race. The prize: their cars pink slips. Yet no summary can do justice to the existential punch of Two-Lane Blacktop. Maverick director Monte Hellman's stripped-down narrative, gorgeous widescreen compositions, and sophisticated look at American male obsession make this one of the artistic high points of 1970s cinema and a great road movie.

Eagles Co-Founder, Randy Meisner Finds Recording Home at Sonic Past Music Label Releases 5 Meisner CD Projects.

In 1972, Randy Meisner and three of his musician friends, signed with Asylum Records and called themselves, The Eagles. Ten albums later, and with the accolade of being part of “The Best Selling U.S. Band of all-time,” Meisner decamped, and Sonic Past Music is privileged to have five of his CDs distributed on their label. Randy Meisner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Eagles in 1999.

LIVE IN DALLAS was recorded in 1978 and features Meisner at the peak of his performing career. The CD includes his solo version of many of the Eagles favorites that he wrote as well as newer Meisner solos.

LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME ALONE is a compendium of Randy’s unreleased favorites... Qome having been recorded by The Eagles and others that have never been heard before.

MEISNER, SWAN AND RICH has Randy hooking up with Memphis songwriting legend Billy Swan and Alan Rich in the late ‘90s. The album features many of Rich, Sr.’s classic hits and recent Jerry Lee Lewis’ (Rich’s godfather) material. The album is Randy’s first collaboration, post-Eagles.

THE DRIVIN’ DYNAMICS showcases Meisner’s first group and proves why they were one of the top touring attractions in the Midwest. In 2001, The Dynamics celebrated their 40th anniversary and performed for thousands at a celebration in Oregon with all previous members on hand.

HELP THE POOR is the group Randy joined after leaving The Drivin’ Dynamics. The band left Colorado and headed to Hollywood in the mid-‘60s. This album draws from never released material recorded by the band. Decca, Loma and York Records released several singles by Help The Poor, but did not release an album by the group.

Sonic Past Music was formed as an outlet for Randy Meisner. The LPs have been digitally re-mastered and include music and art not found elsewhere.

Until now, Beth Hirsch has been best known as the voice and co-writer be-hind Air's internationally acclaimed debut album "Moon Safari" with their classic hit, "All I Need" as well as "Everything", the sultry and hau-nting duet with Senegalese singer Wasis Diop from the Pierce Brosnan film, "The Thomas Crowne Affair".

Her first and second solo albums, "Early Days" and "Titles & Idols" from K7 Records were met with outstanding critical reviews bringing her folk and singer-songwriter origins to the fore-front.

Her latest solo effort, WHOLEHEARTED, is now being considered her best work to date thanks to the superb production of Jez Colin, Phillippe Balatier & Pascal Reva and first-rate musicianship from keyboardist Deron Johnson (Miles Davis, Seal), guitarist Jaime Kime (Jewel) and trumpetist Enzo Villaparedes (Earth, Wind & Fire).

"Who knew modern jazz could sound this incredible? For any jazz fan out there I would highly recommend that you give the latest release by Beth Hirsch a listen. Even those not into her genre of music will be vastly impressed. The works of Beth Hirsch are a great find from a talent that deserves to be internationally recognized."

Review by L. Anne Carrington / Helium US