About the song
“Leader of the Band,” penned by Dan Fogelberg for his 1981 album *The Innocent Age*, stands as a heartfelt tribute to his father, Lawrence Fogelberg, who was a significant influence in his life as a musician and band leader. Released as a single later that year, the song quickly became a poignant anthem that resonated deeply with audiences worldwide.
Dan Fogelberg’s emotive lyrics and melodic composition paint a nostalgic picture of his father’s life and legacy. Lawrence Fogelberg, still alive at the time of the song’s release, experienced a wave of media attention as the song gained popularity. His presence and influence were profound, shaping Dan Fogelberg’s musical journey and inspiring the creation of this touching tribute.
Upon its release, “Leader of the Band” ascended the charts, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1982. It also achieved the top spot on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, marking Fogelberg’s second #1 hit in that category, following the success of “Longer” in 1980. The song’s success underscored its universal appeal and the profound emotional connection it forged with listeners.
Over the years, “Leader of the Band” has been recognized as a timeless classic, reaffirming Dan Fogelberg’s reputation as a masterful storyteller and musician. Its enduring popularity is evident in various cover versions, including interpretations by artists like the Mercey Brothers and Regine Velasquez, each offering their own tribute to paternal influence and musical legacy.
Dan Fogelberg’s “Leader of the Band” remains a poignant reminder of the power of music to celebrate and immortalize cherished relationships. Its ability to evoke nostalgia and provoke introspection ensures its place as a cherished gem in the landscape of American popular music, a testament to the enduring bond between father and son, artist and muse.
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Lyrics
An only child alone and wild, a cabinet maker’s son
His hands were meant for different work
And his heart was known to none
He left his home and went his lone and solitary way
And he gave to me a gift I know I never can repay
A quiet man of music denied a simpler fate
He tried to be a soldier once, but his music wouldn’t wait
He earned his love through discipline, a thundering velvet hand
His gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand
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
My brother’s lives were different for they heard another call
One went to Chicago and the other to St Paul
And I’m in Colorado when I’m not in some hotel
Living out this life I’ve chose and come to know so well
I thank you for the music and your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go
I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough
And papa, I don’t think I said I love you near enough
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
I am a living legacy to the leader of the band