Net Worth Ranker
What Is Dan Fogelberg’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death on December 16, 2007, Dan Fogelberg’s net worth was estimated to be $4 million. This valuation reflects his successful career as a musician, songwriter, and composer, primarily during the late 1970s and 1980s.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Dan Fogelberg was born on August 13, 1951, in Peoria, Illinois. He honed his musical talents from a young age, influenced by his mother, Margaret, a classically trained pianist, and his father, Lawrence, a band director at Woodruff High School, Pekin Community High School, and Bradley University. Dan taught himself slide guitar and piano. By 14, he was playing in a band called The Clan, covering Beatles songs. He graduated from Woodruff High School in 1969 and later studied theater arts and painting at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he also started performing solo at local coffeehouses.
In 1971, Fogelberg made his initial solo recordings at a folk festival. He gained recognition from Irving Azoff, who managed REO Speedwagon. Azoff encouraged Fogelberg to move to Nashville, Tennessee, to further develop his musical skills. In Nashville, Dan worked as a session musician and recorded his first album with producer Norbert Putnam. The debut album, “Home Free,” was released in 1972. Despite a lukewarm initial reception, it eventually achieved platinum status, boosted by significant airplay from a local radio station in Jackson, Mississippi, which led to a sold-out concert with 2,500 attendees.
Musical Career Milestones and Album Releases
In 1974, Fogelberg released “Souvenirs,” which featured the hit song “Part of the Plan.” The Eagles contributed to the album, and Fogelberg toured with them during this period. A year later, in 1975, he released “Captured Angel.” He continued touring with The Eagles to promote the album. In 1977, his third album, “Nether Lands,” was released, further solidifying his presence in the music industry.
In 1978, Fogelberg collaborated with jazz flutist Tim Weisberg on “Twin Sons of Different Mothers.” The album spawned commercial success, particularly with the song “The Power of Gold,” which reached #42 on the UK Albums Chart, showcasing Fogelberg’s ability to cross genres and appeal to a diverse audience.
The year 1979 marked the release of “Phoenix,” which broke into the top 10 on the album charts. It featured the track “Longer,” which peaked at #2 on the pop hit charts in 1980, representing one of his most commercially successful singles. In 1981, Fogelberg released “The Innocent Age,” a double album that included some of his biggest hits. These included “Same Old Lang Syne,” “Hard to Say,” “Leader of the Band,” and “Run for the Roses.” He drew inspiration for the album from the novel “Of Time and the River.” The success of “The Innocent Age” cemented Fogelberg’s position as a leading figure in the soft rock genre.
In 1982, Fogelberg released a greatest hits album featuring two new songs: “Missing You” and “Make Love Stay.” Two years later, he released “Windows and Walls.” In 1985, Dan released the album “High Country Snows,” recorded in Nashville with artists like Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Doc Watson, Jerry Douglas, David Grisman, Chris Hillman, and Herb Pedersen. In 1987, he released a rock album called “Exiles,” experimenting with a different musical style.
In 1990, Fogelberg released “The Wild Places,” followed by “Greetings From The West” in 1991. In 1993, he released “River of Souls.” Later, he also released a Christmas album titled “The First Christmas Morning.” After his passing in 2007, Fogelberg’s widow released “Love in Time,” a collection of 11 previously unpublished songs that Dan had asked her to release. Fogelberg was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017. Also in 2017, a musical using Fogelberg’s music called “Part of the Plan” opened in Nashville.
Real Estate Holdings and Personal Life
Beginning in the 1980s, Dan Fogelberg resided near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, on a working ranch, where he built a recording studio for his music production. He also owned a home in Maine on Deer Isle, overlooking Eggemoggin Reach and its suspension bridge. These properties reflect his personal connection to nature and music.
Fogelberg was married three times: to Maggie Slaymaker from 1982 to 1985, to Anastasia Savage from 1991 to 1996, and to musician Jean Marie Mayer from 2002 until his death in 2007.
Health Issues and Death
In May 2004, Fogelberg was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. He underwent therapy, achieving partial remission. In August 2005, he announced the success of his cancer treatments. Sadly, the cancer returned, and on December 16, 2007, Dan Fogelberg passed away at his home in Deer Isle, Maine, at the age of 56. He was cremated, and his ashes were scattered into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Maine. The city of Peoria in Illinois renamed a street in the city’s East Bluff neighborhood Fogelberg Parkway in tribute to Dan. The street is near Woodruff High School, Fogelberg’s alma mater.
Earnings and Income Streams
While specific details regarding Fogelberg’s earnings from album sales, royalties, and concert tours are not fully public, it can be inferred that a significant portion of his $4 million net worth came from these sources. His platinum-selling albums, like “Home Free,” “Souvenirs,” “Phoenix,” and “The Innocent Age,” generated substantial revenue through record sales and subsequent royalties. His hit singles, such as “Longer” and “Same Old Lang Syne,” added significantly to his income stream through radio airplay and licensing agreements. Touring with major acts like The Eagles would have also been a lucrative venture, contributing to his overall earnings during the peak of his career. The release of greatest hits albums and posthumous releases continued to provide income even after his most active years.
Assets and Investments
Besides real estate holdings in Colorado and Maine, specific details on Fogelberg’s investments are not publicly available. However, it is common for musicians of his stature to invest in a variety of assets, including stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments. It is likely that Fogelberg diversified his portfolio to secure his financial future. The value of his recording studio and equipment on his ranch in Colorado would also have contributed to his overall asset base. His publishing rights to his extensive catalog of songs would continue to generate income for his estate.
