From the heyday of James Taylor, Carole King and The Eagles; was Dan Fogelberg, a legendary musician who defined great songwriting with individual perspective and performance, passed away today at the age of 56 from prostrate cancer. He was diagnosed with the disease in 2004 and battled the advance stages, succumbing finally in his Maine home.

Fogelberg was a key component of the golden age of the confessional singer/songwriter, joining the likes of James Taylor, Carole King, Jackson Browne and more in turning pop music’s focus inward after the ’60s’ explosion of social commentary. He had started as a rocker in bands around his hometown of Peoria, Ill., but began performing solo while attending the University of Illinois.

There he met a local booking agent, Irving Azoff. He and local band REO Speedwagon became Azoff’s first managerial projects (prior to managing the Eagles). Azoff secured Fogelberg a contract with Columbia, but first album Home Free made little impact. 1974’s Joe Walsh-produced Souvenirs, however, hit the top 20, thanks largely to hit single Part of the Plan, and Fogelberg embarked on a two-decade run that would include nine top-30 albums (including three that hit the top 10).

A fitting final quote from the man himself : “You’ve got to just follow your heart and do your best work … There is no doubt in my mind or heart that everything I’ve done is exactly what I intended to do.” You can’t ask for more than that from life.

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